So, after some thought and consideration... I put OC in the character list as well... But I'll keep the bold print before this story begins as well the warning and all that. Moving forward to the chapter..
"I get stronger in direct proportion to how strong my opponent is. I do not tire, and cannot be defeated."
Kisame Hoshigaki
Rain was often scarce in this region, but for the last few hours it was coming down in wide and blitzing sheets. Smothering and pelting everything within its reach, unforgiving and relentless.
Ajo kept himself huddled under a massive roof just outside of one of the many damiyo's personal chambers barely dodging the rain as it slammed down with brutal force, splashing and kicking up droplets as the one massive one dissipated. He currently overlooking one part of the Wind country and the sprawling village with an unenthused expression, though his eyes focal points were pointed outward into the desert. Searching and ever observant.
Daishiro tasked him with something new as of late, keeping a scope on things around the village rather than inside, it didn't make him a bit of difference he'd had enough of seeing these pitiful people go about their business as if there wasn't a war going on right now. It was also a good time for the more restless among his kinsmen to go about the village performing his task and going outside when the time called for it.
Luckily this task didn't just entail him staring out into nothingness for hours upon hours. For instance he got to witness the spectacle of the last battle, and already had a good idea who was involved judging from all the chakra signatures huddled together. Senju, Uchiha, Domou, Sarutobi, Hageshii, Hyuga, and Subatsu. His clan being the only ones missing from this conflict, and while he was a bit sour that he didn't get to plunge his sword through one of these, seeing the spectacle proved to be more beneficial than not.
It was a lot better than seeing those priests mull about, their heads down with both hands clapped together fingers and thumbs extended completely so the very tips were touching. It was the same thing every time he heard someone speaking about the mysterious priests within the damiyo's estate; they kept the peace of the entire country itself and stabilized the village, they weren't seen often and when they were... They always moved in a single file, just as he had seen a few times since he came here.
It was strange, but there was no sense on pondering on such things, when the time came... Those priests would be useful and when that use was up they'd be dealt with accordingly.
He steered his eyes back out into the desert.
The battle started close to nightfall just as the sun was dwindling and twilight scattered itself across the landscape, it was the Subatsu and Senju colliding with the Hageshii, Sarutobi, and the Hyuga. To say he was impressed would be an understatement, but he wasn't exactly surprised, so many clans being packed into one region could only lead to one thing. T
he battle lasted for hours, and just when things were taking a turn for the better or worse, the Uchiha and Domou appeared and that's when everything was torn asunder more than it had been prior.
The ground shook and rumbled, even from his current post the chakra and power they were putting out was unfathomable, it was beyond comprehension or any measurement. One after the next jutsus were launched, elements of nature being partially controlled by shinobi collided and fought for the top spot, whatever preconceived notions they may have about the elements it was clear they were skewed at best.
It all came to an abrupt end when a gargantuan piece of earth, stone, something descended down from the sky colliding with an enormous sphere of fire and torrent of branches and tree trunks.
The blinding light from the collision and following series of explosions could be seen even from his post, glaring into his eyes and forcing him to shield them away from the horrid light show. Streaks flew through the sky lighting up the dreary atmosphere for short seconds before withering away losing their potency. He knew one person could pull off such a thing, one person who would throw utter caution the wind and try to squash everyone, and that was Syrus with his Tochiton.
The enmity between his clan and the Subatsu ran deep, almost as deep as with the Domou, and it could be argued they were both on par with each other in that regard. There was no give, no withering, both of them collided with the Shimura or any other clan for that matter whenever they tried pressing onto their land, stabbing and slashing, hacking and slicing, snapping bones and ripping off arms and legs with practical ease it became a sickening sight. A common sight. Ruthless. Ferocious. Savage. Merciless. Bloodthirsty.
"Ajo-sama." A short and stout shinobi with a sharp jaw and keen eyes spoke, landing swiftly in front of him uncaring of the rain pelting him. "I've got a report."
"Speak." Ajo flicked his stern eyes onto the man.
"We encountered a unit of Akimichi shinobi treading into this territory, the unit was much larger than usual. They've been showing signs of pushing into this territory, and there has been signs of their leader leading the charge against our forces along with the second in command. In addition to this there have also been steady movements from the Shainingu, Chibana, and Tachibana as of a few hours ago they've crossed the borders and dispersed. The Shainingu heading to the southeast, the Chibana heading to the north, and the Tachibana heading to the far northwest-their respective leaders and second in commands were present with them as well and they each have a force of at least five thousand strong respectively."
Ajo nodded, a soft grunt rumbling from his throat. It was interesting to say the least, the Akimichi have been performing hit and run attacks for the longest time now always dispersing and running away once their numbers got cut down too small-amusing at best were their attempts to make any headway. But, now their leader was present and by no means was he the same as his grunts, this showed just how far pushed they were, and how desperate they were.
When people were desperate there was no telling what they would do.
The next four clans he couldn't help but smirk at their bold moves, Tunoichi could be brash in his own right as for Kenzuo and Saburo they were both always brazen and rushing to seek conflict. This brought up a whole new scenario however. "I see, so this means that the Shainingu, Chibana, and Tachibana have also been contacted by one of the nearby damiyos or lords, same can be said for the Hyuga in that regard." He nodded to himself, eyes lingering onto the landscape. "It seems we may need to advance our plans ahead of schedule. At this rate within a week at the very least we'll be engaged in battle."
"Is it wise to advance our plans by so much?" The shinobi questioned. "Wouldn't it rouse suspicion from the damiyo?"
"The evacuation has already gotten underway, but has been delayed due to the sudden rainfall." Ajo said, giving a firm but small nod to the man crouched before him. "For the sake of the damiyo's foolish pride and ambition we would wait until the time was ripe to execute our trump card, but with these recent events things will need to be changed. The damiyo will not suspect a thing, he's like any other noble."
He was a master manipulator and Daishiro was one was well, though he wasn't so open about it and played along, playing the part of the fool and willing contract, just enough to get this damiyo or anyone to drop their guard before he stabbed them right in the neck. Those who were foolish and stupid enough to be swayed deserved to get stabbed in the neck at point blank. "Is this all you have to report to me?"
"I'm afraid not, I bring grim news as well."
Ajo narrowed his eyes carefully. Few things he could consider grim, and if this wasn't grim news-many would consider it as such, then what was coming next was grim even to him. "Go on, then."
"The Yuki clan as well as the Kagyua clan have been growing more hostile with each other and are showing signs of crossing over to the Fire country. In addition to these two clans there's the Hoshigaki and the Hozuki who have been fighting with them day and night now are showing very similar signs. The islands surrounding the Water country's mainland have been experiencing conflicts that last days even weeks..."
The man paused, eyeing Ajo carefully. It wasn't unusual for conflict to plague the islands, but this much was startling. "There is a rumor going around that an Uzumaki infiltrated the Yuki clan's compound and stole the Hyoton scroll before killing a few dozen of them along with Kagyua who decided to launch an attack around the same time. The Yuki intend to launch a full scale attack on them, naturally you know the Kagyua, Hoshigaki, and Hozuki clans would pounce on that chance and launch their own attacks."
"The Uzumaki?!" Ajo barked out a laugh. "Why could those happy go lucky idiots even dare tread towards such a fearsome clan as the Yuki." It was well known the Uzumaki were peace loving and enjoyed that peace on their one isolated island away from all the war that plagued the land. There was no way they'd tread near any of these clans let alone the Yuki. They'd stick to their little island with their nauseating ideals and so called peace.
"It is said that a woman with red hair was seen shortly infiltrating their compound before the Hyoton scroll was stolen. This is around the same time the Kayua launched their attack." The man divulged. "I am not sure if there is any merit to this, however."
"A woman with red hair?" Ajo raised one sharp eyebrow, red hair was what defined the Uzumaki clan from the rest of the shinobi and mercenary clans aside from their happy go lucky stupid ass outlook on life. Peace loving, what a load of bullshit that clan needs to be wiped off the face of this planet. He never liked the Uzumaki, hating them just as much as he hated the Senju. They shared similar ideals, going on about peace and love while killing just the same... Hypocrites the whole lot of them.
"Yes, sir."
The Yuki being caught off guard with such a thing is almost unheard of, they're as rigid and strict as anyone can possibly get... Even wear those laughable masks to hide their identity to anyone outside of the clan. Ajo mulled over in silence, scratching his chin softly.
Everything about the Yuki was obsessive, their grid like compound that was so organized it put any other clan to shame, the way they patrolled their territory and surged through the islands looking for a quick kill, and then there was their leader how so as cold as ice and had no shred of mercy. "I see, report this to Daishiro-sama right away. We should be expecting that tyrant of a damiyo to be contacting us in the far future, or coming into contact with these clans if they are brazen enough to come all the way here."
"Understood." The man darted away, vanishing just like a shadow.
Ajo smirked, glancing into the sky as lightning raged with no end in sight. Now, it's only a matter of time before this damiyo runs out of his uses, but until then... He swept to the side, going back into his room. I'll just keep myself entertained. Things were already set into motion, but not they were windmilling picking up pace and tempo almost moving too fast for him to imagine, but he was always prepared for any situation at hand. "All of you." He finally spoke, tone cold and biting.
Dozens of Shimura shinobi trudged through the dark shadows of his room, all of them wearing impassive expressions as they kept silent.
"I want you all to go to the Earth country and inform our second in command of what you just overheard. Our forces have been fighting in that patch of land for months now and will need to merge on these borders very soon and meet up with our force here. If you come across anyone along your way there don't hesitate to kill them. Remember, not a single second can be wasted from here on out... The fighting will likely start without you all here, but don't delay in coming back here with full hast. The rest of you I want you to head to the Water country and investigate this matter fully, if the Yuki or any other clan intends to strike we will strike them first. Lastly, I want you to capture at least one Uzumaki pig and haul them back here. Understand?"
"Yes, Ajo." A few chorused, before vanishing into the shadows once again.
Ajo steeled his gaze back outside, a small smirk crossing his face. Now they will be crushed, and I'll start with those Senju. They'll come running once they hear we got an Uzumaki as a prisoner, and then we'll strike.
Groans. Moans. It was sounds that made him tense and stiffen, every single time it'd leave the mouth of anyone he felt the need to rush to them doing his utmost to help them.
There were two sides of war. The first being the battle itself, intense and cutthroat it was kill or be killed out there and the only rule was to survive. Shinobi survived first and foremost through any means necessary.
The second side of war was the death and the injured, the trepidation that smothered rooms in angst as each individual contemplated when their death would come, when they'd be ready to go out into the battlefield again, but most of all the cacophonous sounds of those wounded and the grating odor of blood mixing with sweat and grim.
Hashirama took a soft breath, carefully wrapping a young Senju's arm into a sling. He mended the bone and set it back into place, it'd take a while to heal and he wouldn't be seeing battle for quite some time. The bone had been protruding from his elbow taking a portion of skin with it exposing all the tendons and ligaments. "Get a lot of rest." Hashirama told the teenager with scruffy brown hair.
"As you wish, Hashirama-sama."
He gave a small nod in return making his way around the room repeating the procedure over and over again. Mending and setting broken bones before wrapping them in slings to make sure they weren't agitated, healing mile long gashes that stretched from shoulder to forearm in a grizzly sight of blood and gore, this process was much different than resetting a bone into place and required a little more focus since he was pulling the skin back together, a few stitches here and there and the wounds were hardly there the only sign being what would be a terrible scar.
Senju and Subatsu alike he tended to them just the same with the utmost focus and care, there was no exceptions in his eyes and everyone needed the same exact treatment in order to ensure they would be fully functioning afterwards. "Try to stay off of this leg for a while, if these stitches tear the bleeding could be really bad." He instructed an older Subatsu, quickly flicking his eyes onto two Senju-a teenage girl with light brown hair and a teenage boy with black hair, "you don't do anything too strenuous," he locked eyes with the girl, "you just rest the wound looked a lot worse than it actually was."
"Yes." The two Senju nodded.
"I got it." The Subatsu inclined his head.
Hashirama finally took a deep breath, wiping at his hands with a blue rag staining it with blood. "That should take care of the worse of them." He nodded to himself, clarifying mentally for a moment before flicking his eyes onto Tobirama who stood close to the damiyo with Haji their discussion seemed serious and straight laced but he didn't care to stretch his hearing at the moment, his eyes followed Usagi next who was dashing left and right assisting in any way she could from hauling supplies to relaying orders back and forth Toka was close by her doing the same exact thing.
It was pleasant to see everyone working together, despite their obvious differences they were finding a common ground and were doing their best to tend to the wounded.
"Brother." Tobirama's baritone turned his focus away from his daydreams.
"Coming." Hashirama called to him, quickly getting up from his seat and striding to the trio in just a few steps. He didn't know what exactly his brother could want, but seeing as he was the more pragmatic between them and Haji was also present it could only be something serious. "What do you need?" The question escaped before he could stop it.
"Are there any casualties?" Haji questioned, a stern look in his eyes.
Hashirama coughed gently into his hand, just a bit unnerved by that uncompromising gaze. "Just two." Hashirama said softly, turning his head away in abject shame. He should have been able to prevent their deaths, there shouldn't have been any on the Senju side or Subatsu side. A part of him was ashamed, feeling like a failure not able to succeed in what he set out to do. But, their wounds were so severe and they had died before they even got back to the underground city.
Haji nodded, gaze softening just slightly. "I see." He couldn't pick and choose, and one life wasn't more valuable than another, but two dead was better than five hundred... Even if that was a cold blooded outlook on things, they died valiantly as shinobi bringing honor and prestige to their clan, they didn't waver or wilt, they stood firm to the very end. "Moving forward we have something to discuss with you. It's about the battles that will be coming very soon."
"Oh..."
"Hashirama." Tobirama narrowed his eyes.
"I know it has to be done." Hashirama conceded. He didn't want to think of another battle, but it'd be stupid on his part not to be prepared. Things were only to get worse from here on out. "Okay, so moving on." He blinked once. "Where's Syrus?"
"Over there." Tobirama pointed over to his right, a sharpness to his tone that didn't go unnoticed by anyone. He had nothing against Syrus, but his ways were... Questionable and after the most recent stunt he pulled, he was getting out of hand. He had absolutely no restraint and it seemed it just wasn't him. "Dawdling with some women, wasting time." He added, tone getting even sharper and almost biting. "We'll begin without him, obviously he doesn't care."
Sure enough, when they turned to look he was talking up some woman while eyeing two more that passed by him, eyes meeting for just a few seconds before he turned his head away from the women leaving them fascinated and a bit confused. Their curiosity would draw them in soon enough.
I swear... Hashirama felt himself scowl at the sight.
Haji sighed softly. His brother's personal life was nobody's business in the first place, nor was it anyone's place to make a comment about it either.
"My army is ready and waiting." The damiyo said, chest out and arms folded behind his back. They had been restless remaining in the underground city while the Senju and Subatsu were above ground fighting a war, their war in their minds. They were honor bound and willing to put their lives on the line, but they remained ever present making sure everything was going smoothly down here.
He trusted the Senju and Subatsu, but it was about time he and his army made their presence known to show they weren't weak willed. "I understand you've been waiting to get a good read on the enemy's strength before they are sent out, but I can safely assume you've already come to that conclusion, one of you have at least."
"The current situation, yes." Tobirama nodded. "However, there have been changes and while they are accounted for, it is still too early to conclude the fact." According to one of his spies and Haji's the Chibana and Tachibana were seen traveling in the region, and there was the Akimichi who's leader seemed to be leading the charge this time, and lastly the Hyuga who were contacted by a nearby damiyo. There were too many variables, and while he could push forward, he knew Hashirama didn't want these soldiers to die a needless death.
Haji grunted softly in agreement. "The Hyuga are present, the Tachibana clan and Chibana clan have entered the region, the Hageshii have also stationed themselves somewhere close opting for a similar action as the Sarutobi. The Akimichi are also treading closer. They're doing the same thing we are at this moment, trying to deduce the enemy's strength. Once they've deduced it they will lead their armies into battle, if we as much blink before they do it could all but be over for us."
"So we wait..." The damiyo almost drawled out. Honestly, he was expecting more from shinobi. They were reviled as animals, bloodthirsty killers who didn't blink as they cut down their foes, reveled in the bloodshed as they flourished and thrived in the shadows. Truly fearsome and terrifying but at the same time dark and mysterious. He hadn't dealt with shinobi in ages, since he became the damiyo of this country, and even before then the previous damiyo never interacted with them all that much.
"No, we prepare to strike." Tobirama said, carefully eyeing his surroundings for a moment. "We are in a crucial time and must not act rashly, it is a matter of life or death."
"If this battle is anything to go off of... The Wind damiyo has been ready for days to launch an attack, and every neighboring country and village has been prepping for war. They're contacting shinobi clans like the Hyuga and Tachibana, while the Sarutobi have remained rogue and are doing their own thing whatever that may be." Haji continued where Tobirama left off, straight to the point and skipping over anything unnecessary. "We will observe their movements for now, if I know Daishiro and Ajo they will start their attack with the full backing of the Wind damiyo's army tomorrow. It is just a matter of who and what they strike first, after that..."
"I see, that makes sense." The damiyo nodded slightly. "But, wouldn't it be better to get the jump on them?"
Hashirama shook his head. They were recovering from a fierce and harsh battle, there was no way they were going out into another one, he wouldn't allow it. "We just need to observe." It was perhaps a stupid choice, but like anything else-if they struck too soon it could lead them to a disadvantage, the Shimura or Hyuga could want them to do such a thing and seize their chance straight afterwards. "I'll send out some clones in a little while, just to make sure nobody is around the outskirts of this village."
"I have no objections to that." The damiyo relaxed slightly.
Tobirama and Haji nodded having nothing else to add.
Hashirama nodded quickly. "If you excuse me now." He flicked his eyes onto Syrus. Honestly of all the times for him to be doing this why did it have to be now of all times?!
He waited until he got three nods from each of them. He made his way over to Syrus with precise steps, he was tall so his strides were long and bounding, he kept his eyes trained forward on the older man who didn't seem to care to notice him, or just didn't care period and continued making the dark haired woman swoon. If only he'd get married and focus all of that onto one woman, not a million different woman one after the next. "Syrus." He cleared his throat a bit louder than necessary.
"I'll see you later." Syrus told the woman, a small smirk gracing his face as he watched stand up and give a small bow to Hashirama.
"I look forward to it." She sent a sultry smile his way.
Hashirama tried not to gag.
"What is it that you want?" Syrus pointed his attention onto him, eyes narrowing for a moment as he crossed his arms over his chest. It was one thing for this fool to cut him off when he was speaking, and that was honestly bad enough, it was even worse when he tried to give him orders, but now it was taking things way too far. Hashirama, this little prick was interrupting his alone time and chasing women away. "I was very busy. You're developing this awful habit of interfering..."
Hashirama shook his head, at a loss for words. "We were discussing a strategy. Why weren't you there?"
"Yes, I see you've come to a decision regarding that strategy." Syrus's statement was pointed.
"What are you trying to get at?"
"You didn't need to me chime in, apparently, seeing as you've already decided on a strategy." Syrus replied.
"First you try killing all of us with that jutsu now you're being-"
"Get to the fucking point, Hashirama. You're starting to piss me off."
Hashirama narrowed his eyes, not shocked by the tone, but continued on nonetheless. "I wanted to avoid this argument, but it seems like that can't happen..." He paused, eyeing the more muscular man with keen eyes. It wasn't like Syrus was going to back him up anyways on that matter, but he could have at least shown that he cared. "Why do you need to do this now of all times?"
"Hashirama..." Syrus grated out, standing up with a deep scowl. Inch by inch, Hashirama was trying push himself further and further, first it was with the marriages, then it badgering him into marrying what an epic fail that was, now it was him trying to get involved in personal matters. Telling him what to do. "I'm going to make one thing clear to you. And you better get this through that thick ass head of yours..." Syrus glowered for a moment. "We are allies. We are comrades, but that is it. You will not nose your way into my personal life nor will you give me any orders!" Each word he emphasized, direct like a sharp punch to the gut.
"What you're doing now isn't right, you need to change your ways. You need to control your temper." Hashirama's eyes narrowed into a glare, his tone becoming hard and pointed. Being in an alliance reflected both clans in a very big sense, if Syrus was going around womanizing and executing jutsus that would squash them all like ants it painted the Senju in a bad light. They were not bloodthirsty or wild, they were not unrestrained.
Worse of all people would think he was a womanizer since Syrus couldn't keep himself under control. "Did you know Tsugi and Ryoku killed thirty eight Sarutobi that were running away, and that Hesui and Osen chased down thirteen Hyuga that were running away cutting off all of their heads?" Hashiraka furrowed his brows together, a gesture to keep himself under control.
"I don't see the problem, they're doing their duty. The Sarutobi and Hyuga wanted a fight and they got one, if they lack the resolve to see it through to the very end then they need to be cut down. They are nothing short of disgraces to shinobi everywhere. You better watch what you say to me... Some of your own forces gave chase." Speaking of any of his kinsmen the way Hashirama was lead to one thing and that was being shredded and maimed to the point nobody would recognize the corpse. Hashirama should be considering himself lucky.
"They were retreating!" Hashirama stressed. "There was no need to kill them."
"They shouldn't have provoked us, plain and simple. They just lack the resolve." Syrus locked eyes with Hashirama's dark brown beady orbs. Those beady little eyes that showed an uncompromising glint and persistence, his stomach churned against the boiling mass of anger spreading through him. He didn't tear his gaze off of Hashirama, instead clenching his fist at his side staring him down.
There was no way in hell he was even going to speak against Tsugi, Ryoku, and Hesui's actions-nobody slighted the Domou and lived to tell about it. Nobody. The fact those fools retreated only showed how much resolve they lacked, how fickle they were." I was wary of this from the outset... Syrus finally lifted his gaze from Hashirama turning away from him. "I'm leaving."
"Where are you going?"
"Not that I need to explain myself to you, but I'm going to fuck." Syrus said bluntly. Finding no need to be subtle about it or be tactful. He needed to get laid and feel a woman's soft skin make contact with his own, feel her legs quiver and body quake against him as he attained his release. Hear her melody. Doing that here wasn't going to happen, Hashirama was in his business, interfering in the matter, and would continue to do so much to his annoyance. "I think I'll go to the Sand country, they have some good brothels or so I've heard."
"Syrus, you can't go there-"
"Tch." Syrus scoffed. Here Hashirama went again trying to dictate what he does and tell him what to do. He had enough. "I'm not worried about Madara, his eyes were bleeding so bad I'd be surprised if he can see two feet in front of him and Mikito won't make a move in a place packed with people." He brushed passed the tan skinned Senju not stopping his stride or making a single pause. It was enough, this fool had the nerve to complain about his ways, and what his kinsmen did just before killing those damned Hyuga and Sarutobi that had been brazen enough to confront them, if it weren't for them backing him up...
"Haji!" Syrus shouted. "Come with me."
"I need you to handle things here for a while. Keep an eye on Usagi." Haji muttered to Tsugi having went to his side to oversee a few more things and that the wounded were tended to. The older man simply nodded though a sigh escaped his lips as Haji walked away from him quickly moving to his brother's side and stepping in stride with him.
"I got it." Tsugi nodded wearily eyeing his surroundings. I'm always the one stuck... He thought with a sour expression before plopping down.
Tobirama watched the whole thing with narrowed eyes, a piercing glare lingering on Syrus's form.
Her father was stern and harsh, especially when they were training. She remembered complaining every single day she had to work on medical ninjutsu, when there were better and more useful things like taijutsu and kenjutsu that could be applied if the time ever arose for her to apply them. However, her father was insistent and she didn't argue with him about it-she'd sit for hours healing fish before throwing them back into the river that ran through her compound, for every fish she healed there were three more waiting for her.
She could have been defiant but then her father wouldn't have been happy, and she did everything within her power to make him happy and proud. There was also the fact she didn't want the fishes to die just because her dislike for what she was doing, they deserved to live too.
Finally those skills came to use. It was ironic she had just killed, but here she was tending to the wounded.
"There you go." She breathed out, wiping the sweat away from her forehead from the pent up concentration. Healing wasn't an easy task, it required focus and extremely precise chakra control, it also become difficult after one healed more than thirty people. Yuko healed going on fifty everything from minor wounds to broken bones, there were several with long gashes, but thankfully Ahiko and several Domou medics were hustling about going to and through the spacious room, because to be frank Uchiha were crap when it came to medical ninjutsu.
"Thanks." The Uchiha teenager said, lean built and flowing dark hair, similar to every Uchiha. His words were genuine if a bit forced, but he could give his gratitude.
"It's going to take a few days to heal completely, try not to do anything that puts too much strain on it you'll split your skin back open again." Yuko advised, her tone soft and kind.
"I got it."
"Don't move your arm too much." Yuko tentatively wrapped a teen's arm in a sling. "I set the bone back in place, but it has to heal on its own."
"Thanks." The muscular, light skinned, and brown haired teen said.
Onto the next one. Yuko sighed wearily.
She always tried to keep herself busy, and that's what she had been doing exactly, but it was starting to catch up to her. She was still soaking wet from the storm outside that was still raging, the smell of blood was so thick and pungent it hung in her nostrils forcing her to grimace, and healing so many people was becoming taxing on her chakra. Her mind continued racing despite keeping herself busy, were they going to be attacked again, were the Sarutobi or Shimura going to raid the village? Where was Izuna for that matter?
He had vanished upon their return and hadn't been seen since. After her little stunt with Tobirama she could understand if he didn't want to see her, it hurt, of course, but she could understand.
"Yuko-chan!" Ahiko called, quickly walking towards her, a small bag in her hand as she picked up her strides. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you."
"Oh, Ahiko-chan." Yuko kicked herself for not being able to sense her, she really needed to get her thoughts under control, but she was fatigued and just wanted to take a hot bath and get rid of this funk. She was starting to get hungry too. "I'm sorry, I've just been so busy."
"A medic needs to focus first and foremost." Ahiko wagged a finger, clasping Yuko's wrist and setting the bag into her hand. "Here's some sweets. They're really good for overcoming fatigue, you've been working very hard." She knitted her brows together, tilting her head just over slightly as she observed Yuko's form. Her red mane was messy, her eyes looked dull with small bags forming under them, and like the rest of them her attire was just finished between the cuts and tears that tarnished it completely.
"Where's Izuna-sama?" Yuko asked before she could stop herself.
"Over there." Ahiko pointed to the head of the room where her siblings were seated with Madara and Izuna overseeing the entire procedure going on at the moment. They were discussing something among themselves, it seemed pretty important, but she couldn't hear them at all. "Come on, I'll take you to him. He's pretty messed up himself."
Yuko followed after her wordlessly, heart pounding against her rib cage like a caged bird. She was truly worried for him, he had sustained a few wounds and the worse that she noticed were that his eyes were bleeding just like Madara's. That brought her back to his impromptu saving of her ass from that bastard Tobirama, he formed some... Skeleton around him and proceeded to tear a gash into the ground after barking at her to get away. She couldn't have let Tobirama kill him though, even if costed her own life to see him safe, he was going to be her husband after all... Well, they were betrothed so, they were halfway there.
She wasn't going to let Tobirama, a Senju, ruin her happiness-take away her happiness.
"I'm going to speak with Misaka and Aito." Souji excused himself, walking passed them and into the rows of people lying on makeshift hospital beds and leaning against the walls wrapped in bandages.
"What's our casualties?" Madara asked, wearily eyeing Yuko and Ahiko his eyes onyx black, no longer glowing crimson.
"Just two, but they died before they even got here." Ahiko said softly.
Madara's eyes narrowed, a stiff nod being his only response. It was never any easier, dealing with death, but these two went out fighting to the very end. There was no shame or guilt, they died honorably and with dignity. But, that didn't make any easier, it didn't mean he was pissed off about it.
Izuna hissed under his breath. "Damn those Senju..." He flicked his eyes over to Yuko observing her carefully with the same intense stare he always did before despite blood covering a portion of his face. This woman had jumped to his aid, and he got the feeling she hadn't even thought of it she just reacted and didn't want to see him die. It was foolish but admirable.
He felt a pang of worry and anger flutter through him, if he hadn't did what he did Tobirama would have killed her or severely wound her and let her succumb to those wounds-wounds inflicted by him a Senju. "What brings you two here?"
"I want to heal you." Yuko spoke up a bit too quickly, drawing everyone's attention including Madara's.
"I can wait, they all need it more than me."
"But... Your eyes are bleeding, just let me help you."
Ahiko scratched the back of her head slightly, resisting the urge to laugh. Yuko was as stubborn as they came and that stubbornness was shining through at this very moment. Izuna... He was truly a caring and devoted individual, putting others needs ahead of himself despite himself being in worse shape than everyone present. Their wounds may have looked worse, and broken bones were nothing to scoff at, but the eyes were so delicate, he really needed to get himself patched up. "I can handle the rest of it with my clan's medics, the worse injuries have all been taken care of thanks to Yuko-chan's help here. She's been so diligent."
"Well everyone is working so hard, I have to do my part." Yuko reasoned, kneading her fingers. "Izuna-sama..." She pursed her lips. "Please, let me."
"See!" Mikito stated with finality shooting a glare at Madara who returned with a scowl. "I told you, both of you for that matter! Honestly I don't know who is more stubborn between the two of you..." She shook her head, flicking her eyes onto Izuna who scratched the back of his head then back to Madara who scowled at her pointedly looking away. "Yuko, fix up Izuna. I'll fix up this royal ass."
"I already told you I don't-" Madara started snappishly.
"Ahiko can handle the rest, she just assured you that she can. Now, enough of this!" Mikito cut him off, crossing her arms across her chest fixing him with a stern gaze.
Izuna rubbed the back of his neck. He wanted to wait before everyone else was up and moving, seeing them all sitting there nursing their healing wounds... It made him furious, but he couldn't lash out, the only thing he could do was put them before himself.
Mikito had been on both of them like white on rice about healing their eyes, blood running down in streaks like it was happening to them wasn't normal, and by that stretch it wasn't good. These eyes... He thought to himself, lips pressing to a thin line as he slowly inhaled letting his shoulders slackened just a bit. "I won't argue about it. But, I must thank you for your clan's diligence. We are truly indebted to you all, if we didn't have your medics with us here..." There'd be a lot more casualties.
"How admirable of you, Izuna-san." Ahiko grinned slightly. "There's no need for any thanks, we are comrades... But, let Yuko-chan heal you, same for you Madara-san. Let my sister heal you. That'll be enough thanks." Before either could retort she bounded away going about her duties and giving out orders to every medic currently around them.
"Don't do anything funny." Madara looked at Mikito with a sour expression, not liking the fact she got this victory and Ahiko spurred it on.
"Oh, just shut up and sit still."
"Try not to move..." Yuko whispered as she knelt down in front of Izuna bringing both hands forward towards his eyes. A soft green glow enveloped her hands as she moved them closer just over his eye sockets, allowing her chakra to seep into them.
The first thing she noticed was there was slight damage, and normally she could blow this off but considering these were eyes and they were so delicate, she couldn't brush it off. Focus Yuko. Focus. She chanted the mantra mentally, slowly healing what she thought were definite tears or something along those lines, there were so many, but she chased after them mending them and making sure they weren't firing off like they were being stabbed by a million needles.
"That did the trick." Izuna flicked his eyes onto Yuko. Her face was set in a tight expression, brows furrowed, but she looked at peace if not a bit worried for him. The throbbing pain was still there, but the burning almost incinerating agony of a million needles gouging into every part of his eyes vanished. "Thank you, Yuko-chan." Izuna said genuinely, watching as she dabbed a rag in a nearby bucket gently rubbing at the blood that dried and crusted on his face clearing it off in a few minutes.
"I like to be of use." Yuko said softly, wringing the rag out and falling back until she plopped down on her butt taking a much needed breather. She opened her bag, grabbing a handful of the sweets Ahiko gave to her and shoved them into her mouth, not caring about manners at the moment. She smiled brightly, scooping up another a handful. These are good!
"You're starting to really worry me, Madara." Mikito said. Going through the same process as Yuko and dabbing away blood that smeared a portion of her husband's face, it had been bad... Worse than the last time when she seen it happen, then it had only been a few streaks, but this was bold lines thick and sticky. That Mangekyo, and that technique kept on causing this, but she couldn't even tell him not to use it. She knew better. "This was a lot worse than the last time." She dabbed the last bits of blood away restoring his face to its pristine and handsome condition.
"You needn't worry about me." Madara said softly.
"I am your wife, it is my duty to worry about you and love you. Don't forget my promise."
Madara flicked his eyes onto her before darting them onto Izuna who was preoccupied with Yuko eating some of the sweets that she offered him. He always did have a sweet tooth, but he was thankful he wasn't listening in on this particular conversation. It was very personal. He hadn't forgotten about the promise he made to Mikito and the promise she made to him, she would love him always. I...
He resisted the urge to shake his head. People despised him, feared his very presence, but not Mikito. She took every part of him in stride the good and the bad, she loved every part of him, everything about him, and had never once judged him. Never feared him. Never tried to change him. She accepted him wholly and without reservations, promised to love him unconditionally. She accepted him.
"I'm never leaving." Mikito tore him from his train of thought, thankfully. "And, I won't stop worrying about you either." If this happened every time he used the Mangekyo and that one technique, she'd only worry more and more... There had to be severe side effects with such a thing.
"Well, in that case I'll have to remain close by." Madara smirked slightly, folding his arms across his chest. Nobody besides Izuna ever bent backwards for him and loved him unconditionally. "I can't have you going on a rampage." If she did there'd be no stopping her without actually fighting her, and he preferred fighting alongside of her, not against her.
He rubbed the spot where she elbowed him before in the Grass village. No, he couldn't have her going on a rampage.
Is this why perhaps Izuna pushed so much for this alliance to happen and to maintain it as well as strengthen int? Is this why he went out of his way to see just not the him and Mikito together, but the rest of their kinsmen? Is this why he said sooner or later the Uchiha and Domou would reciprocate?
He gazed around the room, lost in his thoughts; Uchiha and Domou were helping each other, tending to each other, comforting each other-despite their very rough start they were getting along well now. All helping and supporting one another.
"Madara..." Mikito's voice came out in a barely audible whisper. "You're suggesting... Are you really..." Her heart slammed against her chest, growing more and more rampant.
"A permanent alliance between our two clans, yes." Madara nodded shooting her an arrogant smirk. "Our two clans will never fight each other. There will be never bloodshed between us." He quirked one of his eyebrows up, slowly, arrogantly, his smirk growing as he took in her shocked and surprised expression. Mikito, who normally had a comeback or objection to everything he had to say, made it so easy for him to ruffle her feathers, or would make a comment on his arrogant smirk, was utterly speechless right now. Staring at him as if he had grown ten arms and three heads. "Well, just don't sit there gawking at me. Is this agreeable with you? Do you have any questions? Any objections?"
"Can you promise there will never be any bloodshed between our clans?" Mikito's eyes shined with hope, irises growing twice as big. "No conflict, ever..."
Madara nodded, absolute and affirmative. He didn't need to verbally respond for his simple gesture was enough. However, he couldn't resist the urge to ruffle her feathers. "I could promise you the whole world."
"You arrogant pig head." No venom or malice was behind her words, only humor and knowing. She had grown accustomed to his arrogance, but that didn't mean she was going to stop calling him a 'pig head' or 'bossman' and it was the truth, he was such a pig head. "I don't know about all of the paperwork getting done, since we've got this whole thing to take care of." Mikito spoke after a moment of silence. "But, I do agree two hundred percent with this, I couldn't be happier." She sent him a very rare grin. "If you excuse me now, I have some things to take care of."
"I have some things to tend to as well, I won't keep you." Madara nodded in agreement watching Mikito rise and stride away with grace before striding away with the same grace, despite her appearance and ragged clothes she remained graceful, so subtle.
"I really have to go and wash up." Yuko tore Madara from his focus. She gave Izuna a hard but worried look. "Try to be careful, okay?"
"Don't worry so much. I'll be fine now thanks to you." Izuna laughed, giving Yuko a wide smile. He never had anyone fuss over him except for Madara, and that was more like him commanding him to rest and sit down so he didn't hurt himself-which could turn into arguments between the two of them. It was nice having Yuko fuss over him. "Just go and get washed up, get some rest too."
"Yes, Izuna-sama." Yuko bowed slightly, turning to Madara and repeating the action before excusing herself. Finally, I can hear the bath calling my name.
"It's about time he comes back." Izuna noted softly after several minutes of relative silence, eyeing the front of their spacious room as Kagami strode in keeping his focus on the two of them and not the chaos and hustle going on around them. He carefully maneuvered around the makeshift hospital beds and injured that were resting, and made sure to dodge passed the Domou medics that were going back and forth following Ahiko's orders. "Kagami-kun."
"Izuna-sama. Madara-sama." The young boy gave a slight bow of respect before sitting across from them.
"It appears you've run into some trouble." Izuna observed, spotting a few smears of blood on his face and his katana was missing, something Kagami always kept on his person. It could mean one of a few things. The first being he used it as projectile and didn't have the time to yank it out from his fallen foe, the second being it was cracked or snapped in the heat of battle, and the third would be he used it so much the blade went dull.
"Nothing I wasn't capable of handling." Kagami said respectfully.
"Who did you encounter?" Madara asked, cutting right to the chase. Kagami was one of the more talented and powerful children among the clan-ever since he and Izuna took their positions they didn't send out children to the battlefield, even if they passed the rites of passage trial. Unless, of course they were extremely talented and strong they could be put out in the field, like Kagami.
"There were units of Sarutobi and Shimura swarming through the Fire country. I was able to pinpoint where they are transporting their numbers from there to the here, but couldn't capitalize since there were simply too many... In addition to this I also pinpointed the outpost the Shimura set up to transport their forces from there to the Wind country." He paused. "The Shimura attacked the Sarutobi's outpost, I was eventually pulled into the conflict after one Sarutobi shinobi tried to attack me. There had to be give or take six hundred for each of them respectively and the numbers only increased as the conflict continued to worsen between them. There were also two shinobi in particular-Hiruzen Sarutobi and Danzo Shimura, both of them were highly skilled and talented. I fought with them before their respective clans pulled back giving me enough time to retreat myself and come back here."
"Hiruzen and Danzo..." Madara mulled the names over. "Sasuke's youngest brat. And, if I'm not mistaken Danzo is related to Ajo or the second in command of the Shimura." He hadn't seen these two for quite some time, Hiruzen had four older brothers, and Danzo had four brothers as well being the middle child if he wasn't mistaken. They weren't present during the battle he had with Ajo during his trip to the Domou compound way back, and Hiruzen wasn't present when they annihilated that outpost the Sarutobi were trying to construct.
"What can you say of their movements?"
"It is my guess... And, this is only guess but since they were moving in a northward direction..." Kagami looked at Izuna carefully, then at Madara. He couldn't be careless with saying such things, but if his assumptions were correct... Things were going to get worse very, very soon. "They are all going to the Earth country, I think soon they're going to cross the borders of this Country and that of the Earth country. Since the Sarutobi's second in command as well as the Shimura's second in command are stationed there..."
"I see." Madara nodded slowly. That would surely complicate things, and knowing Daishiro and that stupid prick Ajo they would be crossing borders soon enough. All of their respective forces were engaged in battle at the moment in that area, them making a switch like this could only means. "Good work, we now have an edge over both of these clans.
"You've done a good job, Kagami. Rest up and make sure to fill out your report." Izuna said.
"Yes, Izuna-sama." Kagami bowed before exiting.
"I think this is why Souji went with that plan before." Izuna muttered, eyes narrowed as his mind went from one thought to the next. "The Sarutobi were trying to set up an outpost, but maybe it wasn't so they could bring their forces here from the Fire country, not entirely anyways." It made sense in a chilling way, they were after all situated right near the border, it'd only take a few days at the most to mobilize. Sasuke was cunning though he'd always put on his arrogant fronts and play aloof. "Maybe they're trying to spread over several miles if not hundreds..."
"We'll rest for now." Madara said, locking eyes with Izuna. "We'll see who makes the first move. From Kagami's explanation they're busy squabbling among themselves, it'll be a few weeks before they even manage to cross the borders. We'll have more than enough time to come up with a counter strategy, after all they won't just push their way through our forces, the Senju's, Subatsu's, or Domou's one or all of us will be alerted once they tread too far."
"Hn." Izuna relaxed, eyes softening just slightly. Waiting, he hated waiting but knew it was critical. Especially critical in situations like this.
It was just his luck that it was raining so horribly and they just got done with a battle a few hours ago. Entering the village proved to be simple enough, there may have been guards patrolling but the Uchiha and Domou were nestled in the castle taking care of their wounded, leaving him the perfect opportunity to slink in completely unnoticed.
The Sand country was famous for a couple of things. The first thing was just how crowded and populated it could get at certain points in the year, it was a safe haven for traders and merchants who'd set up their shops and stands and make a living within the confines. The second thing was their brothels, the women were said to be diligent and elegant as well as being very mild mannered. They weren't treated bad though, and enjoyed privileges some would give up an arm for, like not being constantly harassed by every single man that walked through the establishment.
Security was harsh in that sense. Usually they'd get angry if you were looking at the merchandise without even paying, but here there was that small little detail plus not being so... Flippant and disrespectful.
The brothel he chose was a five story structure made of wood and stone, it had the typical appearance of a building in the Sand country sturdy and strong, practical and not overly glamorous. The floors were spaced apart by stairs running parralel to each other with rooms running down each side stretching far down each hallway before stopping just before you had cut the corner. Naturally, some rooms were bigger than others, meant to house more guests, but all in all it was a warm place.
it was located west from the towering castle a few miles behind them and was the place where the most people were out and about with their umbrellas shielding them. Some people took their chances and sprinted through the sheets of water hoping to outpace it. What a foolish notion they had in mind, and suffered in the form of falling often face first splattering sand all over the place and leaving indents of their body on the slicked paths.
"Syrus-sama."
He took his gaze from outside and the people hustling about, directing it onto the woman seated next to him with her legs folded to her side clothed in violet and yellow robes beside him. Her hair was pulled up in an intricate bun kept together with several pins that had silver beads attached to the ends of them, leaving just a long strand to trail against the side of her face. "I was merely watching the rain, Himeko." He said softly, holding out his saucer cup.
"It is quite lovely." Himeko admitted, pouring more sake into his saucer cup stopping once it was kissing the tip of it, setting the bottle back on the floor. "Usually the first rain doesn't come for another few weeks. After that it rains almost every day, a thunderstorm here and there every day. I think it is a relief considering how the weather normally is here."
"Hmm." Syrus hummed to himself, tipping the saucer cup against his lips and chugging down the liquid. Himeko was very lovely if he had to say. She wasn't overly attentive like most of the women could be, and she seemed very spirited and driven, like this was just a bump in her road and she had greater things to attain-she would attain greater things. Tenacious, she'd persevere no matter what. "You'd like it where I come from then, it rains year round. But, it is very humid and hot regardless. Guess it's the rain or other way around."
"It must be more hospitable than this arid and dry place." Himeko nodded in complete agreement. Having been here since she was just eleven, and now on the cusp of turning twenty four, she adjusted to the arid and dry hear, but never became accustomed to it like most people did around here. It was quite harsh and brutal, but thankfully she spent all of her time inside and the inside buildings were a good twenty degrees cooler than the outside. "Will you tell me more about this place you come from?"
Syrus extended his arm with the saucer cup, Himeko dutifully filled it up again gazing at him intently. "What is it that you want to know?"
"Well..." Himeko looked towards the ceiling. "What kind of animals do you have there?"
"A lot." Syrus replied. "I couldn't begin to name every single one off the top of my head, it is a very diverse ecosystem and there is plenty of space for them to wander about. I can tell you, though, that when they walk a good majority of them shake the ground. So they're not small by any means..." He paused, sipping at his sake. "Haji care to go into detail?"
"On land there's a lot of Bison and Buffalo. There's also a lot of chimeras like panther-wolfs, Jaguar-lions, then like Syrus said there's a great majority that shake the ground when they walk, they're in the deeper parts where we really don't go since traversing through these ways is very complicated, but time to time they grace us with their appearance. It's too diverse to really put into words." It was one of the things he was fond of growing up, climbing trees and then watching nature take its course, everything was verdant and lush vibrant with life.
"Sounds interesting, Haji-sama. You are very knowledgeable." Said the woman seated next to him. Manami, a slender but shapely woman with dark brown hair kept up in the same intricate bun as Himeko's. Her eyes were a bit more round than Himeko's and her body more supple, she wore red and yellow robes completing her appearance. "It sounds like a nice place to live, a little dangerous... But, the world has always been a dangerous place." She knew from personal experience being sold by her parents into the brothel, her father had been a gambler and had a massive debt that he couldn't pay off, he was eventually killed by those he owed leaving her to pick up the slack and help her mother who had grown sick. Both her parents were dead now and she was just twenty four years old. It was so bitter to swallow.
But, just like Himeko she didn't let herself waver. She would overcome this somehow, someway. She wouldn't be stuck in this place forever, pleasuring men who'd see never the next day or a year from now.
"They really don't bother you." Syrus said with a light shrug, sipping on his sake as Haji guzzled his down. "I mean so long as you don't provoke them they leave you alone. It goes without saying they'll attack you if you're near their young or are attempting to hurt them. But, at that point you're just asking for it."
"Never stand between a mother and her young." Himeko said, nodding with a knowing expression. "Hurt them and you're as good as dead."
"True words." Syrus chuckled to himself.
Manami slowly filled Haji's saucer cup once more, staring at him for a moment before setting the bottle down gently cupping her hands on her lap. "So, this place you two come from... It's always raining?"
"For the most part." Haji nodded slowly. "Not always, but three out of the four seasons there is always rain."
"So, you never get any snow?" Himeko questioned, intrigued.
"Nope." Syrus replied.
"Ah, so you're both from the Fire country?" Manami asked, eyes glinting with realization.
"No, we're from the west, but the Fire country connects into our land, you could say." Haji supplied.
"Sorry to intrude on you. Syrus-san. Haji-san." A male voice called from the back of their door, a tall and lanky shadow making its presence known along with another.
"What is it?" Syrus asked, tone dripping with annoyance.
"We have another patron who has paid good money. You wouldn't mind if he comes in this room? The other rooms are all booked or being used at the moment."
"I guess not." Syrus shrugged looking at Himeko and Manami who just nodded barely, having no arguments. "Let him come in."
"Souji-sama, I hope everything is to your liking." The owner of the brothel said, sliding open the door revealing himself to be tall and lanky with a thick head of light brown hair and a stubble.
Syrus and Haji both tensed. Years of training and battle making them ever alert and ready, especially for Souji. Between the Mikito and Ahiko Souji had to be the most stony, he wasn't one to ask questions and chose to act in place of talking things out.
"Etsuko make sure he enjoys his stay."
"Yes, sir." Etsuko bowed once. Unlike Himeko and Manami she was a short but firm woman standing at about five foot and five inches. She wore orange and bright yellow robes and held a steady but passive expression on her face. Similar to them, she wore a look of determination, her spirit not broken like so many women around them. "Souji-sama if you'd come this way." She led him to a cushion a few feet from Syrus, gently placing down the bottle of sake and sitting down folding her legs at her side watching him slowly take a seat eyes scanning the brightly colored room, his gaze lingering on Syrus and Haji for a moment. "Would you like some sake?"
"Please." Souji said softly, holding out his saucer cup as he crossed his legs over each other. He gave a light bow as she finished filling his cup, gingerly bringing it up to his lips and taking a sip. "So, tell me how long have you three been working here?"
"More than ten years. Too long." The three woman answered almost in unison.
"Himeko and Etsuko arrived around the same time I did." Manami supplied in a bit more detail. "We were barely teenagers at that time. Of course we didn't do what the other women did, but once we got old enough..." She let the thought linger.
"You're all awfully spirited for being in such bad circumstances." Haji said, eyes flicking towards Souji who held his gaze for a moment before turning away.
"If I didn't work my family didn't eat." Manami said, ruefully so.
"For me it was getting the money to pay for the medicine my mother badly needed." Himeko explained, leaving the part out about her father and his massive debt.
"It's the same for me as Manami." Etsuko chimed in, her steady gaze faltering for a moment.
"Where are they now?" Souji asked, taking another sip of his sake.
"Dead." Once again it was almost in unison.
"You girls wouldn't mind getting us some more sake would you?" Syrus asked carefully.
"Not at all." The three woman bowed before exiting.
"Souji, what the hell are you doing here?" Syrus asked with a ghastly glare, posture rigid as he eyed the younger man.
"I should be asking you that." Souji returned the glare. "Anyone who treads around these outskirts is a dead man, you should know that well enough by now. You being in this village, you're lucky you haven't been swarmed by my patrols."
"You're here alone." Haji noted, his eyes steady on Souji. "And, given the recent battle all of the Uchiha and Domou that were patrolling are currently in the castle going about their duties..." Haji sighed, annoyance evident on his features. Being in the same vicinity as Souji and not attacking him was grating on his nerves. "What do you want? You've never been one to grace anyone with your presence unless there's something you're focused on and they happen to be in your path. Furthermore you came to this particular brothel, and not the dozens of others which means you knew we were here..." His eyes narrowed into a cold and stern glare. "I'll ask you again, what do you want?"
Souji emptied his saucer cup, filling it up once more. "Your alliance with the Senju, how's that working out for you?"
"I see things are going well with your alliance with the Uchiha." Syrus set his cup down. "From what I've heard anyways."
"Things were shaky at first, naturally. But, there seems to be reciprocation between us now. One can only hope anyways." Souji answered in the same blunt tone, looking between the two men, his two mortal enemies. It took every ounce of his willpower not to attack, not because he hated them, but it was instinct to go on the attack. If he didn't they'd beat him to it. "Though, I can't say the same for you. Why did you ally with the Senju knowing their ideals?"
"Necessity." Haji replied.
"We knew you'd ally with the Uchiha clan, it's only natural we'd ally with the Senju. If we moved faster than you did we'd have the edge." There was a mocking edge in Syrus's tone.
Souji nodded in understanding, surprisingly missing the mocking edge, or letting it fly over his head. He took a small breath, taking another sip of his sake. "I suppose it is only natural like you stated... But you should be wary of the Senju. They are nothing more than liars who want to reign supreme over everything and everyone."
Syrus's gaze darkened.
Haji narrowed his eyes, lips thinning. "And, the Uchiha are no different?"
"The Uchiha are a very reclusive and fierce clan wary of outsiders." Souji replied. "They keep to themselves for the most part, unless you intrude on their territory than they attack. If you push against them they push back and will topple you. Simple as that. The Senju aren't reclusive, and they've had their noses in everything for as long as anyone can remember trying to dictate everything and control everything and everyone, spewing lies in order to reign supreme over all."
Syrus visibly tensed, something in Souji's word hitting him hard. "Souji, get to the point. You're spoiling my sake."
"You know I don't hate either of you or your kinsmen. Nor do I bear a grudge against any of you..." He paused. "Our clans have always been rivals and enemies for centuries, but we've never hated each other... We've never detested or despised one another... Just like the Domou... The Subatsu have always put being together above everything else." Souji said, his tone firm and almost uncompromising, each word pointed and spoken with a purpose. "However, I can't say the same for the Uchiha and Senju they have been rivals and enemies for centuries, but they have a mutual hate for each other."
"I won't argue against that point." Haji crossed his arms over his chest, glancing to the side sensing three familiar chakras coming their way. "What are you trying to drive at here?"
"The Senju spew lies and look only to reign supreme above everyone else. If something is beyond their control they seek to destroy it. That doesn't exempt my clan, your clan, or the Uchiha in fact it'd be triple for us respectively. The Senju have always been the silent oppressors, you know this as well as I, our parents told us this many times growing up."
"Are you finished?" Haji asked in a hard tone, trading looks with Syrus for a second.
"Quite. No need to discuss this in front of company." Souji said eyeing the door as it slid open once again. "Thank you for being so punctual."
"Of course, Souji-sama." Etsuko sent a smile his way.
"Himeko. Come." Syrus said sliding open a door to his side revealing a small room with a futon in the middle. He had too much on his mind and needed a release so badly. Himeko would give him that release and so much more.
She nodded slowly sliding the door shut, making her way to the center of the room and depositing the sake on the floor and quickly made her way towards him. She passed a look around the room for a moment before sliding their little door shut, her gaze turning back onto Syrus, feeling her breath hitch as she was caught in his intense gaze.
"Haji-sama. Souji-sama. Is everything okay?" Manami asked, eyes carefully roaming over them both. "We haven't disappointed you have we?"
"Of course not." Souji stared at them both.
"No worries." Haji said softly, pacifying them visibly as their postures relaxed. "Manami, come." He gestured gently, and the woman made her way to his side.
"Thank you for being so good to me, Souji-sama." Etsuko said softly, refilling his cup as she took her rightful seat next to him. Some of their customers could be so lewd and vulgar,and even though security would deal with them, it was still unnerving. it was nice having someone like Souji and Haji for once.
"Have some more sake Haji-sama." Manami refilled his cup, smiling at him. He nodded to her, sipping the smooth sake.
"Etsuko, we're leaving this room. Bring the sake." Souji said after a few seconds. "Haji... I'll see you around."
"Certainly..."
The two men stared at each other, gazes locking, words were unspoken but understood perfectly, tension mounted and shimmered but didn't lessen at all. But for once they didn't rush for each other's necks instead Souji exited with Etsuko in tow looking a bit confused but following after him nonetheless. "But, what about..."
"I have more than enough to cover for it, don't worry." Souji assured.
Haji nodded to Manami, dutifully she refilled his cup as the rain pelted the roof in an off beat rhythm, almost in a tribute to his spiraling through. There was no sense in fighting Souji now. Souji already left the room and was on a whole different floor, there was no need to press the situation further. Besides he had a lot on his mind and had Manami's company.