"This is where you two boys will be staying." One of the elders was now guiding the group to their new lodgings. Members of the Uchiha clan volunteered to look after the four children following the example of an elder who was coerced into looking after half of the kids.
"Doesn't look too big."
"You will live here with no complaints, understood!" The elder gave a deep stare at the two boys who ceased any mischief. They still weren't welcome guests or respected, even after the dual. If anything it gave rise to more suspicions. Being born in a different land meant they would have to prove their right to even be alive, yet even that might not be enough.
"Now girl, follow me." The elder left the two boys to their own devices not knowing they were still being watched.
"You will be living with another elder, she recently lost a grandson in battle so she has no family left. Be good to her and you might be recognised as a human being.
"Where will the other boy be living?" Emi looked up at the elder with wide eyes like a puppy dog.
"Who?" The elder didn't bother at hiding their disgust for the mention of Andrews presence at their home.
"The boy who fought your prodigy."
"He will be looked after by our representative, Karasu. After making such a fuss to get him here he better take responsibility."
"A fuss?" Emi asked but didn't get an answer, for she had already arrived at her new home.
"We're here, now I'll leave you be." The elder left the girl all alone.

Looking around Emi gently knocked on the door, afraid that she may damage it. She was surrounded with

nervousness, too afraid to move.
"Hello… I'm told I'll live here from now on?" Emi came across as doubting even her own words. The building wasn't large but it wasn't small either. Made out of wooden boards similar to all the other buildings they passed. As Emi got lost in thought the door slid open showing a frail old woman who held no resentment. She was hunched over holding a walking stick. She must've been stricken with grief but she still took on the challenge of looking after a child of her enemy.
"Well hello, please come on in. I have guests but don't mind them." The woman stepped out of Emi's way waving her into her modest abode.
"Thank you for having me." Emi bowed before cautiously stepping in through the door curious yet wary of her unexplored surroundings. The old woman guided her through the hallway pointing out the various rooms until they reached the common room where two people were sitting down.
"Granny Izuka, this must be the child you're looking after. Nice to meet you again." Emi looked confused. Did she know this man? He was wearing a brown robe with a red sheath sitting by his side. There were scars telling stories of various skirmishes and battles as well as the common Uchiha black hair and red eyes. He looked familiar but Emi couldn't quite remember where she saw him. Sat opposite him was a boy with exotic blue hair and emerald green eyes fixated on the drink that lay before him. Grabbing his attention he turned to look at her giving a wave of recognition turning back to his drink.
"Andrew!" Emi rushed to the boy and cowered behind him. In an unfamiliar environment he stood as the only source of comfort and safety as though they weren't particularly close yet they knew one another. As she did so, questions suddenly flooded her mind.

"Well, I must be on my way, I leave Andrew in your care."
"Take good care of yourself Karasu, he'll be here waiting for you when you return."
Karasu got up grabbing his sheathed weapon before giving a small nod as courtesy to the inhabitants leaving them to talk amongst themselves.

"Now Andrew, I'm sure you know this girl. From today on she will be my daughter like you will be treated as my son." The frail old lady went to the open kitchen next to the common room to fetch two more tea's, one for her and the girl, Emi.
"We've met before Gran, but why do all this for us?" Andrew understood that they were enemies of different states but this generosity confounded him. He had been shunned by the people in this village seen as a nuisance and a spy lurking in the open. Things hadn't been better back in his homeland as his parents were ripped away from him, cut down in front of his own eyes and labelled as a traitor sent to the front lines.
Emi looked between the two, she caught her name from Karasu but why was Andrew here? Would they live together? The questions kept on piling up in her mind.
"Because, children such as yourselves should never have to know the horrors of war brought about by old hags such as myself. War is a continuation of politics, and us elders use war as a means to further our own interests. Now enough of this silly talk." Elder Izuka placed down the drinks and sat down opposite Andrew and Emi with a groan as she bent down to get comfortable.
"Tell me about yourselves." She gave a comforting smile causing Emi to loosen her grip on Andrew's clothes but he was a different story, holding up his guard against her and refusing to show any emotion. He didn't know who to trust and wouldn't show any weakness now.

"My name's Andrew, cadet of the hidden cloud, Le - Clerc supply unit."
"No need for the formalities." She smiled once again but Andrew didn't budge repeating what he had already said. It scared Emi but she knew he had gone through just as much hardship as her, she felt secure in his presence. Looking up from the ground her shy eyes locked with Elder Izuka's before shooting back down.
"My name's Emi Yodaka, my favourite colour is blue and I enjoy eating tonkatsu, thank you for having me." She lowered her head to the point it almost hit against the floor.

"Now starting today, you two will be under my care. Andrew, you are under joint care with me and Karasu so you won't sleep under my roof but my door is always open to you." Andrew gave a nod pouring more tea for himself. The entire action was like a robot. It was processed to the utmost efficiency with no unnecessary movements or emotion. While Emi spilt tea trying to refill it causing her to apologise profusely. She was talking more than when they were back at the care home getting assigned to their respective clans. Andrew was sure she was like this back then as well talking to her friends but she just needed time to adjust to the unfamiliarity of her environment.
"Let me show you to your room Emi, Andrew feel free to look around while I tour Emi here." Once again Andrew let no emotion loose and gave a small nod as the two left.
Going down a staircase into the basement there was a previously occupied bedroom still filled with belongings with a small slit acting as a window to let in light and fresh air. There were pictures of friends and family and a desk with letters that would never be finished. The bed had an ownerless teddy bear with buttons for eyes and stitches where it had been worn out and torn. It all suddenly hit her at once. She finally realised the true cost of war. Everyone had friends and family. She couldn't comprehend the resentment pointed at her but now it was all to clear. She could feel some of what Andrew felt. She stood there looking around with new eyes. She turned back around with teary eyes to look at Granny Izuka. Emi wasn't thinking, her mind was full of emotions and she hugged Granny Izuka muttering "sorry" over and over again. The Elder's brave smile fought back any and all grief she felt but a single tear broke through her facade as she fell to her knees and tightly gripped Emi. It was clear she wasn't over her grandson's death but she carried on carrying this burden as though it was never there.. Before they realised it time had passed them by and they returned to the common room to be met with a note and no sign of Andrew.