"Fine art is the beauty of that single fleeting moment of explosion."
Deidara
There were thousands of shelves dotting the long and expansive room. Some were small, only six to seven feet in length, and double that in width, while others were as massive as they towering, vanishing into the darkness above and taking up entire walls.
There had to be hundreds of thousands of books and scrolls all of them varying in information and tales. Some were novels and stories of the Moon Princess Kaguya, some were novels and stories of Rikudo, some consisted of centuries of history of countries. Even the blood drenched and turmoil ridden Water country.
It was a paradise for anyone who enjoyed reading.
Aito massaged the back of his head, strong hands tugging against his thick hair. The Uchiha, they were always well off. They weren't rich, but where some clans lacked any sort of hygiene, and could be downright uneducated... The Uchiha were all well educated, men and women, boys and girls, hygiene was also an important part of their daily lives and was pretty much mandatory.
However, he had been a rather trouble making child, when he should have been reading he was goofing off, when his parents hauled him to the library to learn of the Uchiha's history instead of reading he entertained himself by running through the aisles and chasing after his friends.
It wasn't the best idea, like every library one had to be totally silent-no type of noise was allowed. And, a hyper ten year old running around like a maniac wasn't allowed either. Add another five hundred hyper ten year olds-and there was the rule of staying at your guardian's side at all times. Guess tipping that one shelf over wasn't the best of ideas...
In hindsight.
Being in another library, regardless of how vast the walls were and diverse the collection of books and scrolls were, it was bringing back those memories and impulses that had long since been overcome due in part to discipline and the other half being he simply grew out of such immature habits. Instead of running around though, he just wanted to wander around aimlessly. Maybe move a book from its right spot to a different spot.
"Aito, stop." Misaka sent him a light glare, holding the page of the book she was on, putting a halt to his mischief before he could even catch a stride. She had about two dozen books sprawled out before her on the large circular wooden table.
Many were historical records and books on past damiyos in other countries, clans, the families that were a part of the damiyo's circle, there was even a few about the times of Rikudo, and even before his era, the era of Kagyua. Some were half open cast off to the side since they provided no more information on what she was looking for, and others had nothing to do with what she looking for.
Aito sighed, lethargically scratching at an inch on the side of his neck. "You're no fun, Misaka."
"That's too bad." Misaka looked at him, sighing softly for a moment before turning away back to her studies. She didn't look or seem the least bit sorry. Aito scowled. "Read this..." She slid a book towards him-a history of the Earth country, Monsoon country, and Hurricane country.
Aito glanced at the book. He kept it where Misaka put it. "Are you almost done?"
Misaka huffed with annoyance. She didn't want to tear the delicate pages that made up the book she was currently reading, but she was going to come awfully close to having a minor slip and tearing this whole table in half and smashing half of it against Aito's fat and hard head. Couldn't he just stop for thirty seconds? And, so after twelve centuries of steady war within the region, Hirasao went on to become the first Lightning damiyo to gain the position through merit and valor, not by birthright. The former general who commanded the front lines, who had been born a farmer tore down the caste system... His commanders, who...
"I ever tell you that you look real cute when you're all focused?" Aito couldn't help it and smirked, seeing Misaka's cheek puff up for a few seconds before returning back to normal. He had something to keep him entertained and it wasn't that stupid book, it was Misaka. Getting a rise out of this woman was proving to be very enticing, and she made it so easy.
"Aito... Quiet" Misaka fought off a blush at his compliment, quickly regathering herself. She wasn't going to start squealing and fawning like a little girl because this pig head gave her a compliment. He was incredibly handsome, and he had to have had girls falling over for him since he hit puberty like clockwork. More importantly she was going to lose focus because he kept on goading her.
His commanders, who stood with him for three seasons were all promoted to his inner circle and given territories. Shun Kazama would retain the largest piece of territory while Shou Mishiha would get the second largest territory, right near the mouth of the river. The Kazama family, having been the largest family and showing bravery in the battles were given the largest territory...
"You know, I realized you're very short." Aito said, fixing Misaka with a critical stare.
"I am five feet and two inches." Misaka told him, giving into his little game, whatever game it was he was playing. She had gathered everything that she needed from her intense readings, and she was certain she obtained a critical piece of information from the passage she was reading at the moment. It was dozens of pages long detailing the crucial battle that decided if the Lightning country would succumb to turmoil or if it would become stable at last, it wasn't until the last few pages that she paid careful attention to each and every word.
"How tall are you?"
"Six feet and five inches." Aito chuckled at her expression. He was well over a foot and a few inches taller than her, it was plainly obvious whenever they were close or walking side by side. Of course, he didn't mention it. Short people could get mad when someone pointed out the obvious, and there was the mistake of calling one a dwarf when they weren't technically a dwarf-all because they were short didn't make them a dwarf. Just the same, all because someone was tall didn't make them a giant.
"I think you're a dwarf..." He couldn't help it and smirked. "You find everything that you need."
"First of all, I am not a dwarf. I am not below four feet and ten inches." Misaka stated matter of factly, crossing her arms over her chest. Maybe, in comparison to him she was a dwarf, he quite literally dwarfed her, he was a whole head and more taller than her, but that didn't make her a dwarf. She was just a good deal shorter than him, and he a good deal taller than her.
Aito of course knew this, but couldn't resist giving the jab.
"As for your second statement I did find everything that I need." Misaka continued on, not missing a beat. She was a little flustered that Aito would say something so stupid and quite clearly he was making the observation between the two of them.
However, saying stupid things aside, the books and scrolls did yield a lot of information that would be incredibly useful for them in the future, she learned a few more things she didn't know before, and she may have found a lineage that could help them quell all the questions they had at this moment for their captive.
"Thank goodness, I don't know how long I could stand being in here." Aito crossed his arms over his chest.
"Let's go." Misaka walked passed him, moving surprisingly fast.
"I'm right behind you."
Aito smirked as she led him through hall after hall.
Score one.
Ruffling Misaka's feathers was proving to be very entertaining.
The sky was thick with black, like blankets and sheets rolling afar beyond the horizon. Clouds slowly dissipated, moving and dispersing under the black velvet as the winds surged anew.
It was beautiful.
Yuko couldn't look away.
The sky was filled with stars, thousands. Maybe millions. She couldn't begin to guess.
She didn't normally have a lot of time on her hands. This was one of the rare occasions she did, but a small part of her didn't want to spend it babysitting. Babysitting wouldn't be the right term since this girl was either around the same as her or older judging from her body, but she had been watching for hours now.
Misaka and Aito had yet to return with anything about the girl's possible identity, lineage, or family name. Which meant that there was only a million questions that needed a million answers, that couldn't be answered, and by all means made this one girl more dangerous than just an average civilian. Her bracelet, that was definitely a family heirloom, she came from a high and powerful background.
Nothing like the humble monk she disguised herself as.
She turned her gaze back up.
"Yuko-chan."
Izuna slid the door open to the shared room.
She immediately turned her eyes up onto him and sat herself up looking a bit more presentable. Ahiko wasn't present at this moment, he couldn't say for sure where she went off to, but there had to be a reason behind it. Ahiko was normally with Yuko and vice versa.
"Not sure where she went." Yuko supplied, noticing that searching look on Izuna's expression. Ahiko left about a half hour ago, leaving her here to watch over this trouble making girl.
Izuna nodded, barely. He was wearing his armor."I see."
"Do you need me?"
Izuna nodded. "Wear your armor."
Yuko nodded. quickly getting up from her futon, snatching her armor from the corner and followed after him. She linked and tied it as she walked to the door. "Who's going to watch her?"
Izuna smirked at Yuko for a moment before waving over two Domou shinobi, a Domou kunoichi, and three Uchiha shinobi. "Watch over this room and that girl. If she wakes up don't let her leave for anything."
They gave quick bows and set about doing their duty.
Yuko blinked owlishly, but nonetheless followed after Izuna. She was anticipating something like this would happen. Things could get lost in translation between people no matter how accurate or thorough one could be. As respective leaders Mikito and Madara needed to plan for everything, and account for every little thing to ensure they had a strategy for whatever was going to be thrown at them.
She was certain she didn't leave anything important out, nothing that would cause immediate concern. The tea house was closed, it was very odd to her, and that man did seem a bit skittish despite his compliment. Maybe she was a little too emotionally invested in this or just thinking too deeply on it, maybe she could she could have skipped over something...
But, she was sure she didn't.
The only things she skipped over were the mundane things, the walk there and back, Ahiko smooching her to fend off four pigs, and getting dressed up before they even left.
One could never be too sure, though.
She was curious, but didn't ask any questions. Only following him silently, contemplating, inquisitive. Izuna was leading her right to it, she didn't have to ask, because he was going to show her.
But... Izuna did seem tense...
Poised.
Ready.
But, the emotions were clear in his eyes...
Not suppressed and tucked away, replaced with an icy cold gleam.
Izuna stopped before a very large door. Not one of the sliding doors that she was accustomed to, but an actual door with a gold colored knob. These rooms were often used for meetings, interrogations, or small gatherings. The people wouldn't be disturbed by the outside world, or distractions wouldn't be able to enter without permission. Nothing would disturb them now.
Izuna twisted the knob, opening the door swiftly and stepped in. Yuko followed in after him. There was a... Tense feeling that swamped over her as she entered, ready and alert, she flicked her eyes around. She took a seat next to Ahiko.
Hikaku and Mitsuki were near the head of the table, by Mikito and Madara.
The atmosphere was...thick.
Yuko took a calming breath.
"I understand you've stumbled upon something before." Madara looked her straight in the eye. Yuko gave a slight nod, it was enough for him, he didn't need a verbal yes or no, just a nod would do fine. He flicked his glance onto Hikaku and Mitsuki.
"It is to my understanding, that on your day off. You and Ahiko both went out for a look around the village, you went to the tea house in the center of the village like you normally, but found out it was closed..."
Gauging their reactions carefully, he flicked his gaze onto Hikaku and Mitsuki for a moment, again, before turning it back onto Yuko and Ahiko. "This didn't make sense to either of you, and so you clarified with the owner, once it was clarified, you then took your leave."
"Well, yes." Yuko nodded, blinking once. It wasn't all that odd for Madara to ask the question. In fact, she was expecting it. But, the way he put it-in the context he put it in.
Had she misinterpreted something?
"That's correct." Ahiko nodded at Madara.
"Hikaku and Mitsuki, you have a report for me as well..." Madara paused, his critical stare turning onto the duo.
"Yes." Mitsuki nodded, her tone grim.
Hikaku pitched his gaze around the room. "The tea house is open." His tone blunt as he spoke, as always, he crossed his arms over his chest with a stern expression.
"Every floor save for the sixth and seventh are open and packed with people..."
"What?" Yuko questioned, eyes a bit wide. She heard of a change of heart, but... They were closed just before, and that man made it very clear that they wouldn't be open for the rest of the day perhaps even the week.
"That doesn't make any sense..." Ahiko frowned visibly.
"You probably made them wary." Souji said, his tone even and straight. They hadn't been anticipating somebody to actually go up and knock on the door, only expecting people to continue to mill about. They didn't suspect anything of them in the slightest, but the simple fact they confronted it...
It could have made whoever is pulling the strings to adjust something. Now, the place was flooded with people, and they didn't know who was who. There could be shinobi in disguise, but worse yet the place was now flooded with people.
"I suppose Hikaku and Mitsuki unnerved them as well."
However, it showed a dent. An impulse. They were scrambling, and that gave them all the incentive that they needed.
"They're probably using the top two floors for a meeting of sorts, and are dispersing their numbers evenly throughout the tea house." Souji concluded. Which meant they were in for an uphill battle, quite literally.
"What are they planning?" Izuna muttered.
"They intend for us to make the first move." Madara deduced, brows knitting together as he glared at the table. Clenching his biceps tightly he folded his arms against his chest. It was clear someone was in there scheming, plotting, but they didn't know who to be precise, but the signs were clearly there, and at this point it was glaringly obvious.
But, now they would be raiding the place when people are in there, if they happened to slay anyone innocent it'd paint them in a bad light. Worse than they were currently.
"But, now they're testing us by putting civilians' lives right in the middle..." With that risible standing order still in place...
Many times, civilians were often caught in the crossfire. But, these times when they were caught in the crossfire were when they were in the wilderness, when they were traveling oblivious and uncaring of the dangers around them until shinobi came busting through in the middle of a fight, tearing up all of the terrain, and their body and stock in the process.
By then it was already too late, they didn't have the reflexes or timing of a shinobi, and if they did manage to escape it wasn't with grievous injuries... But, they didn't need to worry about such things within the walls of the village, they didn't need to worry about this lurking, invisible, but very real danger.
"Yes, but..." Mikito pursed her lips with apprehension, brows knitting together tightly as she pinned her focus onto the table. It was all too simple for it to be like that-it could turn out to be so simple. She had to consider every possible outcome. They could be waiting for them to make the first move, but it wouldn't matter who attacked first, if any civilian was killed in the melee...
Even just one...
It'd be their fault. All the blame would be put on them. The people would forget whatever clan was scheming and plotting against the damiyo, endangering all of their lives in the process, and how they saved their lives, they'd only resent them and wish them gone. Everything could be used to one's advantage, a shinobi and kunoichi learned early on, whether it's ideals or simple greed. One can always twist and manipulate others to suit their own needs. It didn't take much.
"They intend to make the people of this village despise us..." Mikito continued reticently, pursing her lips as her glare pierced the table, body going rigid. "They know the damiyo is indecisive and will cave into the will of his people. Our mission would then end, and we'd head back, but in doing so another clan would soon come to take our place."
It was a... Shrewd and deceitful plan, cunning at its core.
Whoever was planning this whole thing would then take over and try taking the reigns of power for themselves. "By doing this, it'll show them that they are not safe within these walls, and that they can lose their lives in the safety of their homes. They'll accuse us of doing more harm than good, and are cause of the whole thing..." And, once that happened it'd be a matter of time before they had to leave.
It was all so foolish. So frivolous.
But, shrewd. Using the people and their calamities, using their trivial concerns and gripes... The damiyo being their ruler, would either silence them causing more resentment, or he'd bend to their gripes.
Considering this damiyo could be a bit indecisive and wasn't as pompous he'd choose the second.
Mikito flicked her eyes onto Madara, coming out of her thoughts.
"We can't let them get away with this, if things don't go their way they might just decide to cut their losses and attack this place." Madara said darkly, eyes roaming around the room.
"Yuko and Ahiko have already spooked them, it isn't going to take much more at this point. We'll need to deal with them." He could understand where Mikito was coming from, it wasn't an angle he had previously seen until she mentioned it, but he couldn't reject it.
If they did kill a civilian and the the citizens did start to despise them and wish to see them gone eventually for the action the damiyo would bend his back to their grouses and whims Their mission would be complete thereafter and they'd be getting paid. Another clan would take their place, but he didn't exactly care about so long as they got paid.
Winter was just around the corner...
He still had to take care of that problem too... And, he needed her to take care of it.
But, when they left... Whoever gained this position, they'd use it to crush in on enemy forces and the travel routes. They eventually could be pulled into it, again.
"We have to take action." Souji remarked. If they waited whoever was pulling the strings could get away, or they could launch an attack. If they made their move, they'd apprehend those responsible in doing so likely to be despised by the general populace. The chances of cutting down a civilian were always too great, and he'd be naive to think those fools would just let the civilians flee.
"If the damiyo bends to the whims and gripes of his people then so be it, but we will end this scheme and make an example out of those who planned it. It is their objective to get us out of the picture by provoking us into a conflict. we've gained a lot of power, and they're very much afraid of what we can do with it, they intended for this to happen."
"We took the bait." Izuna hissed, Sharingan morphing itself into a burning and fiery existence as a low growl escaped his lips. "We'll be forced to leave very, very soon... At this rate"
It was a wily plan, with layers of contingencies and motives that couldn't be easily ciphered or anticipated. In true form, it was deceit at its peak, it'd be a perfect plan for any shinobi...
But, most preferred to bulldoze through their opposition, not play to whims and ideals like this. And, there had to be more than two or more minds putting all of this together.
"I think Hajime and Tunoichi are behind this, this is just the sort of wily scheme that Hajime would employ."
"And, can you be certain of that?" Madara asked with a cold gaze. Ajo, he could pull off something like this with both hands tied behind his back.
"I've yet to get any news of their movements as of the last few days, the Domou and Uchiha shinobi I sent out to investigate have yet to return." Izuna admitted, resisting the urge to sneer at his brother's question.
As the leader, Madara needed to have a slew of back up plans in case something fell through, he knew this... But, he was always sure of his hunches
"It is likely the work of that wily man..." Mikito's eyes were narrowed in a glare as her face took on a ghastly expression. "The enemy of enemy is my friend as the saying goes. Tunoichi will do anything at this point to see us all decimated, tensions have been running high between our clans and the Shainingu. They intended to provoke us all along. Yuko and Ahiko may have unnerved them as did Hikaku and Mitsuki, but..."
It was just as so...They did need to take action, because if they didn't there'd be no village or country left to save. They pushed them into a corner, and just the same they countered and pushed them into a corner. However... They were pressed in a farther corner, once they made their move, it was going to be inevitable.
There's only one thing left to do then... Mikito mused silently, lips pressing until they were thin line.
They'd capture those responsible for putting the whole thing together. "I agree, swift action does need to be taken. It will be taken." She wouldn't let these power hungry men have their way. Wouldn't let them get away with using the civilians' gripes and woes to their own advantage. She'd never forgive them.
"We'll move as one group and overwhelm them completely. Tunoichi and Hajime are not to live passed this day. Do I make myself clear?"
Everyone nodded.
Madara glanced at her for a moment, keeping a smirk at bay.
"This place is seven stories. There is always strength in numbers." Mikito explained further, turning her eyes towards Madara. His face gave nothing away, but she knew he could very well object to the idea. Splitting up was never in their favor.
"We'll move as one group, some of us will go in through the front while a small portion of us will swing around and go through the the back and sides."
When the fighting did begin it was going to be fierce, there'd be widespread panic, there'd be those trying to escape through the back, jumping off the balconies close by, this would cut them off swiftly. And, there was their perimeter as well. They weren't going to get far.
"We may have taken the bait, but that doesn't matter." Once both Hajime and Tunoichi were killed their clans would scramble, and in that time they'd be finished.
"I can lead a group around the back and sides." Izuna ventured, a small smirk crossing his face. There were always bound to be cowards and those lacking in resolve, capturing them would be like clockwork. There would also be those who try to throw everyone and everything else into the battle, he'd get rid of them before they could even catch a stride. "Masa, Yuko, and Bunji you three will be with me."
"Yes, Izuna-sama." Yuko gave a quick nod.
"I got it." Bunji said with a cocky smirk.
Masa settled on a gentle nod.
"That leaves me and you going through the front." Mikito looked directly at Madara, resisting the urge to smirk at him. Madara was the type to charge in all on his own and start battering through his foes, this was going to be a nice change of pace.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Madara retorted with a cocky smirk, a sense of excitement bubbling through him.
"Hiro and Yuto, I'd like you both to depart before us and find an advantageous location where we can scout them if necessary." Mikito said critically, turning her eyes onto both of the reserved men.
"Once we arrive you're going to be with me, Hiro. Yuto, you'll go with Izuna. The rest of you will be coming with Madara and I as we bust in through the front."
Hiro nodded slightly.
"I understand." Yuto nodded in her direction, before exiting the room, following quickly after Hiro.
Souji slowly stood to his feet, face set in a stony glare that gave nothing away of what he was currently thinking, he turned his gaze on everyone present before narrowing them critically.
"Do not overlook anyone tonight, if we miss even one of them we'll be attacked at the next turn, therefore they must be dealt with or captured. Anyone who is not wearing either of our uniforms enters the building when we make our move, you kill them, no questions asked."
There was a chorus of nods and agreement.
"We're going to be leaving within the hour. All of you be prudent." Madara gazed at everyone present. They were ready, they were always ready, and he had no doubts that this mission would be a success. A true success...
Even if they were forced to leave soon after this because of the damiyo's indecisiveness, their two divisions will have already met up with them them, and they would capture those responsible for such a willy and deceitful scheme and make an example out of them...
But, would Mikito leave so easily... She could truly be obstinate and stubborn. Once she was focused on something... There was no way of breaking that focus. Perhaps, it'd be better to settle this now before the time came. "You're all dismissed."
Everyone gathered save for Mikito, Izuna, and Souji stood up and headed for the door, Yuko staying close to Ahiko as they slipped through and headed for their shared room.
"I'm going to finish getting ready." Izuna said promptly, never failing to be serious when the time called for it. "I'll meet you at the entrance."
Madara nodded.
Souji walked towards the door, opening slightly. "I'm going to shift everyone on patrols within the castle." He gave a half glance back before excusing himself, exiting the room silently and shutting the door behind him.
Silence.
Madara glanced at Mikito, unsure of how to begin this conversation or to break the eerie silence that enveloped them. Her face was set into a grim expression, eyes narrowed and her brows furrowed, she only glared at the table not turning her gaze away. It would seem that she was either in deep thought, or brooding, it'd be a horrible thing if it was both. Those two things never mixed well, and he knew well from experience.
"Mikito." Finally deciding to break the silence, he pinned his gaze onto her, waiting for her to meet with her own steady gaze. She did, after a few moments, taking note of the subtle action he narrowed his eyes.
"When it comes time to leave, I don't want you going on a rampage..."
"When do I do such?" Mikito looked at Madara, puzzled.
Madara snorted, shaking his head in a bout of amusement. He could come up with several examples, most recent too, but he wasn't going to entertain himself or Mikito. Either she really didn't know and was oblivious, or she was trying to be funny.
"I know you well enough by now, I don't want this to turn into a tug of war between you and I when and if it comes time for us to take our leave."
It had been a tug of war between them when he wanted to stay and she wanted to leave, if time was any indicator it was quite likely it was going to be a tug of war with this as well.
"I..." Mikito pursed her lips in anticipation.
She wasn't a fame chaser by any means. She did not wish to be pulled into such a foolish power struggle and give into the goading. But, she couldn't forgive the Wind damiyo, the Shimura, the Sarutobi...
The Wind damiyo was using the ideal-the motive of unification to wage a full war against all the countries and villages, the Shimura were backing him up every chance they got, clans were being contacted and many were looking to usurp the power completely only using the damiyos. They were using excuses and hiding behind their ideals trying to take all the power, making excuses for being power hungry. For that, she couldn't forgive them. She couldn't let them have their way, and that was why she stayed.
"Mikito... Our two division leaders should be here by tomorrow, tomorrow night the latest, we should manage to hold off until then..." Madara said tersely, eyes locking with her own. There was that look again. She was going to disagree and not bend at all.
They completed their mission, got paid, and went on their way. The damiyo wouldn't make them leave straight afterwards, waiting a day at the least to accumulate their payment in full.
That's what Madara was getting at.
She couldn't let the two divisions be split off from them-they were expected to be here and that's where she'd remain until they were all gathered. "Okay, but not until they arrive. Not a second before."
"That's fine." Madara nodded.
It was just like Mikito to wait until everyone was gathered, but he shared her sentiment in this case. He'd be waiting until they were all joined up, hopefully there wasn't a stare down this time.
"We should finish getting ready ourselves."
"Right bossman."
Madara closed his eyes letting out a soft sigh. How many times had he told her to stop calling him that now? Too many to count, seems she was going to stick with that nickname. "Mikito..."
"Yes, bossman?"
"Don't call me that..."
Mikito grinned a bit.
It was happening.
She had grown... Numb to the bloodshed, she knew she had to kill in order to survive, but that never made it any easier. And, as hard as she tried, she couldn't fully commit to this thought process, but she did what she had to in order to survive. She had no plans of dying anytime soon. However, she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt... The feeling of dread as the faces of all those she slain blended together, no names, not even numbers, just faces...
They had to have loved ones... Best friends. Lovers. Like Izuna and Ahiko were to her, they must have held people dear... They were fighting to protect them, to ensure they could live without woes.
It just made this... Sad. If only...
Yuko took small breaths as she stared out the opening of her room at the bustling city below. Alive with noise and activity. There were people everywhere, happy and lively trying to ward off their apprehension and fear with sake, food, and laughter.
It was happening once again. It shouldn't have surprised her at this point, and it didn't at this point in her left, but the time and place did surprise her. There'd be an internal fight like in the Grass village, and hearing the rumors and stories of that fight it had been nothing short of fierce and long, lasting well into the night.
She'd be going off to fight a similar battle, within this village, in the tea house, running the risk of cutting down civilians...
She never wanted to kill anyone who had nothing to do with the conflict, or shinobi in general.
But, now she very well could do it... Not on purpose by any stretch, but now the possibility was very evident. She'd never be able to live with herself if she cut down some defenseless man or woman. She'd be foolish to think it would not happen, anything could happen once the fighting erupted, but she wanted to remain firm on the fact she wouldn't kill a passerby.
Was there any sort of way to get this endless conflict to end?
Was there a way?
Yuko started as Ahiko's voice brought her out of her stupor.
"Are you ready, Yuko-chan?" Ahiko asked carefully, taking note of the tense body language Yuko was showing. The girl probably didn't want to go out and start fighting, let alone go out and raid this tea house.
She could sympathize with Yuko, such a thing happening in confined spaces was bound to have horrible effects and results, however if they didn't make their move...
Whoever was planning all of this would get away and have their way. That just couldn't happen.
Yuko nodded slightly. She tore her gaze from outside and the city below, pinning it onto Ahiko for a moment before turning away once again.
There was a high risk innocent people were going to be thrown into the middle of their conflict, it's not like they were welcomed with very open and friendly arms as it was now-their actions, exploits, and reputations were striking fear into the vast majority of the populace, but if they didn't move... Whoever was planning all of this would carry through with their plan.
They were protecting the peace and order within this village. Whoever was planning this... They were exploiting and using the people for their own advantage, using their grips and whims to sway things into their own favor. She wouldn't let them have their way. She couldn't let them have their way. This was wrong, using people that couldn't even hold a kunai properly as baggage.
"I'm ready." Yuko said firmly, keeping her tone even as she turned towards Ahiko, grabbing her katana in its sheath and strapping it onto her left side. They were the good guys, they were protecting the peace and order, killing those who wished to disrupt it and tossed it to the wayside for carnage and chaos...
Using all of this to their own advantage for their own selfish and nefarious needs.
She'd be quelling them with her kinsmen. Her comrades. Uchiha and Domou. Her best friend and surrogate sister Ahiko...
Her husband to be, Izuna. Madara. Mikito. Souji. Hikaku. Masa. Shin. Chiasa. She'd stick with all of them to the very end, and protect them all fiercely with every breath. So long as she could breathe.
"Let us go then." Ahiko nestled her spear against the front of her right shoulder, sliding the door open for Yuko, giving her a fleeting glance. It seemed the girl was finally starting to understand, finally starting to get it...
How...
Sad...
"I'm right behind you."
"Hashirama has big ambitions, perhaps it'll be better to get rid of him before he can meddle even more." Hajime spat. That damn Disuke attacked his unit of Hageshii shinobi near the Lightning country, and he was not going to let that down even if his life depended on it. Hashirama was becoming a serious problem and eyesore and it was time that the pest gets squashed. "He intends to create a superpower."
"But, in order to get rid of him we must get rid of Tobirama." Tunoichi said slowly. "He is the brains and works behind the scenes, if we take out both of them the Senju will fall without reprieve."
Ajo nodded in steady agreement. True, Hashirama has big ambitions and desired peace, and it was equally true that this peace he sought after would cause half of their world to burn, and be subjugated.
Did he intent to create a village of some sort? It wasn't a bad idea at first glance, but when one unrolled the seams and exposed the true innards of the whole thing it was horrible. There was no doubt that Hashirama would lower himself to the damiyo, and the damiyo would grant him power and control over Konoha and that territory-but they'd still be his dogs.
He wanted to overthrow this entire concept. Shinobi would own and control the land, the cowardly and pompous nobles would be driven into a corner and seek their own haven where there were those stupid enough to relegate themselves to their rule. The shinobi would not be dogs of the damiyos any longer, they'd be calling the shots, no longer would they be secluded in the shadows as nothing more than weapons for hire, but out in the open as owners of the land.
They'd take any missions they wanted, when they wanted, they'd give themselves orders, and they'd answer to no one. It would be a shinobi village, made by shinobi, for shinobi.
Hashirama would surely bring peace with his method, if only for a few short years, but nothing would honestly change in the end.
Shinobi would still be dogs of the damiyo living for nothing but the mission, weapons for hire, clans would come together in the form of villages, but then it'd just be villages going to war instead of clans-and to care for a village before one's own clan...
That was the true essence of madness. Nothing would really change, he'd only further the paradox that the world was set in-not shatter it, not overturn or overthrow it, not destroy it, but further it. It'd be full of incongruity and contradictions.
And... It'd turn into the very thing that Hashirama never meant for it to turn into...
Whatever this little plan was, he'd see to it that it never seen the light of day.
"In any case it's nothing but a pipe dream." Ajo spoke up over the growing chatter that began to crowd the room. "Madara nor Izuna will never agree to such a thing, especially Izuna... And, Mikito, she's already seen everything there is to see and has made her decision."
Madara battled Hashirama far too often to even consider a truce, Izuna hated the Senju and had his mortal enemy-Tobirama and Mikito was far too perceptive and could read underneath the underneath of the underneath of the underneath. This would never happen, Hashirama could be talking until he is blue in the face, but it still won't happen.
"Of course, knowing you Ajo... You'd want no part of it." Hajime said with a knowing smirk.
"Naturally, I wouldn't." Ajo answered tonelessly.
He'd never want to be a part of this settlement or anything of the sort, he seen it for what it was, and wouldn't be goaded into giving into his baser emotions. There was more than one way to wage war, external and internal, emotionally, physically, and mentally. With frivolous ideals or cataclysmic ninjustus.
"Now, I see your true intentions. You've caught my attention." Ajo crossed his arms over his chest. "So, tell me. How is this whole thing going to start?"
"By taking control of this country if we can do that we hold an advantage." Koizuki replied evenly. There were mutters of agreement.
Ajo nodded understandingly, a dark glint in his eyes as he forced a smirk down. "Well then..." He paused. "I can't see that happening through force, the Uchiha and Domou have two of their divisions leaders in route to this very location."
If these two were really going to launch a full scale assault, it'd turn out in nothing but bitter and brutal defeat, and even if they did manage to force them back-when those two division leaders made it here with their forces they'd all be squashed. No...
Their plan had to do with the Uchiha and Domou taking action.
Ajo narrowed his eyes. What are you planning?
"Hmh." Hajime made a sound of something close to a chuckle. Yes, he knew painfully well that launching an attack against both the Uchiha and Domou was literal suicide, they'd get toppled and mowed down, it was suicide going against one of these clans...
Going against both was assured to end in nothing short of a disaster. It would end in him being slayed, a very high possibility, but his move will have already been set into place. He'd die, but Koizuki would rise to take his place and continue on with his plan, if not Koizuki it'd be one of his trusted men. "There is a reason this is now open."
Takehito's eyes narrowed sharply. "Is your plan to kill us through the Uchiha and Domou and you rise to take the reigns?" The question was thick with hatred and accusation. It was just right up Hajime's alley do so such a thing.
"That is quite a plan coming from a brat, but the mere fact that you could think of it means that I don't intend to use such a method." Hajime retorted condescendingly, sneering as he inclined his head at the younger man. Takehito, he was always a bitter and embroiled man.
He couldn't stand him, and rightfully so he couldn't stand Takehito in return. He had been a little brat when he made his rise to the top, nothing but a naive and big mouthed child, who didn't know of the burdens of being the head of his clan.
"Perhaps I will tuck that one away." Koizuki remarked blandly. "That was pretty good coming from a moron like you, Takehito."
Ajo and a few of his men standing and seated around him snickered.
"Yes, I will admit that such a plan is flimsy at best." Ajo agreed. Takehito guessed that it was Hajime's plan to do such a thing, so that alone showed the plan had its flaws.
No, Hajime would do something that is deceitful, he'd manipulate people using their emotions and ideals to fuel his own agenda, and he'd goad their emotions and ideals to fuel his own agenda. They were expendable at best.
"Hajime, you wily bastard... That's why you've opened this place at the last second..."
Tunoichi chuckled, emptying his cup of sake. "The Domou and Uchiha aren't very welcomed in this village, their actions and exploits as of late have incited a deep rooted fear within the general populace, save for the damiyo's personal domain. There are people who are wary of them and wish to see them leave..."
Pausing, he filled up his cup once more, eyes traipsing across the room.
"I have some of my men dressed as regular citizens, Hajime does as well, with the damiyo's current order the Uchiha and Domou are backed into a corner. They'll make their move, but when they do they'll run the risk of cutting down civilians... When that does happen the general populace will clamor for their departure. The damiyo will cater to this..."
"Soon after this the Uchiha and Domou will take their leave," Hajime continued with a growing sharp smirk. There were a lot of risks with this plan, but when it happened, and everything went according to plan they'd have their seat in this village. The Uchiha and Domou would be gone, way out of the region.
"We'll be the first ones contacted by this damiyo, and once we are we'll hold an advantageous spot over this region. We will push for the Sand and Dunes to unify, and together we'll move onto the Senju and Subatsu wiping them both out from this entire thing along with the Desert country."
Ajo stared at his sake. Placid and calm, there wasn't even a single ripple. They were going to use the people-which he couldn't really fault, but it was a foolish concept. The general population would always by wishy-washy.
But, in doing this they capture all of the damiyo's subjects without much effort, thus they already hold something over the damiyo, when the Uchiha and Domou make their move and the fighting erupts, when civilians are cut down...Both the Hageshii and Shainingu shinobi disguised as such and real civilians...
The Uchiha and Domou would be sent packing.
However, they were sacrificing a lot of men with this, and to boot they could in effect be sacrificing him and his unit as well.
Nothing was off limits.
He should kill them right now. Hajime and Tunoichi were truly dangerous on their own, they couldn't stand each other, couldn't stand to be within five hundred feet of each other... But, when they got on the same page like this... When they could find a middle ground, they turned out to be a terrifying force.
He couldn't run the risk of them pulling the Shimura into one of their ploys, but... He couldn't react on his impulse since Daishiro needed him to play the part. It was proving to be harder than usual.
"You intend to use the damiyo... By getting the populace to resent the Uchiha and Domou you give yourself the opening that you've needed since you've shoved your way into this... "You know the Uchiha and Domou are going to make their move against you."
"They will make their move against us tonight..." Tunoichi chuckled giving a small nod. The Uchiha and Domou had been stirring all day and night, but to be fair Syrus had launched an attack on Hajime and his force, they were right to be stirring as much as they were.
"Then we will capitalize on it."
"And, we take control of the heart of this region." Hajime finished, sipping his sake smoothly, before downing the rest of it. Setting the cup down, he smirked for a moment.
"Putting the Senju and Subatsu in our sights, together we'll decimate both clans along with the Desert country."
Ajo tensed just for a second before relaxing. One of these men would have to die tonight, they would prove to be problematic... They were already be problematic, it'd only be a matter of time before they set their focus on his clan.
"I want you to watch this floor." Ajo told one of his men, getting a silent nod in return. "I want two more of you to disperse throughout this place, inform me if anything funny happens." Turning his focus back onto Hajime and Tunoichi, he narrowed his sharp eyes observing the two of them carefully.
"What do you intend to do if things don't go as planned?"
"They will." Hajime said completely sure. He had no doubts that the outcome would be the same as he was anticipating. There could be a thousand different lead ups, but the end result would be the same, and if wasn't just for argument sake... Well.
"I'll burn this whole place down out of spite." Hajime said lowly, letting his eyes roam the room deftly, gauging everyone present and their reactions to his statement.
Just as he expected, there was no shock or surprise, just cold readiness, though Ajo's eyes were narrowed. "Ajo, it seems I've bothered you."
"This place remaining in one piece is far more beneficial." Ajo said bluntly.
Nothing would come from burning this place down, only chaos and a loss of an important country in the grand scheme. It'd throw the whole region into a tailspin, and there wasn't any doubt in his mind that the Wind damiyo would unleash a full scale assault taking everyone by storm.
Tunoichi was just the sort of man to throw everyone in the middle if things didn't go exactly his way, he shared that trait with Tomoyuki, and Hajime was just that spiteful to set fire to this village.
"Yes, but by getting rid of this country we clear a straight path to the Fire country and back." Koizuki said dryly, his eyes narrowed as he locked them with Ajo's own dark orbs.
Ajo was thinking in terms of a large scale, if the Sand country remained standing, the Wind country would be well off-since they got a lot of their supplies from the Sand itself, it was very seamless.
The Wind country would remain strong, and the Shimura would maintain their place, but getting rid this country would split the border between this region and the Fire country. Either way they were going to be maintaining control. "This can play well into your favor as well."
Koizuki needs to die too... Ajo thought with a dark expression. He was going right along with Hajime, and even looked to be taking a more aggressive stance than his leader with this situation. Hajime wanted to control the Sand country, and then begin to control everything within this region through the Sand country, he really didn't want to burn the place down.
It was more useful standing.
But, Koizuki, he'd burn it down without a second thought the minute things took a turn for the worse. But, was their aim truly the Sand or was it the... Wind.
"I hope you haven't tried cornering me or setting me up." Ajo said coolly, his voice betraying the readiness to kill within him. "More importantly... I hope you're not trying to corner my clan or the Wind."
"The Shimura...Those who lurk within the shadows. Famed for their versatility in all chakra natures and elements, their powerful chakra, and their biting ruthlessness." Tunoichi rasped with a slight incline of his head.
"I would think this wouldn't scare you, Ajo."
"Cautious is more like it." Ajo retorted. "I'm covering all of my bases, you have proven that you are a man of wiles... As are you Hajime."
"Manipulating people is simple." Hajime said with a light shrug. "So long as they think that they're accomplishing or getting something that they want, they couldn't care less who is pulling the strings behind the scenes. Tugging on the darkness of their hearts. Such is the selfish nature of humans..."
He chuckled softly. Ajo's posture became more rigid, though it wasn't obvious at first glance. "Just as I've manipulated these events to pass, and just as I've manipulated what will come after this..."
"You are an arrogant bastard." Takehito muttered. He was content to stay silent, only settling on glaring at Hajime and Koizuki... But, Hajime was running his mouth once again, and letting it get so far ahead of him he couldn't even keep track of it.
"It was a mistake to agree to this, Tunoichi-sama." His eyes started glinting, clashing with Koizuki's and Hajime's.
"They never had any intention of seeing through on their end, and those two trump cards that you spoke of before, I think that was all talk."
"But, it was necessary." Tunoichi retorted with a firm tone, holding his annoyance and anger at bay just a moment longer. He could understand Takehito's misgivings of the two men before them, the entire plan itself, but he would be silent and go with this plan like the rest of them.
"Hajime and Koizuki will hold up their end of the bargain..."
And, if they didn't, there'd be a split going to the Fire country from this region, giving them total reign on certain routes. Hajime was using him, and just the same he was using Hajime.
"You don't need to worry about that, everything will go as I have planned." Hajime stated resolutely.
"I'm going to get some air." Takehito said lowly. He was coming dangerously close to smashing Hajime's head into and through this stupid table. He could only handle so much of that inflated arrogance and ego before he wanted to snap his neck, Koizuki wasn't any better in that regard, and he'd like to snap his neck too. Both of them were too arrogant, far too arrogant.
"Excuse me." He bowed to Tunoichi, ignoring everyone else in the room, and took his leave.
Ajo sipped down his sake.
This was getting more lively than he expected. "Now, back to the topic..."
"Yes..." Hajime cleared his throat loudly.
BOOM!
BOOM!
The loud collisions startled everyone present. They weren't turbulent explosions of the battlefield, but something was hitting the walls, the doors, everything that there was to hit with tremendous force. It was more of solid impact that reverberated and traveled through the walls as whatever was sent into it, went completely through it.
Ajo's gaze darkened.
This chakra was unmistakable. Uchiha and Domou!?
It wasn't any question then...
Those booms and thuds were the sounds of battle.
Takehito swung the door open to the room, eyes ablaze with fury and knowing. "Tunoichi-sama, it's the Uchiha and Domou! They're here!"
"Some of you disperse and fight them off." Koizuki said quickly. "The rest of you remain here or on this floor, we'll overwhelm them!
"Get back in here!" Tunoichi hissed as he grabbed Takehito, yanking him back in. "Hajime, blow out those lights out."
"We are the Uchiha and Domou!" A loud voice boomed from downstairs. "We are here to search the premise, anyone who resists or attacks will be killed!"
Footsteps pounded against the stairs in maddening drums of force as the shrieks and cries of everyone within their stomping distance echoed through the walls. The deathly clangs of steel quickly resounded, two at a time, a dozen at a time, hundreds at a time carried through the walls by the cries of hatred and anger.
Fuck! Ajo's eyes darted around the room. Hajime blew the candles out, and almost in unison drew his sword out from its sheath along with everyone else present including himself. He turned his eyes away from the man, searching, searching, sighing in relief as he spotted his three men that he dispersed run up to him, scuffed and disheveled, but still alive.
He gestured for them to huddle in close around him as Hageshii and Shainingu shinobi crowded together staying close behind Hajime and Tunoichi as they braced for the inevitable clash.
It's her! He narrowed his eyes to slits as Mikito came into view at the very front, Chiasa close behind her striking down anyone that approached the two of them.
"I will give you one chance to stand down!" Mikito shouted with finality, swinging the door to the room open with a quick snap of her wrist, ripping the door down in the process. Madara, Souji, and Shin shot up behind her from the stairs, all sporting venomous glares as blood spotted their forms.
She slowly took a step forward watching as some men stepped back while some remained in place glaring at her with nothing short of hatred.
"Yaagghhh!" Hajime roared in fury, charging right at them without any hesitation, his men following close behind him with their own roars swinging their blades straight for her neck.
"Kill them!" Koizuki roared.
"Don't let them live!" Tunoichi shouted soon after making a beeline for Mikito.
Mikito rifled the first shinobi to attack her, beaming her sheath clean across his right temple and sending him crashing through a nearby wall spilling out the foundations of it, sending it into a crumble. Speedy reflexes allowed her to viciously fend off the next dozen attackers that tried to swoop in on the opening, her sheath shooting through the air, blade gleaming in the other hand, she felled three in the same motion, turning and whacking away a blade that was aimed right for her cheek.
With a quick pivot of her back foot she rammed her sheath across his jaw sending him spilling out into the room over.
Souji and Shin battered through the attacks sent their way.
Shin being more conservative and ducking under whatever strokes he couldn't block and returning with his own concise series of broad slashes, while Souji swiped and pivoted, tearing through the foes that charged at him with saliva flying from their maws as they aimed to take his head and smacked aside their attacks with brutal force, skewing the tips by a few inches to create an opening.
Chiasa grunted softly, ducking under a wild swipe and returning it with a quick stab, a jarring impact traveling through her entire body that forced her to clench her teeth, she turned quickly felling the person responsible for the shaking force, whacking away another attacker with the edge of her sword, slamming her foot into his side sending him crashing into a wall close by.
The wall dispersed in a mass of dust and bits of debris clouding up a portion of the floor.
"This is my last warning!" Mikito shouted with finality, taking a step into the room, stepping over the bodies of those she had slain, sword and sheath raised menacingly.
"Stand down or be cut down!"
"Don't let them scare you, we outnumber them!" Hajime roared.
"Separate them and overwhelm them!" Takehito snarled.
"Say that until you're blue in the face!" Madara was already in the middle of the room, sword gleaming and glaring with malevolence in the darkened room as he cleaved his way through his opposition, crimson eyes glowing a ghastly hue of red as he targeted dozens of shinobi at once, picking his spots and their weakest points.
"Nrrgghhh!" He glared at Takehito venomously, the older man returning the ghastly glare as he shoved Madara back, slamming his back into the wooden railing.
Pressed, Madara let out a grunt, turning against the force, and swiveled sharply watching with satisfaction as Takehito smashed through the railing plummeting to the floors below.
"Die, you Uchiha scum!" Koizuki snarled.
Madara could only spot the gleaming steel as the cut honed in for his neck, hastily dodging off to the side away from Mikito, he just missed the tip from skewing into his sensitive flesh.
With narrowed eyes he forced himself to a stop skidding across the floor, turning into a whirling form as he smacked and deflected thousands of blades that came from every direction.
The battle erupted. Spilling out in every direction, tearing through the wooden walls and doors without any reprieve before billowing onto the stairs threatening to tear through them.
"Madara!" Souji shouted.
"I can handle them!" Madara shouted back from somewhere.
Souji stormed off to the side battling off three dozen Hageshii and Shainingu shinobi.
Ajo grunted, battling his way through the chaos with his men close by.
Hageshii. Shainingu. Uchiha. Domou. They were all charging towards him or battling around him, clogging up any and all possible escape routes, he scowled finally growing tired of this scene he felled a Hageshii shinobi with a brutal stab, hastily blocking an Uchiha's stab, veering him off into another room where he collided in a growing battle.
He surged his chakra outward in a gushing wave, dropping any of his restraints he set on himself, legs and hips poised to lunge he stopped short, letting out a wild hiss as his movement was cut short.
"Mikito..."
He met her steady gaze with one of his own, taking in her blood splattered blue haori and gleaming sword. "You're the last person I wanted to run into."
"I should have known you'd have something to do with this, Ajo..." Mikito said lowly, voice barren of any emotion, as were her eyes void of any emotion or empathy only gleaming coldly in the darkness, penetrating and ghastly.
She sized him up slowly, flicking her eyes onto what had to be his unit of men that were flanking him with similar expressions and appearance to her own. Setting her jaw, she shifted her footing meticulously, balls of her feet pressing against the floor as she anticipated their next movements.
"I assume you have no intention of letting me leave." Ajo let sarcasm drip into his tone. "I'd hate to say this, but I've been an accessory this time. I had nothing to do with this."
Mikito's glare darkened ten fold, the atmosphere around them chilling, dropping dozens of degrees within an instant. "Nobody is leaving this place...This includes you..."
"Well then..." Ajo shifted into a stance. "Let's not delay the inevitable..."