"It's only fitting that I take your heart to replace the one you've destroyed."
Kakuzu
Kagami shook his head, letting a soft sigh escape his lips.
He fucked up.
He fucked up majorly.
He couldn't afford to make such a glaring error. He couldn't afford to not account for such an error. He couldn't afford to make the error that he did, so stupidly did against those two.
How he could allow himself to be estranged from his unit was something he'd never bring himself to forgive on his part. Chojo came running through like a bat out of hell and just impacted with the ground-he had been battling Danzo and Hiruzen at that moment, he seen Chojo moving and anticipated his movements, but he didn't act.
It could be argued he was battling three people, who despite their age, were every bit of fierce and powerful. He couldn't possibly divide his attention long enough to evade Chojo-the shock wave and impact that would follow from his descent into the cold earth, while fending them both off at the same time. Danzo was extremely cunning, and he would pounce on that opening in a heart beat.
However, he still kicked himself down over the whole thing. Despite it being something just simply out of his control, even if he did anticipate it, Chojo's impact was nearly in unison with their trap. He couldn't forgive himself for this one glaring error. This one glaring thing that was thrown into their calculated assault.
The average Inuzuka using their Fang Over Fang usually led to widespread damage. When there was someone like Chojo, using that same exact technique he could literally drill holes-miles long, into and through the ground. It was sheer absurdity.
Chojo's attack was simply in near unison with their trap going off, and that is something he didn't account for.
He should have, but he didn't.
The worse part had to be he was estranged from his comrades, and was now housed up in a small and unnamed village that was a few dozen or more miles away from where he had been previously. Every attempt he made at making headway back to the next region, or trying to find some sort of tracks from one of his teammates was met with fierce resistance. Many rogue and ronin prowled about, and considering he was an Uchiha, their first motive was to kill him and take his eyes.
Which is why he found himself where he is now.
Picking up a set of katana from the local smithy in the village. He was quite an aged man, but still burly and strong. His hair dark gray, and hung over his face and the rest of his upper back. He had a very long beard that was toned just a bit lighter than his hair.
It came just like it always did. Steady, persistent, consistent, and just downright hellish. The ground was completely frozen, beneath the compact yet powdery blanket. The trees were just a mere backdrop, snow nestling itself into and between their branches. The houses of the village-their roofs and tops were covered with the same powdery blanket. Children were running around, enjoying the new change, while those older helped clear it away to open up shop.
The effects of the weather change wouldn't effect him since he could just warm himself up, but even if he didn't have this one convenience, he'd be more than fine. The heat within this smithy's place of work was more than smoldering.
Surprisingly the man had charged him only three ryo for each katana he'd forge for him, when it could have easily been ten for each one. Though, the discount wasn't without merit so to speak, he had to chop firewood and get whatever it is the man needed or wanted him to do. It was give and take, but he had no problem handling chores such as this. Naturally, he didn't object and did as he was told, always using that time running errands to gauge everyone present within the village, and get a reading on those outside of the village.
Today he could just relax since his swords would be finished, and everything the smithy needed was just about finished. There was more than enough firewood chopped and stacked, meticulously he'd add to get the smithy through the rest of the winter. The meat was salted and store. Whatever he had fermenting-likely sake was also stored and stacked. He himself to be more like a house worker than a shinobi doing this; what servants would do back in the Uchiha compound. Not that he agreed with the Uchiha's ways-there was a lot of division and he found himself more confused and at a loss than anything else, but as long as he had his grandma and cousins he'd be content.
"Hey, brat." The gruff man walked through the entrance of the room, instantly catching his attention. He held two swords in each hand, they were sheathed of course.
"Thank you." Kagami said modestly, getting up and grasping both katanas-securing one on his back and the second one on his hip.
"It's my job kid, it's why I'm here."
Kagami nodded in understanding, but his curious side had to be satiated. The village was pretty big, and sequestered somewhat in the wilderness. The population couldn't be over two thousand, and it was probably even less than that. Places like this would never see conflict, because they were so remote so to speak, least of all would one have a smithy in its confines. "Were you not here before, sir?"
"I was working for the Lightning damiyo before, he's always a high paying client and his militaristic attitude makes him a consistent client. He put in a huge order, took me by surprise I'll admit. Guess some Inuzuka were giving him a problem. I finished it in about two months, I've never had someone ask for that much before. After that I worked for the Earth damiyo and he too put in a huge order, even larger than the Lightning damiyo's and it took me three and half months to finish it. I went to a few nameless villages after that, the most recent one I resided in was attacked by some ronin and the rogue shinobi showed up a few minutes after them."
Kagami nodded, keeping a blank face though inwardly he was brimming to his teeth with anticipation. He couldn't ask this man why both damiyos placed such huge orders. A kid asking about such things would only incite suspicion and maybe amusement-this smithy didn't know he was a shinobi, and the common person wouldn't even guess he was a shinobi. There could only be one thing in the Lightning damiyo's and Earth damiyo's mind doing such things. Preparing for war. That's what he thought, and was going to stick with.
"I guess those Uzumaki stole something from the Yuki clan. I'm not sure why they'd go through with that." The man shook his head, expression stoic, but his tone hinting with question. He wasn't exactly privy to shinobi information, but he knew well enough that the Uzumaki didn't seek conflict. "Even the Water damiyo can't control the clans that are within his domain, I guess the battles are getting worse, and those clans intend to cross over to this territory." He shrugged. It didn't matter to to him as long as he got paid.
"I'm here now because the head of this village contacted me. Guess there were some rogue and ronin that attacked it quite awhile ago, but two people that recently took refuge took care of them before they could really do any damage. There's been a few people getting weapons. There's this man and woman in particular that are my regulars. I guess they opened some dojo within the last several months, one or both of them run it I assume. You might want to go there, they have all the orphans there."
He hummed softly. "People like that in this era are rare."
Kagami blinked at that before nodding. It is rare for there to be such kind people in this era. Nobody would care for a peasant orphan, or an orphan in general. It was a sad and cruel truth...
He was a bit surprised he hasn't seen this man and woman, but then again he was never meeting or even near people. More often than not he was in the back chopping wood or handling things on the second floor. He wasn't going to push his boundaries, this smithy was much more aware than the average person. Though, he did hear of the dojo and how many were starting to go to it, how all the orphans were taking in by these two people.
He was simply too busy to put any stock into the matter or investigate, even if he wanted to. His main priority was getting back to the next region, and if he could help it find his comrades if they hadn't made it back already. He had no intention of leaving any of them behind.
Though, it wasn't strange there was a dojo within the village. Many villages had them, it's just many dojo don't practice the art of ninjutsu-which would be exclusive to shinobi and kunoichi.
"As for those two damiyos, they don't need any reasons or excuses.
Kagami nodded softly.
Basically. The Uzumaki enraged the Yuki. Them, and every other clan from that region intend on coming onto the mainland-they will follow the Yuki who are leading the charge. The Water damiyo would declare war on the other countries because they-the other countries will be infuriated that they can't keep their affiliated clans under control.
The damiyos are afraid, and with the conflicts going on in the next region the Earth damiyo has been pushed to go into battle. His massive army, which is even more expansive than the Wind damiyo's had been making its presence known. The Lightning damiyo is preparing for battle, if he hasn't already attacked. Which would mean-those countries like the Monsoon, Thunder, Hurricane, Iceberg, Blizzard, Tropics, Fishermen Island, Fisherman Isle, Ocean, and all the other islands dotting throughout the ocean...The passage would be the place for the coming wars. Including Volcano Way.
It was extremely daunting. On these islands were...Things. They couldn't be properly explained, and whenever one set foot on the island these things would hunt them down. Many said there were cyclops, gigantic insects, spiders the size of tigers with webs as large as mountains, ants the size of ninken, and what many know as the Menk. There had to be hundreds if not thousands of these islands, and each one of them was swarming with these types of creatures, and he couldn't begin to guess what else.
There were many Uchiha that ventured out to these parts of the world, very strong and experienced Uchiha, and none of them...Not a single one...Returned.
No human returns from those islands.
However, this would also mean things in the next region would be finished before this occurs, which would be very soon considering the snow was only getting worse just about everywhere. If he heard the rumors correctly the Wind country was nothing short of a machine, along with the Earth country, but there was still much opposition, and Sasuke, Genzo, and the Sarutobi were attacking everyone they possibly could regardless of affiliation.
Atsushi, Hiroshi, and the Akimichi were tearing the landscape asunder with their expansion and super expansion jutsus. Koichi-leader of the Hatake and Koji-second in command of the hatake were tearing a path through most of their opposition. Hajime, Koizuki, and the Hageshii were being wily as always, many were falling to them. Kenzou, Reiji, and the Tachibana clan were leading full scale attacks on everyone and everything within their range. Saburo Chibana, leader of the Chibana clan, Takahrio Chibana, second in command of the Chibana clan, and the Chibana clan were following suit and provoking numerous conflicts. Tunoichi, Takehito, and the Shainingu were leaving trails of destruction and sophistry in their wake.
The Uchiha and Domou had the Sand country under a complete lock and the sands ran with blood, many were calling it the 'Red Sand' because of this.
The Desert country, like many of the smaller countries and villages suffered extreme losses as the battles progressed over time, and the military was down to just a few thousand if not less.
However, the damiyo and Senju continued to battle, and the Senju brothers' use of the clone jutsu was becoming extremely widespread.
Not including the fact there were cyclops and three Bijuu destroying everything within sight. Everyone was taking heavy losses, but the Wind was continuing to surge through everything, and like the other villages and countries has come into conflict with the Earth damiyo. The borders merged and now it was battle for expansion, for territory, on both sides of the spectrum. But, he had a feeling the Earth damiyo and Wind damiyo would eventually join hands...
Just a hunch.
"Susumu-san!" A man called out.
Kagami perked up slightly, attention rapt for whoever this could be. Possibly the man and woman Susumu-san had mentioned before? He discreetly followed after the older man as he ventured out of the room. The place wasn't exactly huge or expansive by any means and it took all but a few seconds to get downstairs. And, a man and woman greeted him, and they looked familiar.
The man was quite dark, with long hair that refused to be tamed and looked very youthful. Judging from his build he had to be in late twenties, close to thirty. A man and person in general that should be feared and respected-not many lived to such a ripe age.
The woman had her hair down, both of her dark eyes were warm, and she had much more fair skin in comparison to the man.
However, Susumu looked like he had just finished eating a rotten and sour fish. Clearly, the man wasn't exactly fond of whoever this was, the man's voice did have youthfulness to it. And, well, Susumu was old and old people were grumpy.
"Don't mind Eiji-dono, Susumu-san." The woman said, offering an apologetic smile. "We've only come here for the child, but my husband will also be purchasing another sword."
Susumu nodded before gesturing Eiji to follow after him.
Remaining in the room with Kagami, the woman gazed in his direction. He was young, probably no older than ten if that, but his experience clearly showed in his eyes. Though, they were a bit soft, almost milky in a way, she could never mistake that glint. The only thing missing was those very eyes bleeding into crimson. "Kagami."
"Toka-san." Kagami looked at her, blinking a few times. It was hard to recognize her without that top knot, she looked much more womanly now. Her hair was down and long, reaching all the way to her tailbone. Those dark eyes that had always been resolute were softer and warmer, and she wore a thick pink kimono-something he thought he'd never see her wear. "I thought it was you."
"Uncanny, even for an Uchiha." Toka said with a small smile. She faced off against many of the hateful Uchiha, and Kagami was a stand out from the rest not only because of his skills at his young age, but also because of his mindset. He didn't have the same rigid and obstinate view like the majority of Uchiha do, nor the cold and hateful eyes that many of the Uchiha have. "Though, my name is no longer Toka Senju. You can just call me Chizuru."
"So, that means Eiji-san is really Hesui-san?" Kagami was a bit perplexed. He'd never forget that man, or the Subatsu in general. They had to be the most ferocious foes he and the Uchiha had to face down, and they were much worse than the Senju in his opinion. Hesui, the same man that would be standing in a valley of corpses like the Subatsu with him, all drenched to the bone in blood. Their fangs still glinting. "You both ran away."
"Hesui's clan is different when it comes to leaving, or anything along those lines. To answer your question, yes, we both left our clans."
"Why?"
Normally, she would scowl and reprimand someone for even asking something of the sort. It was personal, a choice they both made, and then discussed, before following through on it together. But, that's when she was part of the Senju clan, but she wasn't affiliated with them anymore-she'd always be a Senju, but for the rest of her life from this point on she will be Chizuru. "I agree with Hashirama's ideals and beliefs, I also believe a village system is needed before clans are driven to extinction, this doesn't exclude the Senju and Uchiha. However, I don't agree with him trying to put himself into a higher position of power and Tobirama seeing to it that it happens. If we make a pact with the Fire damiyo it shows incompetence on our part, if the conflicts are to really end then shinobi need to cut their losses."
Hashirama was idealistic, and he desired peace more than anything else. He wanted to create a village, where clans could come together. It wasn't bad by any means, but it brought up many important points and Toka hit two dead on. The first being that if the conflicts are to truly end the shinobi have to cut their losses-which means they'd no longer sell their services to the damiyo, lords, or anyone else that was willing to pay. This, wouldn't happen however. If and when villages were formed, the damiyo would be a critical piece in that. The second point was Hashirama would be in a very high position of power.
Kagami found himself nodding. Toka wasn't wrong-and was two decades older than him. She experienced more and has been through more than he has. How many people must she have loved. Hated. Killed. Met. Argued with. Even on the most basic level, she had him by leaps and bounds because experience was what mattered the most. "You could no longer follow him." It wasn't his first realization, but it was the only one that mattered. The Senju had a good track record when it came to defection or anything of the sort-it was rare. "What about Hesui-san?"
"As I've told you. His clan is much different than the Senju when it comes to these things. But, he left his clan for a life with me."
Kagami couldn't help it and raised an eyebrow. "You were in an alliance."
He didn't know why or how, all he knew was the fact the Subatsu and Senju were no longer allies, and haven't been for quite a while.
"Our clans are much different from each other. The Senju are a clan of love. The Subatsu are a clan of resolution. They put being together above everything else."
Toka smiled. It was something she'd always think back on, something to remember for as long as she lives. While her reasons for leaving the Senju clan were purely her own, Hesui left the Subatsu for her. To be together with her. To spend the rest of his life with her. He was more than firm on the decision, even when she tried to tell him he didn't have to go so far just for her-even if she was his wife. He retorted by saying it is the fact she is his wife, he used the word mate at first, that he refused to leave her side. She couldn't do much after that, except agree. But, he could have easily turned his back on her.
"We're inseparable."
"You two...Love each other." Kagami muttered softly, looking away from the smile Toka flashed onto him. He knew how men and women have kids, he learned about that among other things during his training. Not exactly something a kid his age should know, but he was killing and launching ninjutsus that could rip the ground itself apart, so why not know the full details of nature's ways. "Love is a wonderful thing."
"Indeed." Toka grinned slightly, heart racing just a bit faster as she rubbed her tummy. "Is there a reason you are in this village?" She thought better of it, and waved her hand steadily as Hesui came back into view inspecting his new sword speaking animatedly with Susumu. Kagami wouldn't be in this village just to be in it, and she was certain he wasn't at the stage where her and Hesui were at. "Come with us back to the dojo, there's a lot of kids there your age. I will tell you this though, do not call me or my husband by the names you know. We are Eiji and Chizuru."
"I couldn't..." Kagami didn't feel any fear or wariness. If Toka wanted to she could have trapped him in a horrid genjutsu-even Uchiha fell victim to her prowess in the art, and he wasn't arrogant enough to think he'd be exempt from falling to its effects. He didn't hate the Senju-they killed some of his family, but so did the Sarutobi, Shimura, and the thousands of other clans. It was an endless cycle, and like everyone else he was thrown into a trapped within that cycle.
He only wished everyone would stop killing each other, because truthfully he didn't want anyone to die. Senju, Hagoromo, Domou, Nara, it didn't matter from what clan they hailed from.
"Susumu-san isn't normally so kind. He is very old, and likes the simple things in life. Silence. Respect. Mostly silence." She waved off his concern. It wasn't the fact she had at one point been his mortal enemy that was making him a bit reluctant, it was his home training. She really couldn't expect anything less from the Uchiha. They were as divided as they were arrogant and hateful. A lot of things were driven into this boy's head. Number one was to hate and despise the Senju-but she couldn't see or feel any traces of hatred.
He did finish all of those tasks, and he was almost certain he also finished his swords as well. Rightfully so, Susumu wouldn't exactly need him around anymore. It'd be imposing on that point.
Senju...
He frowned at the thought-ridden with malice and distrust.
He knew where it came from, exactly where it came from. His clan, the elders in particular driving the point to hate and distrust the Senju. He'd hate to say that had some hold over him, because truthfully they didn't, but that 'programming' was coming back full force.
He was defying common sense, speaking with Toka.
However...Even without his Sharingan, he could see it.
Just barely.
Her belly was a bit bigger than normal, even with the thick kimono on. It would be hard to notice at first glance, but he was always more aware and mindful than most his age, and people older than him.
"When you put it that way." Kagami was a bit confused, but he felt he understood Toka better.
"I'll also tell you how Hesui and I ended up here."
Kagami was impressed.
The dojo was very big and had to be extremely spacious on the inside. It was fit with the times, having a home and everything else around and within it. He would guess the dojo would be the largest one, and the rest would be where Toka and Hesui resided. Or it could be just the opposite. His ears perked up, honing in the shouts and chatter of children even from where he was, which was give or take ten meters away or less. He tried to pick out each particular voice, and then differ it from the other.
However, he just kept his observations to himself. This wasn't an awkward silence by any stretch, and it was nothing like staring down a foe that wants to swipe off your head-eyes bloodshot and burning with hatred, even more fierce than his Sharingan. Emotions were to be sealed away, he knew it all too well, but something always shook him at his core staring into such eyes.
"Eiji-sensei! Chizuru-dono!"
Abruptly, and almost painfully he was brought out of his musings. Children of all ages, but no older than eleven swarmed around him. They held their log-like training swords up while grinning ear to ear and waving their free hands. His eyes honed in on their thick training swords, and they were something he had never seen before. It was much thicker and wider than a regular bokken, and it looked a great deal heavier. While he did use a bokken to begin his training, once he really got into it more often than not he was using a real but un-sharpened sword. He never used this log-like bokken.
Kagami titled his head while a few of the kids looked at him curiously. Their eyes were wide and innocent, the ones around his age that had yet to turn seven. "Who is that?"
"I'm Kagami." He introduced himself, smiling brightly at the young kids. It was...Uplifting to see such happy and innocent faces as well as eyes-too often he was staring into hate filled eyes and they were being cast by full grown men-four even six times his own age times. Definitely not children. "It is a pleasure to meet all of you."
"I'm Kondou!"
"I'm Hesiuke!"
"I'm Ayame!"
"I'm Ayama."
"I'm Akane!"
"My name is Akame!"
They began introducing themselves, one after the next, boys and girls, with such enthusiasm and vigor he almost felt like he was going to fall back in shock. He didn't want to come off as rude or cruel, because he was anything but those two things, but he could feel his head begin to spin. It was an overload of the highest degree, especially since he tried to process everything in an orderly way. Having the Sharingan gave him a whole array of perks, but what he was fond of the most was being able to capture everything.
It was like images, and he could play them over and over within his mind forwards or backwards. The Sharigan can predict and anticipate movements, even from the slightest muscle twitch, but it can also capture a person's mannerisms, even down to the way they move their arms while they wal. How they write. What it is they are saying from a distance away, he could read lips very well, but the Sharingan only enhanced his talent for it. And, with the Sharingan he could write in the same exact way as the person he was observing. Walk the same exact way whoever it was he was observing.
"Give him some space, guys. Come on, I've got all of you some snacks." Toka raised her basket full of goodies. Immediately all of the children, most of them forgot about Kagami, and ran to her. "Can you take Kagami to our private quarters, dear?"
Hesui nodded with a light grin. "Are you sure? I can handle the rest from here. You should be resting."
"I can manage this, besides I can't just sit around."
Kagami laughed softly as the horde of children followed after Toka without any reprieve. Regardless of hailing from a clan or not, every child would always jump and grin when it came to getting snacks. Even he wasn't immune to this and would often get giddy when his grandma would make her super sweet dango.
Hesui lead him away from all the noise and excitement. Inwardly he was relieved, he enjoyed silence.
"I know it's now what you're used to since you're an Uchiha, but make yourself at home."
Kagami bowed lightly to Hesui. Their home wasn't like Uchiha homes by any stretch. For starters there weren't Uchiha symbols everywhere. The second reason would be it is not ostentatious by any means or stretch of the imagination. Everything was modest and practical, the bare essentials and that was it. This home was huge and spacious without a doubt, but it lacked that flare...That flamboyance Uchiha homes had. They were quite grand and caught a lot of attention, the higher ranking Uchiha even had mansions.
"I like it." Kagami said softly. There weren't any chairs, just cushions, and there was no big table before them. The table was modest at best. "It feels like home...Cozy."
"To think someone like you could come out of the Uchiha clan, though you are still young." Hesui waved his hand carelessly as Kagami fixed him with a curious gaze. He fought many Uchiha, killed many Uchiha, but the majority all had that same hate. That same bitterness. Some didn't have it, like Kagami, like Yuto, but the majority of them were infected with it. "I've faced off against many of your kinsmen, young Kagami. Many of those Uchiha were infected with hate and bitterness, I could feel it when I clashed with them. They didn't possess your uncanny. I can't see a trace of hate in your eyes."
It wasn't a surprise since their clans had been battling fiercely. The Subatsu had been allies with the Senju. Syrus made it his priority to go right after Mikito and his leader, Madara, and the collision was devastating every single time. "I don't hate anyone, Hesui-san." Kagami said softly, thoughtfully looking at the ground. He lost family, but they were in the war, death was inevitable.
They were killed because someone else needed to survive, and they killed in order to survive. It wasn't right, but it's how things are. If his deceased family didn't go out into the unknown he wouldn't be able to stand where he is now, alive and well.
He could be sick or starving. But, because of their sacrifice he's able to stand where he is now.
"Want some sake?" Hesui asked, pouring himself a generous glass.
He was technically an adult, within the Uchiha clan and outside of it. Being on the battlefields he wasn't treated any different from anyone else, from any other clan. The fact he was an Uchiha put an even bigger target on him. "No, thank you." Kagami graciously declined. "But, I will have some tea."
Hesui scratched the back of his head, downing his glass of sake. "You'll have to wait then."
Thankfully, Toka entered the room a few minutes later with a steaming kettle in one hand. She bent down to set into place, but Hesui grabbed it before she could even get halfway and set it down himself a few inches from his sake before helping her take a seat. "They're all resting at the moment."
"I told you to be careful." Hesui said, giving Toka a light glare. "That much strain isn't good for you."
"You worry too much, dear."
"Are you pregnant?" Kagami couldn't help but ask.
"Four months." Toka said proudly. She set a cup down in front of him and poured the steaming tea into it. "Now, do you mind telling us why you are here?"
"I was on a mission. I was estranged from my unit after something went terribly wrong halfway into it, I've been alone for about the last five months and have seek refuge here because of the snow."
"The Sarutobi and Shimura have numerous outposts near the next region, Tobirama wanted something done about that." Toka mused gently, staring at her tea as she took a very ginger sip. Tobirama had always been more aggressive than Hashirama, taking after his father. While Hashirama wanted to keep his focus on the next region and trying to propose peace to the Uchiha, Tobirama kept his focus within the next region and around it. Kept his focus on confronting the Uchiha. "I assume Madara wanted something done about them and wanted to catch the Senju in the crossfire. Kill two birds with one stone."
"That would explain why that snake Ajo and his pack of Shimura were so close to this village then." Hesui muttered, eyes growing tight with anger as he set his cup down. The sake rippled gently from the impact but became placid once more. Ajo was infamous to many for his biting ruthlessness and ways of trapping people-making them trap themselves. The Shimura were a dark clan, and they could always use the darkness in others. "I thought it was just him doing the usual, but I didn't guess it could coincide with you..."
"Ajo was here, recently?" Kagami's eyes widened briefly. Ajo was usually doing something of high importance-whether that meant he was killing someone of high importance or spying on someone, he was doing something that demanded attention.
"He comes and goes, but never remains long enough to cause any damage. I would say that's because he doesn't know this village is here." Toka explained softly, sipping her tea. Even Butsuma had been wary of Ajo when he was alive, the Shimura could and would strike from any shadow, and he had no qualms about stepping foot onto Senju territory. He loved to provoke conflicts. "Or, it's that he is looking for someone or something in particular. I couldn't happen to guess."
"Knowing him it is the second one." Hesui said with some disdain, finally sipping at his sake again. "I can't see why he'd trouble himself with anything less than that, if he had his way I'm certain this village wouldn't be standing any longer."
That means Yuko...Or one my comrades has to be close... Kagamu surmised silently. If it wasn't one of his comrades, then it was someone else that was a priority in Ajo's mind, and the prospect of that wasn't very good in the least. Ajo went after very powerful and wily shinobi. Quite frankly he didn't want to meet these high priorities if he could help it. Ajo wasn't one to be trifled with. "How did you two end up here?"
"Well, after the last battle we endured in the next region we decided to cut our losses and get out before things spiraled even more out of control and our clans ended their alliance. We spent our time after that traveling until we finally stumbled upon this little village a few long months later. The head of this village was rightfully scared of having two shinobi taking refuge, especially hailing from the Senju and Subatsu clans. Though we will cause no harm, we have enemies that will target the village by default. We understood far too well. In the end I couldn't eat for almost a week since they refused to feed me anything. I could have hunted outside of this village, but I went along with it. We both had to take on some rogues to gain his trust and change our names. Afterwards he apologized fervently to us and allowed us to reside here as long as we wish, he even permitted us to build this dojo."
"That day I became Chizuru and my dear became Eiji." Toka finished, gently stroking a hand over her stomach. "It's been a long ride for both of us, but I think we can finally settle down."
Kagami was utterly speechless. For two members of separate clans that were now enemies to go to such lengths to be with each other was literally unheard of. Shinobi only had one loyalty and that was to the clan and nothing else. If their lovers were from a different clan they'd end the marriage if meant their clan would prosper, but here were these two transcending beyond their clans, transcending beyond the dogmatic mentality of this era and giving everything they have for each other. They could have been killed while they were traveling, but it was a risk they braved together as husband and wife. Man and woman. Soon, they'd have a child.
"Forgive me. I...Wish I could understand..." He felt bad and uneasy for not being able to understand fully. He could understand why they did what they did, but what drove them individually he couldn't understand and severely struggled to grasp. It's not like the Uchiha had a training course on love and every little nuance that comes along with it, no the Uchiha had everything but that.
"You will come to understand, eventually." Hesui laughed softly, ruffling up his already unkempt hair. When Kagami became a man, he'd understand completely why they did what they did and their reasons for doing it. But, for now he was still a child and couldn't hope to grasp such things, even if he was allowed to fight on war zones despite his age, some things one just learned as they grew up.
"It's stupid of me to say enjoy being a kid, but you're still a kid, Kagami. Enjoy it. Don't be in such a hurry to be an adult. Subatsu and Domou aren't allowed to fight in wars until at least the age of thirteen, it doesn't matter how much promise they show at a young age. They have endured more than a decade of harsh and unrelenting training to prepare themselves for war by the time they're thirteen. Even if you cry and wet your bed, even if you embarrass yourself in front of your peers, you will eventually grow into a man. If you can't figure something out now, with time and experience, you will figure it out. You'll even find it amusing."
"Y-Yeah..." Kagami nodded awkwardly, feeling a tad bit more emotional than he should be at the moment. He was always hailed as a prodigy, a massive talent within the Uchiha, he could defeat a good majority of the adults. People didn't see him as a child of only eight years old. They seen him as a soldier, an elite shinobi who had the grit and potential to turn into something extraordinary once he came of age. They only seen him for his talents and abilities, not for who he was as a person, or for the child that he was. I think I understand why I feel so at ease while I speak with these two...They see me for the childish kid that I really am, just like Mikito and Izuna. Just like grandma.
These two didn't belong in a clan. Their mind sets were far too free. They were free spirits, especially Hesui. Were all Subatsu like him?
"So, what do you say to a spar?" Hesui laughed softly, seeing Kagami's eyes go a bit wide. "Not against me or my wife.
"One of the kids?" Kagami looked a bit pensive. He never sold anyone short, but he could use chakra fully, and well these kids couldn't. Their chakras were small, but if they were trained that would all change. One slash from him with chakra, if they block it, could very well break their arms if not doing something a thousand times worse. He didn't enjoy seeing people writhe in pain.
"Don't use any chakra in the match."
"Okay." Kagami could live with that. It was bad enough he killed adults, but he didn't want to kill a child too. A child that isn't a shinobi, period.
He was led into the practice hall, and he couldn't hide the amazement on his face. It was so huge, and there had to be at least a hundred kids all waiting somewhat patiently, with the youngest being four and a bit restless. There had to at least be three hundred wooden blocks with every practitioner's name written on it in bold black ink.
He'd take a good guess and say most of them were actually kids that lived here with Hesui and Toka, the other percent could be people that live in the village which would vary in age.
"Everyone, you remember Kagami?" Hesui looked over all of the little ones in the room.
"Yes, Eiji-sensei." They chorused almost in complete unison, some even sitting down and giving the older man all of their attention.
"He would like to spar. Ayame, since you're one of the strongest in the group you'll be facing him." Hesui gazed at the bright green eyed and messy brown haired girl.
"A girl?" Now, he wasn't completely stupid like some of the Uchiha. He knew full well women could be just as fearsome, if not more than men being around all of the Domou women he has. All of them could rip an arm clean out of its socket without much effort, any at all for that matter. Some Uchiha wanted to test this, and ended up flat on their backs or eating dirt.
But, unlike his comrades, the Uchiha didn't allow women to actually fight on the war zones-not anymore-there were the rare few that transcended beyond everything, but the vast majority were all either infiltrators or into seduction. It also didn't help Uchiha women were taught the basics, just enough to survive if they got attacked or ambushed, just knowing enough to survive. The men were superior, in that regard. Men had all there was to know about ninjutsu and such, and the women were like toddlers.
It wasn't right, in his opinion.
"I know it must be very strange for you. But, women can be just as powerful, even more powerful than men." Toka said, giving Kagami a small smile. There were many Senju women that could beat the Senju men in a straight up fight, taijutsu to boot. She had been one of them.
She really had nothing against the Uchiha. They were a bunch of hateful idiots that would rather spend their time dividing themselves and being hateful, than getting over their inflated egos and sense of pride, and come together as a clan. But, they couldn't even do that. Instead they continued on with their self destructive ways. The one thing she resented about them was the fact they made their women subservient to the men. Women can't even own their own property.
It was ridiculous.
Kagami regarded Ayame closely. She wore a pair of gray hakama and a dark blue kimono. Her eyes were big and green, like any child's. She had a head of messy brown hair that fell just a little beyond her ears, and was continuing to grow. She couldn't be much older than him, or had to be younger than himself. Those eyes were way too big, bright, and innocent for her to be anywhere near the age of twelve.
"I'm not going to hold back." Ayame said, slowly rising up to a standing position with the log-like bokken clasped firmly in hand. Her small hands could only grip the top most part of it, but she got it up.
"Please don't." Kagami said, remaining polite as he stood up, clasping the log-like bokken firmly with both hands. It was very different than regular bokken, but the glaring difference was just how thick and wide the hilt was. This was nothing like slim bokken.
"The match will end when of you lands a hit. Begin!" Toka shouted, throwing her arm down for emphasis.
Kagami took a breath, sliding his right foot back a few inches. Ayame copied his action, but brought her legs just a bit closer together. Her eyes were set and her stance was very strong, there were no glaring openings that he could spot-even if he were to activate his Sharingan, her stance wouldn't falter in the slightest. She's had a lot of training.
"Yaaahhh!"
She bolted forward in a flash-it was surprisingly fast, but nothing he couldn't handle. With deft speed Kagami arced his thick training sword up to meet her's. The dull crack of wood bounced off of the walls, signaling the first clash.
He shifted forward, pressing ahead with his lead foot.
Ayame brought the wooden blade down, skewing Kagami's attack by a few inches and keeping him locked.
They went back and forth, again and again. There was no clear winner, but Kagami had the experience edge and was a good deal taller. He faced down hordes of shinobi from different clans, grown men were after his head and eyes on the daily basis.
Ayame was a bit shorter than him, but used her small size to get passed his reach and dart in for a strike. She was very spry and had good footwork.
"Haaaa!"
Kagami resisted the urge to knead his chakra at all. This would end far too quickly, laughably quick. The odd bokken sent shock waves through his arms and wrists. Each attack and block took every ounce of his strength and will to block. He couldn't swing this around as easily as a thin bokken-there was a lot more weight to this and forced him to be more practical in his attack and defense. If he didn't block and let this thick log hit him, it very well could break bones. It could split into his skull. Break his spine. Shatter his collarbone.
He upped his intensity, teeth clenching hard as he deflected Ayame's well timed thrust.
"Ohhhh!" The dull throb ached his wrists and arms, but he held off Ayame with as much strength as he could muster. He slammed his lead foot forward, pushing passed the blade and aiming right for the top of her skull.
"Got you." Kagami smiled briefly as he tapped the top of her head with his wooden blade, the sweat running down his head creased with his smile as he sighed. This wasn't anything like the sparring sessions he was accustomed to, while this little girl couldn't use her chakra at will like himself, the way she fought was intense. She didn't hold anything back at all and came full speed ahead. He was pressed to do something, whether it was to block or get some distance.
Ayame huffed and puffed, her face having a hint of a blush from all her exertion. Her right hand shook as she clasped her training sword as tight as she could. "You're really strong, Kagami-kun."
He chuckled softly, scratching the back of his head. "I just have more experience is all, you're very strong, Ayame-san. You have a lot of spirit."
"Will you spar me next?"
"No, I want to spar with Kagami!"
"No, I want to!"
"No! Me!"
"Everyone except for Ayame and Kagami get in formation and begin." Toka instructed gently, gracefully standing up and gesturing for the little ones to follow her. There were a few groans and pouts, but the children did as they were told and began going through their katas and warm ups as she watched over them.
Hesui made himself comfortable a few feet away.
Kagami gladly took a seat, supporting the rest of his body with his arms as he leaned back. He felt surprisingly good, sparring in this manner was a lot more practical...It was geared towards conflict-actual warfare as opposed to just improving one's fencing technique. It was good to improve technique, but this sort of training was in a league of its own. This was for warfare and nothing less. Pure combat, nothing aesthetic.
"Thirsty?" Ayame put a canister in his face.
Kagami took a few sips before pulling the canister away from his lips. "So, how long have you been training here?"
"Eiji-sensei and Chizuru-dono found me and my friends in a building we'd take refuge in. Nobody was really concerned about us peasant children before they came along. Eiji-sensei and Chizuru-dono took us all in with open arms, they even let us stay here. That was a few months ago, I think four at the most." Ayame replied a bit chipper, a small grin slowly stretching over her face.
"Do you like the training?" Kagami raised an eyebrow, curious. He loved it if he had to be honest and he'd only been at it for about a half hour, probably less. He could really get used to it.
"I had to get used to it, but I love it now." Ayame took a swig of water, eyes closed as she swallowed the cool liquid. "It was a little scary at first. Really scary, actually. We don't use the regular bokken. The bokken...It's like an actual sword. Kind of. Well...It's like a log. If we get scared we can't train with each other. If we can't train then we can't defend ourselves from the bad guys."
"Bad guys?" Kagami resisted the urge to chuckle and instead raised an eyebrow.
"Those who willingly harm and kill the innocent and children." Ayame said, inclining her head just a bit.
Kagami nodded slowly. He felt like he could understand the fundamentals of it. If they couldn't work up the nerve to swing the training sword, then they couldn't even train in order to progress. It was either resolve oneself, or just stop altogether. There was no in between, at all. There was no room to half ass and chicken out, it was either go full force or don't do anything at all.
"Anyone would be scared to face a real sword. You need to have the resolve to give your own head to the opponent. To be able to anticipate the opponent's actions in the midst of terror...If you lost that resolve it's all over. Death without victory and victory in name only." Hesui said with a rare solemn expression on his normally goofy grinning face.
It was a teaching of the Subatsu. Every single one of his kinsmen were resolved to give their head over, and never lost that resolve in the midst of terror, in the most dire of situations their resolve wasn't shaken. It took a decade to fortify and strengthen that resolve. When those Subatsu went into battle they'd never falter or run, they'd face death with swinging blades and take a whole division down with them. They wouldn't run, and they wouldn't surrender. They'd never bow their heads.
"Eiji-san, you're being reticent." Kagami said, giving Hesui a serious gaze. The man was his senior, at least three times his age. Looking him dead in eyes like this, would usually be welcomed with a swift death. One can't stare down a wolf.
"The form training with the wooden sword shaped like a log...It's not just a bamboo sword technique for hitting what is before the forearm. It is not to accustom your wrist for the weight of a real sword either. If it enters your face, the skull splits; if it enters the chest, the spine will be snapped...If it hits your forearm, then your wrist is cut off and falls...It doesn't feel like a match with bamboo swords. It was designed with a strong spirit for battle. If you...Don't truly have the resolve to attack the opponent, then you become so afraid you can't even train." Kagami finished, taking a light breath from getting all of that out at one time.
It would explain why Ayame was so strong, and if she was that strong, than the rest of these children had to be close to that level.
The Senju have always been a clan of love... Kagami mused to himself, narrowing his eyes slightly as he stared at the floor. He knew it too well, the Senju would always go on about love and how it gave them strength, but they used love to hide behind while they killed people just the same as every other shinobi. Hid behind love to explain away sending away children not even ten years old to battle grown men, and something he couldn't look passed-using love as an excuse to spread their influence to dictate everyone and everything. But, the Subatsu...The Domou are clans of resolution...I think I...understand now.
The Uchiha hate and desire revenge. The Senju love and desire peace. The Domou and Subatsu put being together above anything else-both are clans of resolution.
"Don't let yourself be held down, young Kagami." Hesui said softly, capturing the young boy's attention in an instant. "You are uncanny, even for your age. Don't let yourself be held down or shoved into a box. Don't be held down by an ideal. Keep on being free as you are now." The Uchiha were rigid and obstinate, a good majority had a streak of hubris, and some could be downright wicked. Kagami, being an Uchiha, would eventually be subjected to-already was subjected to their dogmatic ways. A person like Kagami had no boundaries, his thoughts were unrestrained not tainted with hatred or apprehension. It should stay that way.
"Yes, Eiji-san." Kagami bowed his gently, he'd take everything Hesui and Toka said to heart.
"It's sensei!" Ayame corrected, poking him on the shoulder. "Eiji-sensei!"
"But, he's not my teacher." Kagami gave her a confused look.
"So what. He's still Eiji-sensei."
Toka waved Ayame over, and Kagami found himself relieved. He was never good with girls, and Ayame seemed to have a streak of feisty in her. He didn't doubt she'd try to put him in a headlock, as comical as that was to imagine.
"There's been a lot of chakras battling towards the far north of this village. Ajo remains there. I know for a fact there is a Domou, probably Rio. She's always been fast on her feet and can cover long distances very quickly. I think there's an Uchiha with her. Chojo is also present, of course." Hesui broke the relative silence after a few long minutes of thought, bringing their conversation back to even.
Kagami put his comrades before anything even before his own safety. He'd go to the ends of the earth to see to it they were unscathed and back with him, together. It seems that Mikito and the Domou as a whole were rubbing off on him. Kagami worried for his comrades before, of course, but now he cherished them-every single one.
"That should be the first place I check, then." Kagami concluded softly. He was going to be walking right back into the hornet's nest. He'd more than likely encounter Danzo and Hiruzen as well.
"Be very careful venturing out that far. The Shimura have been extremely aggressive and so have the Sarutobi. Chojo and his mob are tearing through anything they can. If they even think they see someone or something they're going after it. No questions asked. That goes for all three of them. They've attacked the Akimichi as well as those hailing from the Nara, Aburame, and Yamanaka clans." Hesui added, noting the way Kagami's eyes were set with determination. He wouldn't fault his determination, but this was one of those situations where no one walked out alive. "Even civilians have been cut down without remorse venturing that far north, remain aware at all times."
He always remained aware, but Hesui was placing a great emphasis on it. If he had remained completely aware the first time around he wouldn't even be in this situation now, he had been too careless. This wasn't going to be like the first time around, he'd be going in this alone, not with a unit,there would be mountains of snow, not cold earth, and there had to be hundreds if not thousands of shinobi waiting for him to show up...Battling tooth and nail right now while he's sitting here.
"Though, there's also that radical cult...Jashin something." Hesui mused, cupping a hand under his chin. "They're around the Hot Water village, which is where most of this conflict is taking place. Whatever you do young Kagami, don't let them get your blood. Not even a drop."
"Why, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I don't want to sound stupid, but when they get your blood, even a drop of it, they can kill you." Hesui said with a grim tone. It was nothing short of demonic in his opinion, and such a thing would be reviled by his clan. Blood was sacred to them. When they killed an animal and began the process of getting rid of all the blood inside of it so they could eat it, they'd dig a hole into the ground and let the blood flow into it before covering it up. Life is in the blood. Life is cemented into the earth. The life blood was to be buried in the earth.
Contrary to the stupid rumors, Subatsu didn't drink blood. It was an unspoken rule among them, the very thought was reviled.
"Life is in the blood, young Kagami." Hesui continued, taking note of the confusion in the boy's eyes. Yes, how could someone kill another just by getting a drop of their blood? The very thought was absurd, but he knew well enough that it wasn't as far fetched when it really came down to it. If one can kill another using fire, naturally one can kill another using blood...It was just a matter of developing a technique or jutsu in order to execute it.
"Think of it like this. Through our blood we're connected. If I devised a technique...Or something else, some entity devised one, that connection could be used for nefarious reasons. When you pick weeds from a garden, your first time around, the flowers will wilt away. Only through practice and being delicate do you learn when, where, and how to pull the weeds out. Weeds or not, they still share a connection with the flowers and the earth."
Kagami opened his mouth, but no words came out. He shut it, pursing his lips as he mulled the information over. Life is in the blood, and while the Uchiha didn't hold blood as sacred as the Subatsu and didn't have a quarter of their sanctity when it came to blood; the Uchiha knew well enough that retaining a strong bloodline was beneficial for the Sharingan-something the Subatsu didn't do, of course. They just wanted to get the blood back in the earth. They weren't inbreeding with their cousins, sisters, brothers, and other relatives to get stronger abilities and a stronger Sharingan.
Chakra saturated every single part of him, Hesui, these kids, and the average person...That included chakra being in the blood, in the bones, in the bone marrow itself. In his very pores.
"How can such a cult exist for so long without anyone ever discovering them?" Kagami tried to keep the apprehension from touching his voice, but seeing Hesui give a small nod, he knew Hesui could hear-feel his apprehension that such a thing could truly exist. That people would ever go along with such a demonic thing.
"They could be very small, I can't see anyone with any sort of sense joining up with them, and perhaps they have a technique or jutsu that focuses on this connection. In that case, nobody could ever speak a word about this cult, because the cultists would have already dealt with them long before they could spill their secrets, let alone spread word of such a demonic cult in the first place. They were mere blood sacrifices." Hesui said, tone dropping just a few octaves as anger seeped into it.
"I didn't even consider that." Kagami murmured. But, if this was the case-a concrete fact, that would mean these cultists were sacrificing each other to appease someone or something. The way Hesui was talking it was like they were trying to appease some sort of entity-it wasn't unheard of that people sacrificed their own. Many sacrificed young virgins to the Bijuu in order to avoid utter destruction by the beasts. It also meant he was going to have to be even more aware, he was going to have to beyond hyper aware...If these cultists got just a drop of his blood, it'd be all over.
Not to mention he would be dealing with shinobi as well. Danzo and Hiruzen...
"I would go with you, but I can't." Hesui said after silence stretched on for too long.
"I couldn't ask that of you." Kagami said sincerely. There's no way he could have Hesui join him on his trek, while the man was undoubtedly powerful and skilled, he was no longer in essence a shinobi. He cut his losses and was living a regular life with Toka, she was pregnant as well. He would be a father in a few months. "I won't interfere in your peaceful like with Chizuru-dono."
"Admirable of you." Hesui chuckled. Yes, Kagami wasn't like other Uchiha by any stretch. "In that case, take my sword. The Subatsu are master forgers, our blades will never dull or break, nor will they lose their luster. No matter how much we cut and bash they remain strong."
To further his point he put the sword in between the two of them.
"Eiji-san..." Kagami gently clasped the saya and slowly unsheathed just a quarter of the blade, surprised at how it gleamed brilliantly.
The craftsmanship was extraordinary.
"I have more, but you need this more than I do at this point." Hesui chuckled, scratching the back of his head-a habit he never really outgrew. "I live a peaceful life now as you said. Just remember what my wife and I have said, young Kagami. Don't let yourself be shoved into a box or tied down to an ideal."
"I've taken all of your words to heart, and I will ponder them until I go to my grave." Kagami said, tone becoming more firm. He couldn't afford to speak so softly and modestly at this point. "You are an extraordinary man, Eiji-san."
"And, there are more just like me."
"I hope your child is healthy and happy." Kagami bowed his head low, in a show of genuine respect and humility.
Toka ventured over to Hesui after the lesson for the day was finished and he finished wiping the floor and everything else down. All the children were sound asleep with full bellies, so she didn't need to worry about them waking up anytime soon. Kagami wasn't anywhere to be seen, but she'd expect nothing less. Shinobi blended and moved within the shadows. "Dear."
"Are you tired?"
"A little." Toka nodded.
"I told you not to strain yourself so." Hesui smiled, striding towards her.
"I love the children."
Hesui gently grabbed her hand, giving it a small tug as he stroked her swelling belly. Toka moved forward until she was nestled against his chest, and sighed contently as his fingers relaxed her, he was always gentle with her. He was even more gentle and protective now that she is pregnant with their little bundle. A wolf would lay down its life for its pack and young.
The Subatsu weren't bad at all, in her opinion. They were just misunderstood, and because they were so powerful many were frightful of them. Tobirama screwed up horribly, since he couldn't control them he became wary of them...Butsuma's tyrant blood continues to run strong.
"We don't need to worry about Kagami, he will transcend the Uchiha's obstinate hatred, and will transcend every other ideal that man comes up with."
"I know. He is a free spirit, just like us." Hesui gave her a light kiss on the lips, before scooping her up in both of his arms. Toka blushed, but didn't object to his carrying of her and rested a hand on his cheek. Her feet were a bit sore from all the activity today. "You're always right, love."
With Uchiha like Kagami in the clan's midst...Perhaps the Subatsu will ally with them, just maybe. He would have been a major advocate for the alliance, but now he was merely viewing everything from the outside. When the Subatsu joined hands with the Uchiha, they'd then join hands with the Domou, and finally the centuries long conflict will come to an end. There'd be no great separation between them anymore, the Domou and Subatsu wouldn't be estranged from each other any longer, but together.
"Of course I am, dear." Toka tapped him on the nose.
The two were in total bliss with each other as they laid down together in their bed. They shared their connection and basked in that bliss together.