Okay...I just have to say a couple of things. For starters, there has been a time skip of five months. The month is now February.
Hitomi turned 17. Hashirama and Madara both turned 19. Syrus turned 22. Souji and Haji both turned twenty. Their respective birthdays long passed.
No quote this time.
FIVE MONTHS LATER
It was a special day.
Members of the Mō clan and Subatsu clan stood side by side. There had to be at least ten thousand easy. It consisted mostly of adults, elders, and teenagers with the youngest being close to eleven. Any child under that age wouldn't be able to sit still or maintain interest, and nobody wanted to be chasing after hyperactive children and running the risk of getting dirty with such a formal ceremony going on.
The Mō clan were all fair skinned due to being in sub tropic weather for the majority of their lives, and had shining blue or green eyes with exotic shades that varied in between the two focal points. It gave them an extraordinary appearance along with their hair. Their hair was all similar being long, thick, as well as abundant coming out in spiky tufts. There was no way they'd be cold with those thick heads of hair, even in the middle of a snow storm.
The women held a very serene air, were extremely beautiful, and poised. They were also very educated, and by all means powerful. The men were of large stature and exuded power.
The children...Well they were all hyper, naturally, mingling with the Subatsu children while the elders and parents supervised them.
There was a sense of trepidation and excitement swelling throughout the entire normally quiet compound. The gathering mist a sign of the light drizzle that decided to grace the evening with its blissfulness. It set the perfect tone.
Syrus stood with his back straight, the mist cascading down his extremely long bangs until it ended up running down his cheeks. He was never one for the rigorous formalities everyone else devoted their entire lives too, nor the proper mannerisms everyone could be so anal about. He also never agreed with women being second to men or subservient, every women in the Subatsu was treated as an equal in every single aspect. They were all strong. All educated. They can even own their own homes.
However, he did try to look proper and dignified whenever he was out and about, especially when he was in company with clan leaders or damiyos. He walked with a natural pride and could be a bit arrogant, but he was by no means hubris or exceedingly arrogant. He was well aware of his abilities, but he never flaunted them just to do it.
His parents did educate him completely in all the ways of the world, being a natural prospect for leader meant rigorous days consisting of nothing but studying.
That being said he was nearly a wreck as he stood front and center with Haji at his side and Usagi on the other. Hitomi remained by Haji's side, and Himeko was situated at his side, per her insistence.
Nagakura, Tsugi, Aya, Daisuke, Kata, Akio, Shinji-one of Jime's grandsons, and the rest of the Subatsu were dressed in all black. Even his obi and tabi were black and for once his hair was put up in a high tail just barely held together with a red band. This wasn't his style in the slightest-he did wear hakama in combat, but they were never of such a fine texture nor such a fine make. He felt a bit out of place. He had no qualms wearing a simple cotton kimono and hakama, he wouldn't look like a complete fool.
Syrus took a soft breath, steeling himself as the ceremony proceeded.
Sadao Mō leader of the clan stood firmly with a proud smile on his wrinkled face, his bright blue eyes never leaving his beautiful eldest daughter as she looked up at the slightly taller and much darker Okita who couldn't keep the affectionate grin off of his face as he took both of her hands into his own. His daughter returned his grin with a shy smile of her own, gently gripping his hands with her own.
Okita truly adored her, and he had no fears or reservations about the young man marrying his little girl any longer.
It was hard to believe that just a few months ago that he sent a request out to the Subatsu for a marriage, preferable with Syrus. It had been a blow to his pride when Syrus rejected the offer, but he didn't hold it against him since they were undergoing a huge internal change at that time, and Syrus as well as Haji wer holding it altogether. He wasn't privy to the details, but the entire Council seemed to undergo a huge change, and it showed.
So, accepting a marriage couldn't be on the agenda at that point in time since their very clan could have fallen apart, as doubtful as that is. The Subatsu were the most austere and ascetic of shinobi clans with the Domou in the very same spot.
It surprised him more than anything that Syrus showed no interest in marriage, being the leader of the Subatsu it was advantageous that his daughter marry him for the obvious reasons. Syrus was powerful, charismatic in his own way, and extremely devoted to his people. If anyone even slighted the Subatsu he would raise hell. Rikudo forbid anyone ever hurt a woman or child, Syrus would more than likely skin them alive.
A shining example of this being the fall out with the Senju-again, he wasn't privy to the details. He knew well enough about the Senju that and implosion of sorts was bound to happen since the Senju were so damn high and mighty.
But, he also knew a wolf doesn't kill unless it's threatened or being rushed into a paddock. He lived alongside snow wolves among other beasts his entire life, and more often than not they hunted together and even shared the same land and food. A wolf only kills another animal because it has to eat in order to survive. It just doesn't kill to kill.
He kept this in mind filtering it through with all of the horrible and down right detestable rumors he heard of the clan.
The greatest surprise came when Okita expressed his own interest in marrying his daughter, being respectful and showing a gentle appreciation for her beauty. He had been a little hesitant to sway in that direction, but his daughter was soon taken by Okita after a couple of months of spending time together. He had a boyish charm about him, and he was incredibly kind, a true gentlemen in every aspect, her daughter said as much.
He also conceded since the internal change within the Subatsu basically put Okita and those in the Council in the same league as Syrus and Haji. Okita wasn't the leader, or the second in command, but his influence and power was just the same as their own. It was such a strange thing, literally unheard of since every Council, including his own, supervised everything and practically dictated. His, like many other Councils were also made up of strictly elders-people well beyond their late sixties.
Of course, he couldn't deny his daughter. She had grown incredibly fond of Okita, and in the same respects he returned her fondness.
"This is so nice." Usagi swooned as the couple began to exchange vows, they weren't typical vows and Okita took the lead before biting his thumb until it bled. After so much conflict and bloodshed over these last few months it was nice to experience such a warm and sincere moment, it warmed the pit of her stomach. Moments like this were rare and had to be cherished as well as treasured, she never took anything for granted.
Okita was completely dedicated and loyal to the clan, he practiced his kenjutsu as much as she did, and was a prodigy in his own right. He was just an all around incredible young man personality wise; always putting others and their needs ahead of himself. He played with the children as well. Always respectful and having a gentle appreciation for the opposite sex, he could even make some Subatsu women swoon and blush-something that was rare.
He was never one to frown much or dwell on negative things, he could be quite a goof, a trait he shared with senior Hesui.
"I've never seen Okita grin so much except when he's defeated someone in a sparring match. He really adores your daughter. Sadao-san." Osen said, genuinely happy.
"I know, she's so pretty. I can't believe that's her natural hair color." Hitomi nodded her head in agreement. She underwent a change, looking a bit more firm and bit more poised. The evident signs of toned muscles packed under milky smooth skin was very much prominent only enhancing her figure. However, she really wished she could have that beautiful white hair. It looked so fluffy.
"Okita is so lucky to marry a woman like that." Himeko said softly, tilting her head gently as she looked up at Syrus. She wondered if she could stand before Syrus in the same way these two stood before each other, but it was a silly thought and she knew as much. She had training to attend to among other things on the daily basis and he was busy as well, but he always made time for her...So maybe there was a chance. "Too often times one marries another for prestige, wealth, or out of duty and obligation. At least they got to spend time with each other and fall in love."
"It's so romantic." Hitomi nodded.
"You sound like saps." Syrus groused.
Haji nodded in silent agreement, but then again that's what women fantasized about.
"I agree, love is a wonderful thing." Sadao said with a small grin on his face. He couldn't help but overhear the conversation. "I am confident that Okita will truly make her happy and adore her. I am a little surprised you haven't considered marriage yet, Syrus-san. A man of your rank and stature should already have a large family and one that is still growing."
"I don't think it's right for my children to be born into such a world as the one we live in." Syrus muttered softly, keeping his eyes ahead on the mist that was steadily dripping down his hair now. Things were bad enough as they were, his child didn't need to be standing across from another ready to battle to the death just because they're from opposite clans. It was an extremely fucked up mentality and he wouldn't subject his children to it. He didn't want them to be without him for months and even years on end, relegating their quality time to just a few days. They deserve so much better.
"But, to have a heir isn't required." Sadao scanned Syrus carefully.
"It's implied and insinuated. It is a part of the current system." Syrus said a bit tight lipped. He wanted to say something else that was a bit more vulgar, but given that he was in the middle of a ceremony he kept his response reticent. "And, if one doesn't have a heir straight away, it usually causes discord in one clan and whatever alliance was in place is ripped apart, they start battling each other again, and the cycle continues. It is perpetual."
The system is broken. It needs to be destroyed. Syrus added silently. Everybody's mentalities are fucked up. The mentality is a fucked up mentality...
Sadao nodded, offering no rebuke or argument to the younger man's statement. His own marriage had been a machination of the current system in place just not shinobi, but for the entire world. For honor and for duty, for the sake of the clan. For the sake of family. He truly loved his wife, even if she could be a bit strong willed and very independent. She loved him just as much. He never believed women should be entirely dependent on men anyways, or be considered lower than men.
But, it didn't change the fact she never had a choice or say in the matter, and he never did either.
However, Syrus used the word 'current' which could imply a great many things.
However, Sadao's response was short and concise. "Something has to give eventually. The world has been in this state for centuries, we're all tired of the fighting and endless bloodshed. A lot of people only continue to fight because of their rage and turmoil of losing their loved ones. They lust for revenge." He could see it, even where he resided in the Snow country where his clan was dominant-nobody was really sending children off to battle, not even near the age of ten years old yet. This, in of itself showed just how weary everyone was. "But, if we don't fight...If we don't kill another, we can't survive. It's what we've been taught growing up."
Sacrifice another to save another, it was something they were all taught growing up. For the sake of the clan they suppress their emotions and become killing machines, sacrifice anyone and anything so long as the clan continues to thrive.
Sadao took note of Syrus's bristling. He could feel rage coming from the man's figure, but it wasn't directed at him. Nonetheless he took caution. "May we talk seriously?" His daughter just finished running her bleeding thumb over both of Okita's eyes and moving towards his lips.
"I am serious." Syrus said a bit dryly.
Sadao smiled. "Then what do you think needs to happen to change the system?"
"Shinobi clans lack direction and organization. Even if they wanted to establish a village system they wouldn't be able to work out every single nuance themselves, more importantly they wouldn't have the proper funds and leadership to see it through. And, again they wouldn't be able to organize everything themselves, they would need assistance from the outside and that comes in the form of the Damiyo. We're dependent on those pompous fools as it is now." Syrus said, annoyance coming into his tone, but he looked thoughtful.
It was the reason why he couldn't buy into Hashirama's bullshit, for all that talk he was only going to repeat the perpetual cycle. Nothing would fucking change.
It was a fucking sham...
"Shinobi will either need to rebel and overthrow the Damiyo and take the land...Destroy this system and become independent or continue to be used as weapons and relying on the Damiyo and local lords for everything. Whether they unite into a village or not won't make a difference when they choose the second choice. They will continue to fight, it goes from a battle of people to a battle of nations." Haji added quietly.
"We are weapons." Sadao said. Of course he was more than aware of this, but he wanted to see where Syrus's line of thinking was going. He was speaking of clans unifying into villages across the board, and such a thing can be considered lunacy and nothing short of asinine. But, he wasn't obstinate like most people his age, things did need to change for the better, or shinobi clans were going to be extinct.
"I understand that, and it'd be wrong not to call us weapons, but we're still humans. shinobi clans only sell their services to the highest bidder-which is the Damiyos and local lords. And, the damiyo and local lords view us as tools, to be used and disposed of...Nothing more or nothing less. How many shinobi clans have been wiped out by those pompous fools' fears and paranoia..."
Sadao's eyes darkened just a little. It was well known while damiyo and local lords paid for their services, they held an unhealthy fear of the shinobi.
"In order to create a village they would need that Damiyo's permission for starters. Since they do control and own the land, after all. To further that they would still be employed by that very Damiyo. Nothing really changes. Clans band together to form villages and the fighting just continues. The village sells the services of its shinobi instead." Syrus explained further, struggling to keep the mocking edge out of his voice, and once again keeping his words more sweet than usual. He was going to say shinobi would continue to be dogs for the damiyos. "So we sell out our clan-our family, just for the sake of the village, what a sham...What a waste...What a contradiction."
Himeko looked at him with slight worry. This sounded like it really troubled him.
Hitomi tried to block the conversation out. Quite frankly it was more than a bit morbid, but she remembered Haji asking if she was certain she was ready for this sort of life. She said yes, but she didn't know shinobi life was such a dark and...Frivolous life. They were looked at as nothing more than weapons. Living just for the next mission. Weapons that damiyos and local lords contacted them and bought their services, viewing them as expendable and not living, breathing people. "You make it sound like you're all shacked and bound in chains..."
"That's not too far from the truth." Sadao replied, but didn't look in her direction. "If we don't take missions we can't eat, we can't survive. It's just that simple. We need the damiyos and local lords as much as they need us."
"Why not take missions from a civilian village?" Himeko couldn't help but ask the question. It was none of her business to get involved, but she had to ask this one thing. Civilians were always looking for shinobi to assist them-normally that was so they can kill off other shinobi that were harassing them or their villages. There were a lot more civilian villages. It was too much of a common thing for shinobi to just storm a village and raze it to the ground.
Sadao just rubbed his fingers together.
"It always comes down to money." Hitomi couldn't shake the anger from her voice. Even if she did come from a good background, she seen the depravity greed and money can send people spiraling down.
If there was one thing she learned right away living with Haji and the Subatsu; it is that they had no use for money within the compound. Nobody was charged or anything of that sort, they didn't need money. The only reason they needed money was for when they leave the compound and that's it.
It will always come down to money.
"We do!" Usagi said, hoping her chipper attitude lightened the mood. It would always come down to one thing, and that is money. "We only relayed messages back to those Damiyos before because it was nearing winter, it was crunch time for every clan, shinobi, demon, or mercenary..." The months nearing winter would always be a very violent and cutthroat time. "The pay from civilian villages isn't nowhere as good as damiyos or local lords, clans can easily get twenty million ryo from the damiyo and local lords, and that's really just the starting pay. Civilian villages won't even pay close to that amount, but unlike those nobles, they actually need or services, and aren't using us to further their own gains."
Hitomi beamed a smile at Usagi, happily distracting herself from the dreary mood.
"So, we are either slaves to our natures or slaves to the damiyos and local lords...You are right, we are divided and scattered. We lack organization." Sadao picked up the conversation where he left off, speaking a good deal quieter than before. "We've never had our independence, we've always had to rely on the damiyos and local lords, and in turn we've only become more divided and scattered because of this dependency on them. What you're saying is even if all shinobi clans unite as one nothing will truly change."
"Well..." Syrus resisted the urge to scratch his head. "If all shinobi clans around the world united, everything would change. It'd be a day and night difference. We'd all be unified under one banner. The damiyos would have no choice but to bow down before all of us and give up their land, which will eventually boil down to war between us and them. But, I know that will never happen, even in a million years. There's too much enmity between clans. The shinobi clans living within their respective countries will unite with their affiliated clans in that area and then go to the damiyo. In short we go from battling each other daily to just a war every few decades or so-whether it is clan, country, or village we will always be divided. Nothing changes."
"But, there is one thing you are forgetting." Sadao said with knowing in his eyes, allowing a small smirk to cross his face.. Syrus made good points, some could be argued against, but he wasn't going to invest the time of the effort it would take to argue against those points because he agreed with them. But, like all young men he forgot one or two crucial parts. "What would have caused all of these clans to unite into a village, and what would have caused all of the damiyos to agree to such a thing? It is safe to assume that the damiyos would be hesitant to go along with such a thing. They'd be splitting their power fifty fifty so to speak."
The one thing that could make clans unite without arguing and damiyos agreeing to the village system would be a threat. A severe threat. A threat so severe and frightening they'd have no other choice but to unite and go along with that farce village system. Because, alone they wouldn't even stand a sliver of a chance against the threat-even with ten more behind them they wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance. Unless the Jubbi made its presence known again there wouldn't be anything that could force such a transition.
Hashirama would be the one to spearhead such a movement...The village system was his whole idea, after all. Bring the clans together to form a village.
Then other villages will be formed eventually, the idea will catch on, and there will be momentary peace. Then those villages go to war using free rights and expansion as nothing more than bullshit excuses to provoke and antagonize wars.
"The only thing capable of forcing clans to unify into a village and the damiyos to go along with it would be if there was a severe threat to all of them. A severe threat to the shinobi clans' longevity and a threat to the damiyos' long reigning power. In other words they would have no choice but to unify and put this into place." Syrus mused a loud, gently crossing his arms over his chest.
"And, you are correct. The damiyos will never agree to such a thing, shinobi gaining any sort of independence would spell disaster for them. The off chance the village is established all power will be in the damiyo, whatever village head runs the shinobi village will just be a puppet with no real power or sway when it really comes down to it. It's all just an act."
A severe threat would be if his clan joined hands with the Uchiha and Domou. And, if they joined hands with the Yuki and Hoshigaki soon after. They already had an entente with numerous extremely powerful clans, the Nara, and the Yamanaka most recently. Now they were in a permanent alliance with the Mō clan, and it was more than solidified with this marriage between Okita and Sadao's eldest daughter-Kimie.
The Jubbi wouldn't be showing its ugly head ever again, and that was a sure fire way to get everyone to agree to the farce. There wasn't anything on the planet that could stop that monster. Even Hagoromo and Hamura battled against it for days and nights, months on end to the point of exhaustion and near death before defeating it-and they had to seal it to boot. Hagoromo later split its chakra into nine parts.
The Bijuu were powerful, but nowhere near that of the Jubbi-a monster of chakra. With no ideals, no conscience, no thoughts...Just sheer force.
Bijuu would more than likely be the equalizers between villages, which would only entice ill will. They were already viewed as monsters, chakra constructs, chakra monsters, demons, and just pure weapons. So, why not just use them as equalizers and the villages each have one.
What was next? Sealing them inside of a human? Something only Rikudo ever did, making himself the first Jinchuriki, and had absolutely forbidden after his late death. The only reason he ever became a Jinchuriki in the first place was to seal the Jubbi away so it could no longer shake and break the world with its limitless wrath.
Only the Uzumaki have such skill in the art of Fuinjutsu to be able to seal a Bijuu within a human.
Imprisoning the Bijuu against their will...
Syrus shook his head, closing his eyes to clear away some of his thoughts.
Sadao nodded with a low hum. If the village head didn't do as the damiyo ordered they could very much be taken right out from their spot by the damiyo's word-which in his opinion was nothing short of lunacy. But, that's what would happen-shinobi become even more dependent on the damiyo and because they have the farce of sharing power the damiyo is always going to be at the top. More importantly, whoever is at the top could start nepotism and exempt others from getting the spot just because of their ideals among other things.
"Things do need to change. They can't keep going on as they have for these last several or dozens of centuries." Syrus continued after a moment of thought, pausing as he couldn't find the words to further explain his point. It just wasn't shinobi that were suffering losses, but also the average person-they were caught in the middle of shinobi battles more often than not, and a shinobi wasn't going to hesitate to cut down an innocent bystander so long as they got their target. "But, I want a permanent solution, not one that will simply dissolve in a decade or even less. The conflicts need to end, not be postponed with hidden antagonism only to erupt in the years to come."
"What you speak of is a necessary evil, in that case." Sadao said softly, old but bright eyes narrowing slightly as he gazed at the thick canopies above him that covered the entire Subatsu compound. He took in everything Syrus said. Syrus wasn't an obstinate man by any stretch, contrary to what people had to say about him-he didn't thirst for blood and human flesh. He wanted the fighting to end just as much as everyone else, but his methods were different. "To unite the shinobi clans on the mainland's five largest countries, something has to make them shake in fear..." He paused, eyes locking with Syrus's. "Or, something...Someone will have to give...Perhaps die."
"Then Izuna Uchiha, Tobirama Senju, or both of them will have to die." Haji solemnly surmised. He heard Hashirama speaking to his brother, and just in general about making an alliance with the Uchiha, and as two of the strongest clans he intended to put an end to all the fighting by them unifying. So long as Izuna and Tobirama remained alive there would be no compromise or conceding between the two clans, he could see that now. If one of them fell, the grief of losing their last brother would push both Hashirama and Madara to fight to the death, or form the village.
Until this happens they'd be fighting.
"An alliance between my clan, the Uchiha and Domou, and all the clans we have an entente and alliance with, will do just that..." Syrus agreed, reluctantly. Facing off just against his clan, the Uchiha, the Domou, the Toppi, the Hagoromo, etc alone just by themselves was truly a terrifying prospect that many wouldn't even wish to entertain. His clan was known as wolves and monsters, the Domou were known as demons and monsters, the Toppi had ridiculously strong chakra as well immense volumes of chakra and were looked at as monsters, the Hagoromo had tremendously powerful chakra, tremendous reserves, and were known to be completely merciless on the battlefields.
It was something even a damiyo wouldn't wish to entertain in contacting them for their services. Contacting clans to fight against them. There was no way the pompous fools could ever hope to control them. If they were united together as one there wasn't a doubt in his mind that the entire world would flip itself over on its head and widespread panic would ensure. Just as Usagi said before.
Any retorts were swiftly silenced and the conversation ended as the beautiful bride made her way towards them with Okita right at her side. They were being cheered on and many offered them toasts in honor of their marriage. Okita had a slight blush coming onto his cheeks as he just knocked back cup after cup, very much enjoying the whole lively atmosphere, greeting everyone with a friendly smile.
"Father." Kimie Mō spoke in a tender tone as she got closer to them, both arms wrapped firmly around one of Okita's. She was about five foot eight with fair skin and every bit toned and curvy. Her clan's trademark thick white hair trailed all the way down to the back of her knees, kept up in a intricate bun. Her bright blue-green eyes shimmered with happiness the closer she got and the signs of early tipsiness were becoming more prominent as a light blush made its way across her cheeks. she couldn't stop smiling and accepting everyone's gracious toasts.
"Kimie." Sadao said softly, his eyes softening as he brought her into his arms. "Are you happy, my daughter?"
"I am." Kimie said sincerely, backing up from the embrace and grabbing onto Okita's arm leaning into him. She turned her eyes onto Syrus, Haji, Usagi, and then everyone else behind them. "Thank you all for your hospitality." She bowed her head gently.
Himeko and Hitomi returned the gesture.
"You're very beautiful." Hitomi said a bit shamelessly.
"You flatter me, Hitomi-san." Kimie smiled, slightly abashed by the compliment. Many a men called her such things, but she was never vain in that regard. "You are very beautiful yourself, and still growing. I'm sure you'll grow into a stunning woman. Haji-san, you are a lucky man."
Haji nodded his head in respect. He wasn't going to partake in it, since he kept his intimacy with Hitomi close to his chest.
"There's no need to thank us, Kimie-dono." Usagi said cheerfully, holding up her own glass of sake in a toast. She was never one to drink, but on special occasions like this she allowed herself to indulge in the festivities. "It's a special day, after all. I propose a toast to both of you and your marriage. May you have many healthy and happy children. Whether it is a boy or girl doesn't matter as long as they're healthy and happy."
"I wish the same for you, Usagi-san." Kimie smiled graciously as she gingerly sipped her sake.
"I think you'd have cute children." Himeko beamed at Usagi, enjoying the fact she lowered her head abashed.
"Mmmm." Kimie nodded with a brilliant smile. "Our children can play together and become best friends."
"Well..." Usagi scratched her cheek. The prospect didn't sound all that bad, and she doubted her husband to be would want seven children like Tobirama did.
"Moving forward, Nagakura." Syrus spoke a bit hurriedly.
This got mixed reactions out of everyone gathered around, Sadao coughed nearly choking on his sake, Haji just took a sip of his sake, but Okita and Usagi both visibly turned red and it wasn't from the effects of the sake. It was no secret both adored children, and Okita always wanted a huge family.
"Let's all drink." Nagakura said with a slight smile, already pulling out another bottle of expensive sake and resting his hand on Syrus's shoulder. "If you spill any of it you have to drink an entire cup again, this is a Subatsu drinking game."
"I think I've had enough." Kimie said gracefully. She wasn't a stranger to the pleasures of sake, and had actually gotten wasted with her sister's and their friends on more than one occasion but, she knew when she was reaching her limit...This sake wasn't the cheap stuff by any means.
"Let's celebrate, it's not every day something like this happens." Sadao said, after all it was a special day.
"Excellent!" Nagakura stated, half smiling again, already starting to pour sake into cups and handing them out. "The rule is simple, if you spill any of your drink your cups get filled and you have to drink it all again. This is a Subatsu drinking game."
"I will have to decline." Aya said graciously.
"As will I." Jime said, giving a slight bow.
"Let's start then." Daisuke cut to the chase and emptied his entire cup without spilling a drop. "Hit me, again."
Tsugi drained his like water before filling it up another two times and draining it with ease. "We're going to need some more sake."
"Another round." Haji said, setting his cup down to be filled.
Syrus, Himeko, Hitomi, Sadao, and Kimie drained the first few cups without much trouble
Okita and Syrus spilled a little bit. Usagi and Hitomi followed suit.
"I'll get another two bottles." Tsugi volunteered, pouring the last of the sake in their cups. "Drink up."
"Hn." Syrus grunted, annoyed he kept on spilling his drink.
Okita and Syrus drained their glasses while Usagi got most of her's down with one sip.
Hitomi grimaced at the burning that started from her mouth and went all the way into her stomach.
She shakily set her cup down.
After some more heavy eating and a few more bottles of sake Nagakura parked himself in a chair several feet away with Daisuke, Tsugi, Ryoku, Osen, and a few dozen Mō clan members that were in a similar condition joining him.
"You spilled some!" Ryoku said with a laugh, filling Osen's as well as two Mō kunoichi's cups up to the brim while he and the men drained their own.
"I can't feel my hands." Osen said a bit blandly.
"This sake is strong." the first Mō kunoichi admitted, but got her glass down without spilling it.
The same couldn't be said for the second and third Mō kunoichi. They spilled some of theirs, and continued to.
"The Subatsu are quite a lively clan. I can't recall doing something like this except when I was in my twenties." Sadao said, slurring his words a bit as he set down his now empty cup. He chuckled a bit, he was now in his late forties and would soon be stepping down from his mantle as leader of his clan and letting Kimie take his place or someone else that was worthy and powerful. He wasn't losing his strength, but in the next decade or two it could start to wane bit by bit. He always thought ahead. "Do you guys always cut loose like this?
"We're austere and ascetic, but even we have to cut loose at times. We're still human, after all." Syrus said, blinking his eyes a few times as they lidded heavily. Life was hard enough with the constant battles and fight for survival, if he didn't give himself and his kinsmen so time to cut loose he wasn't sure what would happen-sex was a great way to relieve that tension, but there needed to be gatherings like this as well. With everyone together and mingling, just having an all around good time.
"Yeah, you know...Live a little." Usagi hiccuped, waving her hand in a cheerful manner. "Life just can't be focusing on the next mission or this clan or that clan."
"If only people shared in your philosophy, Usagi-san. I'd say the world would be at peace and would know nothing of war or strife." Kimie said thoughtfully, smiling at the shorter woman. Men were so quick to come to blows and kill, quite frankly they were nothing more than prideful and moronic brutes that were more concerned with how big their stick is. If women were in power nothing would lead to physical conflicts, because women were mature and sensitive unlike men.
"Yeah, the way they're always scowling and think they're in control." Hitomi nodded in agreement, the action wasn't without consequences and she ended up almost falling backwards despite being in a chair. Seeing Haji's smug look as he helped balance her, she crossed her arms over her chest, and pointedly looked away from him.
"I'm more than confident Okita-san will be a good husband." Sadao with a light glare, but there was mirth shining in his eyes.
"Father!" Kimie flushed, gripping Okita's arm tighter than before. Despite knowing her father was saying it all in jest, she couldn't help but feel a little flustered with him going into overprotective mode. She could really appreciate, and did appreciate it, but it didn't change the fact it was a little embarrassing.
"She'll want for nothing, I'll do everything I can to make sure she's happy and safe." Okita assured, offering a soft smile. If he moved anymore he was going to either fall over or his head was going smack onto the table and remain there. Curse Nagakura, for being so humble and soft spoken he could be forceful when he wanted to. "Well, I should be going, have to speak with everyone else and all that other stuff."
Syrus let out a sigh as he stood up from his seat feeling his knees give once. He was more of a smoker than a drinker, but was not a stranger to sake, wine, or any other alcoholic beverage. He balanced himself for a few seconds before he began to walk. Being the leader he would have to also make his rounds with them, being proper and formal and all of that other stuff he didn't care too much for.
It was almost February now-there was only one more moon cycle remaining for the current mouth of January, and a whole year just about passed since she was thrown into nothing short of chaos and mayhem. She took it all in stride of course, from surviving the horrible and treacherous mission in Water country to surviving life and death battles on the daily basis in the next region. She definitely grew stronger, both mentally and physically, she could feel how much she leveled up from where she was before.
She wasn't the same frail and indecisive girl she had been.
But, cold weather was something she wasn't fond of, even if she could warm herself up with her chakra.
Winter came in full effect, and has been in full effect now for a few very long months without any reprieve in sight. The normal heat that sweltered through all of the mainland was subdued with a frigid chill that wouldn't be quelled by any means. It was a time many found to be more than complicated and trying. Winter meant the ground froze over, so growing food or anything of the sort was out of the question, it was also a time when sickness could become rampant. Being a day's travel away from the nearest hospital or medical place-and ten feet of snow on top of it would make the trip impossible.
In some places there was only a few inches of snow, like a fine powder that just covered the landscape. In the most northern parts and even the middle and southern parts of the Fire country were experiencing winter's frigid cold. Temperatures dropped to the mid teens during the day and below zero at night.
Yuko cursed mentally as she peered out through the window of the Inn she was staying in just watching the hustle and bustle of the people below her, despite their being a few piles of snow every now and again. She always felt at ease watching people and being around them as they go about their daily lives. The Sand country was always bustling with lively activity, there was never a time when the streets weren't packed with vendors among other things, and she had grown accustomed to the vibrant atmosphere of large groups of people.
She was close to the Wave country-where her and her unit made contact with their intended targets. Everything had been going perfectly-perfectly according to their plans until Chojo decided to tear a crater into the landscape-with the help of the trap they set up, taking out a massive portion of the Sarutobi's and Shimura's outposts while doing damage to the surrounding terrain.
It would have been all good and dandy if it wasn't for the fact she was cut off from Kagami and the others, and better put they were completely cut off from each other once the destruction completely ensued.
It was a glaring error on her part. A stupid mistake, the greatest mistake she could possibly make. She always prepared herself with multiple choices and implements for when the time came, but there was no way to anticipate Chojo creating that huge of a crater, and somehow their trap being set almost in sync with his horrendous impact with the earth. It knocked everyone clear away for dozens of feet-Kagami, Shin, Rio, Kenji, and Toshi, she hoped they were alright.
She found some relief in the fact that they did indeed complete their mission, but now she was estranged from the others. For the last five months she was scouting the area and encountering numerous shinobi, many of them being rogue, as well as ronin. When the snow came a wide majority retreated, and those belonging to a clan retreated back to their compound, and the ronin eventually found work or were killed in battle.
But, this also gave her a perfect opportunity. Despite his demeanor, and what many people said about him, Souji was very kind. He gave her the map, gave her the tools she needed in order to find out the truth on her own, he even invested his time looking back in records a long while back. He didn't need to do that, at all. He had bigger things to worry about than her. Another testament to his kindness was the fact he was behind sending her on this important mission, of course Madara agreed with him, but Souji was behind giving her the chance she badly desired.
Steadily, she was getting closer to where the Kizoku compound used to reside, if what this map showed was in fact true. It may not be up to date with the current map, but the geography was just about the same. The only problem was the route to get there was plagued with so many rogue shinobi-even now there were probably dozens lurking about just waiting to take some oblivious person by surprise.
It was a necessary risk, and one she would take. She had safety in this village, in this inn. The village's military was quite powerful and nobody was stupid enough to try and bring conflict right to the gates.
She stood up swiftly, sword nestled on her back.
The very air itself was poisonous. It was chalk full of tension and trepidation, it could be cut with a razor, it could be cut with the mere whispering of a word. Fleeting, but would leave a tornado in its place that served only a destructive force.
He was about to be in the 'Red Sands'
However, for now, he was in the underground city he's become accustomed to.
The Red Sands was what many were calling the Sand country, for the fact there were many heads on stakes, of those who the Uchiha and Domou killed in battle, and blood stained the sand itself mixing in with it as it dried turning it into an ashen, very dark red of sorts. When all out war erupted, he found himself facing down with Uchiha and Domou in addition to the Shimura, Sarutobi, Hyuga, Hatake, Akimichi, Hageshii, Shainingu, Chibana and lastly Tachibana. However, the Uchiha and Domou had to be the most ferocious foes he had to encounter.
Tobirama stood face to face with people he never thought he would-and quite frankly for most of them, didn't have the desire too. Hashiama was the complete opposite, of course, looking rather happy that they were altogether.
Izuna stood with his arms crossed with a hateful glare pointed right onto him, however the bright green haori with his clan's as well as the Domou's crest on the shoulders, sleeves, and middle of the back caught Tobirama's attention first, as it always has recently.
The Uchiha wasn't wearing any armor, but the sword at his side was more than enough to get the point across. There had been a very strange change within the Uchiha, they wore different uniforms than before, some of them, and everyone-Domou and Uchiha wore thick bandanna-like forehead protectors with the kanji for sincerity carved into the middle of it.
He was wary of the Domou, but not for the same reasons as the Uchiha.
Mikito, Souji, Ahiko, and Madara were also present each of them wearing a light blue, violent, blue, or black haori, and sporting the same forehead protectors. Unlike the other three, Madara opted not to wear hakama and kept his regular black pants on, but wore a black haori.
Yes, it was extremely strange indeed. He couldn't see the Uchiha being able to really get along with the Domou...The Uchiha were divided completely. Whereas his clan, as well as the Domou and Subatsu had no such things, the Uchiha were divided. There were peasants, slaves, civilians, the warrior class, and then the "royal or ruling" line which would be Madara, Izuna, and the higher class of the Uchiha. Of course they were powerful, but were still divided in the long run of things, and fundamentally that wasn't good.
He noticed there were some Uchiha who looked bitter, as reports he got over the last few months tended to say-the outfit change wasn't just for those here at the moment, but all members of the Uchiha and Domou. But, there were also Uchiha who were not as...Bloodthirsty, but to his surprise, or not so much, these Uchiha were married to a Domou.
He had no idea what was going on, other than the fact there was a great deal of change going on within the Uchiha clan that effected every single person. Uchiha hated change, they hated everything and everybody for no good reason, they would come resent this change if they haven't done so already-resent Mikito, Souji, Ahiko and the Domou as a whole. And, resent whoever was so for this change, which would likely be Izuna.
Despite Madara's refusal, and Izuna's-Hashirama continued to send ceasefires, hoping that they could end the conflict.
Quite frankly he believed his older brother was being an idiot, there was no sense in reasoning with them. Madara would never agree to a truce, and Izuna would never even consider it. They will go to their graves hating his clan, battling his clan and spilling their blood. If there were Uchiha who couldn't even get on board with this change with their allies-which was nothing extremely bad from what he seen, read, and heard...Then how were they going to get on board with Hashirama's village idea or even consider it.
The Uchiha would be too damn focused on their own needs and desires that everyone else, every other clan that joins the village is going to have to take a backseat. If their needs are meant they'd have a fit, if they didn't get what they want they'd have a fit, if someone looked at them the wrong way they would have a fit. There'd be no satisfying the Uchiha, and it went just beyond Madara and Izuna...
He put his focus to the present.
The Desert damiyo-Enshi sat front and center with the Sand damiyo-Ryouma.
"I believe you have something important you want to discuss with me." Ryouma said calmly, putting his eyes onto Enshi for several long moments. He turned them onto Hashirama for a long moment, staring at the younger man with all intent. This was the man people were calling 'god of shinobi' he was battling Bijuu, cyclops, and the people standing beside him and more on the daily basis. The moniker was quite over the top in his opinion. Hashirama couldn't be older than nineteen.
Enshi nodded stiffly, his posture turning extremely tense. "As you are aware, my military has taken a steep loss..." Despite Hashirama's and Tobirama's death defying use of the clone jutsu, his men were still killed, it was only natural in battle. There would always be losses, but he'd have to persevere and fix all of the damage later. He was expecting losses, but nothing so steep. They numbered about four thousand roughly, but with Hashirama's and Tobirama's clones that was easily increased into the high hundreds of thousands.
Even with his fighting on the front lines, boosting the morale of everyone it wasn't enough.
The Wind damiyo was showing just how superior he was, by the very second another village or country became a part of his own.
"My people are weary of this conflict, and I can't risk taking any more losses. The Wind damiyo's military numbers into the high hundreds of thousands, and that's not taking into account his reserves. By the days, more and more fall to the Machine that has become the Wind country, those who don't willingly join are beaten into submission..." Enshi clenched his hands. That would involve killing many people. "Hashirama-san has also convinced me that this is the best action to take for the future, at this rate my military will be completely wiped out and we'll be vulnerable to attack."
Ryouma nodded his head, mulling it over. He never turned away anyone that was in need, that's why many called his country the heart of the entire region. No matter of class, age, or gender everyone was given a chance and a safe haven. "However, I think you've already taken into account you will lose your title of damiyo." This brought a reaction out of everyone, but none were pleasant.
"I have." Enshi said with some bitterness in his tone. It was either do this, or continue to fight and end up having his entire army wiped out, or close to it. Then he'd be forced to send out children to the battlefields, to provide cover at the very least. He didn't want to do this and refused-many shinobi clans abolished the practice, but there were a good many that still sent their young into battle. "I've come to accept it, otherwise I wouldn't be standing here right now face to face with you."
"Hmm." Ryouma nodded softly, just barely putting his head into a decline. "You will be compensated, of course, and become a member of my inner circle. Your soldiers that are still alive will be given the rank of general, and lastly every man, woman, and child will have a home..." He flicked his eyes from Hashirama to Tobirama. "And, what will the Senju do after this? I'd hate to think you'd return and attack out of spite. I know your hatred and enmity runs deep with the Uchiha."
Tobirama resisted the urge to sneer, suppressing it with sheer willpower. Ryouma wasn't wrong to ask the question, but he wasn't going to sugarcoat his response to the noble the slightest. "We'll be going back to our compound. Our business here will be finished and done with. We have no other need or reason to remain here in the region." The main reason they were there was to combat the Uchiha and Domou.
Madara and Izuna bristled while Souji just narrowed his eyes.
Mikito stared at Tobirama long and hard. This man...
"As long as the children remain safe. That's the only thing that matters." Hashirama spoke up for the first time. It was why he came to this decision and practically pressed Enshi to go along with it. There were roughly one thousand soldiers left in his Imperial army, and that would quickly dwindle with the next battle-that can and could come at any given time, even now. The underground city would keep them safe, but like Haji once said-they'll start using jutsus to make the surface collapse in. He didn't fight losing battles, but he knew when it was just better to concede. "We should finalize this."
"I agree, Hashirama." Mikito smiled sincerely, taking her mind off of the priggish white haired prick standing in front of her. Tobirama, as long as he drew breath the Uchiha and her clan by extension will always be threatened, and he would elevate Hashirama into the seat of power with layered machinations and sophistry. The best thing for them was to keep the Senju at more than an arm's length. Tobirama couldn't be trusted, Hashirama was in the middle, for her, but she was still wary. "It's best for the Sand and Desert to not continue fighting."
Tobirama snorted lightly.
The action was heard clearly.
"You have something to say, Senju?" Izuna asked coldly.
Oh yeah, as if your clan and the Domou weren't part of that problem. Tobirama held his tongue only narrowing his eyes, feeling furious. Besides Sasuke, Daiki, Atsushi, and Daishiro the Uchiha and Domou were their most ferocious enemies. Mikito in particular would go right after Hashirama with Madara trailing behind and destroy his forests-and parts of his wood oni statue, and there was the time she wiped out close to fifty Senju all by herself without even batting an eyelash while fighting Hashirama. With all of these conflicts the Imperial soldiers dwindled down close to nothing.
"Excuse Tobirama-kun, some dust got in his nose." Mito said, shooting the white haired man a stern glare.
Hashirama joined her.
"I was clearing my throat." Tobirama shot a hard look at the two of them.
Ahiko blinked, tilting her head to the side, looking rather confused.
Madara and Souji only glared more intensely at the white haired Senju.
"Don't worry yourself over someone like him." Mikito told Ahiko, her tone and smile gentle, but the firmness was still there. Tobirama was nothing but trash, just like his late tyrant of a father. Both of them were trash, and she beat them into the ground just the same. "I'm in agreement Hashirama, let's finish this so we can go our separate ways." Being around these Senju was grating on her, those glares trained on her, priggish little bastards.
Hashirama kept his shock at bay. He battled this woman daily, hell hourly, and quite frankly got his ass tossed around like a sack of rocks by this woman. Even with his Mokuton she'd just bash and smash her way through his arsenal before grabbing and dumping him right on his head, leaving a gash across his face, and sending him plummeting through his forest to boot like it was just another day.
He wouldn't even try to sell her short. But, here she was agreeing with him, and verbally saying as much in front of Madara, her husband. For a lot of people it wouldn't matter, but shinobi cared about appearances, and Madara definitely did. Mikito agreeing with him so openly could send the wrong message, but nonetheless he was happy she agreed.
If only he had been up front and honest with her...
"Well, in that case let's move forward." Mito reasoned with a smile.
Hashirama sent Tobirama a hard look. He wasn't going to allow Tobirama's rigidness to blow this all up in smoke.
"It'll be dangerous having everyone travel from here to the Sand on the surface, we'll need to travel down here. The only problem is navigation, we don't know where a soft spot is, one wrong move and we'll all be crushed to death and suffocated if we manage to survive the first." Madara said with both eyes narrowed-both visible now. Uchiha were very versed in fire, but they weren't just exclusive to fire. They could also use lightning as well as earth, there were times when Uchiha had an affinity towards water, but more often than not they were shunned from the clan and even exiled.
He could execute earth jutsus, but the small subtle complexities would escape him.
"I can handle that." Mikito said with a confident smile, looking at Madara for a few moments before turning away. She refrained from using earth jutsus since all of her's were well above high level and could truly change the landscape if not completely rip it apart-not to say the wind, fire, and lightning attacks didn't do just that, but she was linked with the earth when using Doton, and that was extremely dangerous for everyone around her including herself.
"Are you sure?" Izuna asked.
"I have more than enough chakra to spare, and the two villages aren't too far apart. It's not like we're in the Ergs country moving all the way to the Sand. I'm going to need your help, sister."
"I'm with you all the way!" Ahiko beamed.
Mikito beamed back.
"Disuke, Mito-san, and I will help you too in that case." Hashirama volunteered after a moment of consideration. He was more than ecstatic that they would all be working together for a change instead of fighting to the death. Uchiha, Domou, and Senju working together and not fighting. Not everyone shared his enthusiasm, both Izuna and Tobirama looked sour just being within the same room, Madara and Souji didn't look too pleased either, and a lot of Senju were glaring at the Uchiha and Domou present who returned it. "Disuke is adept with earth and I'm somewhat an expert myself. Mito-san is happy to help in any way she can. Let's work together."
Hashirama grinned a bit, hoping to diffuse the tension. It didn't lessen the tension by much.
"I'm coming with you too." Madara found himself setting a hand on Mikito's thigh.
Mikito smiled at him, nodding her head. She wouldn't deny him, she preferred him being at her side. She knew he wouldn't accept anything less with herself being around Hashirama and Disuke, he didn't trust either of them as far as he could throw them. Mito was an entirely different story, and she already made her piece about that before with her temperamental husband.
"In that case. Souji-san and Tobirama-san, will you two mind helping gather everyone?" Enshi asked, looking critically between the two. He knew well enough that these two really couldn't stand each other.
"Help as best as you can, brother." Hashirama gave Tobirama a very hard look.
"Very well." Tobirama nodded stiffly, not liking this at all.
Souji just settled on a nod, glancing at his sister for a second. Hopefully this didn't take too long, he couldn't stand Tobirama and would sooner punch his entire face in than work together for a single second.
"Izuna-san, if you'd help me round up the rest of my soldiers." Enshi added last minute.
"I understand." Izuna gave an affirmative nod. He wasn't going to enjoy doing this, but he had no choice. The faster they got this done the faster the Senju would be out of his sights for the moment. This was going to be a struggle, on top of being around Senju and the bastard Tobirama, Yuko was absent from his side.
He was patient, but he had his limits as well.