I've always wondered what it would be like to strangle that pretty little neck of yours!
Orochimaru
Hesui always tried to look to the bright side of things in life. Moping and dwelling with negative thoughts in mind never did any good, it'd only hinder him and the most experience shinobi. Negative thoughts constituted to emotions. Anger. Hatred. Fury. Rage. One could lose themselves in the smoldering heat and before they knew what was happening they were bleeding out with two hundred bodies lying still and leaking around them, in that moment of realization it was too late to reconsider. They were dead along with their enemies.
If there was a fight he looked at it as a opportunity to test his skills. If there was a battle he looked at it as nothing short of victory. Death however was something he couldn't have this mindset with. Death took everyone and everything even the strongest fell to old age, even the wisest fell to old age, despite the accomplishments and merits backing the claims as strongest and wisest they would still die. They'd rot in the ground, their tongues bulging and turning a sickly blue-green.
In this era death was a certainty. It was a matter of when and where. Hesui knew this all too well he seen his friends die in combat, his relatives die in combat, they all went down fighting in a blaze of glory just as a shinobi should. It filled him with dread and made him ponder... Was a shinobi worthy dying on the battlefield, did that make them a great shinobi or kunoichi? Did it make them worthy?
He could never find the answer to this question.
Now he had the chance...
He had the chance to have a child, have a wife, have a family of his own. A family he'd protect fiercely and with all of his might, a child he could watch grow and train, not send him off onto the battlefield. He wouldn't normally have such flowery thoughts, he looked at the bright side of things, but having flowery thoughts was just too dangerous and distracting.
He jumped over several branches, the wind pushing his hair back cooling his damp skin the thick forest was a multitude of tangles, he realized as he continued lunging from branch to branch the tangled vines and branches a reflection of his current thoughts. Even if his wedding was arranged. It still made him happy he'd have someone to share his life with that was more than a comrade.
He could get in serious trouble for leaving alone so suddenly like this... It wasn't exactly wise... The Hyuga were prowling around, the Shimura as always were making noise, the Sarutobi were trying to make their presence known even more, but even more prominent was that Syrus could be angered that he took it upon himself to leave without any backup...
If the Domou just happened to be on patrol and spotted him...
It was very well worth the danger and risk in his eyes.
Toka had made an impression on him. It went beyond just the fact she was his soon to be wife.
She was witty and clever, she was powerful and skilled, she was renowned and feared for her genjutsu prowess. She had a way of talking and a way with words in general that made him gravitate towards her, drawn to the unseen flame that blazed brightly around the dark haired Senju like a beacon of gold in the darkness. He had his fair share of woman... Couldn't call them lovers and it never went very far. there was always a pleasure house or a red light district nearby... But, Toka was different.
They'd need to act fast and decisively if they wanted to get married. It was a matter of time before both of their clans would be contacted for their services, which meant they'd be put on hold and the process would just repeat itself over and over. He also considered the fact he wanted their union to be more intimate and peaceful, he had no problem with his kin and Toka's kin all being in attendance to see their union, but this way was much better. It also stuck to tradition something him and Toka both adhered to in some degree.
Shinobi and kunoichi were anything but orthodox and traditional in many ways.
From his travels around the world he knew the closest village or settlement Shrine was just a few miles away in a patch of land that was settled between the Fire village and the Tea village. Unlike the former two there was nothing noteworthy about it. It wasn't even on the map, it's military strength was almost nonexistent, it's size was very small and modest, and its only source of income was the trade that spread throughout the region. This was just the perfect, perfect place for them to get married, they wouldn't need to worry about any random attacks, nor would they have to watch over their shoulders while walking through the village.
Hesui looked around searchingly, his eyes brimming with alertness and clarity as he scoped the area for his soon to be wife. Being honest it was Toka who suggested this route to go with them, and he couldn't object to it since it was a better route to go overall. They'd have the reception in time and everyone would be happy and drunk singing like idiots.
There was a small pathway, almost nondescript that spread through the forest in a tangle of loops and turns. It was a way to ward off any would be invaders, eventually they'd get lost or give up their search for the settlement in turn for something that was more easily obtained and found. Their greed would lead them elsewhere in a heartbeat.
He wasn't so easily fooled or discouraged. He had stopped here numerous times during his childhood to rest up for a few days. The village wasn't rich or huge, but they all managed to get by and make a living. There were a few inns open or a bed and breakfast establishment that a family rented out for weary travelers looking to get some last minute rest before they undertook their long trips. With concise steps that left no sound as he patted his way through the lush and vibrant brush he came upon the familiar tall wooden arch with two large steel doors encased by the wood that made up the foundation of the arch. "Toka-san?"
"Ah, Hesui-san." Toka spoke in her calm and elegant tone. She stood several meters from him with a calm and expectant look in her dark eyes. She was dressed in her usual attire, her gray armor punctuating her appearance. "I've been waiting for you, you know?" She asked with a small smirk, mirth shining in her dark eyes as she watched Hesui scratch the back of his head for a moment.
"I hope not too long." He remembered his mother telling him over and over it was extremely rude to keep a woman waiting on hand and foot. He took this to heart, especially after seeing a few of the Subatsu women tearing their husband's to be blunt a new asshole while chewing their ears off. He didn't think Toka was going to punch him across the face, at least he hoped not.
"Just a few minutes." Toka laughed to herself. Hesui definitely has good manners that much she was certain of. She walked towards him with a certain elegance, her face remaining calm despite her racing heart that thudded against her armor. "Nobody followed you did they?"
"No, I made sure to check." Hesui replied with an easy smile, thankful he hadn't kept her waiting too long in the middle of this forest. "You?"
"I placed a genjutsu to cover my tracks if anyone was tailing me." Toka told him. Hashirama would have insisted on coming along with her, and Tobirama would have followed suit to make sure Hashirama stayed out of trouble and wasn't too boisterous. She very much appreciated Hashirama's kindness.
Toka was awestruck.
The mikos with white ribbons in their hair and wearing their red hakama and white haori looked almost...Surreal.
Toka couldn't even process a single thought, she could only blink and stare with a naive almost child-like wonder and curiosity. The white silk kimono was absolutely beautiful conforming wondrously to her body like a second skin stopping just above her ankles and fanning out just slightly. Her dark hair was covered bya white headdress obscuring all of her features except for her white skin, and a part of her dark eyes. Her reddened lips and pure white exemplified her appearance drawing all of the attention to their fullness and declaring her maiden status to the gods.
She nor Hesui had time to go through the whole day ceremony of the wedding, as much as abiding by tradition was good, this was one thing she couldn't do. So, she gave her measurements to the seamstress having already jotted them down, and not wanting the woman to scope over her body when it was naked. Hesui had taken his measurements at the last second, but got it done nonetheless. After paying for their formal attire they headed to the nearest shrine. Her heart drummed in anticipation.
Hesui couldn't get over the fineness of the fabric he wore. The gray hakama were airy and stopped just below his ankles. The black haori he wore was smooth free of any wrinkles or blemishes. The black kimono he wore was also smooth and free of blemishes a total opposite of his usual attire. Normally he'd have his family crest stitched onto the haori, but given he hailed from a shinobi clan, and doing such a thing was foolish regardless of where he was opted not to go through with that part of it.
This was it...
Hesui and Toka glanced at each other for a short moment, their priest's words and blessings almost going unheard. All that mattered was just the two of them. No war. No Hashirama. No Syrus. No political nonsense. Just the two of them. In peace. In harmony.
The priest of the shrine waved the Harai-gushi... Once... Twice... Three times.
They all clapped. Once... Twice...
Hesui bowed lightly as the miko approached him, Toka copied his action gracefully. She eyed the article in the woman's hand, even from where she stood the strong scent of the sake clawed its way into her nostrils. She was never much of a drinker.
Hesui grabbed the smallest cup first, slowly raising it up for the Miko. He sipped. Once. Twice. Three times. The sake burned all the way down, but he was graceful and bowed his head slightly as he set the small cup down.
Toka grabbed the smallest cup, slowly and respectfully raising it for the miko. She sipped. Once. Twice. Three times. She held her body firm, forcing herself to remain neutral as the sake burned the tip of her tongue to the bottom of her stomach. She bowed her head slightly setting the small cup down.
Hesui grabbed the second cup. He sipped. Once. Twice. Three times. The sake burned as strongly as before.
Toka grabbed the second cup. She sipped. Once. Twice. Three times. She held herself firm, she hadn't been prepared for the strong and burning drink a second time. Her throat felt like it was getting scorched and her stomach got hot.
Hesui grabbed the largest cup. He sipped. Once. Twice. Three times.
Toka took a small breath. She grabbed the largest cup. She sipped. Once. Twice. Three times. Her calm and peaceful expression almost shattered. The sake burned her mouth, burned her throat as she swallowed, and burned the pit of her stomach. Years of experience kept her together and not faltering from the strong drink, she bowed her head one last time to the miko setting the cup down.
This was their vow. Their would be hardships in the future, but they'd overcome them as husband and wife.
The priest waved the Harai-gushi. Once. Twice... Three times.
They all clapped. Once... Twice...
Toka felt a little odd not exchanging vows with Hesui. He didn't seem to find it odd at all, besides being just a bit pressed for time which was understandable, what more could they vow to each other? They had already saved each other at some point in time on the battlefield, that was something more than words could ever put into perspective. But, still a part of her wished they could do the whole thing as it was usually done and not be so...Unorthodox.
But this village was used to marrying shinobi and kunoichi, who would come here in secret often, and shinobi and kunoichi were anything but orthodox when it came down to anything.
The priest waved the Harai-gushi. Once... Twice... Three times.
They all clapped. Once... Twice.
It wasn't completely traditional, but they've done it.
After taking back their formal attire to the seamstress and changing back into their comfortable armor the two immediately went to a narrow side path where nobody hung around and sprang into the forest silently. Toka immediately stretched her senses when they were short of ten miles away, she was always adept when it came to sensory since genjutsu went hand in hand with to an extent, and the Senju taught numerous skills rather than just focusing on one skill in particular.
She didn't feel any pulses, but there could have easily been someone suppressing their chakra or using a seal, the first one was more likely. Even though she'd be able to pinpoint the small fluctuation she knew better than to overestimate her own abilities and underestimate those of her foe, arrogance and pride was just another thing to be exploited in the heat of battle. "Hesui?"
"I can't sense anyone around." He replied quickly, eyes remaining alert, his one hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "I haven't for a few minutes now." He explained further. It wasn't unusual for it to be like this in the neck of the woods, the underbrush and vegetation was too thick for anyone to travel through, and that wasn't including the natural predators and venomous insects that crawled around. Anyone with sanity wouldn't even dare to traverse through it for a full minute, but if he learned one thing during his lifetime not everyone was sane.
He couldn't shake the feeling on unease though. He wasn't sure if it was excitement or just that gut instinct, but he was very much on guard. He had overheard Jime grumbling about the Hyuga during his exit of the meeting room, it couldn't come as such a surprise than Jime didn't really like anyone or anything. It would be better to take his crass words like a grain of salt, but there was a chance the Hyuga would attack, and if that happened... Hyuga were hard to kill and their damn Byakugan gave them the clear vision advantage. There was only one way to strike them down.
Overwhelm them completely and take them head on.
The duo were coming upon the same stretch they were on before that divided away from the hidden village in a multitude of swirls, zigzags, loops, and winding pathways. The vibrant underbrush was teaming with roots and a plush blanket swept over the entirety of it, it was no wonder this village was literally impossible to find. This was also where there was a divide where their compounds stemmed into different directions.
The pair landed silently.
The sun blazed still setting burned and blazed as brightly as it did in the afternoon despite it being so late in the day, tree leaves blushed under its smothering light absorbing it greedily, and animals groaned in protest and agitation as they fled its potent heat seeking the cool shade the thick and tall trees provided. The sky had yet to paint itself in deep purples, blues, and oranges in just a few hours time the show would begin and then soon after the sky would glisten with stars. It was just another perk of residing in the Fire country, the weather was warm pretty much year around save for the few months when it would snow.
Hesui and Toka enjoyed the scenery in silence for a moment.
"Let's see each other again soon." Toka said.
"I plan on it." Hesui said with a cheeky grin. "Seeing you in our home."
Toka fought the small blush away. Hesui was already taking about their home. "It's a promise then."
Hesui nodded with the same grin.
Chakra flickered. Six kunai dug into the nearby tree and another four pierced the ground.
Toka dashed away launching a kunai from her hand.
BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOMM!
It was harsh, uncompromising, and relentless. One explosion rattled the ground, the next nine to follow swept up the nearby area in one explosion trailing onto the others seamlessly. Tree bark could be easily dodged, but when it was set on fire and propelled by the shock wave in huge chunks it turned into a flying death trap that needed to be avoided at all costs. Another series of explosions shook the entire area, trees groaned and heaved swaying their massive branches into everything nearby, roots protesting and struggling to purchase against their foundations, finally completely uprooting teetering down, giving the ground several massive shakes as they slammed atop the earth.
This was one way to garner attention for the next three hundred miles.
Toka flourished chakra into her legs, pressing them into a nearby tree, her powerful hips propelling up and away from the gathering cloud of smoke. She wasn't sure if her kunai connected it or not, but seeing as there was no attacker in her moment of evasion she must have struck one attacker dead on. She flourished again twisting upwards and swinging her legs down sliding gracefully on the ground.
The smoke continued to seep through filling the air with a stagnant and scorched aroma.
"Well, this is unexpected." Daiki slowly emerged from the black blankets, his long sleeves billowing in the violent gusts, the smoke seemed to split around his form as at least fifty more men followed behind him eyes bulging with veins and vicious sneers on their faces. "Toka Senju and Hesui Subatsu. I was hoping to run into Syrus or Hashirama, seeing as the Senju and Subatsu are allies it's only right I kill you both right here and now." He fingered the hilt of his sword, eyes narrowing into a leering glare, and with no reprieve drew his sword in one quick motion his men copying his action.
"What are the odds I'd see you again so soon?" Hesui mused softly glaring at Daiki, he glanced at the brazen sword in his hand for a moment, then drew his own swiftly. "You should have brought some more guys with you, fifty isn't enough."
"We'll just see about that." Daiki retorted.
"What are you doing here?." Toka asked. "Daiki, do you realize what you're doing right now?"
"The fact I'm on part of the Senju's territory and Subatsu's territory?" He asked mockingly. He didn't give two damns about it, nor did this woman have any right to ask him anything. "Don't try to scare me, you're nothing but a woman."
"You-"
Hesui attacked savagely. He went right for Daiki before Toka could make a retort and at his neck, Daiki easily dodged the attack sliding backwards as he let the momentum carry him, he swung to the side blocking Hesui's follow up slash poised for his side grinding against him as he returned Hesui's murderous glare with one of his own. Daiki surged his hand forward, chakra blistering into a deep blue as it coated his arm, Hesui sped back narrowly evading the super fast blow. Before Hesui could rebound and lunge back at the older Hyuga two Hyuga lunged for him as ten more jumped onto nearby branches and jumped down towards him.
Hesui flourished into motion, his eyes searched for Toka, spotting her several feet away fighting off her own horde of Hyuga attackers. He lashed out in fury flooring one Hyuga with the swift cut to the stomach tearing right into his armor, he pressed his attack, hastily blocking another slash. He braced against the shock wave jamming chakra into his feet and wrists and he forced the sword down, forcing his attacker's sword to the side in the same motion and rammed it forward shearing into the plated armor with some resistance cutting through his collarbone.
Hesui dashed away, tearing his sword from his attacker's torso with a smooth jerk leaving his body to fall to the ground. He strained flipping over one Hyuga, raising his sword to block another's attack, the impact jarring his wrists and forcing to flip to a landing.
Toka was hard pressed, dodging and weaving around the rapid fired palm strikes targeting her pressure points, she couldn't allow the Hyuga to press that advantage. Her eyes narrowed and she shifted under a palm strike, jamming her shuriken through his right side, another flourish, she slammed the man away towards her side dashing towards her next attacker head on. As she expected he dodged her shuriken but didn't react fast enough to evade her sword that flashed across his neck.
She heaved her body towards the left leaning on her back leg, hastily dodging another palm strike, her eyes snapping wide as another palm raced towards her face, she heaved again twisting her back in the process and lunging upward slamming her heel across her attacker's chin following through with the movement and swiped at the man below her slicing a gash into the top of his skull.
Her hands flashed through a series of hand seals. Boar. Snake. Ram Chikyū baria her powerful chakra and life force surged with one quaking explosion, a series of pillars instantly shot out of the ground swirling and growing size, they quickly circled her erupting against the orbs of light blue chakra pin balls serving as her barrier.
"Hesui!" Toka called out dragging her feet into the ground as she slid back leaving trenches. She tightened the hold on her sword feeling Hesui press into her back.
"I'm holding up, Hyuga are really tough." Hesui told her eyeing Daiki carefully and the men starting to surround them. That chakra it can't be... Hesui snapped his head to the side. For shuriken pierced the tree.
BOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOOM!
Hesui Toka glared in the same direction spotting Sasuke, his chakra rolling off in waves beneath his skin, perched atop a tree branch looking down at them with a sneering smirk. Sixty men shot through the growing cloud of smoke perching themselves behind him, around him, and in the higher branches, glaring with murderous intent. Their brazen kunai, shuriken, and swords gleamed through smoke glinting malevolently.
"Daiki, it's funny seeing you here again soon." Sasuke spoke as if they were old friends, ignoring the glare directed at him from said man. "I'll tell you what, turn tail and run and I won't have to retaliate against you."
"Sasuke..." Daiki sneered in malice. "I've heard enough of your shit, leave now before I kill you and your little ragtag unit."
"You damned Hyuga how dar-"
"That's enough, Eito." Sasuke said with a soft laugh, drawing his sword in one fluid motion. "No sense in getting upset over a dead man. I guess we're not on the same page." He surged forward his men copying his action.
He strained flipping to the side narrowly avoiding a twisting series of branches and trees snaked around everything like rabid vines. A sickening boom rocked the entire area as water collided with fire. Sasuke spun sharply, completing the rotation swiftly facing a glaring Syrus, Haji, Usagi, Ryoku and Osen standing short of just a few inches away their weapons clasped firmly in hand. Sasuke narrowed his eyes as their unit swarmed around them, weapons bared, their murderous and ghastly glares trained on him, watching his every move, they were sizing him up...
Predators... vicious...Savage. Just like wolves.
Hashirama and Tobirama landed several feet away, their unit swarmed in around them. Tobirama's stoic glare was prominent.
"Sasuke!" Hashirama started.
"I don't want to hear a thing you have to say, Senju." Sasuke sneered, inclining his chin rudely at the younger man. "You think really that I was just going to let that slide and do nothing about it?"
"You came into our territory once and paid for it, here you are again." Tobirama said with an edge to his voice. Ruby eyes burned with fury. He glared at Sasuke, trailing his eyes around until they fell onto Daiki, they narrowed again. He hadn't been expecting this in the least, his worries had been elsewhere primarily on those four clans, and there was also a few missions he had assigned and went over, he had just about gotten ready to study once more... Until he heard explosions.
"I was expecting you to attack honestly, Daiki. That's easily predictable, I just wasn't expecting Sasuke of all people to show up as well." Syrus said with a knowing expression, his eyes still narrowed with that ghastly glare. This what he had anticipated, what the Council wanted to neglect and simply ignore, focused on other less important things. "I'm going to make this easy for the both of you, Sasuke, Daiki... Get the hell out of here before I decide to take swift action."
"Syrus..." Daiki's eyes burned with hatred. "Unfortunately for you I have no intention of going anywhere."
"If that's the case then I will take action..." Tobirama's voice was deadly, cold like the sudden flare of his chakra.
"Don't try scaring me, Senju."
Everyone's eyes locked. The ground still heavy with dew trailing as far up to the green trunks.
The air was thick with killing intent, nobody bothered hiding it.
Usagi drew her sword out in one swift motion, glaring fiercely. "What's it going to be?"
Sasuke smirked forming three seals, his chakra flourished in a bright wave, gusting the area around him and shattering tree bark as it grew in potency, the air around him starting to heat up. "Why even ask?"
"Well then, why delay the inevitable?" Syrus quipped, sliding his hands into the horse seal. I've been looking for a reason to blow off some steam.
"In that case..." Hashirama pressed his palms together. The wind billowed several times, oppressed by Hashirama's massive exertion, his eyes locked onto Sasuke, the flickering of fire in the corners of his mouth steadily grew... Mokuton! Ki no umi!
The interior of the castle was definitely nothing to scoff at by any stretch of the imagination, but it was a moot point for Souji.
Mikito followed Souji silently.
It could also be considered lighthearted.
Mikito matched his long strides easily as he led her through the series of hallways towards, she was pretty tall herself and had her own long stride, but she was accustomed to his long and quick steps. no matter how many times she seen it he couldn't quite get over just how massive and tall some of the halls were, they were most definitely older parts of the castle that were either left to age or completely forgotten only to be kept a passage of time more than anything.
Souji turned his gaze from the scenery towards his sister noting that she was brooding still. He knew she didn't want any part of this however it was too late to turn back now, things were already set into motion, there was only one thing they could do now.
"Are you going to say anything?" Souji asked her lightly, looking at her for a second. She met his stare for a few seconds before she looked away.
"I'm just thinking and sightseeing." Mikito told him. She was truthfully thinking, pondering, something she did very often.
"Sister, stop brooding." Souji said almost as if he was chiding her. He crossed his arms over his chest as Mikito pushed open a door and like a sonic boom noise just erupted all around them, no longer being in the silent confines of the castle. She pushed it open with a bit more force than was necessary and almost took it clear off of its hinges, she didn't mean to just shove it so hard, but she didn't want Souji start getting on her case too.
The scents of various dishes and foods wafted around them coating the air in a thick and abundant aroma.
To say there was a lot of people would be a bit redundant. They were in high abundance crowding every stand and shop, it was almost too crowded to move but they walked through the emptier pathways and in the more shady areas where not many drifted to. They stayed under the veil of darkness and the shadows, the sun was just setting over the horizon, and played in their advantage to staying secluded.
"I'm not brooding, Souji." Mikito said, crossing his arms over his chest, scowling just slightly as she evaded one man that almost bumped into her in his moment of absentmindedness.
She was just thinking, she couldn't stop thinking about the implications of this coming conflict. What hidden motives everyone had for being in this, the Shimura being as slithery as they've always been, the Sarutobi butting in every chance they got just to spite them, the Akimichi... It was only a matter of time before the Senju and Subatsu arrived. She was just counting down until it happened, at that point war would take a firm hold and there'd be no stopping it. The only way to stop it would be to win and put an end to it.
It seemed anything relatively peaceful that could settle the qualm was thrown to the wayside.
More importantly was this a distraction for something more sinister?
Mikito groaned softly, clicking her tongue softly.
Souji didn't respond, only nodding slightly in agreement even though she was brooding and he knew it. She could say she was just thinking but he knew better than that. He could already see the signs of it, her lack of eye contact with him, the slightly narrowed eyes, her lips pursing while she wet them. It was all too subtle for anyone who didn't know her, but far too obvious for him. Mikito always had a bad habit of worrying and brooding it was a terrible combination. It was good to brood at times, but she'd brood like she is now, and wouldn't focus on anything but that, it was quite ridiculous if he had to be honest. "I want you to go back to the compound and gather as many kunoichi and shinobi as you can."
"Oh?"
Souji grunted softly. "I'd like at least five hundred if possible more. Since we're heading a war that will be the least amount required. I'm certain the Shimura already have their own army here, Ajo isn't idle." He didn't want to view this as a rat race, but that's what it was in every sense. Who would mobilize their forces the fastest and then set out to attack, who would lag, who would be uncaring, who would pull back... The time had never been more crucial.
It would only be a matter of time before the damned Senju and Subatsu made their appearance. It was only destiny.
"I'll bring Isamu and Isami, we'll definitely need their strength. I'll bring Shin too." Mikito's soft tone broke him out of his train of thought. He nodded his head slowly, his eyes softening slightly as he stared at her for a long moment.
"Good, don't forget about what I said."
Mikito was silent for a moment before nodding her head. Souji as always had his focus on the task at hand and wasn't going to budge on the matter, unfortunately Madara wasn't budging either and he made it quite clear that he would not be turning back. She supposed it was too late to turn back now, they'd have to stay and fight otherwise the Shimura and Sarutobi would start throwing their weight around more, the Wind damiyo entrapped everyone with that letter he sent out to every neighboring village and country, including her own clan and the Uchiha... And, for that she couldn't forgive him.
She peered at Souji. "What about here?"
"I'll handle things here with Madara, Izuna, and the others." Souji replied easily. Quite frankly he wasn't very worried about their current location, he had an idea where the Sarutobi set up camp again and where the Akimichi set up camp, if they were foolish enough to attack then they were foolish enough to leave a trail, which meant they'd be foolish enough to sit around and wait for the chance to strike once again. However, he knew it was in her nature to worry like she was right now, if they were younger she'd no doubt start fussing over him. "Madara has already sent a message to his compound..." He locked eyes with her. "I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry, I won't fail." Mikito told him in all seriousness, setting aside her thoughts at the moment and settling her focus onto her task. It wouldn't be difficult clearing the expansive fields of sand now that the barren heat that smothered everything in its trajectory had subsided, and there'd be no massive sandstorms to trudge through and risk the chance of becoming lost or disoriented. It'd be very easy for this to happen during the day especially with the scorching sun, they may have been trained but even the most hardened and experienced shinobi or kunoichi would succumb to death in a harsh environment like that.
"Hold on, Ahiko will be coming with you." Souji told her, and a second later Ahiko popped up donning an all black garb with her spear resting against her shoulder. "Make sure she doesn't spend her entire time brooding."
"You can count on me." Ahiko saluted.
Mikito scowled at Souji's remark but didn't say anything in retort or protest. "We'd better get moving then, sister, we've got quite a ways until we get home." She turned towards Ahiko then back to Souji. Ahiko's gaze was attentive and searching, Souji's was stony and direct as usual, part of her wanted to protest with the task he had given her just two minutes ago, but he was right by all means and so she couldn't refuse even if she wanted to. She couldn't find any positive in this at all, but Ahiko was coming with so at the very least she wouldn't be alone with her thoughts.
"Right!" Ahiko tapped her spear against the front of her shoulder a couple of times. "I'm ready when you are."
Madara's anticipation and trepidation didn't ebb in the least as he watched the messenger bird soar high into star lit sky. If anything his anticipation rose as the bird vanished from his sight. Maybe trepidation wasn't the best term to use for his current mood, he was a bit edgy, his mind was going from one scenario to the next, and now he had to wait until his reinforcements arrived which would take a day two at the very most.
It wasn't fast enough, but he couldn't expect them to travel that amount of land in the span of a few hours, it just wasn't reasonable. He flicked his eyes out of the opening in his room, his one visible eye narrowing as he felt Mikito's and Ahiko's chakra dart off into the distance, it was a miracle he was able to sense their chakras in the giant cluster around them, but he credited this to his refined sensory skills and the fact their chakra wasn't hard to miss. He had half a mind to storm out there and question where she was going but he refrained from doing something so impulsive. Though he wondered where she was going at such a time, now was so crucial if there was even one small miscalculation the tides would be turned in a heartbeat.
He hadn't seen Souji since he left the damiyo's chambers, but that wouldn't exactly be odd considering her busied himself and asked Mikito to come along with him. This was short of two hours ago and despite being curious he didn't voice his thoughts. The first reason was because Mikito didn't like this entire thing and he didn't want to clash with her on the subject, which he knew they would clash eventually. The second reason was because Souji did things for a reason, the fact Mikito and Ahiko were setting off the way they came from was proof enough of that.
But, he didn't know what was going on and that made him a bit restless, more restless than he cared to admit.
His torrent of emotions had been off set when Hikaku came to his room with Mitsuki both sporting a few bruises and tattered clothing. He had been expecting them to be going at it for the rest of the night, but he was glad they managed to tire themselves out before they strangled each other. After telling them to go their rooms and wash up, and just stay prepared to leave at anytime he found himself on his current perch overlooking everything below him.
These people were so obvious it was almost shameful. Any shinobi or kunoichi worth their salt would have spotted him peering at them in a heartbeat, they wouldn't allow him to observe so easily nor would they stay in one place too long for fear of being observed. Madara sighed and shook his head, another group of people passed under him and hadn't even bothered to look up. He couldn't feel disgust since they weren't shinobi and didn't know any better, but one always had to remain alert and vigilante whether one could spew fire from their mouth or not, civilians were caught in the crossfire of their battles... One lapse in one's focus and that's what decided whether they'd see the light of day again.
It was a cruel and harsh reality, but it was one he'd come to reluctantly accept... The one time he thought it could be different.. That it was different... It was nothing more than a short moment in time, the reality was still the same despite his own thoughts. Life was cruel.
His ebony mane bristled with the cold breeze, flushing his cheeks a light red hue as they braced against the sudden and unruly gust. He shivered slightly, another gust brushed against him. His skin pricked and prodded, deciding he didn't want goosebumps he hopped down from his perch and slipping on a black garb that acted as a top. His eyes swept towards his gunbai and sickle resting right against the wall closest to him, they fell on the empty bed near his own where Mikito would be sharpening her katana like she always did late at night.
He left his room to search for Izuna. He had heard of people going stir crazy or being claustrophobic but he didn't think he suffered from either of those. But, he was definitely going stir crazy, at the very least he needed to get and move around. Knowing Izuna was already expecting him he didn't bother knocking as he opened the door to his younger brother's room, spotting Izuna at the desk with a scroll opened his eyes tracing over the contents carefully and with keen interest. Izuna had always been one to study and read, anything pertaining to jutsus or the history of shinobi interested him to no end. "Madara." Izuna acknowledged him with one gaze before putting it back onto the scroll. "What brings you here so late?" Not like Madara needed a reason.
"No particular reason." Madara replied with slight annoyance as he shut the door, moving towards the bed careful not to flicker the candle Izuna had lit at the moment casting the room in a surreal glow shadowed by the moonlight beaming through his window. Madara plopped down, resting both elbows on the insides of his legs as he peered at the walls for a moment before flicking his eyes in every which direction. "How did things turn up on your end?"
Izuna slowly turned his focus from the scroll onto his brother, raising an eyebrow a second later. "With the battle. Oh, well nobody managed to escape on my end, they fought to the bitter end. Not like I'd let them escape anyways." Izuna tilted his head. "Why are you asking?"
"I think the Sarutobi may have a camp set up nearby." Madara supplied.
"Are you just going crazy without Mikito being around you?" Izuna asked, resting his chin in one palm."You know I won't tell, it's fine if you are."
"Enough of your nonsense! That woman drives me crazy. It's quite the opposite, brother." Madara didn't hide his annoyance and it made it plainly obvious he had no desire to speak of her. Of course Izuna could read him like a book and could tell at the very least he was curious of Mikito, which he was, seeing as she left a few minutes ago with Ahiko back towards their compound. And, he wasn't going to admit he was almost going stir crazy. "Listen, I believe the Sarutobi have set up a camp nearby... I also believe the Akimichi have set one up not too far away from here, we'll launch an attack and wiped both of the camps out."
"Ahh, well I don't sense anyone nearby." Izuna noted with a blank expression. "Are you sure-"
"This has nothing to do with Mikito!"
"I was going to say are you sure you're not paranoid or going stir crazy." Izuna said with a hint of amusement. "But, if you assumed I was talking about Mikito, well..."
Madara struggled to respond, his mouth moved but not a single word came out. Not even a peep. He wrestled with his agitation as he glared at Izuna with his one visible eye. Izuna returned his glare with a passive and blank expression as he always did. It was just like Izuna to do what he just did, though he could only blame himself partly for cutting Izuna off. He counted to five very slowly, and inhaled a deep breath exhaling slowly, softening his glare. "Moving forward." Madara said forcefully.
"Yes, onto your hunch."
Madara noted Izuna's amused smirk once again. He wanted to punch him for being so foolish, Madara may have tripped himself into it, but Izuna had set the whole thing up. Luckily the door opened before he could strike Izuna and before Izuna could come up with yet another smart retort. Souji stood in the center of the entrance with the same stony and impassive expression on his face, Madara fixed him with a critical gaze as he entered the room slowly shutting the door behind him and leaning against the wall. "We need to gather everyone who is currently present and set out once the situation is explained."
"What's going on?" Izuna asked the taller man with a searching expression. "What situation?"
"I sent my sisters back to our compound to gather reinforcements." Souji told him bluntly, folding his arms over his chest as he continued. "I also sent them away so we can get this done and over with before they return."
Madara looked at Souji intently.
Izuna rolled up his scroll gently. He wanted to complete something before those two came back, which could mean it was only a handful of things.
"As I'm sure you know the Sarutobi and Akimichi have been a nuisance recently with their attacks. And, after we sent back that man's head the Sarutobi have grown even more hostile..." Souji continued speaking seeing as both of the Uchiha brothers waited for him to go on. "If they're foolish enough to attack than they are foolish enough to leave a trail, and if they're that foolish, then they are foolish enough to set up camp nearby..." He paused. Sasuke was no doubt furious with what they sent back to him, Yuto had been attacked from the very beginning, though he didn't have any severe wounds, the point was ringing loud and clear. The Sarutobi were angry. "I've located the camp, we'll attack it tonight and wipe them all out before they become more of a problem."
Madara's eyes flashed with realization. "That is why you sent those two back besides to gather reinforcements." He eyed Souji carefully as he spoke, up to this point he was under the assumption Souji thought along the same process as Mikito and Ahiko, but he couldn't have been more wrong about him considering the conversation they were currently having. Souji was calculating, sharp, and could be very very stony. But, they were both thinking along the same lines. "I had a hunch there was a camp nearby..." Madara mused turning his gaze onto Izuna watching him shrug.
Souji stared at the two brothers for a moment before nodding his head in confirmation. "Izuna, bring Yuko as well."
Izuna watched his brother and Souji exit at a brisk pace. He had been wondering why Mikito and Ahiko departed so suddenly, he could sense their chakra in the far distance before it blinked out of his range. He knew better than to ask any questions because any answers would be postponed until everyone was gathered. He quickly changed into his high collared top with a split mantle and wrapped a portion of his shins in bandages before grabbing three of his seven swords and setting two on his side securely while placing the second behind his back. Ready for battle he left the room at a leisure pace and headed towards Yuko's location.
He hadn't been expecting to have an eventful night. He was content on reading the scroll he had been about a complex fire jutsu that he had yet to master fully, and then after this he would likely go to sleep if only for a few hours so he was well rested. Of course, he was always expecting the unexpected of the unexpected, but after this last battle he was certain the Akimichi and Sarutobi would cut their losses and just turn tail, but it wasn't in the Sarutobi's nature to do something as wise as that, they'd do just the opposite.
He took a small breath, allowing that same smirk he always wore whenever he spoke to Yuko to grace his face. She was definitely awake judging from the way her chakra wasn't pulsating gently with each small breath. "Yuko-chan." He called softly, clasping the door gently and opened it. His dark eyes instantly darted towards Yuko who was dressed in an all black garb running a brush through her hair with an intense frown on her face every so often giving it a sharp yank and making of face that was between pain and agitation.
"Izuna-sama?" Yuko froze in her spot. She surprised to see him so soon, and at that so late at night. Her intense frown vanished, and the focused kneading of her hair came to an end as she let the brush drop from her grasp letting it thud against the floor. She couldn't begin to guess what Izuna wanted with her, at this point in their relationship if she could even call it that she never knew what to expect with the ponytail-clad Uchiha. "Oh, come in." She said, watching him stride his way in just enough so he could close the door. "What's going on?"
"You are a curious one..." Izuna noted with some amusement. Yuko had a thousand questions, and he was certain if he didn't explain the whole thing straight away he'd be bombarded with a thousand more. "Mikito and Ahiko left to gather reinforcements from their compound, Madara has sent word to our compound along with Yuto to gather more reinforcements." He explained the first part, no doubt she was wondering where Ahiko had run off to. "While they're gone doing that... We have a mission that needs to be completed."
"A mission?" Yuko frowned for a second, then realized Izuna was wearing his armor. Which could only mean one thing.
Izuna took note of her observant eyes and smirked just a bit as he fixed her with a steady gaze. "Yes, a mission. So if you'd be so kind to hurry up and get ready, you know how much my brother just loves to wait..."
Yuko blinked twice before she nodded her head and moved around in a red flash getting ready. This was why she packed the black garb like she had, just in case a situation like this happened... Though it wasn't quite what she had been expecting, she was expecting something more along the lines of a sudden attack on the castle or village, but nonetheless she would be ready for whatever came her way. She knew from personal experience Madara wasn't very patient, and so she sped up as she tied her hair up in low ponytail and quickly put on her armor making sure it was tied and tightened just as Ahiko had done it. "Okay, I'm ready." She said a bit absently looking at Izuna expectantly.
"Come." He waved for her to follow him, opening the door so she could exit first ahead of him and shut the door silently. He gestured for her to follow him with a small nod of his head leading her through the labyrinth of massive hallways, some dark and dingy, others lit up by candles and lanterns, and some pitch black without a shed of light in them. Finally after about ten minutes of walking they stopped in front of a rather large, old door. Izuna opened it swiftly, greeted by everyone with Madara and Souji sitting at the head of the table.
Izuna led Yuko to an empty seat next to Hikaku and then took his seat across from Madara.
"I'll cut right to the case since I know everyone here has questions." Madara spoke, his voice deep and masculine. There was a set of nods from a few people while others looked on intently. "Souji has located a camp of Sarutobi nearby, this would explain why they've been doing their hit and run attacks... Our task is simple, we will raid the camp, destroy it, and kill everyone there."
"Everyone?" Yuko questioned uncertainly. She had enough of killing for one day, and what if there were children there? She couldn't very well cut down a child. But, she very well couldn't refuse to do this regardless of her own misgivings.
"That's right." Souji nodded, flicking his gaze onto her shortly before looking at everyone in tow. "The camp is about fifty miles to the north of here, if I had to hazard a guess I'd say Sasuke intends to stop in and check on their progress in the coming days if he hasn't done so already. We'll leave him a warning."
"So, you think this camp could be some sort of outpost?" Mitsuki ventured.
"It very well could be one." Madara nodded slowly, that ever present scowl on his face growing. "This is why we'll be attacking it together and with our full strength. If this is indeed an outpost, then there can't be anyone or anything left remaining..." He looked around at those gathered. "Any questions?"
"What if the camp is just a camp and not an outpost?" Aito asked.
"Then we leave the Sarutobi with a warning, it'd be the second in short of just a few days." Misaka replied softly.
"Misaka is correct." Izuna nodded, speaking for the first time. "In any case this isn't just a waste of time or a petty fight. If this Sarutobi camp is indeed an outpost than we'll squash whatever it is they're scheming, and if it's not Sasuke has his warning. Just keep in mind this is not something petty."
"Are there any other questions?" Souji asked in his blunt tone, his eyes swept around the room several times only being regarded with silence or stoic expressions. "Good, let's move out." He stood up first making his way towards the door followed closely by Madara and the others. Izuna and Yuko were the last two to exit the small meeting room, Izuna shut the door while Yuko walked on ahead. He easily caught up to her with his long strides.
"If it gets too rough out there, you can stick close to me." Izuna told Yuko with a smirk.
"I-I'll be fine." Yuko insisted.
Hashirama ungracefully threw himself down onto his chair behind his large desk. He was caked in sweat, blood, and dirt just like everyone else. Sasuke was too damn persistent in his attacks and having Daiki there only complicated things. Hyuga were already hard to kill, it nearly tripled when the Sarutobi were around and he had to divide his focus between the two of them. He wasn't sure what remained of the woods they clashed in, after Sasuke fired off a massive fire jutsu that scorched the earth and rattled the ground with one shock wave he was already in motion along with everyone else.
Syrus went after Daiki keeping the elder Hyuga hard pressed and evasive as he pressed his savage attack, in turn this allowed him to focus on Sasuke. The battle was long and tenacious, by the end over twenty Hyuga were dead and twenty five Sarutobi were dead, two Senju were wounded, and two Subatsu had been wounded. The injuries weren't grave, looking much worse than they actually were, but they'd need ample rest so their bodies could fully heal. He winced once, rubbing a spot on his side where Sasuke connected with a sharp kick only for him to receive a a hard punch to the jaw.
He scanned Syrus and Haji carefully, both of them looking no better than he was at the moment, their armor smeared and caked in dirt, the remnants of dry blood on their faces mixing with any sweat that was left producing a long thin line of murky red. He turned his eyes onto Hesui and Toka both of them negating their gazes on anything but everyone gathered inside, he narrowed his eyes slightly at their actions not exactly sure why they were hiding their gazes from him of all people. He could understand Syrus, Tobirama, even Haji, they could have very violent reactions that involved anger, anger, and more anger. "Okay, well..." Hashirama moved his mouth once, almost as a loss for words. "I'm just curious..." He didn't need to mention the threat of the Hyuga, Sarutobi, or Shimura.
Syrus just glared, a light scoff escaping his lips.
Hashirama audibly cleared his throat locking eyes with Syrus for a moment before turning his focus onto Hesui and Toka. "Why were you two out alone? You know how the situation has changed for the worst."
"Well?" Tobirama pressed.
"I'm waiting..." Haji said with slight annoyance. "Hesui, you know-"
Isagi rudely cut everyone off.
"Let the two breathe!" Usagi complained, glaring at everyone in the room save for Hashirama, she made sure her glare lingered on Tobirama for just a second longer. "Obviously it was for a private and very personal reason, it's not right for us to badger them. They didn't tell us so there has to be a reason."
"I find that to be absurd." Syrus said plainly.
"I am in agreement." Tobirama glared at Usagi. "That is absurd."
"Thanks, Usagi-san, but I guess it's safe to tell them now since it's already been completed." Toka said with a soft sigh. Of course she anticipated something like this was probable to happen, she had calculated that from the very beginning, but she hadn't been expecting both Daiki and Sasuke to pop up with one hundred and twenty men total between the two of them. Sasuke had business in the Sand country as far as she knew, and Daiki was pretty much self explanatory. The Hyuga were always a primary threat and a constant thorn in their side, the Sarutobi were taking their own place in this category. "We got married."
"What?"
"And, I thought I've heard everything..." Syrus said, closing his eyes for a moment as a sigh passed his lips.
"We kind of just wanted to get it ove-"
"Hesui, there's a different way of putting it." Toka immediately corrected him.
"We know we'll be contacted soon, and it'll have to be postponed... So we decided that this was the best way to go about it."
"And, you two decided this on your own?" Syrus asked acidly. He didn't bother being reserved or polite, he was neither one of the those, and he never had been. Had they not arrived here in the moment of time they did. It would have been a lot worse. It made him angry thinking about it, his hand tightened around his sleeve. "You didn't think of at least informing us!? Had we not heard the explosions-"
"Syrus." Hashirama said, exasperatedly sighing. He was going to pop a blood vessel getting so angry! "It's done and over with, no sense in getting mad about it now. What's done is done."
Naturally, Syrus wasn't too fond of his statement. And, the fact he cut him off only added to his displeasure. "You don't have any sense."
"Tobirama-kun, you're awfully quiet." Usagi noted, looking at him curiously. He'd have a lot more to say considering the battle that erupted with them in it, she thought he would have more to say at least, but for several minutes now he was silent. He just kept that stoic expression on his face, though there were obvious signs of contemplation.
"Hashirama is right... For once." Tobirama said, folding his arms over his chest. Quite simply put, Hashirama was an idiot. But, it would be pointless to get angry over what had happened instead of focusing on the here and now. He already sent out three teams to scout the perimeter, if there was an attack he'd be alerted in two ways. An explosion. Or they'd return with the scars of battle.
More importantly. He turned his focus onto Hesui and Toka. There was an unspoken question.
"We didn't change our surnames."
"Well, now that all that's settled." Haji, always the one to get straight point. "We'll be taking our leave."
Hashirama stood up.
"You don't need to come with-" Syrus began, but once again to his ire Hashirama cut him off. This was getting to be a bad habit, he wasn't sure if it was on purpose or if the boisterous man was just so impulsive he didn't have a mental filter. Maybe that was giving Hashirama a bit too much credit.
"I need to talk to you." Hashirama's tone broke no argument.
Syrus was starting to grow agitated. It was pointless trying to convince Hashirama otherwise now, it'd be like talking to a wall. He just hoped it wasn't the conversation they had before... Or anything having to do with it... "Fine..."