Water Country II

"Okay." Yuko said snatching the piece of paper and sauntering away shooting an annoyed glance at the woman. "Old hag..." She muttered to herself laughing quietly. She wasn't sure what she'd rather deal with, thirty shinobi chasing her or this woman's bad attitude.

But on the bright side she had a place to stay for the remainder of her mission, she entered her room which was '34' on the third floor down two hallways immediately shutting the door and opening her sealing scrolls setting her supply bag next to the futon and her mission information which she placed in the bag. She took her dark cloak off, sighing as she felt cool instantly, she began to undress herself smiling slightly when she seen the size of the bath she was provided with. "Finally I can take a bath!"

It was going to be like all the other times he came to the Lightning country, but one difference was that the Senju were now his allies. Hashirama from his experience was idealistic it wasn't a good combination with the Damiyo of this country in his opinion. But he'd still get the wounded to safety, he brought ten of his best men with him all seasoned in combat and despite their age gap they respected Haji for his strength and more so his intellect; where Syrus was strong and forceful Haji did things in an order that best suited the situation at hand.

The trip took a couple of months as they encountered many shinobi on the way and they all meant the same fate in the end, and there was the navigation of the tall and dangerous mountains that surrounded the Lightning country like a natural barrier. One of his men asked if they should burn the bodies, Haji answered with no leave them there as a message. There was a power shift that was beginning to crack the shinobi world there were going to be drastic changes.

"Haji-san I expect you are satisfied with my hospitality." The Damiyo said speaking through the silence that dragged on for a few minutes. He was a short and pudgy man with slightly tanned skin. He had dark brown eyes and a sharp chin with a long and slender nose. Like many nobles he dressed in an expensive kimono that Haji didn't care to look at for very long, he was a shinobi and had no need for such things that were meaningless, trivial. His relation with the Damiyo was good, he could say they were on good terms; they took on many tasks before his father in specific had close ties with the Damiyo.

"Yes I am pleased." Haji replied, turning his head head up and locking eyes with the older man. "I did not expect for the news of our alliance to travel so quickly it's only been a few weeks since we've agreed." Haji hid the edge in his voice as he spoke with a detached demeanor folding his arms over his chest, his armor off in place of a black kimono with matching hakama and a white obi that was tied around his waist, from experience Haji knew that this Damiyo was the most savory person in the world but who was in this era? Yet he knew that and always tread carefully despite being on good terms. He loved to gamble and more often than not it was more than just with money.

"The Uchiha and the Senju are the mightiest next to the Domou and your clan the Subatsu, naturally of course the news would travel far and in a short span of time." He smirked slightly, bringing a mug up to his lips taking slow and steady sips. "And their leaders Madara and Hashirama and their siblings fearsome reputations those two have." He set the mug down leveling a gaze with Haji; he knew of the increasing violence in the Fire country now with the power shift, despite his own country having its own quarrels within.

Haji closed his eyes pondering on the thought. True, Hashirama's chakra was massive and that's just putting it lightly he certainly lived up to his reputation. But he seen the way he acted at times almost like a child with the antics to go along with it, a prime example when it came time for their alliance he almost backed out of it hearing Syrus put it cut and dry only thanks to Tobirama did they agree to an alliance the white haired Senju was practical and Haji himself could appreciate that. "I've yet to cross with the Uchiha brothers, but the time will be soon. I ran into a unit of Uchiha near the mountains scouting the Senju which I brought in, when they don't return it'll raise suspicion and their leader Madara may act."

"So you're saying that they might attack?" The Damiyo looked slightly nervous but kept his composure and dignity as expected from any noble until the time came when the attack was going on.

"There is a possibility I wouldn't doubt it. They didn't retreat so they must know that they'll send someone one here." Haji said smoothly as he stood up from his seat glancing out the window for a moment, "but we have other problems to take care of before focusing on the Uchiha, now the reason you called me here." Haji said in a serious tone cutting through the useless chit chat at this point he was here for a mission and he was going to get started as soon as he could.

"Yes," The Damiyo cleared his throat. "I am to marry a princess from a nearby village but the road is plagued with bandits and shinobi alike so you see it's much too dangerous for her to come here alone." He started waving to a servant to take his dishes away, he looked at Haji folding his arms behind his back. "I want you to be her escort. I will continue taking care of the Senju until they make a full recovery do you need anything else?" He raised an eyebrow he was pressed on time and needed to get to meeting, not that he cared to go when all they did was ramble and complain, and he was sure Haji didn't need anything else, he dug through his pocket pulling out a piece of paper with a picture and information.

Haji took it staring at the image. "Her name is Hitomi Kazuma, she is everything that says there beautiful, elegant, and refined. But, she has quite the temper apparently."

She does have a refined air. Haji thought as he pocketed the paper he couldn't deny she was beautiful but she was probably a stuck up snob that couldn't defend her. She wouldn't last a day in the real world she would be killed within a few hours too use to being pampered and protected by the walls that blocked out everything for most of her life.

More of a liability than anything but he put his personal feelings aside and would complete this mission. "I'll be going to speak with my team now." Haji said nodding to him.

"Of course." The man replied walking towards the door, opening it swiftly. "I must be going myself."

Haji didn't waste anymore time staying in the Damyo's estate though the man did say he was welcome to.

Haji appreciated the gesture but he wasn't one to sit around so he searched through the long and winding halls decorated with exotic paintings of birds, vines, and fishes of different sorts, he found where the injured Senju were being treated and talked to the nurses about their conditions and was most satisfied that they would all pull through their injuries while severe weren't enough to kill them, they'd have a better chance of dying from the amount of blood that they lost then from the wounds inflicted themselves. He exited what he called the medical wing which was nothing more than another part of the estate where the Damiyo kept and hired the best nurses and doctors that the village had to offer.

With his first task taken care of he began to navigate the long corridors again reaching an exit a few short minutes later, he pushed the door open looking from side to side seeing his men standing at attention and turning to face him as he entered the room, they nodded in respect and went back to talking while another one who looked much younger, but was very much older approached him with an easy expression. "Haji, ready when you are.. We estimate that the village where princess Hitomi resides is about five miles away from here, we should get there in all but a few minutes a half hour at the most." He said in a relaxed tone.

"Tsugi.." Haji said as he leaned against the wall watching his men strap their armor on and getting their weapons situated in the right place. Haji was all about being efficient and careful that meant he cared about small things like having the right amount of kunai or taking a different route in contrast to the designated one if it was shorter or the other road was plagued with bandits and shinobi.

He looked at Tsugi with an easy smile, Tsugi was thirty six old with messy light brown hair that fell to his shoulders, dark eyes and an angular face that made his eyes and nose sharp giving him a more menacing appearance, like all shinobi he was well built from his time in the battlefield and training that he underwent. He wore dark red armor that looked almost like a rusted dirty type of red and not a bright scarlet. "We should leave as soon as possible it's better that we're early." Haji said after a moment of taking in his report with a solemn expression.

"Right away sir." Tsugi said respectfully walking over to the men still getting ready barking out orders and pointing in several directions while doing so. More than knowing that Tsugi would be meeting him at the front of the gates he made his leave already dressed in his wartime attire with a sword clasped in his hand the dull side of the blade resting on his armored shoulder.

Coming to the Lightning country was always bitter sweet for him on one end he was glad the Damiyo called for them he paid a hefty sum every time and despite his own unmaterialistic views he as well as his clan benefited, but on a different end the Damiyo could be smug, rude, and spiteful and he was a brute of a man he already married three times and this would be the fourth. He felt for the princess, despite her being a snobby stuck up little wench. no one deserved going into a relationship that she was going into.

But he wasn't a hero or match maker he was here to do his job and that was escort here safely and that's it nothing more and nothing less.

He waited patiently a few feet away from the large gates separating this world from the next, to him that's how it was at least here there were no battles, no bloodshed, no explosions but just outside of these tall and giant walls were all three of those. Funny how one place can change so many things, he sighed to himself watching several people going about their daily tasks none of them experienced in ninjutsu he doubted they could even focus long enough to mold their chakra, hell maybe they couldn't even something as basic as taijutsu it almost sickened him how soft people could be when there wasn't a war knocking on their door.

"Haji-san." That was Tsugi he noted glancing behind him watching him and nine others walking towards him ready for battle at a seconds notice, he couldn't help but smirk with pride at the sight his brother did a fine job of leading their father bless his heart did a lot of questionable things during his time as clan head like letting that stupid grudge with Mikito's father to run rampant to the point he didn't use any resources within a five mile radius of their compound; it was truly foolish.

If they went on any longer than that they'd be in thin tents with barely enough food to tide them over, the first thing Syrus did was harvest these fields for their resources while planting more with his assistance of course Haji planted many different fruits and vegetables to sustain the natural animals that fed on it, so it was a situation they got come of the crops but some were killed in the end as food. Tsugi was one of the few that strongly disagreed with his father on many points, unlike the elders who swore up and down swooning over his father's borderline madness.

Without another word Haji took in a sprint leaping over the walls as if they were garden fences and not hundred foot concrete slabs, Tsugi took the lead next to Haji while the rest of their group followed close behind. The scenery changed from buildings and shops to wilderness and tall mountains that went as high as the clouds, from experience Haji stretched his senses out as far as he could Tsugi following his lead as he tried to pinpoint any chakra signatures nearby within a mile radius but no flares as he described them came to his mind.

"Tsugi." He said turning to look at the older man with a blank expression, the man simply nodded telling him to continue as he kept up his search. "You're more familiar in these parts than I am, so tell me which clans do you think we should keep an eye out for?" Haji asked cutting right to the chase, leaping over a river as their trek began to take them to the more dry and harsher landscape.

"I'd have to say the Inuzuka or the Yamanaka clan." Tsugi said in a calm tone. "The Damiyo has always had issues with the Inuzuka clan with their constant attempts in breaking through the walls." Why those untamed beasts tried doing so was beyond him, breaking through the walls was one thing but once they got inside they'd be meant by his father and his best men which was something not even Haji looked forward to confronting in any type of battle be it taijutsu or ninjutsu, but they weren't known for their smarts the Inuzuka. "I'd watch out for them more than anything in these parts. I wouldn't second guess that they're already after the princess."

"Those mutts." Haji said with disdain. "It'd be stupid to ask why, but how would they know of her?" Haji shook his head, he didn't like the Inuzuka one bit from their disheveled appearances to the rags they wore in battle. They were a true pain in his rear and he would very much like to exterminate them and their stupid ninken, there was a reason his clan was called wolves and it wasn't just some fancy moniker to scare the Domou children into going to bed early.

"Hitomi is known through this land." Tsugi answered curtly. "From her refined nature to her subtle kindness, many men have asked for her hand in marriage and all of them were turned down..." He paused why she accepted the Damiyo's proposal was beyond him.

A woman of her class and attitude wouldn't be caught dead with the greedy and spiteful Damiyo that employed them, but it wasn't any of his concern for all he knew she was the biggest stuck up little... "Anyways word of this would spread like wildfire Haji-san, I advise that we stay alert on this entire journey I feel trepidation and I don't like it." Tsugi turned his head forward again picking up his speed.

"You shouldn't." Haji said in his gruff voice. "You are my second in command essentially in this group I will take everything you say seriously." Haji nodded his respect to his senior, though Tsugi wasn't the strongest he had cunning and intelligence on his side not to mention his intuition never lead him in the wrong direction, their father held Tsugi in high regard and now he could see why. "In your opinion should we keep on the path we are now or divert?"

Tsugi frowned in thought. "Stay on our current path if we run into any Inuzuka on the way they won't be any trouble and if they have any brains they'll just tuck their tail between their legs with their ninken and run off."

"If." Haji muttered.

The warm morning rays beamed through her curtains, Yuko waved her free hand in front of her in an act to brush the growing heat away, groaning quietly she sat up. She stayed still for a moment until the grogginess settled, she kicked her legs out from under her blanket standing up to her feet and walking into the bathroom.

She always washed her face first thing in the morning the cold water helped her wake up, but today she did it out of habit. She was up bright and early to start scouting the city she was currently in, it was the main city in this part and was crowded with people during the day and at night with the bars nearby. She was a spy first and foremost finding information wouldn't be a hard thing in her case, she looked out her window for a moment watching the mist curl across the ground though it wasn't nearly as thick as what she first seen she was a little tired of it.

It was creepy, but only fitting for all of the rumors that she confirmed as true now.

She grabbed her black cloak slipping it on in one fluid motion buttoning it all the way up and pulling the hood over her head. She made it a point to keep it on anytime she left her room, no need to draw attention to herself with her red mane of hair. She strapped on her utility belt underneath filling it with dozens of kunai and shuriken putting the rest in her sealing scroll and sliding it under her obi, with a quiet breath she stood up walking to her bed side sitting down promptly.

She hardly got any sleep there was too much on her mind and she was still feeling the effects of her adrenaline rush. That was her first fight that was life or death, well multiple fights since it wasn't a one on one but that was only wishful thinking on her part if she thought it was going to be a one on one fight. She didn't and was glad she packed what she did, at first she thought it was too much and she was being meticulous and bringing more than what was needed.

Yuko dug into her pocket pulling out her rations for the day and took a bite out of it, savoring the taste it wasn't the best food but it certainly wasn't the worse and she could live with it, thanks to that old man she had almost the same amount of food she brought with her besides one or two things when she was watching the ocean alone at night on the boat and got hungry. She stood up, walking out of her room and heading down the hall towards the stairs, now was as good time as any there wouldn't be so much people aside from the merchants who were opening their stands for the day.

She walked at a leisure pace glancing around at everything she could searching for any abnormally high chakras or people who looked like they would be shinobi. She encountered several people though she didn't pay them any mind she could tell they were from some clan from the grayish snow white hair and piercing eyes but they didn't spare her another glance to them she was just another girl.

Another whore who stumbled upon the wrong area and was barely getting by, probably a runaway or sold into prostitution it happened a lot. Though surprisingly it wasn't with the clans but average every day people, she knew this and for some reason it sickened her, but she was just as sick for killing those men earlier.

She didn't activate her Sharingan instead relying on her sensory skills which weren't the greatest and she could admit she needed to work on it, but with her Sharingan she could see chakra so it balanced out in the end, the early day flow of people began to come in waves around eleven thirty Yuko took the chance to sit down in a small shop and ordered some tea.

She figured she could rest her legs and listen in on the conversations going on around her, maybe she could find a piece of information from someone who was too stupid for their own good or was drunk already. The tea shop was modestly sized and a lot of the regulars came in judging by their interactions and the way they carried themselves, several had been in here since the day before since it was a twenty four hour shop. So far I've got nothing about this Yuki clan...

Yuko rested her cheek on her palm as she sipped the warm liquid. They're supposed to be famous and running around here but I've yet to see one person with a mask like in the picture. She sighed quietly as she kept listening to the conversations around her, her trained ears picking them apart trying to find anything crucial.

"I heard the Kagyua clan is getting ready to attack the Yuki clan again near the outskirts of the city." A gruff voice spoke in a slur, Yuko glanced to the side spotting the person behind the conversation with three others.

"I wouldn't go near the Yuki clan all of them wear those creepy masks, especially their leader he's merciless I heard he freezes his prisoners and smashes the blocks of ice right after..." Yuko grimaced slightly at that she may have killed shinobi while her stay here but freezing someone and smashing them into pieces was on a whole other level. She couldn't begin to build an image of that scene in her mind, it was too bloody too brutal, she sipped her tea casually listening. "We need to watch ourselves from now on, especially here in the main city the Kagyua clan continues to push attacks."

"I don't who I'm more afraid of their clan leader who can grow bones out of his body or the leader of the Yuki clan and that damned ice technique he and his clan are famed for using." A younger man spoke up bringing a mug to his lips downing the liquid in a few gulps.

Bones? Yuko raised an eyebrow at that she didn't hear of anyone morphing their bones... Tapping her chin in thought she dug back into her memories, her training with her father that left her exhausted both physically and mentally. That's right... She murmured to herself recalling hearing rumors of the famed Kagyua clan known for their brutality and ferocity in battle, they were an archaic clan believing in their own ways and set policies and not giving a damn about anyone else's they lived for war and bloodshed, just like the Uchiha. But, the Uchiha were intelligent and cunning when entering battle not like the Kagyua who had no strategy when entering a conflict.

"I'd have to go with the Yuki all of those freaks wear masks, something about protecting their identity and the secrets of their jutsu. I don't know if you ask me they're nuts, who in the right mind walks around wearing masks like that?" Another voice chipped in, fear lacing every word. She frowned for a moment, putting a few ryo on her table to pay for her tea and left at a brisk pace, she heard all she needed to and could begin a more in depth search of the city, first place was the outskirts.

She stopped herself from taking off in a sprint, not wanting to attract any unnecessary attention so she walked at a brisk pace snaking and weaving through the crowds of people ignoring the glances that came her way.

It took a little more than two hours for her to arrive at the outskirts, she was surprised when there was literally a labyrinth of streets leading to the destination from the city. It was almost like this place was set up as a grid of some sorts, the mist and eerie fog was thick and hung several feet off of the ground shadowing trees and vines in the background that she could barely make out, she turned her head to the side looking at a patch of fog that was rising off of the ground just a few feet away from her.

Sharingan! She shouted mentally activating the dojutsu, her eyes swirling from chocolate to crimson with three tomoes. This mist and fog is getting worse... She observed taking a few steps forward seeing everything as if there wasn't a enough mist and fog to cover up an entire city if not more than an entire city. I suppose it's only fitting... She recalled her battle when she first made land fall the mist was eerie and she couldn't help but feel growing trepidation. Now she didn't feel the knots in her stomach, she was nervous rightfully so but it was more tamed a level of awareness rather than fear of the unknowing.

She walked deeper into the blankets of mist keeping her senses stretched and her eyes focused on everything around her, she could smell the familiar stench of blood and smoke that signaled there was a battle taking place or there was a battle that took place, the blood could have been her she idly mused even after a bath last night the stench was still fresh like when it splattered on her, she wrinkled her nose slightly continuing her search.

Long winding dirt paths and mountains were what greeted Haji and his team as they got closer to the village, he went over the mission again paying more attention to the details now that he wasn't worrying about the wounded Senju and his men finding someplace to stay, his first and foremost goal was to help the wounded Senju apparently the clan treasured comradeship more than anything.

But, he'd yet to see that and didn't pass judgement. Tsugi kept up with him his eyes narrowed in concentration as she continued feeling for any chakra in the area, he had been doing this now the entire route both of them taking turns while the others stayed right behind them Tsugi was a great sensory shinobi able to feel even the most faint flare of trace of chakra it was the reason Haji brought him with on this assignment.

Haji was always more attentive, he was an observer watching for the slightest movement or waiting to hear the crack of a twig being broken from someone not so stealthy. His brother Syrus was the opposite he jumped into battle and though he had great strength Haji always stressed a strategy should be set into motion. But regardless of his own thoughts he was the leader of the clan and Haji was the second in command he'd follow the order in the end.

"Haji eight o clock!" Tsugi's voice broke him from his train of thought, he jumped to the side grabbing the hilt of his sword an instant later landing roughly on the ground sliding to a stop. Tsugi and the rest of his men were a few feet away, from what appeared to be six spiraling tornadoes shooting towards the ground, the earth quaked and shook as the powerful blast gouged several feet down into the soil throwing a whirlwind of debris.

"Haji we meet again." A harsh voice snapped as the figures came into view up ahead. Haji clenched his teeth in irritation he recognized that voice anywhere.

"Cho," Haji retorted dryly as he eyed him with a glint. Cho was a tall and light skinned man with messy dark brown hair, his eyes were a dark brown and were sharp giving him a bolder appearance. He had two canine tattoos on each cheek and they were a blood red. It figures the Inuzuka were a savage clan their appearance proved that alone, Cho along with his team all bared their fangs growling like the ninken right by their side. Each of the ninken the size of a horse. "Funny meeting you here."

"You're not getting the little princess she's mine!" Cho snarled gesturing towards his men signaling the cue to attack. "I've got a good deal. You're not getting through."

"Tch, you mutts." Tsugi spat.

"Says the guy who looks like a bird!" Shouted one of the Inuzuka, he was in his late twenties with messy brown hair a trademark of the clan with the same tattoos on his cheeks except they were a clearer red.

"Enough, Tsugi let's take care of them." Haji muttered putting an end to he tirade before it even started. He hid the chuckle that wanted to leave his lips, how did he know he was going to encounter the Inuzuka on the route to the village they had a nasty knack for interfering with him and it was beginning to happen more and more. "On my cue." Haji flashed through a few hand seals slamming his hands together in the dragon sign.

"Raiton: Nenshou Mori!" Chakra crackled around his enclosed hands spreading out over a wide margin a few inches above his knuckles encircling his wrists, the lightning surged to life producing a volatile glow around them. In a flash, quite literally, the lightning shot towards Cho and his division gouging the ground when it was just a breath away, he grunted exerting more energy into the attack changing its width from a few meters to dozens of meters it was like watching a wave of lightning about to crash into you but there was focal point in the attack.

"Gatsuga!" The ground rumbled as the collaboration attack met with the elemental attack, Haji already knew what they were planning. Three tornadoes spun against the wave of lightning distorting and rupturing its current, blue arcs flared violently scattering across the ground in a flurry before fuzzing out.

Dropping his chakra level quickly he cancelled the attack, watching as the three now blizzards of chakra and wind spiraled and snared through the wave of lightning continuing forward, with his sword in hand he jumped forward swiping it vertically. A small sonic boom erupted as the air around him distorted, his blade gleaming in the vibrant sunlight as he felt some resistance then it smoothed out. He glanced to the side watching a man drop to the ground with a wet thud blood erupting from his chest as he clutched it in a vain attempt to staunch the bleeding.

Tsugi and the others dispersed moving in to attack. Haji landed on the ground whirling from left to right, dodging a large paw his eyes zoned in on the snarling ninken eyeing him with hatred. He landed on the ground shooting forward with his sword pointed forward, the ninken dodged to the side its claws tearing through the moist dry soil as it slid to a stop, but Cho was already on Haji swinging his sword with unmatched ferocity.

Steel reverberated through the area as the two clashed bitterly, Haji using a sword more a keen to a katana while Cho used what would be considered a cleaver and was much wider than Haji's blade, but size wasn't everything. The two continued their deadly dance both moving too fast for the average human to trace, to on lookers it was mere flashes where blurs of black and gray shot across the ground followed by the eerie gleam.

Cho swung forward aiming to take off Haji's head, but Haji was quick to react and ducked under the swiping swing jolting forward with a thrust aimed for his knee but a snarl alerted him, he kicked off the ground flipping back narrowly avoiding the saliva and blood drenched teeth of the dark furred ninken. He slid to a halt staring at the two impassively as he gripped the hilt overhand, crouching slightly as he eyed the two intensely. Fighting Cho by himself isn't likely to happen that ninken will stay at his side...

Haji set his jaw taking a few steps forward hearing the cries around him as their opposing teams battled each other, Their sense of smell is impeccable I need to use that to my advantage while evading their attacks I can't let them push me.. He pumped chakra into his legs, sprinting forward at unreal speeds, his hand swiping forward the sword following soon after, the clang of steel echoed through the land.

Yuko sat in the 'lobby' of the inn she was staying at for the duration of her mission she stared out the window watching people walk by or come in. She didn't have much luck finding anyone with a mask, that was her mindset; when she found the person with the mask that was who she would tail. But it seemed all of the Yuki clan members wore masks but the one the person was wearing in the picture was definitely unique and didn't look like the rest. She was down twenty more shuriken and kunai.

And then she caught it, it was a flash in her peripherals. Turning her head she watched the clerk speak with someone tall with long black hair kept in a low ponytail, he was wearing the most outrageous outfit it was very baggy and looked like something a shinobi wouldn't wear. That's... The one.. She thought as she caught sight of the white mask with narrow slits for eyes, she smiled inwardly soon she'd be able to get out of here and back to the compound, funny she couldn't remember being happy to go back but anywhere was better than here.

The mist and fog never let up and it was slightly cold despite the moisture in the air, it was strange and didn't quite fit. Seeing him make his leave she silently stood up from her chair following after him discreetly, making sure she was several behind him and suppressed her chakra to nearly nothing if anything he would think she was an animal at best if he was to feel anything.

Come back alive... Izuna's words rang in her mind she sighed softly wondering about him and herself for that matter, like why she would get so flustered around him. Sure he was the second in command but she barely blushed and fumbled over her words with other boys, but she did constantly with Izuna. Ugh hormones! She shouted mentally pushing the thought away, she'd finish this mission the figure out everything else. With her objective in mind she continued to follow him silently being sure to stay a few feet behind.

Haji allowed a smirk to grace his face as he faced off against Cho for the dozenth time, he held his sword firmly in an overhand grip his calloused hands purchasing the article with vigor. He was only getting a feel for Cho's attack patterns which was challenging, Cho and the Inuzuka themselves attacked in random and erratic patterns almost as if they were sloppy in their approach but they weren't. It was deadly accurate and effective giving them their reputation for being barbaric, but Haji was getting the pattern down pact by now and was ready to capitalize.

The ninken was like a team mate which he already knew, but to this extent he couldn't have guessed it was like there was another human he had to battle, their moves were in sync when he went to attack an opening the ninken would jump him when he went to stab the ninken Cho would slash at him using the infamous Gatsuga technique to create distance.

Haji fought many Inuzuka none of them were quite as strategic as Cho, there was a reason he was their clan head and it showed in this battle. However that didn't make a difference, Haji was fighting strictly with kenjutsu using his ninjutsu as a barrier and lance to keep him on the move and guessing. It seemed Tsugi was doing the same thing as he battled it out with a man around Haji's age, the battle was going over twenty minutes now and it was moving at breakneck speeds from the beginning.

"Don't tell me you're breaking a sweat already Cho we've just started." Haji taunted pushing the older man's temper to his advantage.

"Tch, hardly." He scoffed sprinting forward, his sword swiping through the air in a horizontal slash, Haji blocked the attack their blades grinding against each other sending sparks flying around them as far as three feet, clasping his hilt with both hands Haji surged chakra into his arms pushing the larger blade to the side but was sent flying upward from the force dispensed between the two of them. Cho was already flashing through an array of hand seals, his ninken bolting across the ground before it took a deafening leap up towards him.

"Raiton: Jinrai!" Haji shouted sending his sword forward, lightning crackling and popping as it beamed towards the ground. The ninken gave a guttural growl as it deftly dodged the bolt sailing towards the ground where it slid to a stop. But that's what Haji wanted, his attack shot towards Cho streaming through the air with a loud whistle.

CRACK! BOOM!

The air shook as a shock wave dispersed itself tearing the ground into cracks that moved faster than his senses could follow, soil was thrown up from the concussive force of the attack showering the area and shinobi with dirt, lime, and crust, Haji tucked his knees in to his chest in a mock cannonball pose landing on the ground, absorbing the impact with his powerful legs and hips, he looked ahead raising one arm over his eyes as the dirt was shot off in every direction.

His attack was just like it's namesake a thunder clap, he focused a high amount of chakra into his hand before launching it forward like a javelin, then it was on its own trajectory as it careened towards its target slamming into the person or object with enough force to split the ground in two; the added bonus of it being a lightning based jutsu kept his target paralyzed too numb to do anything besides breathe.

"Gatenga!" Haji narrowed his eyes craning his neck to the side in time to spot the two barreling buzz saws of pure force and chakra shooting towards him. Cho and his ninken respectively drilled through the ground sending widespread debris through the area as they continued on their course towards him. This technique was meant for rapid and ferocious hits that caused internal and severe damage it was for the sole purpose of literally mowing down the enemy reducing them to a trail of blood, torn flesh, and severed organs, it wasn't the prettiest jutsu but it got the job done.

Using my Raiton won't do any real good in this at the speeds they're moving my attack will cancel out before it even got within ear shot of them... And using a donton technique would only be a waste of time and energy they'd blow right through it. He bent his knees as the two were just a couple feet away from, if possible the two serrated saws moved even faster seeking to close the distance in a heartbeat.

Pushing chakra into his legs he sprung up tucking his legs into his sternum as he watched the two barrel passed him, the wind kicking up his hair and forcing him to squint his eyes, the ground quaked as the two saws crashed into several boulders grinding them to dust, finally Cho and the ninken finished their rotations halting.

"Damn," Cho cursed as he clenched his fist. "Ever the elusive one." He heard a throaty gurgle and turned to see two of his men lying on the ground, blood pooling out under them and their ninkens not far off from their own bodies.

"Looks like I win." Haji stated trying not to sound smug, in all reality this was just a waste of his time.

"Pull back!" Cho shouted throwing down a few smoke bombs covering him and the area up in a patch of black and gray. Haji didn't let the smokescreen get to him, instead he stretched out his senses but couldn't feel any flares of chakra but he heard the all too familiar sound of feet crashing against the ground in the distance.

"Should we go after them?" Tsugi asked as he swung his sword to the side causing the air to erupt with a wild swishing sound. He watched the blood splatter on the ground as he sheathed his sword quickly walking to Haji's side.

"No they're just trying to delay us. Unfortunately for them it didn't work." Haji replied glancing around the area noticing some of his men were coming towards him while others stared at him expectantly waiting for further orders, the dead Inuzuka and ninken were no where in sight but the puddles of blood left on the ground signaled that their demise did in fact happen. He sheathed his sword, craning his neck around to look at his unit. "Let's move." With that they got back into formation and sprinted towards their destination.

So maybe spying wasn't her thing, standing around for prolonged periods of time drained her, she had to keep moving or do something. She leaned her hand against the cold tiling of a small home, she was on the outskirts of the city, she was definitely not in the same place before when she came her on her own. She was in a scarcely populated area the smell of rotting flesh and death made her wrinkle her nose despite trying to be indifferent it was just an awful smell but she would deal with it, several feet in front of her was the compound...

An entire compound the symbol of the Yuki clan a snowflake with dark shadows and lining blew proudly in the quiet night breeze. She couldn't see passed the opening very much, but it wasn't much to look at just a barren area but on several angles and sides there were homes situated in a grid like order. They're organized.. She said mentally, looking thoughtful as she sprinted to the side, jumping with a certain nimbleness she pushed her chakra to her feet quietly running up the tree careful to keep her chakra low. She stopped leaning her right hand against a stable branch as she walked further out, coming to a squat behind the seclusion of thick leaves. This was going to be more difficult.

She knew not to underestimate anyone, but she was going to tread very carefully from here on in. Maybe she was being too paranoid, but if their houses were grouped in grids that meant there was close quarters.

She'd need to move fast and somehow divert their attention. She made sure to engrave all of the information pertaining to this mission into her brain, that man was the leader it had to be no one else wore a mask like that, even the members of the clan she seen now going about their business as if she wasn't even there wore masks but not as creepy as the one the leader wore. She figured the leader's office would be in the center if her assumptions were correct it'd be the most logical thing with them they'd literally have a center of operations. But still she was weary that was wishful thinking, and she still had to get passed the guards that stood stoically or moved along the inside of the gates. Mikito isn't lying this is going to take some time. She said sighing softly as she leaned her back against the trunk blending in with the shadows, for once she was thankful for wearing the too big and hot black cloak.

The minutes ticked by at a slow pace, minutes turned into hours and hours turned into days and days turned into weeks or so it felt.

Yuko sighed adjusting her back against the trunk she'd been here for at least three hours now and there was no visible change. The guards continued their routes although the couple dozen or so switched places but it wasn't something to be noted, she gathered that they wore masks for a ranking or in her opinion before she took refuge in the large tree she stretched her senses out and as she expected now they were grouped in an order weakest to strongest, though all of their chakra was exceptionally high, her eyes flicked lazily scanning the area for a training ground of sorts recalling the dozens at her compound, and the one where she'd go when she was growing up the only she knew of. She couldn't spot any from her location. Some more time passed and the sky darkened more if it was possible Yuko kept her eyes half open fighting against her tiredness.

"Get in formation!" Yuko jolted at the loud shout moving her head from left to right spotting a tall member of the Yuki clan his face hidden by a mask but his messy black hair was on full display. "The Kagyua are coming in fast at twelve o clock!"

What? Yuko asked herself mentally as she carefully maneuvered the sturdy branches looking in the direction the guard shouted. At first She thought she was seeing dust balls or smoke flying around by now it was common to see the fog and mist curl and move on its own as if it was living, squinting to get a better view she nearly gasped but covered her hand with her mouth, even without her Sharingan she had good vision and she could tell without there were at least twenty people running right for her location.

Shit! She cursed fumbling through her pockets, grabbing the hilt of her sword which was sheathed and resting under her blue obi. She braced herself against the sturdy trunk as the ground quaked with tremendous force, her finger nails gouging thin lines into the bark as she struggled to hang on.

So much happened in just a short amount of time. What she determined as the Kagyua clan charged with reckless abandon all screaming battle cries as they smashed and busted through the ice walls members of the Yuko clan quickly put up, dispersing and taking on several at once or individually the entire area became the epicenter of shrieking screams and reverberating explosions.

Members of the Kagyua clan continued to flood in hordes bones jutting from their forearms, neck, shoulders, and even their skulls; Yuko grimaced at the sight it was unusual to see seven people running around with a crown of bones literally, so that fool near the inn was telling the truth she mentally noted. Blood splattered through the air flying onto the ground and drenching the trees nearby, the Kagyua took a direct course stabbing and slashing through anyone that they could reveling as heads flew for several yards, blood gushing from the wounds leaving their bones cut and organs ruptured thrown across the ground it was brutal and fast paced.

Crap! Yuko shouted mentally as she spotted an explosive tag flying for her location, obviously it was a stray but nonetheless still dangerous. She clenched the hilt of her sword tighter, pushing chakra into her legs and leaping off of the branch in one bound, flipping forward and planted her feet on the ground, her Sharingan activating on instinct alone as she honed in on the battlefield. She ignored the corpses the dull gray eyes that stared at her with an emptiness only death could grant.

She didn't have to wait long for an attack, several happened at once, good thing she trained herself so vigorously. Yuki and Kagyua members swarmed her while attacking each other, she wasn't supposed to be there and she knew so she was a target. Swiping her sword forward in a one handed thrust she heard the famliar sound of flesh tearing and a throaty scream, twisting the sword to the side she pulled it out already swinging to the side slashing through another man's torso knocking him back a few feet where he bled out.

Yuko fought off one, two, three, seven at a time and killed them all though she suffered some minor wounds a few cuts to the arms and one on her stomach. But she ignored the pain continuing to slay anyone who came in her path her sword drenched in the crimson liquid that lingered in the air and spilled on the ground in copious amounts.

Her senses were in overdrive as she dodged another ferocious swing, looking at the bone with curiosity and disdain all the same, his movements were sloppy and telegraphed she took advantage and plunged her sword through his stomach yanking it out in one smooth motion Time to make my move. She noted there was an absence of Yuki clan shinobi near a large opening caused by an explosion ten minutes ago that knocked her back into a tree though it didn't slow her down, the concussive force was slightly surprising.

Sprinting as fast as she could she beamed through the opening, moving forward an instant later her eyes locking onto one building. It was the largest by far that she had seen, but there was one difference it was slightly more to the east than she expected. But it wasn't a problem, putting on another burst of speed she evaded the ongoing battles inside of the compound the best she could weaving under the bones and flipping over the boulders of ice and senbons the Yuko clan utilized with ease. Her heart raced pounding in her ears and stomach as she neared the building she could go home after this, a soft laugh escaped her dry throat causing her to swallow dryly.

"Who the hell-" Yuko stabbed through his midsection before he could finish his sentence kicking down the door in the process, swiftly entering looking around carefully. It was an old styled Japanese home with sliding shoij doors and tatami mats, there were pictures of snowflakes decorating the walls, Yuko noted that it was their clan symbol, she raised an eyebrow seeing a desk in the middle of the room with a scroll on top.

"Are you kidding?" She asked herself out loud as she sauntered over, picking up the scroll and opening it taking a look at the contents. A small smile wanted to grace her lips but she suppressed it, she rolled it back up carefully running to the door and swiftly exiting.

Her yelp of surprise was cancelled out by a fireball that literally went off several feet away from her sending waves of dirt and cement flying in every direction, the normally harmless projectiles smashing through the windows and doors of nearby homes. She moved faster dodging and ducking when something headed her way, she knew sitting and waiting wouldn't do her any good now. No she needed to get out of here and fast they'd be all over her in just a few hours.

The fighting would get worse it always did but after they settled down and found out this was missing... She didn't want to think of what would happen to her when and if they found her if she didn't get off the mainland and out of the immediate area in general. She witnessed the deadly hyoton she could hardly believe her eyes when dozens of mirrors were literally froze into existence, seeing the blood drenched ice didn't do her any favors either she didn't know it was possible to bleed if the body was encased in a block of ice but it was chilling all the same.

While the Kagyua were brutal and merciless in their own right slashing and stabbing anything that came into their path; the Yuki were cold -no pun intended- the way they killed their attackers freezing their limbs and piercing their bodies with hundreds of senbon at a time, it was lethal and efficient. Now it was as clear as day the rumors weren't exaggerated and the warnings weren't ill placed. All of it was real, very real, this was a place of pure turmoil.

Mission success. She thought feeling satisfied with her efforts, she craned her head back when she was several feet away the battle only got worse and more bodies littered the ground. So far... She added.

Haji, Tsugi, and their men were escorted to the main building of the village where Hitomi resided, he was pleased with their ready response as soon as they arrived. He had no intention of sticking around as soon as he meant the princess he would be heading out a second later, it was better doing things that way before Cho formulated another scheme of attacking at the wrong time, it was always the wrong time.

Biting back a sigh or irritation as he entertained the thought longer than he would like. Cho was always interfering, somehow that man always had information on his movements, but he supposed it was natural. This was around their territory anyways since they were more nomadic than anything traveling between the Lightning and Fire country and staying at one place for an un-designated amount of time. Although the same could be said in his case and every other shinobi clan, they were moving though some were better off than others the need to relocate was always a strong one.

"Haji." Tsugi's voice broke him out of his stupor.

"Tsugi." Haji returned back calmly shoving his thoughts away for the moment as they steadily approached a door. The massive gates got closer as his steps stayed the same, the doors were thick and massive he could see, the sides and bottom were encased with solid steel and had stony studs that were for decoration more than anything it appeared, running alongside the steel was solid oak wood. He ran his eye over it, well it looked formidable and tough but one Raiton technique and he was sure any shinobi could smash through it, yet alone someone like him who would have no trouble breaking it down.

"You shouldn't look so... Agitated." He said almost in a chiding manner, chuckling when he seen Haji stare at her him hard. "Nobles are sensitive to these things after all."

"Yeah." Haji said succinctly as he blew off the good humored jab from his comrade. He appreciated the gesture though, he had been wracking his mind formulating solutions, but the big part was done helping the wounded Senju, this was just a bonus. "We won't be staying long, our best course of action is to be mindful of our time and leave once we meet Hitomi-san." Haji said the honorific more out of habit than anything, while Tsugi didn't care very much about the added suffixes he knew from experience nobles were ardent of their titles. Too damn pampered and spoiled for their own good was his one and only thought every time, they'd starve out in the real world to use to being fed and not ever having to feed themselves.

"We maybe longer than that." Tsugi murmured as the door opened and the sight of a obviously beautiful woman drew his, Haji's, and everyone else's attention. Respectively everyone in what he now deemed as the throne room or meeting room was staring at them, and vice versa. Haji looked around noticing a row of guards all armed with spears, he rarely seen that aside from one person a spear was not the most popular or sought out way to fight. One needed to keep a perfect distance at all time and never over extend or over reach when one attacked, it took too much time to perfect when there were other arts much more versatile and readily learned.

"Ah, you must be my escort. Haji, was it?" The woman asked with a calm but curious tone as she inclined her head to get a better look at him. Haji nodded his head once locking eyes with her. He wasn't so surprised to see Hitomi so beautiful from her long wavy brown hair that fell just passed her waist, to her light brown almost golden irises that almost glowed with a certain understanding.

She was fair skinned but it looked healthy her skin had a radiant, subtle glow it looked soft to the touch, she had full pink lips and a small nose, she was currently wearing a light blue yukata with floral patterns stretching from the center to her sleeves with a white obi tied at her waist, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her hem.

"That's correct lady Hitomi." Tsugi answered in a slightly cheerful tone as he eyed her carefully. Why were nobles all so beautiful yet so stuck up, of course the latter was the reason why. "Tsugi at your service." He gave a small bow.

"Stop your flirting." Haji growled under his breath, Tsugi simply shrugged at him. With that scolding taken care of he turned his attention back to the princess. "Hitomi it would be best if you take your leave now, time is always of the essence." Haji said ignoring some heated looks he got from the guards and most likely her family for his blatant way of speaking, but he didn't care what looks came his way he was in charge or guarding her and that's what he intended to do whether they agreed with his methods or not.

"Hmm-hmm..." The princess hummed softly for a few moments as if debating. "I would like for you to stay Haji-san, after all you and your men must have come a long way..." She sniffed the air once the smell of blood smacking her like a sledgehammer but she remained indifferent. "You need to rest."

"I assure you that we are all fine." Haji said folding his hands into the sleeves of his shirt, damn Tsugi and his mouth. He said this might happen, but Haji didn't give it a grain of salt when it came up. "Your offer is most gracious and I would accept it under normal circumstances-"

"Normal?" Hitomi raised an eyebrow though she didn't seem offended.

"Yes, but we a pressed on time and your safety is the most important thing." Haji continued undeterred by her interruption, looking around what now he considered the throne room. "Therefore leaving now is the best course of action."

"I still have to reconsider." Hitomi said in a slightly chipper tone as she rose from her seat, striding towards him. "You and your men look tired, and it would be rude not to accept my hospitality." She came to a stop a few feet away from him standing with a dignified air that made Haji want to punch a hole in the wall. He could only think of conceited as he stared at her. "Show them to their rooms." Hitomi said waving her hand towards several maidens who bowed their heads and walked over to Haji and his men.

"I-" Haji bit back a growl, damn it he just wanted to get this over with. "Fine." He relented.

"Excellent." The princess clapped her hands once with a pleased smile.