"I will flawlessly support Naruto with my ninjutsu...Why you ask? Because...There's no need for a reason!"
Shino Aburame
Izuna was on his thousandth lap. He was so mad. Yuko was beyond reasoning with. She didn't want to understand his point and refused to. He may have been yelling, screaming, and just trying to drill it into her. That probably wasn't the best thing to do, but he was so irate. He never wanted her eyes to dull like they had.
He made his way to a building far in the compound. It was far from the rest of the activity. He understood why it was in such a place. This is where the women would practice the art of the geisha until it was to perfection. It took decades, and they started as early as three. He knew one woman to be the head of the entire thing.
Izuna was surprised with the resemblance. This woman had red hair, gracefully flowing down her back when it wasn't kept up. Her eyes were a bright, chocolate brown. And, her skin was just a little tan. He could see her body underneath the kimono she wore, buxom and curvy.
Every girl and every woman turned to look at him as he entered the building. The smell of candles, and other things of the like wafted into his nose. Colors assaulted his eyes. He felt out of place right away, and the stares he was getting didn't help his disposition.
"Izuna-san?" The woman with red hair ventured, hands in her lap, head titled just by an inch.
"I am sorry to interrupt." Izuna said, bowing his head.
A few of the girls began to whisper, some giggling. The women whispered among themselves, giggling as well every now and again. Izuna wondered what they were talking about, but then again, he was a lady's man. They could be talking about how clueless he was with how things went here, but then again, he was also dashing and could turn heads.
He rubbed at his chin, keeping his smirk down.
The head woman observed him a while longer before looking at the rest of her kin gathered. "Do you ladies want to continue or call it a day?"
"We can call it a day, Kori-sama." One of the women ventured.
"Sir Izuna seems to mean business." Another added.
There were shared nods, and Kori nodded as well, standing up to her feet. "Same time tomorrow. Be thorough in wiping off the powder."
The women all bowed, saying yes in near unison. Izuna, to his credit, didn't move from his spot until the women and girls began to move towards the door. The ranged from three years old to forty, and the little girls waved at him with big smiles.
He stepped to the side, bowing his head partly in respect. The women returned his bow, demurring. Some said 'Sir Izuna' while others smiled at him, showing their amusement. A few of the little girls yelled for him to kiss them, and the older woman hurried them along while scolding them.
Izuna took it all in stride. He waited until he was the only person in the building other than Kori to approach her. He knew who this woman was. Had an idea at least. The resemblance was uncanny. The splitting image of his wife, this woman was certainly her mother.
"Forgive me for intruding, Kori."
Kori gathered a cup, a small plate, and poured some tea for the both of them. She added a little honey to both cups, and set them down picture perfect. She held a hand to her lips, keeping her laugh down as Izuna bowed his head, taking the cup graciously.
"No need to even say such a thing, Izuna. You have a true respect and admiration for what is perfected here."
Izuna sipped his tea, not quite looking the women in the eye. "May I ask you a question?"
Kori gently sipped her tea, humming softly. "Does it have to do with Yuko?"
Izuna froze in his spot, but had enough wit to put the steaming tea down. A second longer and he would have burned his lips or tongue. That would have been more than embarrassing. He would have fumbled with the cup, the tea would have spilled out everywhere, and then he would have to remove his kimono at the very least.
He pushed the idle thought aside, looking at Kori. He could feel the intent of her gaze, and the intensity of his own growing by the second. He found that he couldn't speak nor move. If he had any doubts before about who this woman was, those doubts were washed away with her affirmative question.
"Yes and no."
Kori sipped her tea again. It was a graceful movement. "Yes, I am her mother. Our resemblance is very clear. Now, what do you want to ask me that concerns her?"
Izuna tiled his eyes towards the floor. He was likely crossing a ling by doing this, but at this point he didn't care. If Yuko wasn't going to at least consider what he had to say, than maybe she'd consider what her mother had to say. He was getting tired of arguing, and just tired of being tired in the first place.
He turned his gaze back onto Kori. "In this battle..."
"Souji!" Kori called, turning so she could look behind her.
Souji came a few minutes later, left arm supported in a sling..
Izuna was puzzled. "What are you doing here?"
Kori smiled, looking at Souji with a knowing gaze. He wouldn't feel like divulging the reason why he was here. Of course, Souji wasn't going to be stubborn when it came to his little sister and her strict orders. He also couldn't be stubborn since he knew full well her diagnosis was true, considering what he did in the battle.
"I suffered a concussion in my battle against Atsushi among other injuries. I have to take it easy until my sister clears me. The same goes for everyone else that was with me in that battle." Souji explained.
Kori was amused when Souji grunted and looked away from them. He had always been a workaholic and didn't know the meaning of taking a break. He really had no love life. Nothing outside of the usual. He was a warrior, born and bred, through and through. But, now he could take time out to find a woman, hopefully. Ahiko wasn't going to allow him to do anything that remotely caused any sort of strain.
"Would you mind getting Yuko for me?" Kori asked.
Souji looked at Izuna, then at Kori, then back to Izuna. "You two are still arguing?"
Izuna scowled. "I don't want to talk about it."
"I think that's funny. Considering you're always yapping like a hen."
Izuna grunted.
"Souji." Kori said, voice a little more firm. "Yuko. Get her please."
He didn't look enthused, but Souji went about completing his task. It took about twenty minutes, but he finally returned with Yuko in tow. The woman looked at ease as she entered, but a scowl came onto her face as she spotted Izuna, and then her mother. She looked at Souji, her scowl deepened, and she rounded on Izuna.
"Izuna...You went to my mother." Yuko growled.
"You refuse to listen to anything I have to say, so maybe you'll listen to your mother." Izuna said with his own scowl.
Kori gestured towards a cushion. "Please, sit down."
Yuko glared at the cushion, teeth clenching so hard she could feel them about to slip off of each other, or grind against each other. She wasn't feel the least bit inclined to take a seat. She spoke her piece. Izuna didn't want to accept it, and that was just too bad. She'd fight and fight, and she'd slay anyone that was evil. It wasn't any of Izuna's business.
"I'm leaving."
Souji gripped her by the arm, his scowl was as stony as his expression. "Sit down."
"I refuse."
Souji's grip tightened. "Sit. Your. Ass. Down."
Yuko wanted to snatch her arm away, but knew that was pointless. Souji's grip was too strong for her to even consider doing that. She could kick or punch, but then she'd be getting on the bad side of Ahiko, and she didn't want that. Part of her still screamed to lash out. Izuna couldn't accept her choices, but that didn't bother her. What bothered her was the fact he couldn't accept them, and was trying to shove his own agenda down her throat.
Now he went to her mother to get some leverage. Yuko would listen to her mother. She'd consider every single word that came out of her mouth. Next to Ahiko, Yuko trusted her mother the most. For Izuna to go this far and cross this line…
Souji let go of her arm once he was certain she was calmed down enough not to lash out at him, and Yuko took a seat on the cushion.
"You better watch your temper." Souji warned, moving to the wall and leaning against it.
Yuko glared, but her glare lost some of its heat. Souji would have accepted her choice to keep on fighting. He wouldn't scream at her to reconsider and there wouldn't be arguments about it. He wouldn't have went to her mother to get leverage. He just would have accepted it.
She turned her glare onto the floor, ignoring the cup of tea put in front of her, and wished she was anywhere else right now. Izuna wasn't even treating her like a woman. He was treating her like a little girl. Like she was his daughter and she was growing up and starting to like boys. It sickened her. That nausea was turning into rage.
"What is the problem?" Kori started.
"I don't want her to fight anymore. I don't want her to lose the light in her eyes, and if she continues to fight, she will." Izuna stated.
"Yuko?"
"I will keep on fighting. That is that."
Kori sighed softly, pouring herself more tea. That was the crux of the problem. Neither were conceding and were on an opposite spectrum concerning this issue. Yuko wanted to fight. Izuna didn't want her to. They weren't even meeting in the middle and suggesting—let's fight together. Perhaps it's because they were so young.
There would be times when a husband and wife fought. They'd have disagreements. But, they had to overcome them—together. They couldn't allow it to drive a wedge between them. These two didn't want to drive a wedge between themselves, but they would if this continued.
"Truth be told, Izuna. It's a miracle in itself that my daughter has kept that light in her eyes for this long. Have you looked at Mikito's eyes or even Ahiko's eyes? They don't have light in them. As bubbly as Ahiko can be, that light is gone, and has been gone for years. It is thanks to Yuko's father, my late husbands, that the light remained in her eyes for so long."
"I understand what you are saying. That is why I don't want her to fight anymore."
"She is not a little girl, Izuna. She has been fighting for how long now? Do you think you can stop her? She has Uchiha blood flowing through her veins. She was born to fight. She was born a warrior. She is a Domou in spirit. No surrender."
"But, this last battle was different."
"How so?"
"She didn't show any mercy."
Yuko grunted. "I resolved myself to kill everyone on those ships. My resolution never wavered. Me fighting and not fighting...That isn't your choice to make. You do not dictate my life."
"Yuko you were covered head to toe in blood. Only Mikito was in a similar condition as you!"
"We did what had to be done. Why should we so mercy!?"
"I am your husband, Yuko."
"That doesn't mean you dictate me or what I do. I stand beside you, not behind you! This is not the Uchiha clan! This isn't a place where a man is going to get away with yanking a woman by the hair. Stop living in the past."
"I never accepted that!"
"You adjusted well enough to it though, where you can't drop it! Like right now!"
"I am worried about you!"
Yuko sighed, rubbing her scalp. "I am not your daughter. I am not a little girl. I don't need you fussing over me like I am either of those things. I am your wife, treat me like it!"
"Then listen to me!"
Kori waved her hand, easing the tense atmosphere. "Easy now."
Izuna rubbed his scalp, sighing. He didn't know when it happened, but Yuko had grown with finality. In the past she would have nodded her head, demure, and accept his wish. She would have conceded. She wouldn't have agreed to it, at all, but she would have accepted it.
Admittedly she had been weaker then. She wasn't nearly as strong as she is now. She didn't have the experience that she does now. She hadn't witnessed what she has to this point. She hadn't ripped through battlefields and war zones either.
He should be proud of the strong woman she's become, but...He couldn't help but feel worry.
"I am not going to yield with my choice to fight." Yuko said, voice firm.
"Can't you see I'm worried about you, Yuko?" Izuna questioned, almost at a loss.
"If you watch my back out there, then there is no need to worry."
"I don't want you out there on war zones."
"And that is why we are staying at this impasse. I will fight whether you like it or not."
Kori looked between the two of them, narrowing her eyes slightly. "Yuko, will you at least consider what he is saying and factor in his worry. You are his wife. He is your husband. You both see each other naked. You are one flesh. Out of everyone in this world, you should trust him the most."
Yuko sipped her tea, swallowing it with vigor. It was cold, but she didn't care. She needed to do something in that moment instead of throttling Izuna. He was a crafty bastard when he wanted to be. He knew full well that if her mother said something like this, she would at least consider not fighting.
However, Yuko had firmed her resolve before this. That battle in the Tea country wasn't the end. It was just the beginning. She would see this through to the end. She'd end the slave trade along with her comrades. She'd slay those responsible. It wasn't a doubt. It wasn't a dream. It was reality. It was fact.
"I have considered what he is saying. I have factored in his worry. He is trying to dictate what I do. He is treating me like a little girl, when I am not a little girl. I will see that the slave trade ends with my comrades, and then I will ensure a Jinchuriki isn't created by that Uzumaki bitch."
There was only silence. Tense and forlorn. Everyone in the compound knew about the Jinchuriki rumor. The possibility of it. Everyone with an inkling in the compound knew. It caught the ire of the majority, worry of a few, and rage of all. Izuna had lashed out so violently he had to leave a meeting until he calmed down enough.
Izuna had no right to even try to stop her from taking this path. He was taking the path without a second thought and he was worried about her losing the light in her eyes. She didn't care if she lost the light in her eyes—her mother was right. It was a miracle the light remained this long. If they became dull, so be it.
"You two are going to come to a mutual agreement." Souji said. "Or you won't be leaving."
Yuko almost snapped. "Is this about my prowess or capabilities?"
Souji knew the question was directed at Izuna, but he was going to answer it regardless. "I never doubted your skills for a second."
Izuna crossed his arms over his chest. "We're going to be staying here then."
Yuko shot up to her feet, Sharingan glaring as her emotions reached their peak. Her fists shook, her shoulders shook, and her nostrils flared. Izuna glared back at her, Mangekyo flaring to life and rotating violently.
"I don't give a damn about your Mangekyo. I have that eye too." Yuko hissed.
Izuna was up on his feet in a second, glowering. "You want to try me?"
Yuko got right in his face. "I am not afraid of you. Let's have at it. Maybe I need to best you for you to take me serious for once!"
She gripped Izuna's wrist, hard, tightening her grip.
Izuna yanked, but nothing happened.
"I could rip your arm, right out of its socket if I wanted to. Shoulder and all." Yuko bit out.
Izuna's eyes began to blister. "Yuko..."
Kori opened her mouth to interject, but Souji was already dashing across the room. He had enough of this petty squabble. He slammed his fist in Yuko's gut, and whipped around, jamming his elbow into Izuna's sternum. Both blows staggered the couple back and brought them to their knees. Remarkably, none of the tea cups were broken in the short melee. Izuna gathered himself first, while Yuko took a minute longer.
"Deactivate your Mangekyo Sharingan and Sharingan! Now!" Souji demanded.
Izuna and Yuko did as they were told.
"You want to fight, Yuko. You don't want her fighting, Izuna."
Both nodded.
Souji looked at Kori, trying not to exude any of the frustration or anger he was feeling at the moment. She was only being the voice of reason with these two. If it wasn't for Kori, these two would have come to blows at least a half hour ago. He took a breath, plopped down on the cushion next to Kori, crossed his legs, and looked at Yuko and Izuna. He wanted Kori to solve their problem—her way of letting them work it out, wasn't working out for him.
"Kori, do you have a solution that can end this?"
"I may."
"Please present it."
"What if you two just stay together whenever you set out?" Kori suggested.
Izuna wasn't opposed to the idea. He was surprised he didn't think of it himself, but he was wound up emotionally. When he got emotional, he couldn't think straight. Whenever he was talking politics, his head was as cool as ice. But, Yuko wasn't politics. Yuko was his wife, and he'd damn sure get worked up over anything to do with her.
He'd still prefer if she just stopped fighting. Maybe take the route of medic or healer. Anything but having to cut down hordes of people. But, she was set in her decision, and her resolve was like iron. She wouldn't yield or bend to not fighting, but if he could keep an eye on her in battle, and watch her back…
It'd ease his troubled spirit just a little. He wouldn't be butting heads with Yuko and Yuko wouldn't be so irate with him.
"I am not opposed to that." Yuko replied, looking at Izuna for his word.
"I have no misgivings with that, either." Izuna nodded. "Yuko, you are my cinnamon bun."
"Izuna-sama..." Despite being so tense, Yuko managed to blush. Izuna always made her blush, but he never gave her a nickname.
"You're my cinnamon bun. You are the sweetest woman that I know. I don't want you to become jaded. I don't want your heart to be as cold as ice. I don't want hate and anger to burn a hole through you. I don't want those things to consume you. Anything pure and good dies, gets killed, or is no longer that in this wretched world, and it's double that in the Elemental Nations. I don't want you to change, ever."
"I won't, Izuna-sama." Yuko assured. She turned to her mother, bowing her head. "Please excuse all of this, mother."
"I don't mind at all." Kori smiled. "What kind of mother would I be if my daughter couldn't talk to me about her husband?"
"Izuna-sama made you end the class early, so I apologize for that as well."
"It is fine."
Izuna scratched his head, slowly standing up. He felt a whole lot lighter, and a whole lot better. Madara wouldn't need to get involved now. That just would have made things worse since his brother was as inept and clueless as Souji. It would have made things worse. Then Mikito would have got involved, and that would have turned into a disaster.
Still, Souji being here was something he hadn't been expecting. He didn't feel the man's chakra at all when he approached the building. Souji did know techniques to totally suppress and extinguish his chakra, but Izuna didn't think he would use those within the compound.
Unless, of course…
"Souji...What were you doing here?" Izuna prodded.
"Resting. I can't do anything, even train, until my arm heals completely, and then Ahiko has to give me the okay when she believes I've recovered from my concussion. It's not like other injuries, and she is being very thorough."
"Really?"
Souji narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to get at?"
"You're inept."
Souji growled, getting annoyed. "You're a fool."
"Kori, why was he here?" Izuna changed his strategy.
"We were just about to get intimate until you came along." Kori answered.
"What!?" Izuna started choking on his tea, fumbling with the cup. "Shit! Hot! Hot! Owww! It burns! I spilled it all over my kimono and arms!"
Souji started choking on his saliva, thumping his chest with his fist. It had no effect for about thirty seconds and he was almost gagging and hyperventilating. He shook his head, sipping on some tea, carefully. He was still flustered, remarkably enough. He didn't want to spill tea on himself or the floor next.
The cup of tea spilled.
"Fuck! It's all over my hakama!" Souji snapped. "Why can't you just shut up for once, Izuna!"
"It's not my fault you spilled the tea!"
"If you'd stop yapping like a damn hen!"
"Mother!" Yuko cried, face turning a bright shade of red.
She wasn't sure what was more mortifying. Her mother's cocky grin at her revelation or the fact Souji and Izuna were both dancing around while swatting their legs. Izuna had yet to compose his breathing, and looked like a sputtering drunk.
"I want more children. Don't you want a little brother and sister?"
Yuko shook her head, tempted to run through the door. She couldn't start to think about her mother being intimate with any man, let alone Souji. It was just so weird and felt wrong. She didn't have the thought her mother couldn't do such a thing since her father was dead.
Her father had been dead for years now, and if her mother wanted to be happy and find love, she had nothing against that. However, she'd prefer if her mother didn't advertise it with a grin on her face while laughing at her. She didn't need to fluster the two men with them into spilling tea.
Maybe her mother found amusement in it all, and Yuko wouldn't be surprised if that was the case.
"That is so weird!"
Kori tilted her head. "As weird as it is when you and Izuna are rolling around?"
"Mom!"
"Kori, please..." Souji coughed, finally able to speak.
"Souji is the only man for me. Even with one arm he'd ravish me and make me cry out his name to the moon, sun, and all of the stars. I don't know day from night or dusk from dawn, or even twilight when I am in his arms."
"I never knew you had it in you Souji!" Izuna started laughing, still swatting his pants.
"Shut up! You bumbling fool!" Souji snapped.
"It's okay if you two are-"
"Yuko!" Souji snapped. "Quiet!"
"I'm just offering my support!" Yuko said, a little defensive. "Is my mother not good enough for you? Reiko got married to another man because you're so inept!"
Souji was exasperated. "I told my sister and everyone else, I don't have time for that."
Yuko glared. "So, my mother isn't good enough huh?"
"I never said that, woman."
Izuna was out the building, laughing as loud as he could. "Souji likes older woman!"
"I'm going to punch his lights out." Souji hissed, smearing a hand over his face. "I am going to hit him so fucking hard..."
Yuko watched Souji leave out the back, letting our a list of profanities as he slammed the door. She blinked, tilting her head. A small scowl crossed her face. Where did he get off trying to reject her mother? Yuko looked to her mother, and noted her eyes were bright with amusement, and she was barely concealing her laugh.
She openly laughed a second later, fanning herself.
"Mother, honestly..."
Kori met her daughter's eyes. "Thank you for your blessing, Yuko."
"You..." Yuko almost fell in shock. It was almost too much to comprehend. "You were only kidding?"
Kori's smiled widened, and her eyes gleamed. "I was...But, I may not be playing around from this point on."
"Mom!"
Kori smiled wider. "Be a good elder sibling to your brothers and sisters, okay?"
Yuko should have been at a loss for words, but she wasn't. "You're planning on having more than one child!?"
"Are you jealous?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Counting you, I plan to have fourteen." Kori admitted with no shame.
"Oh my gosh! That's ridiculous!"
"I shall make it reality!"
Ai parted ways with Madara. She got the feeling the younger man had always been annoyed with her, but that was due to the first impression. She didn't exactly come off as diplomatic, she had been more seductive and purring in his ear.
Still, she pressed on to complete her task. Truth be told, she never got the chance to see Mikito let loose like Madara had explained. Maybe he had. Or, perhaps, he was being more cautious so such a thing didn't happen in the first place. Mikito must have come close in the many battles they fought in together, she wasn't called a witch for nothing.
It took Ai a great degree of focus to hone in on Mikito's chakra. It should have been easy, but there were so much people around her, that it was almost like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Once she got a lock on it, and was certain it was Mikito's, she moved with more hast.
If Shinpachi's exit was anything to go by—Mikito was likely already informed of the Yuki children being killed and was gearing up for battle. She'd be looping her sword on her waist. She'd be strapping on her armor. Her eyes would be set, like they got whenever she was about to enter battle. All emotion was suppressed and squashed down.
Madara wasn't lying when he said that Mikito may lash out. When she had that unflinching resolve to kill, nothing would impede her. Nothing would stand in her way. Ai gulped down the lump growing in her throat, and took a deep breath.
Now she could understand why Madara was entrusting her with this task. Madara would snap and yell at Mikito when he couldn't get through to her, and when she did lash out, he'd either grab her, or he'd lash back. The end result would be the two of them fighting and grappling each other like they were mortal enemies instead of a married couple.
The thought would be amusing if it wasn't so true. Ai didn't want to see what those two had come falling apart because fat headed samurai and a tyrant of a noble. She had never married for her own selfish reasons, but Mikito and Madara got married for their own selfish reasons. It very well could have been on a whim and nothing more.
The heel of Ai's sandals clicked on the wooden floor. The closer she got to Mikito's location, the mre she realized how quiet it was. People weren't hustling about inside or outside. The only thing she could hear other than the click of her heel was the rain hitting the windows, the crack of lightning, and the boom of thunder.
Mikito seemed to be in one of the rooms far off in the back. Nobody must have not bothered to come this far unless they really needed to, or something important was about to be discussed. Ai didn't peg Mikito to be the brooding type. But, Mikito seemed to be the brooding type. She'd find a quiet spot, where she alone would be.
Part of her grew worried. It wasn't good for a person to isolate themselves like that. She could respect Mikito's need for space. Her need to just have a quiet spot where she could be alone with her thoughts. To brood. To reflect. But, at the same time, if Shinpachi told her what had happened, Mikito being alone like this…
It would make her a ticking time bomb. She was either wrestling with her emotions so they didn't overcome her, or her emotions had already won and she was barely restraining herself. She would be entertaining thoughts of gouging our eyes and tearing off heads, nefarious menlimb from limb with her bare hands.
Ai got closer to the room Mikito was in. She felt her heart quicken. It throbbed in her bosom. She felt some sweat trail down the side of her head. She wiped it away. One word could send Mikito into a blind rage, or quell her raging emotions. Her presence could either quell Mikito's raging emotions, or it could just make the woman all the more furious.
Madara trusted her, though. He trusted that she'd be able to get through to Mikito and calm her down. Get her to see reason. Quell her emotions so she didn't become a whirlwind of destruction and mayhem. So she didn't become a killing machine. Ai didn't take the man's trust lightly, and it gave her more resolve.
It allowed her to be like steel as she stood before the door. Only two footsteps were now separating her from Mikito. Ai thought of what to say, how to react to what Mikito would retort, what to say in order to quell the woman's storm of emotions, but nothing came to mind. She didn't know what to say nor do, but she knew what she had to do.
With a steady breath, Ai clasped the door handle with her slender hand, and turned it.
"Ai?"
"Mikito."
Ai observed the woman carefully. Mikito was wearing the uniform they all wore, a light blue haori glared into her eyes. She wasn't wearing her war armor, but it was right beside her. Four swords were looped under her obi on each side of her waist. She was in the process of looping four more, making it eight total on either side, sixteen in all.
Ai knew why she had so many swords. In battle, blades would either crack, shatter, or rust from being drenched in blood. They'd lose their edge. Mikito was being more than prudent. She was going to have a sword in each hand, and would be sheathing, and drawing, sheathing, and drawing over and over again. When one sword lost its edge or broke, she'd jam it through her foe and move onto the next.
Madara wasn't lying when he said she'd become a killing machine. It was ghastly, to see this woman prepping for battle. Her pitch black war armor would send a cold chill down any man's back on the battlefield.
And, then Ai noted that Mikito wore a sort of chainmail. Her hands were protected by the rows of steel. All of the sheaths that were looped...They were all steel or iron. They must have been as sharp as the blades which they housed. She knew Mikito would use sheath and sword in tandem, but she had never witnessed her beating in someone's skull with a sheath.
The thought made her shiver.
"Do you need something?" Mikito asked—the silence was becoming annoying.
"Well..."
Mikito grunted, standing up, and slowly began to fasten her armor. "How did things go with Gotou and Touma?"
Ai felt some of her nerve slip as Mikito fastened her chest armor, and then her shoulder armor. "They have joined us."
Mikito smiled briefly. "That is great news. You can tell Gotou those children will be avenged."
"Mikito-"
"Ai...Are you going to get in my way?"
Ai paused in her step. There was less than six inches separating them. She could see Mikito's big eyes. Her abundant mane of hair. Her curvy body. Her full lips. Her body was relaxed, but Ai could already see that she was primed for attack. She'd strike out so fast, Ai wouldn't know what hit her.
Ai took another step forward, and then another. Now she was right in Mikito's face. Mikito had her by about three inches, it wasn't much, but Ai had to crane her head just a little to look her in the eye. For a moment, she felt so small and insignificant. Mikito could crush her with one hand and fold her like paper if she wanted to.
But, she knew Mikito wouldn't do that.
"Mikito, please..." Ai pursed her lips, not backing down from the woman's flinty gaze. "Please."
Mikito felt rage course through her. It was hot. It stabbed the back of her neck. It burned into her heart and smothered all the arteries that flowed to and from it. She would never forgive anyone who harmed children, who killed children, who even had the thought to do such a thing.
They were evil. They had to be killed. They had to be purged. She had no problem doing the task alone. She'd never risk what they were building because of simple emotions. She'd be the one to depart, and Shinpachi would come with her, and they'd go to work. Everyone else could recover, and when the time was right, they could join the attack.
If they didn't join, that was fine. Shinpachi and herself would be enough to purge all of the samurai. It'd take a while. Killing that much people wouldn't be easy, but with enough time, it was possible. It was more than possible. She hated the samurai, and this was the final straw.
"They murdered children..." Mikito hissed. Her teeth began to grind together. "They murdered children!"
"I know."
"Then why do you stand here!? In my way!?"
Ai stepped back, almost cowering. It wasn't Mikito's outburst that made her do so. Mikito ripped her chest and shoulder armor off in one go, and threw it against the wall. The whole room shook, wood cracked, and when it hit the floor, there was a very loud rumbling.
That armor had to weigh six hundred pounds easily enough, and she chucked it with ease. No problem, at all.
Ai was at a loss. What could she do or say to calm Mikito down? This woman was powerful. Her strength was titanic. Her emotions were like a tornado. However, she focused on the fact Mikito threw her armor off. She had to focus on that. If she didn't she was going to lose her nerve, and Mikito may lash out.
"I understand how you feel, but you can't just go on a war path. We are still interrogating those we captured in the Tea country. Those who used to be slaves are still adjusting. Some are still resisting. Even the Senju aren't getting through to them. We are working on hitting the slave trade at its source. We need you, Mikito!"
Mikito paced back and forth, growling like an angry tiger. Her fists clenched to the point her skin was going to split and expose the bone beneath. Her breaths were heavy, almost like she was panting. She neared the wall, and swiftly, she rammed her elbow right against it. Wood cracked and spilled to the floor, but Mikito continued pacing.
She knew the objective. It was something her father and mother left on her shoulders. Just like the kennels. Just like the animals. Her parents did all they could, they cleaned up the atrocities and cruelty, but they couldn't clean all of it up. They purged all of those responsible for those atrocities. But, more rose to take their place. They left it to her. She shouldered that burden and did everything in her power to end it.
She'd never lose sight of that objective, but she would never stand for children being killed. She'd never just stand aside and allow the atrocity to happen. She would always take action. Ruthless, brutal, exacting action.
"Things can and will proceed with or without me being present here. I do not make or break anything. I ensured this is how the way things are when I changed the Council. Things can continue without a single person, we don't need to fear or worry. Things will continue. The plans will continue."
"Do you...Do you not value yourself?" Ai asked, keeping her voice from shaking.
She knew Souji didn't value himself at all. When he jumped from that platform...When he had to be hauled back on a stretcher, and was still recovering, she knew he didn't value himself. But, she thought that's where it began and ended. She didn't think Mikito was like that. Quite frankly she didn't want Mikito to follow such a thought process.
It was worse than self sacrifice. Souji had no goal of a greater good. His objective when he jumped from that platform was to put Atsushi down for the count. Whether he succeeded or not didn't even matter to him. He wanted to make that jump. He made that jump. He didn't care about life or death, or the possibility of death snatching him.
He sneered at death and scoffed at it.
Mikito...Seemed to be the same. She had no fear of dying. Had no fear of leaving people behind. Had no fear of the gap she'd leave behind when she was gone. She was certain things would continue on without reprieve. She put measures in place so things would continue. In the end, it seemed like she wasn't concerned at all.
"In this bloody and dark era...In this dark and wretched world, where does self value put us?" Mikito questioned.
Ai knew the answer. It had always been glaring in their faces. Self value got them put in graves, normally, early on. They wouldn't reach the age of twelve having self value. In the end, it was folly, anyways. The world was filled with strife and war, power and brute force are the only things that mean anything.
If Mikito valued herself, what would that change? Nothing. The answer was nothing. It was the same for her, for Daishiro, for Mimori, for Katsumi, it was the same for all of them. They were all prepared to die at a moment's notice, within a second—they all had the resolve to hand over their head. They knew they weren't invincible, and they weren't chasing that dream.
Self value meant nothing.
It was nothing.
Power.
Brute force.
Skill.
That meant something.
"I want you to march into the Water country and rip it down. I want all the servants there, old and young, to be freed by your hands, Mikito. I want you to purge those responsible and lay waste to it all, and you can't do that if you're dead! I can't stand by your side as a comrade and see it through with you if you are dead."
Mikito stopped pacing back and forth, and finally took a seat. She didn't look at Ai—she kept her focus outside on the storm. She was so enraged. So furious. And, she had no way to vent it or get rid of it. The people she wanted to unleash it on were in their own isolated land. Why did she have to show restraint and control?
The storm outside continued to rage, and she felt a kinship with it. Her emotions were no different at this point in time. She wasn't settling down. She wasn't losing any of the rage that was making her shake. It was growing more turbulent, like the storm, more radical like that crackling lightning, more furious than the thunder that shook the heavens and the earth.
"Why the fuck do I have to be patient and restrain myself!?" Mikito snapped, throwing her chainmail against the wall.
"Because!" Ai gripped her shoulders, making Mikito look into her eyes. "I want songs sang about you! I want you to be a hero! A hero to all of those who cower in fear, and let fear overpower them. I want you to show them that is not the way!"
Mikito glared at the floor. "Those damn samurai...They just kill and kill and make up every excuse why they do. At least shinobi don't sugarcoat it."
She could only see Butsuma's face. That man had been hard as stone, willing to throw children to their deaths so he could retreat. Giving children false promises and ideals so they rushed out to their demise with grins on their faces. She hated him. Hated the Senju. Hated how twisted they were. Butsuma was no different than those samurai.
Child murderer.
"I don't want to be a hero." Mikito bit out. "Public opinion has never mattered to me."
Ai got on her knees. It was something she had never done, even in the presence of that tyrant of a noble. She never took this stance. She never bowed her head like she was about to. She always remained upright. Dignified. Sensual.
But, Mikito needed to know and see how sincere she was at this moment. How much this woman meant to everyone in this compound. She had a husband, who loved her dearly. She had siblings. She had children that looked up to her. Little girls who looked up to her—knowing they could be strong if they wanted to be.
"Ai, stand up..." Mikito hissed, tone dropping dangerously.
Ai didn't listen. She bowed her head to the floor, setting her hands to the sides of her head. Her hair draped beyond her shoulders, flowing over her back, and brushed against the floor. It was how a samurai would bow to their lord. How shinobi in service would bow to the damiyo. Total submission and obedience to the higher power.
This would truly draw Mikito's ire. The woman was never fond of people bowing to her, no matter how slight it'd be. Ai knew she was pushing her boundaries. Mikito could grip her jaw, and heave her up if she wanted to, and make her stand. But, then all of this would be for naught, and Mikito wouldn't ever allow that.
How many women did this with their husbands, only to be ignored? Only to be kicked and stomped on by those men they swore their lives to? Too many to count. Too many women had to suffer such a fate after lowering themselves so.
"Please...Reconsider."
"Stand up!"
"Mikito!"
"Ai!"
"Child slavery and worse are rampant in the Water country. I have no doubt it is the same in the outside lands and nations. You may not want to be a hero—but you will be a hero to these people. A hero to woman who lower themselves, only to be trampled. A hero to children, who are plagued with fear and succumb to fear. I know you rage and fury better than anyone else, and that is why I ask...Not to go on a war path!"
There was only silence. Ai wasn't sure if she should move or not, but when she raised her head a fraction, Mikito was on the other side of the room, shoulders shaking. She rose up to a standing position, fixing her hair. She wasn't sure if she should speak, or wait until Mikito spoke to her, and then offer a response.
Quite frankly she wasn't sure if Mikito would respond to her verbally or physically. The way she lowered herself just now couldn't sit well with Mikito. The woman was modest, but she had pride, and that pride would never allow her to bow or bend her back. She just bowed before Mikito—a low submissive bow.
Mikito moved a bare centimeter, arms folded across her chest. She opened the door partly, allowing the rain to hit her, and took a deep breath. Few people seen her emotional outbursts or when her emotions got the better of her. More often than not it was Madara who witnessed it, though he rarely did anything to quell it.
Ai seen her at what could be her lowest point. She hadn't been crying or screeching, but the sheer ferocity of her emotions, and the way she threw her armor, really should have been something kept in private. She didn't feel flustered the slightest, just more frustrated than anything.
"I wish you never bowed to me like that." Mikito murmured, looking at Ai for a second.
"It is the first time I've ever done such a thing."
"Let it be the last time. I will oblige your request."
Ai exhaled in relief, a small smile spreading across her face. There were so few powerful women in the world, Mikito was one of them, and she didn't want her to die anytime soon. The only way Mikito could die was because of old age and nothing less.
Her heart hammered as Mikito closed the gap between them. She was a little wet from the rain. Ai could see drops sliding down her chin, to her neck, to where her cleavage would be exposed if she wore something more revealing. Her eyes were bright and shimmering with all the emotions boiling through her. Truly, it'd take her a while to calm down, but at least she was calm enough to consider calming down.
"Ai."
"Yes."
Mikito eyed her carefully. She always got the weird feeling this woman just wasn't playing with her whenever she'd be coy and sultry. There was something more to it. Hidden. Subtle. It was no secret that Ai despised men. She had been melting the faces off of men with her lips and hands for years. It was why talks with Daishiro and Ai had to be done separate in the first place.
"Will you be honest with me?"
Ai nodded, feeling a strange heat overcome her. "Always, Mikito."
Mikito got closer, closer, and closer. She got so close their noses were touching and they could feel each other's breath. "Do you love me?"
Ai blinked, about to take a step back, but Mikito held her firm.
"M-Mikito!"
"You needn't worry about my husband. Just answer my question."
Ai wasn't often nervous, but she felt incredibly nervous at this point in time. The first reason is because Madara truly loved Mikito, and she didn't want to step in on that. She was certain Madara could handle the two of them at the same time, but the man had looked ready to shit diamonds when she approached him with that.
The second reason is because they very well couldn't get married, or anything of that sort. Her kin had been getting married to Domou ever since the alliance, but she was holding off. She just had no interest in it. Perhaps Souji and Shinpachi were prime enough for her, but she knew those two men would never consider marriage.
Daishiro was far too old for her taste, even though a decade, or hardly a decade separated them. Plus, the man was already married to Katsumi.
It would be nothing short of scandalous to have an affair with Mikito. It was common knowledge that men had many concubines and one wife. Madara was probably the only exception to this and that's because he had focused solely on battle before Mikito came along. In a few more years he would have had concubines.
Women didn't get that privilege. They couldn't have one husband, and many boy toys to play with on the side. They had one man and that was it. In some ways it wasn't fair, but Ai wasn't sure if it'd be savory if a woman was spreading herself to man after man.
Perhaps it's because of how they were raised. It was okay for men, but horrendous for women. She never really questioned it until now. And, she wasn't really questioning it, she was just weighing up her options about telling this to Mikito.
She could marry a man she found worthy. One would certainly come along eventually, but she didn't want to wait that long and...She despised most men. They were misogynistic pigs that couldn't think with their smaller head or the big head—the one that housed their brain.
Things had always been different in the Water country, but Mikito was certain that women weren't rolling around with each other. Even if they had that thought—there was too much war and bloodshed there to do anything but battle.
"And...If I am..." Ai ventured, barely keeping her voice steady.
Mikito brought her closer—until just a little motion would connect their lips together.
Ai held her breath. Her heart hammered, and she hoped Mikito didn't feel or hear it.
"It is a shame when a woman loves or has her heart set on something, and that isn't reciprocated. She becomes heartbroken."
"I won't argue that point. But, as women, we have to make due with what we've got."
Mikito didn't shake her head, she didn't even blink. "I won't hear any of that. As women, we set our eyes on something, and we go after it."
Ai tried to step back, but Mikito held her in place once more. She knew Mikito was bold, but she never guessed she was this bold. Would she speak with Madara to take her hand in marriage as well, so they could be together? Or, would she have a scandalous affair with her? Certainly Mikito would never do anything behind Madara's back, so she'd go to him first.
"So...Answer my question."
Ai licked her lips, wishing she could teleport. Wishing she could look at anyone or anything other than Mikito. "I..."
Mikito distanced herself from Ai, giving the woman some air. The wind didn't do much to stop the heat from coursing through the both of them. Ai needed her space, and she needed some space to absorb the full depth of what Ai just said.
She didn't want to see this woman, who just submitted herself to her, ever be heartbroken or downtrodden. Mikito didn't want to be the reason Ai was ever in such a state. She would kill anyone that dared to hurt this woman in such a way.
But…
"I don't think Madara would agree to taking your hand in marriage. He focuses on one thing at a time, and his heart only has room for a few people. Truth be told, I don't think he can bring himself to say that he loves me. I know that he does, but he will only say that he loves Izuna, out loud."
Ai nodded.
Mikito hummed softly. "Would one time be enough to satiate you?"
"Truth be told I want an entire lifetime." Ai admitted.
"You're so scandalous, Ai." Mikito crossed her arms. "If things played out differently, I don't doubt you would have your way. I think I'd be just like you. Harboring a resentment for these filthy men that are prowling around."
"Would your Council be okay with you marrying me?"
Mikito waved her hand. "I couldn't care less what they'd have to say. It would be my choice, and mine alone."
"Does the same go for Madara?"
"Ai!"
Ai waved her hand dismissively. "I just don't care for men. Maybe if this was a different era, I'd consider marrying one, but I will not lower myself and play the good wife. I will not be smacked around for pleasure."
Mikito rubbed her chin, abashed and ashamed she was even considering this. There were men in the Domou that had three wives, some had four, some even had five. But, this was an entirely different thing than that. She didn't know of any women that got together in her clan, there were always secrets, even some that evaded her and previous leaders.
There were times where they'd kiss and roll around with each other, but they were drunk, and wrestling at the same time. It was nothing short of a frenzy, and none of the girls would remember much of what happened other than the fact someone looked at the other one the wrong way. There was mud, and rain, and alcohol, and it all just mixed together.
There is a reason Domou men steered clear from Domou women when they started fighting.
Ai liked men. She loved men. But, the way men were, and how they treated women in this era, she didn't like it. And, that grew to resentment. And, it was bordering on hate at this moment in time. She didn't like women in that sense. Ai never had any inclination to marry a woman or take one—if that were true, she would have, long ago.
Mikito found herself pondering, almost confused.
Ai was a mystery.
Maybe she just needed a strong, quiet, boosterish, and reserved man?
"I don't think Madara would be as upset, as he would be confused over the whole thing. And, I'm not sure I'd want to explain it to him. He doesn't understand emotional stuff, let alone women. And, we are emotional creatures. I also don't think he'd get why you would wish to have me in that way. I think it'd just be a bit much for him."
Now, Izuna on the other hand...Mikito could see Izuna agreeing to it, and enjoying it the whole time. He'd put his arm around her waist and Ai's, and he'd grin that stupid grin before saying something equally stupid.
Ai sighed, looking exaggeratedly disappointed. "Your husband is something else."
"But, I love him. I also don't want to see you heartbroken, though. I will go through the trouble of explaining things to him, if your heart is truly set on this."
"Well..."
"What if I find you a man that will melt your heart? Strong. He'd treat you like a woman. You can sashay your hips and play him like a flute?"
Ai smiled slyly. "Does such a man exist?"
"You will be more than surprised."
"Fine...You find me a man. A gentleman."
Ai fanned herself, noting Mikito wasn't going after her armor. She had yet to take her swords out from under her obi, but she'd do that in just a while. She had to pull out all of the stops to quell the storm of emotions brewing within Mikito, and Ai wasn't sure if they were entirely quelled.
But, at least she wasn't ready to go on the war path. At least Mikito's eyes had a shimmer to them, and not that flinty, unflinching resolve that made them sharp and ghastly. Did she have to go out of bounds? Yes. Did she use seduction to steer Mikito away from her fury? Yes. But, it was well worth it.
The woman wouldn't be going on a war path and she wouldn't die a needless death. Most of all Madara wouldn't doubt her capabilities. Her tactics could be questionable, but she always delivered excellent results.
"Done deal." Mikito said, picking up her armor.
"Will you really hold off for now, Mikito?"
In her heart, Mikito wasn't okay with it. She didn't want to hold off. But, haste makes waste. If she set out now, her strength would be cut in half. She would like to do nothing more than blitz the samurai's homeland, cut them down by the thousands, and smash down their pitiful monuments.
But…
"I will, there's no need to worry." Mikito assured with a small nod. "But, know that if I see a child killed before my eyes, it will be the end."
"The end?"
Mikito nodded. "The same can be said if Izuna is killed before Madara's eyes or put on the brink of death. It will be the end. We will destroy the world..."
With those words, Mikito departed, leaving Ai alone for just a few seconds.
The older woman wasn't sure who was more dangerous.
Mikito?
Madara?
Sadao watched Syrus strap on his war armor and loop swords under his obi. He was mildly exasperated with how the young man was treating this whole venture. The weren't going to Mount Myouboku for war or battle. It was more diplomacy than anything. Why did you feel the need to interfere? Why did you stick your noses where they don't belong? Don't do it again, or there will be consequences.
Nagakura was finishing strapping on the rest of his armor. His eyes were hard as stone, and his expression was stony. This man was setting out with the intent to draw his sword, and start hacking the toads to pieces. There was an unspoken rule in the Subatsu. When one encountered a foe, they were to not let that foe escape, they had to kill the foe. When someone interfered, like the toads had, and more than a hundred foes were escaping, it left a bad taste in their mouth.
The difference with this situation is that the Hyuga attacked children, and therefore not a single one would be spared. Those that retreated would be chased down and cut down. The toads had always overstepped their boundaries, but this time, they really did. No matter what reasons they'd try to fabricate, there was nothing to excuse their interference. They were going to be treated just like the Hyuga that attacked children.
This is why he had to go with. Syrus was going to be more inclined to level their entire land, and Nagakura was going to be more inclined to cut them all to pieces and leave nothing but carnage behind. Certainly, Syrus would start cutting them down, and then they'd summon their wolf companions. That's when things would get nasty and gruesome. He could give the ultimatum, never interfere again, or risk obliteration. Never get involved in our business again, unless you all want to be cut down.
Syrus and Nagakura weren't going to handle things that way. Their intention was to go into that place, lay waste to it, all the inhabitants, and go about their business once every last toad was killed.
"Are you still going to come with us, Sadao?" Nagakura asked, pulling on his left shoulder. The plated armor held firm.
"I am. Someone needs to be the diplomat in all of this."
"Screw diplomacy." Syrus said, oddly calm.
Sadao shook his head. He was dealing with two bad tempered men. "They live on this land as well, so destroying it would be foolish."
"And?" Nagakura asked, looping his sword under his obi. That made four in total, two on each side. "They warned those damn Hyuga who attacked our children."
"I understand."
Nagakura's eyes were on fire when he turned to the older man. "Mo children were attacked!"
"I know." Sadao's tone was ice cold.
"Sadao isn't against attacking them, but a show of force could be all it takes." Syrus explained.
Nagakura grunted, exiting the room. "I'll be outside the compound gates."
"Syrus." Sadao started. "Don't act with hast."
Syrus would have sighed, but he understood where Sadao was coming from. "I know. We are going to ask them why they interfered. What was the reason. What was the purpose. Why did they warn the Hyuga. Why did they feel the need to stick their noses into our business. If I don't like their answers, I will start hacking them to pieces."
Sadao took a deep breath, tightening his obi. "A show of force should be enough to get them to stay out of our business."
"I agree. If I execute my Monorisu no Jutsu, it'll keep them in check for the next three hundred years. But, if their answers are fueled with hubris and they are sanctimonious, I am going to cut down toads. I am going to cut down their leader, since he's the one giving out the marching orders. They should have never interfered in our battle with the Hyuga. Even if we killed thousands of those eye tumor carrying bastards, we should have wiped them out to a point where they'd no longer be considered a clan. They deserve that."
"I agree with everything that you are saying, but let's not draw swords right away." Sadao said, voice a bit more firm.
"That is why you are coming with Sadao." Syrus said, a wolfish grin crossing his face. "You are going to be the diplomat if things go south."
"Just try to show some restraint so I can exercise that."
Syrus chuckled. "I can't make any promises, but I'll give it my best shot. I can't forgive them for interfering the way they did. I never will. The second scouts find the Hyuga's new compound, you can believe we will be marching there with the intent to kill."
Sadao sighed, shaking his head. He had too much to be concerned about now, to be concerned about the Hyuga. "Let's just get to the gates before Nagakura departs without us."
"You should be thankful Shuji isn't coming with us. There would be no diplomacy, or even the illusion of it, if he was coming with us."