"I'm Kakashi Hatake. I have no desire to tell you my likes and dislikes...My dreams for the future...Hmm...As for my hobbies...I have lots of hobbies."
"Kakashi Hatake.
They survived the explosive crash to earth and water, and with solid ground beneath their feet, there also came a sense of control. Madara stood off to the side, panting. Here and now, he was his own man. He had to rely on his own power.
Mikito would help him. But, here, and now, she was her own woman.
Madara prepared to move with a hastened step. She had been away for a while. It was time to see what just the what the hell was taking her so long. The first few monsters they encountered were terrible enough, there didn't need to be another one attacking.
Mikito jumped down from a broken tree. She was covered in blood. Her sword was drawn, remaining out of its sheath.
"Are you okay?"
Mikito nodded, just enough for it to be considered a nod.
"We need to get to higher ground."
"What? Really, Madara?"
"What do you suggest we do then, Mikito?" Madara asked, trying not to bite it out through his teeth.
"Hold our ground here."
"I won't be long. I'll find us a spot." He took a few steps, then Mikito grabbed his arm.
"Madara..." Everything she wanted to, or could say, was burning in her eyes.
"I know."
She gripped him tighter, and Madara stopped.
"I'll be aware, at all times."
Mikito nodded and let go. Madara stalked off through the tree, jumping down into one of depressions that formed a valley nearby. He paced himself as he made his way across, and scaled up on the other side of it. He smelled something. Overwhelming.
There was blood sprayed across the ground and on the leaves of the surrounding undergrowth. There was lots of blood. Something big and furious got into a fight, and one of those things came out on top, this was the end result. The landscape was covered in it.
Madara began to sprint, following rising ground whenever possible, and chopped his way through twisted snarls of boles and dense undergrowth. All of his senses were alert, his Sharingan was flaring and pulsing, and he couldn't recognize some of the plants that surrounded him. He had battled and traveled all over the Elemental Nations, but this was no jungle or forest like he had seen before.
Giant swathes of leaves slowed his movement, vines and creepers made him hasten his step. It was all slick to the touch. Parasitic flowers blossomed, and carnivorous plants opened their jagged fanged maws. It was beautiful. Overwhelming. Disconcerting.
Madara raced up a steeper slope, climbing with ease. He didn't pace himself, there wasn't much time, his instincts were flaring. Something was around, trying to conceal its presence, but he could feel its lust for blood.
The ridge line was close, but he had to ascend another steeper pieces of ground. It was far too steep and treacherous to scramble or climb. Vines and bright poisonous flowers covered the entirety of it, making gripping onto it too dangerous. Madara smirked for a second, leapt up, and began to dart ahead.
His legs ached, his arms burned, and he could feel adrenaline start to pump through him. He was ready for the creature, the creature that had caused so much damage. It had to be around here.
The lust for blood was hanging thick in the air. Madara was certain Hashirama but be on his most severe guard. For now, Madara knew, he was prey. Something was stalking him.
A massive vine moved beneath his foot, shooting across the wall. Madara slipped down the wall, using the momentum of slipping to increase his speed. He jumped, and the vine flexed. Madara was sure he was seeing this—something was chasing him and trying to pull him with it.
Madara loosened his footing, and slipped again, feet smashing through the slick wood with ease. They were purchased. He brought a hand forward, kunai in hard, cutting through the surrounded plants. He took note of the vine that curled, dipping towards him.
A vicious growl sounded from the back of Madara's throat. Blood was starting to drip everywhere, and he could see part of a carcass sandwiched. The snake's head was over a thousand times bigger than his own, and with its jaws open wide, Madara knew the monster could surrounding him with its body and swallow him whole.
The beast ripped flesh, bone, tendon, and sinew with ease—the tearing sound was deafening, even to the experienced ears of Madara.
He took note, that he couldn't see its tail. It could be along this entire wall—this whole cliff. It could easily be five hundred feet below. The monster curled. Madara feared that he was wrong, the snake had to be longer than that.
The beast hissed, and its head shot towards him. Venom dripped from its fangs. Its body contorted, forcing him to jump and wrap his arm around a vine. Madara didn't panic. He had embedded three kunai in the snake's body. They were in a holster on his left side. He reached, pulling out tanto, and took his time.
If he panicked, he'd die. He couldn't afford to lose his composure. If this didn't work he had a few more options, but he wanted to wound or kill this monstrosity through his own might. If he was lucky the impact this snake hitting him wouldn't kill him. If he grabbed any vines or undergrowth, the snake would dip down and swallow him.
He wouldn't even be a morsel. Madara brought his tanto up, Sharingan blaring red. Just as the snake went for him, he gripped hard, his had passed across his entire line of vision, into the black void of this monstrosity. The beast's head was knocked aside, blade cleaving through its flicking tongue, severing it at the root, and splitting the top of its mouth.
Pained, the snake snapped its body all at once. Madara found oxygen was scarce. The snake was coiling around him, its whole body shaking, like it clung to his own. Madara knew what the beast was doing. It was trying to constrict him, and it was working. He couldn't breathe.
The beast reared back, mouth gaping.
He howled in fury, ripping the blade through the snake's skull. Blood and gore sprayed, and he was showered in both. His tanto—broken, part of the blade lodged in the snake's skull, he tossed the other half away. The snake shook once, entire body curling, and Madara felt the earth tremble.
His hand grabbed for purchase, and he could a small crack to latch onto..
He leapt off the massive body, striking the surface, his hands raced and flashed, His finger nails clawed. He scrabbled for purchase. His right hand clawed into a rock, it forced him to adjust, but he curled into a flip, stopping his descent. He watched with a strange sense of dread as the snake's body continued to plummet.
Madara waited until a heavy, meaty, earth shaking thud reverberated through his feet into his body and sounded like thunder. It had taken nearly an hour for the snake's body to unravel, and fall. It was already lost to the undergrowth below, but it likely struck every sharp edge on its way down.
Once he deemed there were no more threats he began climbing again. A few minutes later he reached the ridge line. He rolled onto his back, yanked off his black high collared shirt, and rolled onto his back, panting heavily.
His hands were shaking.
He took a breath, standing, and looked north. Just as he had expected—a wide view of the interior. He could see the sea, and a huge mountain in the distance. But, all around him was only land, the mountainous horizon was as prominent as always. This place was vast, and there were more than enough places for something to hide.
Something huge and nasty.
He spotted a narrow river. It was visible in some places, but where it wasn't, he was able to follow its course on the valley, mountainous paths losing itself in the far distance.
Columns of smoke were still brewing up from the explosions. That one monstrosity had done a good job. Wiping out so many in the space of a few minutes. They needed to head inland, then north across the mountains. He wanted to be in the north. How to get there would be something he and Mikito would face when that time came.
Reach the river, track it, cross the mountains.
It appeared to be so far away. Madara snapped his eye. A monster had crested a mountain in the distance, still howling and roaring, beating its chest. He was the monstrosity scale down the mountain, rocks and swathes of earth falling from each step. Madara wanted to say it appeared to be in a rush.
Bodies lined the jungle floor in long, jagged lines. Smoke and earthen ash billowed skyward. The color of death.
The monstrosity looked back in Madara's direction and let out a shrieking roar. It echoed from one end of this landscape to the other. He felt a freeze spread through his blood. That was directed at him. He stood his ground. He was too far away for the monstrosity to see him, he was certain, but he could feel its eyes on him.
Hatred.
It shrieked again, and this time, Madara took half a step back.
Something about that shrieking roar halted him—it made him feel fear.
It stopped it ferocious bellows, and stood still. It stared down, examining a crater it had created and the carcass of the beast he had made the crater with. It picked up the carcass and ripped it to shreds, then it tossed the remains aside and sat down. It snorted, brushing the wounds on its face, torso and forearms.
It was quiet now, and less threatening, and Madara knew that. But, if it was enraged, it'd be a different story completely. He would meet the beast very soon.
He marched back the way he came from, making sure his descent was without incident. The snake was dead, somewhere. Madara relished this moment where he could be alone. He would meet with Mikito, and she'd follow his lead.
"Mikito." Madara said. He emerged from the vegetation, breathing heavily. He met her eyes when she stood, pacing towards him..
She saw something different in him. He experienced something out there. Mikito knew exactly what it was. It wasn't the same thing that she encountered, but it was a monstrosity nonetheless. It was massive, mean, and bloodthirsty.
"We're on the south side. This place is huge. There's a river near. It should lead us inland, and then we can head north."
"Why are we going north?" Mikito asked.
"I want to."
Mikito scowled, eyes narrowing.
Madara was surprised by the expression. He hadn't seen Mikito scowl often. She would look a little blank, like she was staring off into space, despite her focus being on whoever it was. But, here and now, she was scowling.
He knew what was coming, and it had been so long since this happened that he was excited as he was amused. They were having a disagreement on strategy. He couldn't remember the last time he butted heads with her, seriously. They had disagreements, but they weren't as intense as they had been so long ago.
"What's with that look?"
"I can't agree with that." Mikito said, tone strong.
Madara drew his brows together. "I want to head north."
Mikito barely held back a snarl. "That is foolishness. That is where the Gorog resides. I know you encountered something out there, and I won't press on that,. But, the Gorog will devour whatever that was like a morsel."
Madara still wasn't convinced. His instincts were telling him to move north, despite every sign of danger pointing in that direction. Mikito knew this place better than he did, and he valued her view on the matter, but he was still stubborn.
"We will just kill it, if we must."
Mikito's expression turned dark as storm clouds, and her eyes reflected it. "You don't kill it. You can't kill it. You can wound it, even wound it mortally, but there is no killing the Gorog. That is one of the alpha predators of the north."
Madara frowned, looking at Mikito with mild shock. "In all the times we have battled side by side, I never head such doubts coming from you."
Mikito shook her head. "We are battling humans. Silly men like Hashirama and Sasuke. What do you fear more in life or death combat, them, or the creature you encountered? Depending on your answer, you will find that the Gorog is pure dread."
Madara remained obstinate. "I still want to go that way. I will kill it. We will kill it."
Mikito didn't have the heart to argue with him. Once Madara was set on something, he was focused on that until he achieved it. Even if she knew better, she'd flank him. She'd be there to provide more than ample support when they had to fight the Gorog. Madara would see, soon enough.
But, she didn't doubt him. Madara could overcome it, possibly. He could conquer the monstrosity. She had faith in him. But, just the same she was realistic, and knew from first hand experience, the Gorog couldn't be killed. She hit it with her strongest attack, and while it did wound it, terribly, the beast survived.
It was alive to this day.
"I never doubted your potential or abilities, Madara. But, I will say that this beast is something that even Hashirama would tremble before. It is possible he'd piss his pants."
Madara met her gaze, and there was something in the way she was looking at him, that struck a deep cord in him. He wasn't going to speak on it. He experienced the same thing. Paralyzed with fear. The body loses control. Waste is ejected, and yet, one can't move an inch.
It happened to everyone in this era, at one point, and time. Shinobi battled. Samurai battled. The nobles were haughty. Average people just tried to survive another day to provide for their families. Thirty just wasn't the age with shinobi, samurai, and anyone who battled—it was thirty with civilians as well.
But, that would change. Hashirama put things into place. Kumogakure was putting measures in place. His own actions with Mikito and everyone else put things into place. While he didn't agree or even welcome the idea of shinobi villages, the age of thirty tripling was something they could all agree on.
A thought struck him, and he found himself staring at Mikito. "What will you do if the former slaves don't cooperate or listen?"
Mikito shrugged.
Madara blinked, taken aback. "The hell is that even mean?"
"Well, they can't leave. Technically speaking, they are in our debt. They are aware of this. It is anger, resentment, hate, and suspicion that they must wrestle with. Eventually, they will come around, and understand."
Madara focused more intently. "Which is?"
"Those who are weak, are killed and trampled. It will always be this way. They will gain strength, to not only protect themselves, but to free those who are oppressed."
Madara took a deep breath, and smiled for the briefest of seconds. Mikito was refreshing. While she tried to see things in a positive light, while she tried to avoid senseless bloodshed, and while she tried doing everything in her power to avoid conflict, she knew she had to fight.
She knew she had to be strong.
Strength.
Power.
This is where Uchiha and Senju differed. The Senju didn't have the thought—strength was everything. Bonds were everything to them, supposedly. They sent children to war just the same while spouting nonsense about love. In any case, they didn't hold this thought.
Strength and power matter most.
Strength and power are the abilities of making dreams a reality, of moving and putting things into motion. The ability to level mountains.
"That is still going to leave them bitter."
Mikito observed Madara keenly. Perhaps it was being in the Shadow Lands. Perhaps it was because of the monster he encountered. But, Madara was asking something she thought he'd never ask, and he was starting to press the point.
"This isn't like you."
"Oh?"
Mikito nodded. "You don't concern yourself with the details. If you did, you would have married me right away."
"I guess I don't, but this is glaring. There's over one million of them here, Mikito. If they all rally together..."
Mikito waved off his concern. "You're worrying too much."
"Stop being so damn flippant!" Madara snapped.
Mikito's eyes narrowed. "I'm not. I am telling you, the details are taken care of. Your questions are well warranted, but it is all taken care of. You don't need to bother worrying about the little details, that isn't something that you do."
Madara shifted, choosing not to speak anymore. Maybe he was worrying too much. He didn't care about the details. And, quite frankly, when he first met Mikito, he didn't want to marry her or even be in the same room as her.
"Let's go north now."
Mikito shifted an inch. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Madara was more than sure.
"I have no doubts."
Rain.
Izuna had always loved rain. It was a sign of life. A sign of growth. It was nurturing. It was one of the few times where he could be a kid. He, his brothers, cousins, friends, and other Uchiha had all ran in the rain. They pushed and shoved each other. They threw mud at each other. They got on each other's nerves at times.
But, they had all been laughing together. Peace was something that had never even entered his mind. The world was steeped in blood, and it wasn't just the blood of adults. To let bygones be bygones was foolishness, there's no way it was possible. There would always be hatred. He hated the Aburame that had struck down his friend.
And the Aburame hated him for striking down that man.
People hated each other. Shinobi hated each other. Young had died on war zones, children had been killed, and nothing could change that.
Perhaps, peace was a far away, but simple concept. He never tried to put his thumb over people. That was something Tobirama did. Through his slick words, laws, and everything else, he would quell anyone and anything while isolating them.
His eyes flashed, and he was aware once more. Rain was coming down, in sheets. It was remarkable he had been able to retain his train of thought that long, considering where he was. It was strange that he was thinking of peace, while watching the rain.
He shifted a fraction, looking at Hotaka. The young man he had once thought was dead, was staring out into the rain like he had been. Izuna wasn't sure if he even knew he was staring at him at this moment in time. Annoyance flicked through Izuna for a second, before he squashed it. Madara was a brooder. Hotaka had always been a brooder.
He wasn't a brooder, he hadn't been.
Izuna found a strange calm. He didn't want to accept it, and couldn't accept it. The rain soothed his troubled spirit, strangely enough. It wasn't the sensation of being wet, but seeing the drops fall, and splash on the ground.
Drop.
Izuna's fingers jerked.
His hand snapped into a fist.
And the lone rain drop that landed in his palm evaporated.
It was reflex.
He let his mind wander to Tobirama.
He wasn't sure how he felt about the man anymore-he was a threat, and an enemy, but…He didn't know what he wanted to do with the man, if he had to be honest. Instinct and indoctrination told him to slay him-his personal experiences made him entertain that idea, but...
He sighed, shaking his head.
There was a heavy rain, and the moisture was starting to build in his long mane of hair despite being under cover. He considered cutting it, but knew it'd be far too much trouble at this point-it was just easier to maintain it and put it in a high tail.
Energy built up and dissipated.
A never ending cycle.
He inhaled-the air was heavy with moisture, and it filled his nostrils with a heavy feeling. The surroundings of the Domou compound always put him at ease. Out beyond, there were terrible beasts and monsters, but here, there was solace. And, even where those beasts roamed, there was an eerie calm.
At the beginning, he found himself staring at the trees for hours-he wondered if some of the formations he thought were trees were actual roots of those trees. It wouldn't surprise him.
Outside of this land was war and chaos. Even if shinobi villages were founded, that wouldn't stop the wars. The Era of Warring States wouldn't simply end because the founding of shinobi villages. They would be a part of this era, of these wars, and nothing would change that.
He wasn't going to make the same mistakes he had before.
This time he wouldn't be so cocky.
Izuna exhaled softly.
Hotaka just remained silent, seated close, but not quite by his side. Masaru and Tsubasa were drinking sake just a few feet away, and he opted to stay silent. Izuna found that he could appreciate their presences, all of them.
Sometimes, silence was better than saying a word. He knew they understood the turbulent thoughts he was experiencing at this moment in time.
Or, perhaps, a lot of them.
Neither of his cousins nor Masaru were were willing to divulge details, but Izuna didn't take it personal. It was more than just being a cautious, and they gave up the shinobi sect a long while ago. They may have the skills and know the shinobi arts, but they didn't hold to the sect. Izuna didn't hold to the sect.
Izuna really didn't think twice about it before, but technically, he was no longer a part of the shinobi sect. By blood, he was born Uchiha, nothing would change that, but his mentality wasn't that of a shinobi anymore. He never had one to start with, but that was another story. There was more to being a shinobi than just being born in a clan-this was proven true since not every clan member of a clan was actually part of the shinobi ranks.
Izuna jolted, focus drawing back to reality.
Lightning.
It was a cracking, popping sound, that the lightning made. There was thunder, and there was hardly a breeze. Izuna focused his eyes and watched the simple wonder. How people take it for granted. Something so simple.
What if the rain stopped for years?
What if the grass wilted and turned brown?
Only then would people appreciate the simple land that they walk on. For once they couldn't think of war, wealth, prestige, or conquering. They would need to go back to square one. Taking care of and loving the land that they live on.
Izuna breathed, finding a rhythm with the rain, and exhaled.
Tsubasa groaned, shifting slightly. The splashes of water were getting a little close, and some got in his sake. "Water just got in my sake..."
Masaru looked at his own cup of sake, watching a ripple go across. "It doesn't make a difference."
"I don't need my sake getting watered down."
"Okay."
"Wish you'd take something other than yourself, and your training seriously." Tsubasa looked at everyone else, to see if they'd nod.
There was no reaction.
Masaru shrugged.
"That's why you have no love life."
Hotaka snorted at the remark, while Izuna shook his head. There was a bout of amusement flowing through him, and he was surprised. While it was still hard to be around Senju, it was getting easier, and it wasn't like he had to get on good terms with Tobirama. Most of the Senju present were Senju he never encountered.
Hotaka didn't seem to have that problem, but he had been living with Souta and Masaru, plus Kotomi and her daughter for years. It was probably hard for them at first, but eventually they threw away those natural borders built up by their clans. It couldn't have been easy by any stretch, in the same way he battled Tobirama, Hotaka and Souta had battled.
It had always been unspoken in battle. Everyone went after one. The rest of the clan would pile in, colliding with the enemy. It went from a clash, to an all out war. Tobirama had cut down others when they battled, Hotaka did the same. Tora did the same, and everyone else followed suit.
That part of him pulled on his more sensible side. He didn't want to form a hand seal and execute a jutsu, he didn't want to draw a sword, he didn't even want to gouge out Masaru's eyes. But, he could feel something burning inside of him, at the pit of his stomach.
"I do have a wife." Masaru said, sounding more than a little annoyed.
Tsubasa downed his sake, seemingly ignoring him. "Doesn't make my statement any less."
"I have five kids. My wife is four months pregnant right now."
Izuna snapped his eyes onto Masaru. It was an action Hotaka spotted immediately, and felt his body tensing with alert.
"Your point?" Tsubasa goaded.
Masaru set his empty cup down with some force, filling it with vigor. "My love life is in tact and fine, shut up. I have six kids."
Izuna didn't guess Masaru had children. Let alone five, with another child on the way. Well, he was old enough. He had to be in his early twenties, same with his own cousins. They had been about five years older. Some of their other cousins had been younger.
Something pulled on him.
Domou tended to get married young, and had children young. By the time they were fifty they'd have great, great, great children. There were Domou that didn't marry, or had no interest in it, but many were married. He knew this. He just didn't think those joining would adhere to that in particular.
I guess it makes sense. Izuna thought, starting to push the thought away.
"Izuna..." Hotaka started.
Izuna shook his head, coming out of his thoughts. "I spaced out for a few minutes. Sorry. If Masaru has that many children, does that mean you two and Souta have children?"
"Souta has four. Hotaka has seven. I have one." Tsubasa answered.
Izuna nearly spit in shock. "Seven?"
Hotaka looked mildly surprised, shocked at the reaction. "What is so weird about that?"
"Does Madara know?"
Masaru snorted. "He reacted like you did, though he was a bit more...Violent."
Izuna nodded in understanding. Naturally, Madara wouldn't ask if they had children, because that is just something he'd never ask. Still, he figured his brother would have been able to keep himself level enough.
"That's Ahiko..."
Izuna turned in the direction Masaru was focused on, and found Ahiko sprinting towards him. It brought him back to that time in Sand country when she was running without any reprieve. She had crashed into Madara, Mikito, and Souji. He hoped history wasn't going to repeat itself right here and now.
Thankfully, Ahiko managed to slow down a bit, but her ascent onto their platform made Hotaka tense. She had nearly slipped, and reflexes alone propelled him in the younger woman's direction to catch her. He couldn't help it, and Ahiko grabbed onto his wrist, halting her slip, that would turn into a fall.
"Why do you look so flustered?" Izuna asked.
While it was pouring out, Izuna knew sweat when he seen it. The pools of water streaming down Ahiko's hair, would certainly keep the sweat away from an average person's eyes. But, he knew what to look for. If he had to say, Ahiko spent the last twenty minutes running at top speed.
But, why would she do that? Certainly Madara and Mikito were closer. Daishiro, Yumi, or Saki had to be closer. Souji had to be closer.
He would have stretched out his senses, but seeing Ahiko ready to burst, he braced himself.
"I got a message from Haji-san and it is urgent that my brother reads it! Have you seen Madara or Mikito? Where is Souji?"
Tsubasa looked at the younger woman, and then at Izuna.
Izuna knew that look.
You. Are. On. Your. Own.
"Isn't Souji with Kori?" Izuna questioned.
"No, he left."
"Kori didn't say where he went?" Hotaka asked.
"He didn't tell her. He just said he needed some space."
"Well..." Tsubasa tried, but failed.
Ahiko took a deep breath, calming her raging emotions the best she could. "Where is my sister or Madara?"
"I have..." Izuna stretched out his senses. He could feel them, but they were a distance away. "Well..."
"I think they may have went to the Shadow Lands." Hotaka said, a little uncertain.
"What!?"
He winced. "I'm just saying, don't scream my ear off."
"Is that why Mikito left so fast before?" Izuna snapped the question out, quick.
"Probably." Tsubasa replied.
"Of all the times to do this! Souji isn't supposed to be doing anything strenuous at all! He's got a concussion, he had a broken arm that is healing, broken ribs, a broken collarbone, he couldn't move and he was coughing up blood. He was vomiting. He said he's going to fight Atsushi again when he gets the chance, and I let him have it! I did! I told him he will not be fighting that man ever again! That man would tear him limb from limb and there is nothing Souji could do about it! He should not be in the Shadow Lands in the condition he is in, and Mikito and Madara should not be in there either!"
The men shifted away from Ahiko, looking wary.
"Why?" Izuna was foolish enough to ask.
"Because this message!" Ahiko snapped, waving the scroll in front of his face.
"Just-"
"Do not tell me to calm down, Izuna-san!"
"You could tone down your voice, though." Hotaka remarked.
Ahiko hissed, glowering at him. "Be quiet, Hotaka!"
"You can show us the letter." Masaru ventured, offering his seat up.
He was getting a little nervous. Ahiko was gentle and kind, but she was emotional. Very emotional, and when she got really worked up…She could lose herself in those emotions. She might haul one of them up and pummel them.
"Masaru-san..."
"I insist, Ahiko. Have my seat."
Ahiko looked at the purple cushion, and made her way to it. She was a little worked up, and would rather stand, but she had manners. She would take the seat offered to her by Masaru. Even if her siblings were dumb as rocks and Madara being no better, that was no excuse to reject the gallant gesture.
She sat down, proper, hands resting in her lap. Hotaka offered her sake, and she took the cup with a steady hand. She drank the strong liquid, grimacing.
"Feeling a little calmer now?" Izuna asked, looking cautious.
Ahiko sighed, wiping moisture from her forehead. She was more than a little frustrated, and very annoyed.
"Ahiko..." Hotaka ventured, not sure if saying anything more than that was wise.
"A little."
Masaru pointed at the scroll. "Care to tell us?"
Ahiko looked a little annoyed, for a second. It had nothing to do with Masaru. It had to do with her siblings. With Madara. How could her sister be so block headed? She couldn't spend all of her time in there and not be present for this union. She had to be here, that was part of her duty. Madara she could understand.
Souji wasn't with them, but he still wasn't with Kori. He defied her order. While she didn't care about that too much, the fact he hadn't been present when she barged into the place really pissed her off. She had rudely cut a class short and everything, though the woman were gracious and graceful in how they forgave her.
She was still embarrassed about that. Those women took time and care doing what they did, she knew firsthand how hard it was, and how personal it was. It was beyond rude to just barge in there like she had, but she had been expecting Souji to be there. Of course, Souji hadn't been there, so she looked like a royal ass instead.
"Yeah. I'll tell you guys, since you aren't a bunch of block heads."
They only nodded.
"Haji sent a message..."
Izuna blinked before jumping to his feet. It was very quick, and violent. He was seated one second, and the next, it appeared like he was going to fly out of the roof. "Haji Subatsu?"
Ahiko nodded, brows drawn together. "It is time."
"For?" Izuna looked a little lost.
Hotaka shifted slightly, moving his hand for the sake. Ahiko stood up gracefully, grabbed the bottle, and poured it into the cup, filling it to the brim. While it wasn't a problem if someone refilled their own cups, it would be bad manners on her part not to pour. She was the woman after all, and they did serve.
"You are speaking of an alliance, right?" Masaru ventured, holding out his cup for more.
Ahiko nodded slightly, pouring him a healthy serving. "Yes. Because we've made our move, they will follow suit. We can no longer battle or be enemies. Something is happening, and is about to happen, that is much, much bigger than that."
Izuna was a little surprised, but he had been present at the Hagoromo compound. He had spoken to Haji. He had been part of the conversation. Shuji had only joined the Subatsu and Mo, because he knew eventually the Domou and Subatsu would unify together, and the clans with them, would unify as well.
It seemed that Haji had cool judgment. Subatsu tended to be violent and quick to lash out, but he always remained calm for the most part. Izuna had seen Haji blazing mad and furious more than once, and when that cool demeanor broke...Haji would cut down more foes than anyone else.
To go through with this spoke volumes. He wasn't sure if Madara would agree to this, Mikito, or some of the Domou. Things could get very explosive, very fast, and it would turn into a brawl before anyone could say 'udon'. Still, they were going through with it, and Izuna knew in his heart he had to go through with it as well.
He always supported Ahiko and he wouldn't stop now.
Masaru carefully read the contents of the scroll while Tsubasa looked over his shoulder. It partially annoyed Masaru to have Tsubasa breathing down his shoulder practically, but for once he could understand the man's rather abrasive inquisitive nature.
"You weren't kidding." Tsubasa noted, expression growing serious.
"Will you pass that over?" Izuna asked, scowling.
"I'm still reading it." Masaru replied.
Izuna grumbled, moving towards him. "Are Usagi and Shin getting married like we planned?"
"Their marriage will unify us." Ahiko replied, nodding.
"There's a good bit about strategy here pertaining to attacking the foreigners. I get the feeling it is going to be a long discussion when we get to it."
"It shouldn't be. There's only one way it can really work. Any other way has too many variables and shows that people are thinking too much. While it is true we can't underestimate our foes, splitting a group to just attack Konoha and Kumo is foolish."
Masaru looked at Ahiko, letting Izuna take the scroll. "Two groups is the best option."
"Knowing Mikito, she may suggest splitting into four or five groups."
Hotaka drew his brows together, mulling it over. "I don't know if certain people are going to agree with this whole thing. I know for a fact Saito, Hiyori, and Shinpachi won't agree with it. Mikito won't agree with it, either. I doubt Syrus agrees with it."
"That is all true, but they will perform their duties when it is all said and done. They know that if they take aggressive action or show signs of trying to plants seeds of dissension they will be the minority, and more to the point, it'd just be folly." Ahiko said.
Hotaka crossed his arms over his chest. He knew she spoke the truth, and while nobody would try to disrupt the harmony, nor ruin Usagi's and Shin's happiness, there was no telling what could happen when they were all together. Domou and Subatsu were only together in battle, and only battle. Outside of battle, they never ran into each other.
The problem was that men like Saito, Hiyori, and Shinpachi were all too powerful to stop. If they wanted to fight, they would, and there would only be some people capable of stopping them. If Mikito and Syrus went at it, there's a chance that fight wouldn't be broken up. Then Saito and Okita would battle, then Shinpachi and Nagakura would battle, and then Hiyori and Saitama would battle.
Things would be so out of control everyone else would either jump in, or just distance themselves while the melee ensues. This wasn't likely to happen. Takeo would stop them all from fighting with ease, but Hotaka never left anything to chance.
Ahiko noted Hotaka's expression, and lowered her head a little. "I understand your concern, don't think I am so flippant."
"Regardless, we'll all get along for a short time." Izuna interjected.
"Why would you say something like that?" Masaru asked.
"I'm not the glass is half empty kind of guy."
"You don't care about the glass at all. You only want the water. If there's no water, the glass doesn't exist to you." Masaru retorted.
"Shut up." Izuna muttered, getting annoyed.
Hotaka sighed. "I just leave nothing to chance. I know where you are coming from, and no fights should happen, but they very well can happen. I won't ignore the possibility of Okita and Saito and Mikito and Syrus battling."
"As you shouldn't." Tsubasa agreed.
"But, what Izuna said is also true. We'll all get along for a short time, but after Usagi and Shin get married and we finish preparations, I am not so sure." Ahiko spoke up, she clenched her hakama in her hands.
"I just don't want to fight Usagi anymore. We never liked fighting each other. We were best friends, and I'd tease her about boys and give her sweets while she'd tease me about Hiyori ad kissing him. We only fight because our siblings fight, and we must support them. And-"
Hotaka cut her off as gently as he could. "You're getting emotional again."
"Of course I am! I'm a woman!" Ahiko snapped.
"Just don't get yourself all worked up, Ahiko-san." Izuna said with a playful smile.
Ahiko huffed and puffed, trying to center her emotions. She knew Hotaka didn't care for emotional woman, whenever his wife would get emotional, Hotaka would leave the house until she got under confrol. He was a calm and peaceful man, who didn't want or desire much. She kept this in mind, and took a deep breath,.
Truth be told she could never center her emotions. When she was happy, she was joyful. When she was mad, she was enraged. There wasn't a middle ground. Most of the time she was happy, or calm, but when she got worked up…
Well…
The last time she got really worked up she sent her sister, Souji, Haji, Syrus, and several others flying for miles. She had punched and kicked, and screamed.
"Honestly Hotaka. You're not fair. How can you tell me not to get worked up?"
Hotaka looked at Ahiko, not succumbing to her pout. "I guess that was foolish of me to say, considering you are a woman. But, I still don't want you blasting my ear off."
"So, if I understand this right...Your main concern is what will happen after the wedding between Usagi and Shin. And, the off chance Mikito and Syrus start battling from the beginning is also a concern of yours." Izuna ventured.
Ahiko nodded.
Izuna thought it over. If Mikito and Syrus started battling, there's no way Madara would just stand aside and let them battle. He would jump right into it. Then there would be others who get involved, and more after that. It wouldn't lead to war. It would lead to everyone not fighting to just sit back and watch.
That would hinder and slow the progress of what they were trying to accomplish, so it shouldn't come to that. But, emotions ran high. Mikito was an emotional creature. Syrus was known for his short temper and rabid rage. If they let their more primal emotions take a hold of them—there would be a battle.
Izuna gripped Ahiko's shoulder, offering a smile. "It'll work out just fine."
"Your confidence is intoxicating, Izuna. But, I still have my concerns and I can't just blow them off because I'm feeling good about how things will go. I don't know what my sister or Syrus will do when they have to be on good terms."
"Perform their duty." Izuna said simply.
Ahiko shifted, looking up at him.
"You know they will perform their duties, as they always have. They can't hinder the progress of what we are trying to accomplish."
"I know that...It's just..."
Izuna backed up a few inches, giving Ahiko some space and took a seat once more. He knew what she was getting at now. From years of battle—Mikito and Syrus simply couldn't be in front of each other without attacking. It's the same for him, if he were in front of Tobirama. He would lunge with his sword drawn.
Only problem was that his enmity with Tobirama would remain between himself and Tobirama. Mikito and Syrus wouldn't be the only ones battling. Souji and Haji would get involved. Then, Ahiko and Usagi would get involved. There would be a brawl.
"Well, in any case I don't think we have to worry ourselves sick over it. Takeo put Shinpachi through a tree not too long ago. I'm sure he'd put Mikito and Syrus through a tree, and anyone else trying to fight at that point in time."
Ahiko chuckled briefly. "I guess you have a point."
Tsubasa handed her the scroll before standing off to the side. "Do you think Souji went looking for you because he got this message as well?"
"I never thought about that. Haji normally sends one message to avoid confusion. But, in this case he could have sent my brother a message as well." Ahiko admitted.
"Before you run off looking for him again..." Izuna started.
"It's raining too hard. I'm staying here until it settles down." Ahiko told him.
Izuna clapped his hands. "Perfect. I have something to show you?"
"What would that be?" Ahiko asked, curious.
"I drew some sketches for uniforms the women can wear, other than the standard haori and hakama that they have been wearing."
Masaru looked intrigued. "Is that what you were scribbling in that scroll before?"
Izuna scowled, not liking how Masaru used 'scribble' to describe what he had been doing. Sketching would have been far more appropriate to say. He shook off the feeling Masaru's comment made him feel, and focused on Ahiko.
"Want to see them?"
"Of course I do, Izuna-san. Why even ask?" Ahiko replied.
He opened a scroll. It wasn't very long, but it wasn't short either. There were drawings of the women's body, and next to them were designs for attire.
"What is this, exactly? I'm looking at a lot here. Break it down for me." Ahiko asked, looking at the scroll carefully.
"New uniforms for the women to wear if they want. I know they will wear the haori and hakama, but this will give you ladies some more variety. Like I said before."
"What would this be? A leotard?" Ahiko pointed at a particular design.
It was a one piece of some sort. The arms and shoulders were left bare, the legs were left bare, and part of the v-line was also present. To be honest, Ahiko wasn't sure if she'd wear it. It just seemed so revealing and obscene.
But, it was practical. She, or any of the women present could pull it on no problem and be on their way. It wouldn't require the same time and attention that the hakama and haori did. The obi had to be just right, the kimono had to be tucked in, the hakama couldn't be too low, and there was just a lot to it all.
It didn't seem like much, but compared to this sketch—it was a lot. She could slip something on, or spend ten to twenty minutes getting herself ready.
"That it is. And the one next to it is a thong leotard. The attire next to those is a bodysuit that keeps the arms exposed, a high collar, and a silver zipper that goes up the length of the torso. This would also include a belt, black boots or brown boots, and grappling gloves." Izuna replied.
Masaru pointed at another sketch. "Care to explain this one?"
Izuna focused on the drawing. He was fond of this one. "This one is pretty simple. There's bloomers, a high collared shirt that fits to form, and a pair of boots that come up just short of the top of the thighs."
"And, this one?" Tsubasa pointed at another sketch.
"That's simple." Izuna said. "It's a black dress with a vertical stripe going up the middle."
"And, this one?" Hotaka pointed at another.
"The pants come up to the knees, and the boots are knee length. The top exposes the belly."
"Why..." Ahiko licked her lips, feeling a little abashed. "Does some of the footwear have a long heel? I see one that looks to be about five inches."
Izuna smirked for a second. "I seen a few Domou woman, and others with us, sliding and slipping on blood wearing tabi. It's either that, or there so much blood your ladies just discard your footwear and run around in zori. This heel would ensure a stable base at all times. It can also be used as a weapon to pierce a foe. There's also the little ability to also jab them through certain things to scale up, down, or simply stop all movement."
"Hmmm. Makes sense." Ahiko nodded. "I like it."
Izuna smiled. "I am glad to hear that."
"Do you expect my wife to wear some of this?" Hotaka asked, eyes narrowed.
"She doesn't have to, but it'll save her time and hassle. I am sure she'll appreciate the uniforms for their simplicity, like I do." Ahiko replied.
"I wouldn't mind seeing my wife wear any of this. I'm sure she'd appreciate it as well. She complains that she can't just slip something on, sometimes." Tsubasa admitted.
"That is because you have no shame and are a borderline lecher." Masaru remarked.
"I can appreciate beauty."
Hotaka pointed at one of Izuna's drawings. "This outfit right here will show off your wife's ass."
"Her beautiful perfect ass." Tsubasa remarked, laughing at the looks he got.
"Tsubasa!" Ahiko cried.
"They don't have to wear these uniforms. However, I would like to have them made, so they have more choices. It would be good for their speed and flexibility. Without that heavy weighted clothing on, I don't think anyone could catch the women here. Besides..." Izuna was a little more firm, though he did trail off.
"Besides what?" Hotaka asked.
"I have a few more modest uniforms." Izuna pointed at the drawings.
"Thank goodness. I was thinking that you are a lecher, Izuna-san." Ahiko replied.
"You wound me, Ahiko-san."
"I really like the outfits you came up with. You are an artistic genius when it comes to these things. I just don't know if I'd be able to wear some of these outfits out and about, but I won't say the other women here share the same view as me. I'll wear some in private or when I train, definitely."
Masaru sipped on some sake, sighing. "Can you show us the more modest uniforms?"
"Give me a second." Izuna groused. "I have another one. As you can see it is a short, tight vest that goes above the belly button, with two straps buckled up. On the upper arms, they will wear arm bands, some of which form Xs over the biceps and triceps. Leather pants, a holster, knee-pads, combat-style boots with the same heel as the others boots I showed finish it."
"And, before I move onto what Masaru wants...This is the last one. It is a skintight costume. It features retractable razor-sharp claws in the gloves. I designed this to give the women maximum flexibility and movement while providing them some anonymity, and stealth. The mask—or cowl, if you wish to call it that, covers their features. The material is a thick insulating cloth, protecting them from the heat, cold and wet, while being fire resistant."
"You really put some thought into this, huh?" Hotaka looked a little surprised.
"This is the sort of thing that I do best. I care about the small and acute details, unlike my brother." Izuna said.
"Well, I like them." Tsubasa admitted. "Even if some of them aren't so modest."
"I think that'll swing the advantage in the women's favor? Wouldn't you agree? Think if you seen one of the women here ready to battle, wearing one of these outfits. You wouldn't take her serious, and faster than a blink of an eye, their foe would be cut down."
"Moving on." Masaru said, crossing his arms over his chest.
Izuna muttered a curse, glaring at Masaru.
"Keep going, Izuna-san." Ahiko pressed, tapping the scroll with her finger.
"I have one here that consists of a high-collared blouse and matching apron skirt. There is another one that exposes the midriff, but it still has some modesty. This other one here is a red top, that has a qipao design. Black gloves, low-heel, knee-high boots, black shorts are worn underneath a short apron skirt, and there are elbow protectors. My last sketch consists of a kimono-style blouse with no sleeves, held closed by a broad, obi, and pants. The blouse can be closed low, if the women need to do that."
There was a moment of silence as everyone gathered looked over the scroll. They weighed the pros and cons of each uniform. Masaru kept quiet on the obscenity of some of the uniforms, and if anyone had the same thoughts, they kept them quiet as well.
"Have you started making these, Izuna? Tsubasa asked.
Izuna shook his head. "I wanted to run it by Ahiko-san first, since she did help me out that one time before. I value her opinion when it comes to these things."
Ahiko looked the whole scroll over, and smiled. "I must admit some of these really appeal to me, and they all look really comfortable, too. Even if some are tight to the skin, I am sure they are still comfortable. I don't mind wearing kimono, yukata, and things like that, but being able to slip on a leotard would be very simple. There's also not so many layers that have to go on before it."
"So, what do you think?" Izuna prodded.
Ahiko nodded, noting how giddy he sounded. It may not catch on fast, but eventually, the women would wear these uniforms if they chose to. They were made specifically for them, obviously. "I can't say I disagree."
Izuna smirked, and rolled up the scroll with measured ease before slipping it into his pocket. "Now wouldn't be a good time to make them, but I will need your assistance, Ahiko-san."
Ahiko nodded quickly. "I will help you the best I can..."
Masaru looked at her with observant eyes before he turned his focus to the rain. "Are you going to find Souji?"
"No. He must be inside somewhere, or taking shelter. Even he can't trudge through this downpour."
"So..." Tsubasa trailed off.
"I guess I will have to be patient. I am pretty sure Takeo-san has already read the scroll's contents—everything goes through him before it filters through our ranks. I could be wrong, but if he has read it before it came to me, I am certain he is explaining it to Souji, or will be soon."
"In that case, have some more sake. You can relax for the time being." Masaru ventured.
Ahiko shook her head, politely declining. "I have no tolerance. I will make some tea, if that is okay."
Hotaka thought about it. "Tea sounds good."
"Do you have any sweets?" Tsubasa prodded.
Ahiko grinned. "Always."
"What about those brownies?"
Ahiko grabbed a scroll from her person, and unrolled it.
Tsubasa grinned, looking at the brownies with drool coming from his mouth.
"She can make tea and hand out sweets after she has another cup." Izuna said, pouring Ahiko a generous helping of sake.
"I want to eat the brownies now." Tsubasa complained.
"More to the point she just declined." Masaru groused.
"A second cup won't hurt. Why are you such a tight ass?" Izuna groused back.
"She said no and that means no."
"I insist."
"I'll drink, guys. Don't fight, please." Ahiko took the cup, staring at it.
The sake was warm. She usually stopped after one cup of sake, because she could feel its effects. There had been a time she indulged more, but she, Souji, Hiyori, Harada, Mikito, and dozens of others had threw up and a chair had been split in half and burned to a crisp.
She had no idea how the chair was split in two or burned to a crisp. Harada and Shinpachi had got into a fight, and like the chair, she wasn't sure how it started or who started it. Both men swore the other started it, but Shinpachi had said Harada chucked a bottle at his head.
If that was going to happen again, she would make sure there were more people gathered. She wasn't going to get sloppy drunk with Izuna. She had nothing against him personally, but it was better when there was more than one person sober around, in order to keep things under control.
Still, a second cup wouldn't hurt, so she took a ginger sip. Then, she took another, bigger than the first one. She took another sip, making sure less than half remained, and set the cup down with a measured grace.
"I have a question for you, Izuna-san."
"What is it?"
Ahiko was silent for a few seconds. "I seen a long thing next to your drawings, what would that be? Is that like a belt or something the women would wear? It looks a little too thin for that, if you ask me."
"That's actually a whip. It will help keep things mid range in fights, but if the women choose to get up close, they can wrap the whip around an ankle or wrist and pull. If they want to keep it long distance, they can use it to keep their foes at bay."
Ahiko nodded. "That's an interesting concept. I thought it was something that went with the uniforms you drew."
"It does go with them. It is just a weapon. Not an accessory. I guess it could be an accessory if you want to wrap it around your waist, but it is still a weapon."
"Sounds like the shoe fits to me, Izuna." Masaru said.
"The hell is that supposed to mean?"
Ahiko sighed—it seemed Masaru and Izuna were going to banter for a long while.
"Are you going to tell us when you became a pervert, Izuna?" Masaru questioned, getting right to the point.
"Only if you spit out when you became such a tight ass." Izuna fired back.
"I'm not the one drawing a thong leotard." Masaru pointed out.
"That doesn't make me a pervert, you moron."
"He has an appreciation for the form of a woman, nothing wrong with that." Tsubasa rushed to his cousin's defense.
"Coming from a pervert. That isn't much of a defense. I seen the way you were looking at those uniforms, you want your wife to wear all of those." Masaru replied.
Tsubasa shrugged with an easy smile. "I can't help it. She is beautiful. Her ass is perfect. It would be nice to see her ass. Instead of it being covered by hakama or a yukata."
"Idiot." Hotaka remarked.
"She is going to clobber you for speaking that way about her. Shame on you, Tsubasa." Ahiko remarked.
"He'll be lucky if that is all she does." Hotaka added, not looking amused.
"Maybe. But, I enjoy a good spar and she's always game. She can be feisty." Tsubasa shrugged.
Ahiko was exasperated. "Don't divulge anymore, please. That is your business what you do in those moments."
"Don't you women share stories about your husbands? I'm sure you've told some stories about how you and Hiyori roll around together."
"Tsubasa, that is so crude and..." Ahiko struggled to keep her cheeks from going red. "You are incorrigible..."
While she did roll around with Hiyori, it was in total private and seclusion. She wanted for nothing when she was with him. She didn't even want to stay modest or modesty itself. She could be naked as the day she came out of the womb, and that was fine.
But, she wasn't sharing stories.
Absolutely not.
"Anyways, when is that marriage supposed to take place?" Masaru asked, getting back on topic.
Ahiko felt a little nervous."As soon as possible."
Izuna ran his hand through his hair. "That means Mikito and Madara have to be present..."
"Exactly..." Ahiko sighed.
"Before I forget to ask...Who gave you the idea for these uniforms for the woman, Izuna?" Masaru asked.
"Easy. Ahiko and Mikito were talking a while back about changing things up, we had a few designs, but nothing solid. Then Ai seen them, and a few others, but mostly Ai. And, she gave me ideas for the rest. She made them concrete."
"Of course she did." Ahiko felt herself blush. "That woman is something else."
Hashirama's brows were drawn together and his eyes were narrowed. He focused to his limit and some more. His chakra was rolling and flowing, lucid like a placid stream. He was at ease, despite being focused, and he watched his creations come to life.
Houses.
The walls that closed Konoha in the mountain were actual walls. It took him a while to fortify them and keep them stable. There were certain dimensions that they had to fit, and at times, couldn't fit, since his boles and branches were contorted. Some parts of the walls couldn't be built around these contorted areas, so he had to reduce the size of the boles and branches, and change the structure of the wall.
In the end it worked out fine. It took a few more minutes to fix these oddities. It wasn't painstaking by any stretch. But, it did require careful attention to detail and precision. Hashirama preferred a broad stroke, rather than meticulous ins and outs. Tobirama was the one who paid attention to those minute details.
Shisuke gave them a pass. The man was more than understanding and accommodating. Most nobles would have rushed the project and want not so realistic results. They wanted things done so fast and swiftly that it couldn't simply be done by human hands.
Hashirama wouldn't take that small act of kindness for granted. He couldn't. He had to go above and beyond, even though he had done that up to this point, and would continue to. He was certain that Shisuke was confident with their progress, and Konoha, so those lingering doubts, while not quelled, were pressed down to some degree.
A loud groan escaped his lips. He relaxed his hands, bringing them out from their clenching. The house was reasonable, if he had to say. However, he spotted a lot of faults. The first, there was no door. There wasn't an entrance to enter. The next thing he found was that despite being three stories, there was no flights of stairs to ascend those levels.
He turned towards Kiyoshi, about to ask for help. The elder Nara was laying down on a patch of ground that was clear of snow. His eyes were closed, hands clasped behind his head. If Hashirama didn't know any better, he would say the man was sound asleep and had been for hours, but the joint in his mouth, that burned, and the fact his chakra wasn't totally calm was a dead giveaway.
Hashirama wondered if this was his attitude during meetings with Council. It would certainly piss off elders if Kiyoshi just acted this nonchalant. While clans were different from one another, their elders remained the same for the most part. Old, stubborn, and set in their ways. They knew better than everyone else and they were never wrong.
So, Kiyoshi lounging around during those meetings was likely. It was too troublesome to argue with them. It was too troublesome to speak with them on important matters since they'd talk around those matters. So, what else was there to do other than lounge around and take a nap? Keeping up formalities was a waste of time when elders were too stubborn.
"Kiyoshi-san." Hashirama found his voice.
"Huh?" The elder asked, too lazy to even speak.
Hashirama scratched at the back of his head, not sure how to feel. Most people looked at him when they spoke to him, but Kiyoshi was doing just the opposite. He didn't find it insulting, but it was odd, and he wasn't sure how to continue on with this conversation.
He was also embarrassed he forgot the door and staircases to this house. The house itself seemed good enough, not that he could go inside and take a look. For all he knew the bathroom could be where the stairs are supposed to be, and the bedrooms could be where the closet is supposed to be, and altogether, it could be a mess.
But, his attention was pinpointed on the missing door, and missing staircases.
How could he tell Kiyoshi I forgot the door and staircases?
Hashirama scratched his head again, sighing.
Kiyoshi opened one eye, meeting Hashirama's sheepish gaze—if he had to say so himself.
He knew the young Senju enough, to tell that Hashirama was flustered or embarrassed about something. Maybe he was still pouting about losing those gambling matches against him. But, he was a Nara, and Hashirama should have known better.
Amusing.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Kiyoshi asked, exhaling a stream of smoke in the process.
Hashirama pointed at the house.
Kiyoshi looked at it, arching a brow. He kept his other eye closed as he examined the building. It looked solid and good, but there was something missing. "Where's the door?"
"Well...About that..."
Kiyoshi snorted, opening his other eye and shook his head. "You forgot to create a door?"
Hashirama didn't quite nod, but his head did move a fraction. "I forgot the staircases, too..."
"Where is the sense in building multi-level houses, if you forget the staircases?"
"I was feeling creative?" Hashirama ventured.
Kiyoshi chuckled, slowly sitting himself up. He massaged the back of his neck. "What a drag, my neck hurts."
"Kiyoshi, the house."
Kiyoshi looked at Hashirama. "What do you want me to do about it? I don't use the Mokuton."
Hashirama played with his fingers before pointing where the door should be. "You could use your Hiden jutsu to carve one out?"
"I can't create a door, Hashirama. I can carve an area out for one, but that is it. You need to create a door."
"Fair enough."
Kiyoshi groaned. He didn't really want to stand up, because he was comfortable. Hashirama should have been more astute with this. He didn't want to pick up the slack. He had finished doing the legwork for the most part.
They should have just waited for Tobirama and the other Senju to arrive. That would have made things a lot easier.
Kiyoshi summoned his energy, and stood to his feet. He spit out the joint roach, and sparked another one soon after. He couldn't believe he had to do this, but he did. With a simple flick of his chakra, a shadow surged towards the house, and struck it—there wasn't as much force in the strike, as it was direct.
After a few seconds, a hole was carved out for a door.
"There's no staircases in this house Hashirama. And, where exactly is the bathroom?"
Hashirama sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "I forgot the bathroom, too."
Kiyoshi shook his head, but said nothing. He did his part, and so he exited the house and let Hashirama do his work. After some minutes passed, Hashirama came back outside looking disheveled. Strands of his hair were pointing upward and to the side. With a flare of chakra, a door ripped out from part of the hole Kiyoshi made, and swung shut.
Hashirama opened and closed the door a few times to ensure that it was stable.
Kiyoshi opened the door, then slammed it shut.
"Kiyoshi-san!"
"You need to make sure these doors and homes can stand up to angry women and wives. You'd be surprised how much hell they can raise."
Hashirama arched a brow. "Do you speak from experience?"
Kiyoshi dragged on his joint—he was going to need to roll some more. "I was courting a woman in my younger days, and well...She wanted to marry me for the title, and I only seen her as a woman and nothing more. I called it off, and she got mad."
Hashirama tilted his head. He would never guess that a woman of all things was enough to sway or deter Kiyoshi. A bijuu, most certainly, but a woman…
"What did she do?"
Kiyoshi sighed. "First, she yelled, then she chewed off my ear. She started slamming doors, and then she picked up vases and start throwing them at me. A few almost hit me on the skull. Before she marched off cursing my existence, she threw some furniture at me."
Hashirama found himself laughing. It was amusing to imagine, and he was pretty tired. That only added to the amusement he felt within. He could imagine Kiyoshi either sitting there doing nothing, or doing everything he could to dodge the onslaught that woman had brought to him.
"Women are a pain, if you ask me. They want to have their way, and when they don't get it, they manipulate and twist things around until they get their way. I found the whole thing to be exhausting, and quite a waste of time. I would have been better off taking a nap."
Hashirama snickered.
"You shouldn't be laughing like that. You're going to get married to Mito Uzumaki, correct? Uzumaki are known for their tempers, and the women are like fire. You'll be lucky if Mito throws a vase at you, she may pick up an entire house or tree and try to bat you away with it."
Hashirama shivered at the thought of going through that. While he was to marry Mito, and would, in due time, he didn't want to entertain the thought of her uprooting a tree. She seemed a little too graceful for such an act, but he wouldn't put it past her. When a woman got mad, it was really scary.
How many times did his mother strike his father down...Hashirama lost count, but she only ever got that way when he would strike him, Tobirama, his dead brothers, or the other children down. And, his mom wasn't the only one that would become enraged.
"Elder brother."
Hashirama whipped around so hard and fast, it would have broken a lesser man into two segments. He had been so wrapped up in his thoughts, he hadn't sensed Tobirama approaching, nor the rest of the Senju that were right behind him. Mito flanked him, and he felt something prick inside of him—it was a good prick, something that spread through his being.
He gripped Tobirama's shoulders. "I am relieved that you are here at last, Tobi-san!"
Tobirama scowled. He looked around, noting that Mito looked a little intrigued, and some of the Senju present were looking pretty amused. Of course, they all know Hashirama would call him Tobi. However, Mito didn't know that, and Tobirama had told his brother more than once not to call him that around others.
It was a little petty, but he had to keep up a certain image, and his pride in tact. He couldn't be taken seriously, exactly, if someone was calling him Tobi. It seemed more comical than anything. It would hardly breach the borders of insults, but just the same, it wasn't something he wanted everyone to know.
The only person to call him Tobi other than Hashirama had been Usagi and she would always call him 'Tobi-chan' before she jumped into his torso and wrapped her arms around him.
"I've told you not to call me that around others, brother." Tobirama murmured, only loud enough for Hashirama to hear.
"But-"
"You don't possess the skill necessary to switch back and forth. I suppose it is something that can't be helped."
Hashirama laughed, sheepishly scratching the back of his head.
Tobirama smiled for a second, before he looked around at his surroundings. He had seen the walls in the distance when he was coming here, and it took a while for him to get this far. His brother and Kiyoshi were at the base of the mountain, for the most part, while the walls stretched well beyond this.
"How are things coming along?"
"Progressing. Shisuke-sama is satisfied with our work and the results thereof. Your brother wanted to do a little more building, even though I insisted on waiting for you and the others to arrive." Kiyoshi replied.
Tobirama let his focus drift around. There were houses and homes, buildings, and things of that like. He didn't see anything major. There wasn't a building where the Hokage would live, and perform his duty. There wasn't an academy, and there wasn't anything along those lines.
Well, he wasn't going to fault his brother or Kiyoshi for nor building those things. If they hastened certain things along, it'd only cause Shisuke to exercise caution. As it stood, the man was more than satisfied with their progress, and that was enough.
"I will do what I can to help." Tobirama said, tone even.
Kiyoshi nodded, exhaling smoke. "You may want to get on your brother about his penchant for gambling. He seems to waste a lot of money. While he normally wins that back, plus ten times more, he lost against me, twice."
Tobirama's eyes narrowed, and he gritted his teeth. "You're wasting funds on that foolishness again, brother?"
Hashirama scowled at Kiyoshi, but the man only shrugged.
"I'm going to head back to the Capital to give Shisuke another report on our progress. I can take the Senju there with me, if you'd like?"
"That would be helpful, thank you." Tobirama said, nodding to Disuke.
In a few minutes everyone filed away. Only Hashirama, Tobirama, and Mito remained.
"Konoha..." Mito said with a smile, taking a deep breath. "Your dream has become a reality, Hashirama-san."
However, Hashirama couldn't quite hear her. He was too busy trying to avoid Tobirama's fiery glare. He didn't think Kiyoshi would rat him out like that, but evidently he was wrong. He should have never asked the Nara to carve a place out for a door.
Tobirama kept his eyes on Hashirama. "Your gambling again..."
"It's been a long time, brother." Hashirama said.
"That is a lame response and you know it, brother. We don't have the funds to burn for you to enoy your penchant. You better not have dipped into the Senju's funds or Konoha's in order to satisfy your need for such foolishness."
"Well, that is what he does in his free time." Mito said, trying to defend Hashirama.
"It doesn't matter. That is conduct unbecoming of the Hokage."
"It's better than what Syrus does. He is a known womanizer."
Tobirama was almost exasperated. "Syrus has nothing to do with this conversation. Why would you even bring him up, Mito?"
She shrugged. "Just saying you should pick your battles."
"Has there been any word from those clan leaders that were at the meeting?" Tobirama got back on track.
Hashirama deflated a little. "I haven't got anything from them, nor has Shisuke. Not even Riichi has sent word back."
Tobirama nodded. This would take time, he got that. But, those clans would join eventually. Once they seen this was stable and nothing could go wrong, they'd flock here.
"You're still not going back to Uzushiogakure?" Hashirama looked at Mito.
"I sent word to my father and Hisao about Konoha's founding and everything that has happened to this point." Mito replied.
"In other words, she doesn't plan to." Tobirama said bluntly, glaring at Mito for a second. "Let's head to the Capital as well, brother."