Friends To The Wicked

[Amy]

Hayami was perched on the stool that sat in front of her vanity. She ran a soft brush over her hair, appreciating how it shined in the sunlight that poured through the window. She ran her fingers through her bangs, pushing them off of her forehead before painting her face with minimal makeup but enough to highlight her best features, in her own opinion. She stepped into her grayish-blue dress and pulled it over her shoulders. It was modest enough, the scooped neckline just low enough to show the very top of her cleavage. It was long enough that it would brush the tops of her feet once her boots were on and sleeves that covered her to her wrists. The young woman stood in front of her mirror, tying the maroon sash around her waist, leaving a small bow on the front of her right hip. She was busy fussing with her hair, smoothing the few strays that always tried to stick up, when a voice called for her.

“Hayami, father is waiting for us.” It was her sister, of course.

“Coming!”

It was only a few moments later that she, her older sister and their younger siblings as well as her mother and father were waiting outside their home in Sawara. The air seemed particularly chilled that day despite the sun shining brightly overhead. Everyone was dressed in their finest, each member of the family ready to put on a good show and play their parts. Her father stood in front of the rest of the family, her mother at his side. Hayami turned slightly to her side and caught her sister’s eye. They looked each other up and down, giving a nod of approval in unison when their inspection of each other was completed. The smallest of smiles played along Hayami’s face as she turned her attention back to the task at hand.

The arrival of the Tsuchikage.

[Niro]

Tatsuo had been dreading today.

The dust had settled on the War and on the Expansion into the west. From Rock Countrys eastern border to the western shoreline, they now controlled. There was no other country on the continent who could rival them in size and, once the newest regions were integrated, eventually economy and military might. His duty to bring the minor countries under the control of a single nation was complete and, although he should feel a weight lifted off of his shoulders, Tatsuo was still on alert. Tensions throughout those very same regions was still hotter than he would like to publicly admit and teams were being sent off daily to help keep the peace; assisting with crops, fighting off bandits who thought there'd be easy pickings, rebuilding infrastructure. The list went on and the pile of paperwork on his desk had tripled in size since he had first taken office. And then, the summons to the Capital. Tatsuo had been putting off the visit for as long as possible. He was too busy to entertain the aging daimyo and play the games of court. He was a shinobi; not a politician.

Thankfully, the trip up to Sawara was easy this time of year. The rivers weren't frozen over and they were able to travel by ship from the lower docks of Iwagakure which connected to another tributary and would allow them to dock directly in Sawara rather than make the trip by foot over land. Natsumi would handle the village for a few days and there were plenty of other bannin within just in case something did occur while he was away. A quaint 3 day boat ride up the Minami River, just him and his security detail; Akari, Kotaru. Rather than waste a half dozen jounin and also babysit them, his ever-present right hand had tagged along instead as the single member. It made the trip much quieter and relaxing at least; no jounin to watch over or answer questions to about what they could or could not do while in the Capital. Instead, he had been able to relax out on the deck and catch some much needed sun after being cooped up in the mountains.

And before he knew it, he was before the Daimyo's household.

The vast mansion made even his own look small. Adorned in a burgundy kimono, Tatsuo felt very out of place in the more formal wear. The cool metal of his armor against his skin was the norm for him, not this. He felt stiff as he and Kotaru were escorted to the front of the house to meet the entire family. Well, most of the family. The eldest son had moved to the capital of Wind Country to help accommodate his father's sudden decision to marry his sister off to the newly subservient Wind Daimyo in an act of defiance veiled instead as one of charity. Greeting them was just the Daimyo and his wife, their two daughters, and the youngest son who still clung behind their mother's skirt.

Tatsuo bowed at the waist as he and Kotaru were left with Lord Musashi and his family by the family guards. Coming up from the bow, his dark violet eyes swept across each of them in kind, lingering on the younger of the two sisters for an almost unnoticeable extra quarter-second, while offering a bow of his head.

"It's been some time since we've last been able to meet. I'm glad you and your family are healthy and safe, my lord."

[Kao]

Kotaru would have rather walked. Walking would have given him something to do, something to just barely focus on as they traveled to the stupid meeting with the Daimyo and his stupider family. Unfortunately the weather was perfect and conditions were ideal for a long and boring boat ride. The tediously slow travel gave the bannin enough time to mull over the absurdity of the situation.

He was meant to be Tatsuo's bodyguard. As if the Tsuchikage, the greatest of all the kage, needed a fucking bodyguard. His elder brother was transparent in his plan, primarily bringing him along so he didn't have to deal with a gaggle of fawning subordinates. The other reason was probably that Kotaru was, incredibly, more politically inclined than Tatsuo. He had arranged festivities with their allies more than once, taken over their clan and managed to keep them from falling to pieces, and had even secured a treaty with Iron Country so that the Taishou - his friend - wouldn't move against Iwagakure as the village led the expansion. He needed to check on the deal with Iron since the war was essentially over, but instead of working on things that mattered he was charged with keeping his kage company as he dazzled the Daimyo.

As they traveled he languidly paced the deck, occasionally rolling his eyes in Tatsuo's direction as the elder Akari enjoyed the sun. When they finally reached the Daimyo's ornate mansion the bannin snorted, deeply unimpressed by the opulence. Like Tatsuo he was dressed in fine robes, his turquoise and black instead of burgundy. The lower half of his face was covered so that only the bridge of his nose and his sharp eyes were visible. Beneath his robes he wore a fitted black compression shirt - cropped for style - and dark grey pants. Just in case.

He bowed to the Daimyo slightly more deeply than Tatsuo, and stayed there long enough to roll his eyes. ''My lord' my ass. Fuckin' useless daimyo should be the one bowing.'

This would be a super fun meeting indeed.

[Amy]

Interesting, Hayami thought as she watched the Tsuchikage approach the house, Akari Kota at his side. A quick glance at her father, seeing the tension that lifted his shoulders slightly, told her that he hadn’t expected the bannin to be accompanying the Tsuchikage. It likely wasn’t that complicated, she quickly decided, watching her father ease the tension away. Probably, he just didn’t like the man. From what she knew, many people didn’t, which would put her father in the majority.

She and her sister, Mio, both bowed their heads gently as their guest spoke his greeting and bowed to her father. Her mother merely tilted her head in greeting and her father kept his head high. Her father’s voice was strong and arrogant but not loud. He felt no need to shout and why should he - these were his lands, were they not?

“I’m glad you were finally able to take the time out of your schedule to pay us a visit, Lord Tsuchikage.” Hayami blinked at the slight shift in tone on their guest’s title, ensuring that any sign of disapproval in her eyes wouldn’t be seen. She had always imagined that the rivalry between her father, the daimyo, and the Tsuchikage was a very one sided battle. But that certainly wasn’t any of her business.

“My daughter will show you to your rooms,” he continued, commanding the flow of the conversation. After one of the maids had taken a guest to a room that was already occupied by a very in love couple, the task had fallen to Hayami. “Tea will be served on the hour and someone will retrieve you from your rooms at that time.” Unusual for her father to not immediately take his guests to his office for a business discussion. Surely, she thought to herself as she held in a sigh, her father wasn’t attempting to punish the Tsuchikage by making him wait now.

Wasting no more words on pleasantries the daimyo turned and entered the house followed first by his wife and youngest and then by Mio. Hayami turned towards the two men and offered them a simple smile, her arm extended towards the door. “After you.”

Once inside, she led them up two flights of stairs that were flocked by family portraits and priceless pieces artwork. Over-sized chandeliers hung from the ceiling, the lights reflecting from the many crystals that adorned them. Along the hallways to their rooms the white walls gleamed broken up only by the many stands that held various sculptures and plants. Halfway down, Hayami stopped and opened first one door, bowing gently. “Lord Tsuchikage.”

She took several steps to the next door and opened that one next. “Lord Akari,” she said, offering him a bow also. The closest that she could get to an apology for her father’s behavior towards him.

“If you require anything there are switches by the door that will ring the butler’s quarters. Otherwise, someone will be by soon to escort you to the tea room.” She bowed once more to the both of them before turning and walking back the way she came, heaving a giant sigh of relief once she was around the corner and out of view.

[Niro]

"Haha, it is unfortunately packed to the brim with having to run two hidden villages." A near joyless laugh accompanied the comment. It didn't help Suna was half a continent away from Iwa; even with Space/Time anchors, the chakra cost was enormous. Without proper personnel powering the seals, single users more often than not found themselves nearly depleted of chakra. And that was for a single person, not to mention any large entourages or delegations that came through. Sometimes it was abundantly clear how chakra was taken for granted; the common person thought shinobi endless batteries but even they could get tired if pushed far enough. Ignoring the change in Musashi's tone, Tatsuo nodded once more at the man before looking over the daughters once again. Strange, a servant would usually show them to any guest rooms. Even stranger, they weren't going directly into the study to discuss whatever Musashi had been trying to scheme up over the last few months.

Tatsuo shot Kotaru a quick, furtive glance in the singular moment all of their backs were turned to the shinobi before once more training his eyes on Hayami as she turned back to the men. He nodded to the woman and offered her a gentle smile before stepping into the home and waiting for Hayami lead them to their rooms. Tatsuo's eyes scanned the foyer and hallways as they were led to the guest rooms searching for anything out of place. Some of the artwork and rugs had been changed out since his last visit but it was common for the Daimyo to change out his older purchases for the newer, more extravagant ones once he set his eyes upon them. Before he knew it, the trio was at his guest room.

Tatsuo offered Hayami a slight bow before stepping into the room and the door slid closed behind him. He let loose a deep breath he hadn't known he was holding as he heard the other room slightly down the hallway open and shut. He waited a minute as he listened to the footsteps of Hayami walk away and round the corner. He moved towards the shared wall of their rooms and began to lightly tap against it in a form of code intertwined with a simple cipher the two had used plenty of times before to deliver a message to Kotaru without anyone listening in on it.

Deciphered, it would simply read:

'What the hell?'

[Kao]

Kotaru sighed slowly and deeply through his nose at the pleasantries. The noise wasn't very loud, but Tatsuo would be able to hear it clearly and hopefully detect every ounce of exasperation that escaped him. Though his greeting was brief, the daimyo's tone indicated how important he thought himself in comparison to Tatsuo. The bannin's eyes shot daggers at the man, the intensity only easing when the daimyo announced his daughter would be showing them to their rooms. Kotaru returned his brother's pointed look before following slowly behind him, his mind already churning.

Why the hell were they already being sent to rooms? The trip was expected to be two days - three tops - and then they would return back to Iwa. He had expected them to talk business immediately; there was no need to get comfortable right away. He hardly took note of the girl as she led them down the wide halls of the mansion. Like Tatsuo, he scanned the hallways, the windows, even the ceilings to check for anything out of the ordinary. Besides the daimyo's gaudy choice of decor, Kotaru didn't notice anything that set off more alarms than the ones already ringing in his head. But when the girl showed them to their rooms - plural, separate - he nearly blocked the door to Tatsuo's room from sliding shut with his hand. Any show of force would be greatly frowned upon in this place, especially with the daimyo's daughter. So instead of refusing to go to his own room he obliged, frowning deeply behind his mask.

The coded message came immediately. Kotaru returned it with, 'Something isn't right.'

The situation didn't feel dangerous. Just...uncomfortable. Kotaru looked around the room, taking in all its splendor. It was much less visually offensive than the hallways, probably because the Daimyo didn't use the room enough to need to bask in his own wealth. The large paintings adorning the walls proudly depicted the steppes of Rock Country, the river flowing from one canvas to the next. He admired it for longer than he would ever admit before going back to the wall that separated their rooms. His sharp taps conveyed, 'Don't like this.'

[Amy]

Each of the rooms the men were led to were nothing short of luxurious. The walls maintained the white paint of the hallway but it served as the perfect backdrop to the beautiful, rich artwork that hung on the wall. Whereas the art in the more common areas of the house were centered on the culture and history of Rock Country, the art in the rooms reflected the more personal tastes of whomever had designed them. Each room had a large bed against the back wall, each with large canopies draped with fine silk. Large windows overlooked the estate, these windows in particular looking across the gardens, a small settee and table near each window. A moderately size washroom was attached to each bedroom.

Hayami hoped that they liked the rooms The maids had been going to put them on the second floor of the house but she had intervened at the last minute. The rooms on the second floor were more suited to her father’s tastes, the ones he used to show off to the lord and ladies who visited often. The third floor was used more often for visiting family and was designed more with comfort than ego in mind. Plus, the third floor was significantly quieter than the second floor which would allow the Tsuchikage and Lord Akari a certain level of privacy.

“Hayami,” her father called to her from his office as she walked by. He was sitting at his over-sized hand carved desk, papers in neat piles stacked around it. His office was as heavily decorated as the rest of the house though the design was significantly different. Large maps adorned the walls as well as a number of beautiful, dangerous weapons. Where there wasn’t something hanging on the walls there was a shelf instead holding a large number of scrolls and books alike. There was not a speck of dust to be found on them though Hayami imaged that was thanks to the maids, not her father’s avid reading habits.

“Yes, Father?” She moved several steps into the room, stopping short of the sitting area that was placed in the middle. Her father’s wingback chair facing the same direction as his office chair, a large couch and a smaller chair off to the side. A large table was placed in the center of it all.

“Your mother and siblings will be having their tea in the sitting room but I would like you to bring our guests here. You may serve the tea and sit in on our meeting.”

It wasn’t entirely unusual for her or any of the older children to be invited to sit in on their father’s meetings. A good way to learn the type of speech and interaction they would need to perform as their duties when they were eventually married and starting their own families, he always told them. Hayami had never been sure that she believed that but she didn’t know why else he would insist on it. But to sit in on his meeting with the Tsuchikage - that was something else entirely.

“You would like me to retrieve them from their rooms?” Just the slightest hint of disbelief in her voice. Escorting them to their rooms initially was already somewhat improper but to be asked to retrieve them also was…was…

“Is there an issue with my request?” An authoritative edge crept into his voice.

“No, Father,” she replied with a bow.

A little over half an hour later, she was making her way back up the staircase. Clearly, she thought with a huff, her father had some strange plan in the works. He had had hundreds of guests since she was old enough to remember and not a single time had he treated them like this. Or her, for that matter. If anyone else had suggested one of his daughters play escort for a guest he would have unleashed his righteous fury on them. But, she thought with one more muted sigh as she walked down the hallway, that was the benefit of being the daimyo. He could simply follow through on his whims.

She knocked gently on each of the doors, announcing herself each time. When both men opened their doors any tract of confusion or annoyance would be wiped from her face, replaced with a pleasant smile. “The daimyo requests your presence in his office. Please follow me.”

It was a short trip down the two flights of stairs and three hallways before they arrived at her father’s office. He was already sitting in his large chair, legs crossed at the knee. Hayami shut the door behind them and made her way to the tea cart that someone had dropped off right before they arrived. She busied herself with that while her father spoke.

“Please, have a seat,” he gestured at the couch that faced him directly, across from the table that was covered in a spread of bite sized food and sweets. “My apologies for not being able to meet with you right away. I’m sure that you have heard about my eldest daughter’s upcoming wedding. The details and ramifications of such a unity have been taking up a fair amount of my time.” Hayami rolled her eyes at the tea cart. Her brother was handing most of that in Wind Country, her father only taking the time to step in where necessary.

“Now that we are here though, I would like a report on how things are being handled since the war has ended. I have been hearing rumors of small uprisings occurring. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how quickly that type of idea can spread and grow out of hand.”

[Niro]

A small sense of relief crept into Tatsuos shoulders at Kotarus swift reply. The bannin had picked up on the same eerie feeling; something was wrong even if whatever plan the Daimyo was preparing wasn't dangerous. Something was definitely being kept from them by the Daimyo and Tatsuo had a feeling it would be a topic of conversation, if not the topic of conversation, during the upcoming meeting.

'Agreed. He has something planned.'

Tatsuo sent the message back before he walked across the room to the windows overlooking the estate. His violet eyes swept across the grounds in observance; no staff were moving about erratically and everyone seemed to be hustling about normally. No strange sounds stuck out to him either. Whatever was going on was directly involved with the Daimyo. That'd be something he wouldn't be able to observe from here. He turned around from the window and looked over the room. It was definitely different from the ones he was used to being placed in.

Little did Tatsuo know, it was just the whims of fate rather than some grand plan to place them here.

Tatsuo released a sigh and shook his head. Worrying over it would just make the minutes drag. Instead, he took the allotted time to wash his face and meditate at the small table by the window. It felt like he had just closed his eyes and emptied his mind when a knock and announcement at the door interrupted him. Tatsuos eyes fluttered open as they adapted to the light once more. He made his way across the room and opened the door it to find Hayami once more. That was strange, too. Usually a maid would retrieve them but the daughter once more? Each and every second he was here only confirmed something was up more and more.

He always forgot how big the estate was but the small trek it took to reach the actual office space of the Daimyo did well to remind him. Tatsuo bowed and nodded at the 'request' to sit by the man and obliged by taking the spot on the couch to the left. The arranged sweets and goods called out to him but Tatsuo ignored them for now as Musashi spoke.

"I can only imagine. Congratulations to you both, it will be a wedding for the history books." Tatsuo smiled although he knew the man hadn't left Sawara since the end of the Great War. The wedding in Wind would be his only excursion out of Rock Country proper in over a decade. But that was none of his business.

"With how much land we've gathered under your control in such a small amount of time, it's to be expected. Especially after the fighting in Wind Country." Tatsuo started as he shifted in his seat to a straighter posture. "Besides Wind, the former countries of Spirits Nest, the Northern Wastes, the Holy Lands of Forests, the Land of Mercy, and Owl have been successfully folded into Rock. Spirits Nest, the Wastes, and Owl are all lands where there is little to no infrastructure yet plenty to build on. Construction efforts in those regions have been consistent, if slow at times, thanks to the families which have taken responsibility to develop the lands.

The Yamada and Nobutane families, both hailing from the steppes of Rock, have led the development in Spirits Nest. Their efforts have also revealed certain members of each family who have real talents for Tenkujutsu. Besides the rogue spirit which is too tough for them to handle every so often which requires aid from Iwa, the land is quiet. The same goes for the Northern Wastes which has seen the Nagahide and Kuchiki families replicate the efforts of the Yamada and Nobutane.

The trouble, unfortunately, starts with Owl. Yeritai is a king in his own right; our influence over the country is vast but so is his. We've made compromises on both sides but I'll be moving to intervene personally in the coming months. There's few shinobi or samurai who could deal with him. The Yamaguchi and Genzai families have been making headway in developing their settlements but every day is a battle.

Next is the Holy Lands of Forest. A disease has broken out in pockets across the land and settlements have been reporting increasing death tolls. Shinobi have been sent out to investigate and assist but it's only slowed the spread. More medics are being trained and deployed but bandits and rogues have been exploiting the situation to plunder and harass. Haziwara, Youji and Enkouten, Kanade will be deployed to solve these issues once they return from their current assignments. Between the two of them, I'm sure the situation will be resolved.

Lastly is the Land of Mercy. They've been suffering pirate raids on the coast and have been requesting increasing assistance. The issue is whenever shinobi show up, the raids peter off completely. Someone is obviously tipping them off we've been summoned; a long term undercover assignment will be placed soon to figure out who the mole is and who these pirates are.

Issues here and there but nothing unsolvable. Infrastructure development across the new lands is still on track and within the next few years each of them should be connected to the rail system. For now, it's business as usual." Tatsuo didn't hesitate in delivering his report or taking a break with recanting it. The sooner he could get going back to Iwa, the better.

[Kao]

Kotaru half expected Tatsuo to tell him to come to his room. It wasn't like the two of them weren't allowed to talk to each other while they waited for the daimyo. But to his annoyance the coded tapping stopped, and after several minutes of waiting for a response the bannin sighed and looked around his room. It looked comfortable enough, and there was a rather enticing-looking plate of wrapped candies on the nightstand next to the bed. For a while he stood in front of the window with his arms crossed as he watched the pleasant scenery and occasional servant walk across the grounds. Eventually the bannin let curiosity and boredom get the best of him, and he lowered his mask just enough to partake in the decadent candies. They tasted absolutely heavenly, and despite himself the bannin relaxed somewhat while waiting for tea time. He was on his sixth candy when the daimyo's daughter finally retrieved him.

The size of the place was ridiculous. It wouldn't have surprised Kotaru if this whole rigamarole of being ushered around was the Daimyo's way of showing off his residence. Once inside the office Kotaru had intended to refuse to sit and instead hover threateningly behind Tatsuo. Instead, he immediately noticed the food spread out on the table. The bannin looked between the girl and Tatsuo, and with a small shrug of one shoulder he stepped from behind the couch and piled food onto a tiny plate. If Hanami tried to help or serve him, he'd shoo her away and sit comfortably next to Tatsuo as the man recounted several months' worth of conquests and campaigns. He had nothing to add. After all, Kotaru was just there as a bodyguard.

[Amy]

It was all just very odd. While her father and the Tsuchikage did not meet on any sort of regular basis she knew that her father received plenty of reports from his office. At least one of the stacks on his desk would be composed entirely of those reports. It didn’t make any sense that her father would ”invite” him here just to have him parrot off what a report could have communicated. Still, Hayami listened carefully as the Tsuchikage spoke, preparing the tea with the ease of someone who had done it hundreds of time. She had heard plenty of tidbits of information about what had been going on with the lands recently but not to this level of detail. If anyone asked her opinion, which she expected no one would, she would say honestly that she was very impressed. Not just with the certainty and ease with which the Tsuchikage spoke but also with the accomplishments themselves.

While he continued to report to her father, Hayami silently turned from the cart with a small tray in her hands. It had four saucers and cups each full of steaming tea with a small spoon set to the side of the cup. Her eyes scanned the table, noting that Lord Akari was the only one eating. She briefly turned back to the cart and added a small cup of sugar cubes to the tray before walking over to the table. Without a sound she set the tray on the edge of the table and passed a cup to each man starting with her father, then to the Tsuchikage and then to Lord Akari. After setting the cup of sugar cubes on the table, near to the guests, she set her own saucer on the table and removed the tray before sitting on the edge of the chair that was set between the two couches.

“Yes, yes, very good,” her father said almost dismissively as the Tsuchikage finished his report, only affirming what Hayami already suspected. “I’d like continued reports on these matters, especially regarding the Land of Mercy issue. I expect it won’t take you long to discover who in your ranks is dirty. When you find them I would like to know what you intend to do with them.”

Hayami sipped slowly on her tea, using it a shield to not wince at her father’s words. She wished that he would just get to the real reason for the visit and it seemed like he must have heard her as he soon settled back in his chair and began speaking again.

“While I and my advisers are pleased with the expansions being made, there are some concerns also. The first being the target that this places upon us. We were lucky my eldest remained unmarried. The joining of her and the Wind Daimyo’s son has alleviated certain political concerns.” Mio was pleased with the marriage, Hayami knew. Her sister had been getting impatient waiting for her father to approve of someone.

“We don’t believe it to be enough, though. Currently, there is quite a divide between my world and yours, wouldn’t you agree?” Hadn’t there always been, Hayami wondered to herself. As far as she knew, that was always how it had been. The daimyo and the Tsuchikage, working towards the same goal but never quite together, never quite on the same page. There was plenty of reading material around her home that covered many past relationships between the two titles.

“It of course, brings to question how one can solve such a divide without upsetting the balance. People are comfortable with the way things work. Me here and you there,” her father continued without stopping, his hand lifting in the general direction of Iwa. “We believe that we have come up with a solution that will be in everyone’s favor and assist in showing a united front against anyone who may wish to challenge our growth.”

He leaned forward slightly, a small smile curling the corners of his mouth. “I would like for you to marry my daughter, Hayami.”

[Niro]

Tatsuo was the last in the room to pick up his tea once his report came to an end. While it wasn't information which could so freely shared as a message sent by bird or other unsecured forms of transportation, Tatsuo always felt as if he was a chuunin again turning in his paperwork to the village administrator at the end of a mission. Times like these made him jealous of Kota who could nonchalantly scarf down treats while he had to be the responsible one of the pair. The desire to be back in Iwa curled up along his wife in front of the fireplace with a nice drink in hand only grew each time Musashi opened his mouth. Hell, he would even take his office and a mountain of paperwork to sift through. Anything would be better than the Daimyo somehow confusing a lookout in Mercy for a mole in Iwagakure. Considering the two foreign dogs turned Iwagakure shinobi, loyalty was the one thing Tatsuo didn't need to question amongst his soldiers. The lack of reporting of those two turncoats to the Daimyo was one of the handful of cards under Tatsuos sleeves. Sometimes, the less the man knew the smoother operations ran.

A chill slowly began to creep up Tatsuos spine as the conversation shifted from something he was intimately knowledgeable about to something he was not. Political marriages were the least of his concern; he was already married and had no need to worry. It wasn't like his marriage was hidden; Natsumi was the head of the largest hospital within Iwagakure and an accomplished shinobi in her own right. Her and Kota been instrumental in the first wave of success against Wind Country and there was few within Rock who didn't know her. The chill began to spread like a rash as the topic changed from Musashi's eldest daughter to...himself.

What?

Tatsuo sipped at his tea as Musashi spoke. No, he didn't agree. The distance between the two of them was perfect as it was. Tatsuo was allowed to run the village and other military installations as he saw fit while the Daimyo ruled from Sawara in a palace of luxury. The subjugation of Wind meant three of the five Great Nations were allied in a way they hadn't in centuries. Tatsuos next ploy would secure a fourth and paralyze the fifth creating a longer lasting peace than the continent had seen in centuries. There was no way Musashi knew of his plan to install Youji as the next Fire Daimyo; he hadn't even made Kota aware of the ploy just yet. He hadn't even vocalized it! It had been just a thought in his head! How the hell did this old bastard kno-

WHAT?!

The final words out of the Daimyos mouth made Tatsuos eyes grow thrice their normal size along with a sharp inhale of air and tea. Immediately Tatsuo turned in Kotas direction and began to cough into the crook of his arm to avoid covering the room in tea, shock and confusion painted across his face as he wiped his mouth.

"This better be a genjutsu..." Tatsuo muttered under his breath as he turned from Kota back towards Musashi with a look of bewilderment still present.

"What?" Tatsuo finally spoke up, his voice returning from his small choking fit. "I'm sorry, what? I'm already married?"

[Kao]

Kotaru stopped mid-chew, eyes bugging as the daimyo's words practically reverberated in the room. He snorted. He couldn't help it. The stifled laugh caught in his throat and the food slid down it suddenly, and he had to beat his chest to dislodge it. Eyes alight with amusement, the younger Akari glanced at his brother with his lips pressed tightly together. The corners twitched as he desperately tried to hold back a burst of laughter. When Tatsuo mumbled about a genjutsu, the joviality in his expression was momentarily replaced by indignation.

"Wha- why do you always - it's not me!" he whispered, punctuating his assertion by stomping on Tatsuo's foot. Kotaru coughed, his throat irritated from the food nearly choking him in his shock. He cleared his throat, trying to put on his professional, stern mask again. But it wasn't very effective since the bannin couldn't stop the guttural snorts of choked laughter. Oh boy, this man was nuts. Natsumi didn't exactly have a fiery personality, but he couldn't imagine that she would be ok with Tatsuo divorcing her in favor of the daimyo's daughter. Kotaru's girlfriend would probably actually try to poison his food if he was in this situation and considered it for even a second.

The bannin looked over to Hayami. Really looked at her, for the first time that day. She was pretty, he supposed, but she wasn't worth the family drama and political upheaval. The people of Iwagakure would probably be scandalized; Natsumi was quite a popular figure due to her pivotal role in the first phase of the war. She was loved and respected, and if Tatsuo divorced her....

Kotaru looked to the daimyo expectantly, his stifled chuckling finally fading. As a man used to getting what he wanted, the daimyo wouldn't like Tatsuo's refusal that was more than likely coming. So Kotaru sipped his tea and waited for the old man's harrumphs and demands. Before loudly slurping the tea he mumbled, "This should be good."

[Amy]

The teacup slipped from Hayami’s fingers before she realized what was happening. It clattered onto the saucer, the sound louder than it had any right to be. The entire cup nearly overturned but she regained her senses for long enough to steady it with her free hand, keeping the spilled tea contained to the saucer and not all over her lap.

Surely, she thought, she must have misheard her darling father. It was incredibly well known knowledge that the Tsuchikage was married. They had received an announcement about it. Many of their visitors had remarked on the union. Her father obviously knew about it. There was no way a piece of information like that had just slipped his mind. He didn’t even have the decency to look at her, let alone warn her beforehand? This meeting has been scheduled well in advance, plenty of time to tell her about what his proposal would be. Though she maintained an outwardly calm demeanor, anger flooded her veins.

“Yes, I’m aware,” her father finally replied when silence once again dominated the room. His voice wasn’t quite as cold as his eyes were as they leveled themselves at the Tsuchikage, ignoring Lord Akari completely. “There are no issues with that on my end.”

Hayami leaned forward, sliding her saucer onto the table, her hands almost completely steady. Almost.

“It is not uncommon for nobles to have more than one wife.”

It was normal for nobles, lower nobles, not daimyos, not kages, to take multiple wives that suited them for whatever purposes. Love, lust, a political edge, whatever the reason may be. But for the daimyo to marry one of his daughters off as a second wife? It was unheard of. Hayami swallowed hard, realization hitting her all at once. The marriage between Mio and the Wind Daimyo’s son had been decided quickly and set for an even quicker date. Because Hayami couldn’t be married before her older sister. And her older sister, the eldest daughter, couldn’t be married as a second wife. As much as she could control her expression, she had no control over the blush of anger and embarrassment that colored her cheeks.

“While this may be an unusual circumstance,” he continued, offering no lifeline for his daughter. “It is in the best interest of this country. The widely expanding borders have left the people feeling uneasy and unsure of the stability they have always experienced. They are frightened of retaliation, of whether or not they will be protected from any acts of violence that spur from your vision of success.” Hayami didn’t even understand what her father was talking about anymore. He wanted her to marry the Tsuchikage? She hadn’t even managed to spare their guest a glance since her father spoke his plan into existence, worried about what she may see in his eyes.

She empathized with Lord Akari’s reaction to this insanity. There was nothing Hayami wanted more than to laugh about this entire situation. If only she weren’t so mortified, too well learned to let such emotions escape her, she would have joined him.

“We need to show a united front. The people of your village have the utmost faith in you and your…” her father finally looked over at Lord Akari. It was not a kind look. “Staff. But what about the rest of the country? The rest of the lands that we continue to bring into our borders?”

Hayami had half a mind to stand up and walk out. At least if he had warned her beforehand, she could have prepared herself to hear the Tsuchikage decline her hand in marriage. Because of course he was going to. But he had not given her time to prepare herself and she was not entirely sure that she could survive the mortification that was lurking right around the metaphorical corner. It didn’t help that her father seemed intent on making this as painful as possible.

“I am sure this comes as quite a shock but I am also sure that you can see the bigger picture. A political marriage is for the good of the people. It should have no bearing on your marriage of the heart.” Finally, her father spared her a single glance. There was not even a hint of apology in his gaze. “Does my daughter displease you in some way? I am confident we could solve whatever your issue may be.”

[Niro]

Tatsuo suppressed a yowl as Kota's heel came down on his toes and momentarily distracted him from the absurdity he had just heard come from Musashi's mouth. The pain definitely certified this wasn't a genjutsu and he was nearly positive at least one of his toes had broken from the blow. It'd heal before they got up but he'd have his revenge. His open palm came down upon Kota's back as the bannin tried not to choke on his food and Hayami's tea cup clattered against her saucer. The resounding smack was deep and from the noise alone Tatsuo was sure there'd be a nice, fat red mark between his shoulder blades. A fitting reward in exchange for his broken toe(s). An obviously fake smile was plastered across Tatsuo's face as he tried to process what was going on while at the same time not glance at the woman he had just been offered in marriage in a vain attempt of pretending she didn't exist as long as he didn't look at her.

Right?

Wrong. As the Daimyo went on about multiple wives, Tatsuos mind was reeling; Natsumi was going to kill someone, most probably Musashi, once she learned about this. A political marriage? It still meant there'd have to be some sort of heir and he didn't even have children with his actual wife yet. The Daimyo kept on hammering his point home and each point only made Tatsuo feel worse and worse for Hayami as it was made clear this was a political chess move on his end; he'd be more intimately connected to the ongoing of Iwagakure while seemingly 'promoting' Tatsuo to a higher political position while he was in fact punishing him and his daughter than anything else.

"Sir, are you certain you'd marry your daughter to me? Not only am I already married, Kotaru is my brother as well as my staff. And, we're Akari. The clan is not exactly the most...rumor free clan of the village. Not only that, as Tsuchikage and Kazekage, it'd be painting a target on her back. If she was targeted to get to me, I would never be able to forgive myself." Tatsuo tried anything to plant a seed of doubt in the man's mind at the last minute. He had a feeling he was already set in his decision but it wouldn't hurt to try, especially with the predicament they were already in.

"No, sir, Lady Hayami is beautiful. There's few who can match her and that is reason enough for me to hesitate; someone as plain as me with her? I'd be doing her a disservice."

Tatsuo doubted she would be thrilled about the Akari clan practice of cannibalism and being tied to it, even through only marriage. He was glad the Elders were dead and Kotaru in charge as a baseline but he had an enlightened sense of relief realizing with their deaths he would only have to imagine the havoc they would have caused had they been around for what was to come. The pairs worlds were entirely different and for both it would be like diving into the deep end. He was sure Musashi had good intentions and he agreed to a point about a united front but there was more than a few hurdles that would have to be cleared with this than without.

"Not only that, the standard of living in Sawara is greater than Iwagakure could ever hope to achieve. The mountain elevation is not kind to everyone and the weather is fierce, to put it lightly. Not to mention the general...rowdiness of shinobi." His eyes glanced over to Kotaru for a moment, hoping to double down on Musashis distaste while simultaneously apologizing to Kota in his head for tossing him under the horse carriage.

[Amy]

With each point of contention that the Tsuchikage tossed at her father, Hayami wished for a larger hole to crawl into. They were all solid points, not even she could argue with that. She simply wished that she wasn’t sitting right there to hear them. There was a reason that meetings like these were usually held in private and only once an arrangement had been made were the children brought in. The Tsuchikage’s words were not unkind and that definitely made it worse. If he had simply said he found her unappealing and that he had no interest in caring for a civilian wife who would be at the mercy of any Shinobi she interacted with, she could have sympathized with that. She wasn’t so conceited to think that she was everyone’s favorite cup of tea. But no. Instead, he was trying to convince her father to retract the offer so that he didn’t have to turn him down. And as kind as that was, wherever the motivation came from, it was truly appalling to have to listen to.

“All of this has been considered,” her father tried to assured them all, not sounding reassuring at all. “There are merits in what you say and of course I worry for my daughter in regards to the company you keep,” he said with a sigh, glancing at his daughter. Hayami kept her eyes on her folded hands in her lap though, refusing to meet his gaze. “But my daughter, as with all of my children, has been raised to be accommodating to whatever situation has need of her. I am confident that she will adjust to life in Iwagakure with ease.”

Raised to be accommodating, he said. What he really meant was that they had been raised to follow orders and direction without question. What he really meant was that they knew their place and that no matter what role the Tsuchikage would want Hayami to play, she would and could do it. Whether that be a loving wife, arm decoration, devoted caretaker, or even just a bed warmer. The flush on her cheeks somehow deepened further, her hair doing little to hide the fact.

“Certainly, this is not a situation I ever anticipated being in. There are many noble families here who were interested in joining our families. Times of change call for more change. It calls for sacrifice and compromise.” Sacrifice? She wanted to scream. What sacrifice was he making? It seemed that the onus of sacrifice was being foist entirely upon her and the Tsuchikage. “Of course I worry for the safety of my daughter. The tales of your clan travel far and wide and the name Akari holds quite a reputation all on its own. Let alone, the reputation that follows you and” her father finally looked over at Lord Akari. “You, individually. It caused me great pause especially when my wife begged me to reconsider.”

She didn’t know the first thing about living in a place like Iwagakure. She had been raised to attend balls and attend teas and entertain pompous men who thought their very presence a gift to those around them. She knew how to navigate conversations about politics and business and what things were or were not currently in trend. Somehow, she didn’t imagine those things would help her very much in Iwagakure.

“However, I eventually reached the conclusion that the very reputation that made me pause was also the reason that this union could continue. As her family,” he said, his eyes once again drifting between both men. “It will be your responsibility to protect her. I wouldn’t dare to insult you by implying you couldn’t keep a single young woman safe within the walls of your own village.”

[Kao]

Kotaru inhaled sharply so that he didn't cry out when Tatsuo's open palm slammed against his back. He then exhaled slowly, the sound coming out in a long hiss. Unlike his dear older brother, Kotaru's regeneration capabilities were slow, and it would take quite some time for the damage the kage caused to heal. He would quite literally have to grin and bear it. The man pursed his lips together as his back burned and throbbed, and he tried to focus on the conversation rather than the desire to stomp on Tatsuo's other foot.

It was a stupid conversation. It wasn't their custom to take multiple wives. The practice was extremely rare in Iwa, and Kotaru imagined it wouldn't give Tatsuo the popularity points that the daimyo was hoping for. Kotaru loathed the way Musashi talked about the ridiculous idea. The talk of 'sacrifice' elicited an eye roll from him. This bastard knew nothing of sacrifice. Absolutely nothing. The bannin stared at the daimyo as he seemingly feigned concern for his daughter becoming involved with their notorious clan. When Musashi hinted at the recent events that only added to their infamy, Kotaru lifted his chin and smirked, darkly amused that their reputation preceded them in such a way.

They were right to be afraid.

Just as Kotaru had decided to dismiss the request and check out of the conversation, the daimyo said something that made his entire body stiffen. Stunned, his eyes narrowed and his blackened fingers curled into fists. There was no way the details of the culling had reached Musashi's ears. Logically he knew the bit about keeping a single young woman safe was probably a coincidence. The daimyo couldn't have known about that. But his calm mask had cracked and a surge of unhinged, murderous intensity steadily filled his glare.

"Just say the word, Tats," he murmured under his breath, just barely loud enough for Hayami to hear. His lips were still curled upward in a smirk. But gradually the expression morphed as a sinister gleam replaced that amusement. His half-smile now bore an unsettling air that hinted at the sadism that Kotaru normally kept in check. "Just say the word and this pompous bastard will never form a coherent sentence again."

[Niro]

Well, that backfired.

Unlike Kotaru, Tatsuo resisted the urge to roll his eyes and instead went back to drink from his nearly empty tea cup. It was little more than a prop as the thought to refill it had completely slipped his mind in the chaos of the moment. He still hadn't turned to face or even eye Hayami in his peripheral since her father's insane demand. He was unsure if this was a calculated play by two of them but the very thought was squashed as he finally stole a peak at the woman. Her face was flushed down to her neck, and, the more Musashi spoke the more like a tomato she resembled. Ok, so she wasn't in on this. Or maybe she was informed but it wasn't her decision. Either way, he felt some relief in not being played entirely like a fool. The more the Daimyo spoke, the more Tatsuo realized he wouldn't be escaping this demand. It was going to happen whether he liked it or not.

Fine, he'd play this game. Musashi would find out sooner than later entangling himself with shinobi so closely wasn't good for his health, especially at his older age. Tatsuo could feel Kotaru's shift in his seat at the last comment and wanted to laugh in irony at it. Again, unlike Kotaru, Tatsuo had his closure with the lone woman they had been unable to save. And, unlike Musashi, he knew how dangerous the supposedly safe walls of Iwagakure could be. From the ever-present Catacombs far beneath the village to the threat of invasion from other villages, there was always something to be wary about. He appreciated the readiness from Kotaru to kill a sitting Daimyo but it wouldn't be needed.

Tatsuo brought the tea cup back down to its saucer and his entire demeanor seemed to change. The joviality seemed to drain away from his face as his eyes focused and his shoulders subtly shifted from loose to squared as if he was commanding a battlefield once more. He'd use this to his advantage, just like everything else. Machinations began to run wild within his mind at the possibilities his, and by extension the country's future, could take. Tatsuo shook his head no and a mirthless chuckle tumbled from between his lips in response to both Kotaru's quiet threat and Musashi's veiled jab.

"No, it won't be an issue." Once more, his words were directed at both parties. "I'm sure once Hayami settles into the village she'll be fine." Hopefully Natsumi wouldn't literally delete he and her from Space/Time when Tatsuo explained the situation they had foisted onto them. Hopefully. Resigned to this fate and determined to take charge of what he could, Tatsuo looked to Hayami with a similar smile to the one he had directed at her when they first met before once more turning to face her father.

"I assume she'll be coming back with us when we leave in the next few days then. Are you expecting this wedding to happen immediately or is there a time frame you'd like to see it in? I still do need to make my own arrangements both within Iwagakure and Sunagakure in regards to this."

[Amy]

Hayami’s entire body stiffened as Lord Akari’s words drifted over to her, her eyes finally lifting from her lap. Her father was being purposefully antagonistic. Subtly, or rather not so subtly, challenging the strength of the two men sitting in front of him. His words were obviously designed to ruffle their feathers but the reaction from the bannin was more than Hayami would have expected. Whatever her father’s intentions behind his words were, it was clear that he struck deeper than intended, his face paling a shade or two at the sudden change of mood in the room. Before he could attempt to regain control though, the Tsuchikage spoke, taking control of the room himself.

It wasn’t until he smiled at her that Hayami realized she was still staring in their direction. She returned his smile the best she could though it likely looked more like a grimace since she couldn’t quite bring the smile to her eyes. He wasn’t turning her father down after all. All at once her world felt like it was falling out beneath her. She had never had ideals for her life, she knew what was expected of her and she knew what role she was expected to fill. Everyone in her position did. People in her circle didn’t dream of what they would become, they didn’t try to change it, they just accepted what they were born into and that was what they worked towards. Hayami had been no different. But now- She blinked rapidly, her eyes darting to the table full of mostly untouched food. But now, all of that had been a waste. What good would any of it do her in this unknown territory?

“Yes, I would like for her to go with you. It will give you both a chance to get to know each other before the wedding. I would invite you to stay here for a time but as you said, your schedule is quite full.” She wondered, briefly, what her father would do if the Tsuchikage interrupted and said that he could make time to stay there, with them. What excuse he would use to backtrack and ensure that that didn’t happen. “Additionally, it will give my daughter time to adjust to the customs of your village and prepare for what you’ll expect of her as a wife.”

He rubbed at his chin, as though he were just now coming up with everything he wanted to say, though Hayami imagined this was all already well thought out. “Not immediately, no. Mio’s marriage to the Wind Daimyo’s son will be happening in several months time. Any time after that and before the year is over would be acceptable. Of course, you’ll be expected to attend the wedding with Hayami as we will use that opportunity to officially announce your engagement.”

Her stomach wouldn’t stop flip-flopping and she was incredibly glad that she hadn’t eaten any of the food on the table that she still stared at. She had always prided herself on being able to maintain her composure but it seemed even she wasn’t able to stand up under the pressure of a surprise engagement to the Tsuchikage. The fact that she was still sitting upright and hadn’t collapsed back in her chair was a testament to her self control. She kept expecting her father to ask her something, anything, but he didn’t. Perhaps he knew as well as she did that there was no telling what she might say if put under the spotlight in that moment.

“The details can be worked out at a later date. I’m sure you and your wife,” Hayami visibly winced at the word. “will have certain conditions for the wedding day. For the immediate time being, this agreement should stay on a need-to-know basis. After the announcement at my eldest daughter’s wedding, you may feel free to announce to your village how and when you see fit.” He offered no advice on how to explain Hayami’s presence in Iwa in the meantime.

“As you have not had a chance to prepare for her arrival, I am prepared to send any number of my staff with her that you feel you may need. If you inform me now, I can have them begin preparing.” Her father offered what most would see as a genuine smile. A sign of goodwill, of a kindness being offered. But Hayami knew that that wasn’t the case at all. Her father simply wanted to make sure that he would know how she was received and treated in the Tsuchikage’s village.

[Niro]

"Of course." Tatsuo replied, the smile meant for Hayami still gracing his lips but internally he was rolling his eyes at the politics he would now be forced to endure even more of. Of course this would be on a need-to-know basis, how was he going to explain this to anyone with half a brain? He was going to be devising the announcement and its details from now until it was actually out in the open. Although Iwagakure didn't suffer from much gossip, he was already dreading the headline of an unknown woman being moved into the Tsuchikage's manor. Suspicious women were much more Kotaru's wheelhouse.

"Whichever staff Hayami feels necessary. Although my manor is adequately staffed, I'm sure some familiar faces will be of some help while you get accustomed to the village," Tatsuo's gaze once more fell upon Hayami as he played off Musashi's smile. "Plus I'm sure my staff will take a minute to adjust to your needs as well. It'll aid all of us in this transition." The quicker they could prepare to leave, the better. But it also meant more quickly facing Natsumi. What a Catch-22. Tatsuo wanted to reach across the table and strangle the old man for this but he curbed the rising intent before trying to redirect the conversation towards something work related once more.

Tatsuo dove into the developments in locomotion gained from the conquering of Suna and how they had already been applying as many upgrades as they could reverse-engineer them. It wouldn't take long for them to match and then surpass the trains and railroads of the other nations but the real gem Tatsuo presented was the fact Kirigakure had gifted him a downed airship from Heart. Not only were they working on reverse-engineering the latest in trains from their enemies but their secrets of flight would soon be cracked as well. The meeting was quick to wrap up from there and the pair of shinobi were awkwardly escorted back to their rooms.

Tatsuo nearly flopped onto the bed as soon as Hayami closed the door and resisted the urge to yell into the bedding. Instead he walked over to the window and gazed out it into the sky above desperately searching for a star to wish on while awaiting the inevitable conversation with Kotaru about the insane happenings which had taken place in the Daimyo's office.

[Kao]

Kotaru's reaction, initially, was a blink that was so long and slow that it could have been mistaken for a brief moment of mediation. He must have misheard. Surely he was so focused on his fantasy of ripping apart the daimyo limb from limb that he missed Tatsuo respond with a firm, resounding 'No.' But as the two men kept talking it became evident that Kotaru had heard correctly. Incredibly, Tatsuo had agreed to the daimyo's demand.

He focused on a spot on Musashi's face, right between the man's eyes. Practically dissociating, Kotaru sat rigidly as Tatsuo droned on and on about staffing and conquests and whatever else he deemed important. The intensity of his glare never relented, but over time his near-crazed smile faded into a neutral, tight line. If anyone asked him later about what the two men discussed, Kotaru could have no clue. It wasn't as important as ensuring he continued to commit to the role as Tatsuo's guard. The Tsuchikage's staff.

Eventually they were led out of the room, but not before Kotaru levied a scowl at Musashi that clearly conveyed how much the bannin wanted nothing more than to mentally flay him. Soon after, the door to his bedroom closed with a soft click. Kotaru's head banged against the door with a loud thud. Eyes closed, he listened to Hayami's light footsteps until they disappeared down the hall. He allowed a few more seconds to pass before snatching open first his door, then Tatsuo's.

"Hey. Quick question. Have you lost your fuckin' mind?" He pulled the door closed without taking his eyes off of Tatsuo, waiting for the man to turn around. "Cause Natsumi is gonna kill you. Or better yet, she's gonna make a teeny tiny prison realm just for you and lock you in there for a few decades. And meanwhile I'll have to deal with the headache of finding your replacement. They might even want me to be interim until they find someone who actually wants the job."

In that room, in that moment, they weren't the Tsuchikage and his Right Hand. They were siblings, with the younger being very, very annoyed at his big brother. It was a dynamic that likely few expected, and one even fewer ever got to see. Kotaru pressed the heels of his palms against his eyes and rubbed them, sighing with the kind of drama that belonged in the most melodramatic of stage plays. "How could you do this to us?" They had enough problems to deal with. Keeping the people of their newly conquered lands in check, ensuring the security of their lengthened borders, and managing two vastly different economies and cultures were only a few bullet points on a long list. Now they needed to keep the daimyo happy in a way neither of them had anticipated.

Kotaru dragged his hands down his face until his eyes peeked through his fingers. "Tell me you actually have a plan and that you weren't just temporarily driven insane because of that girl's tits."

[Niro]

Tatsuo heard his brother before he even entered the room. The heavy steps of Kotas boots reverberated throughout the wood and served as plenty of warning after Hayami had been quick to excuse herself leaving just the two of them on the floor. His brief moment of respite was shattered as the door was flung open and slammed closed by his brother. He had expected a reaction of this sort from the younger Akari and let loose a laugh filled with genuine bewilderment, unlike the battery of fake laughs he had provided within the man's study meant to ease tensions.

"Fortunately for us both, I'm quite sane. The Daimyos lust for control has grown quite exuberant in his advanced age, he wants to put us under his thumb just as if we were anyone else. If I refused his deal, it wouldn't surprise me if there would be assassination attempts in the coming months or other forms of sabotage meant to destroy the faith placed within me by the people of the village. I'll give him what he wants for now, but sooner than later, it will all blow up in his face." Tatsuo continued to stare out the window and shrugged as the words fell from his lips. Kotaru wasn't wrong in his assessment but if there was one thing he learned over the years it was the fact there was always another obstacle before the finish line. No matter how far or how hard they pushed, there would always be something blocking the path.

"Natsumi very well may do exactly that. But she's smart and I have a feeling once she calms down and sees how this can be used to our advantage, she will come around. I'll have Hayami stay with us at the manor; it's big enough they won't have to see each other plus Natsumi's schedule is almost as insane as mine. Hopefully some 'exposure therapy' can help all three of us mingle well quickly.

"Ah, you wouldn't have to worry too hard about that. Ishidai is still kicking and as long as he isn't in the ground, they won't eye you for it just yet. Who knows, they might even look at Amaya first?"

Tatsuo teased his younger brother, a teasing smirk pulling at his lips. Although it was bleak a spare kage was always ready in case he perished, it also gave him a sense of peace that the village would be placed into the hands of someone he knew who cared. The selection of bannin hosted both within and outside of the walls of Iwa were impressive nowadays and he was confident even if he wasn't around the village was well protected.

"By the end of the next decade, Kota, I will be the next Daimyo."

[Kao]

"Amaya?" Each syllable was drenched in disgust. Kotaru, ever mercurial, dropped all semblance of exaggerated angst about the marriage and replaced it with ferocity and fire. He thought little of the Shoshiki as a clan, and even less of the woman who aimed to lead them. Years ago she had not made a good impression on him when the two of them had met with Kiri officials in order to arrange an intervillage event. Kotaru had a mind that was difficult to change and had disliked her ever since. He'd loudly opposed to her being promoted to bannin; he hated sharing the same title as her. "I'd go rogue before enduring her as kage. That, or stage a coup. Throw a spider at her and she's finished."

By then the man had simmered down enough that his arms were folded casually across his chest. He still looked at Tatsuo with an air of doubt, but his brother's even and confident tone had assuaged most of Kotaru's worries. One of them had to be the calm and well-adjusted one. Still, there wasn't much Tatsuo could say that would have convinced Kotaru that Natsumi wouldn't try to murder him at least once, especially with her competition - if you could call it that - living in the same house as her. For now he shrugged it off; if Tatsuo was willing to risk a bad back by being forced to sleep on a couch, then that was his burden.

Returning Tatsuo's smirk, Kotaru sauntered over to a loveseat that was nestled in between the two large windows of the room. He plopped down on it, kicking his feet up to rest on the small coffee table in front of it. He had just torn open one of the wrapped candies that was on the end table - of course they had prepared about a dozen more of them for the Tsuchikage than they had for Kotaru - when Tatsuo surprised him with a bold declaration. The bannin stopped, the dark chocolate poised in front of his lips as he stared at his brother.

He burst out with a low, rich laugh that was wrapped in malice. "I should have known. It's about time you've gotten tired of ingratiating with that bastard. Bootlicking doesn't suit you." Kotaru popped the chocolate in his mouth, savoring the flavor. The decadent treats were one of the only good things about this place. "Your timeline would go by a lot faster if you just let me have some fun with our Lord Daimyo." He paused thoughtfully, scratching an eyebrow, and then added, "What about the girl? We have to consider Musashi will try to use her as a spy. I could take care of that problem, too." As always, the Akari spoke of torture and murder as nonchalantly as one would talk about what they'd eat for dinner. For these two men, the two topics were sometimes one and the same.

[Niro]

Tatsuos smirk grew into a full blown grin and laugh as Kota nearly recoiled at the suggestion of Amaya being the next Tsuchikage. Once upon a time long ago, Amaya had been his competition for the seat before he had blossomed into the warrior he was today and she had been lost to the Catacombs for years. A rescue squad sent deep into the nests deep underground found her dessicated body and retrieved her. After quite the rehabilitation, the woman had proved her loyalty twice over by fighting on the front lines. Even if Kota wasn't sold on her, Tatsuo had seen the admiration in the eyes of the younger kunoichi when she passed during the Victory Parades. "She's grown into quite the kunoichi since then. I'd cut her some slack, she's rushed to the front lines twice now when she didn't need to. Plus, she'll be the Iwa representative in Suna soon enough. I need someone with strength and ambition to keep them in check and she fits the bill."

Tatsuo leaned against the open window sill and into the cool breeze skating past as he listened to Kotas suggestions. He shook his head with another laugh before turning to face his younger brother.

"Musashi is much too haughty. Luckily for him, I'm used to ignoring inflated old buffoons. I guess I can thank the Elders for something," Tatsuos eyes rolled so hard he was almost certain one fell out of its socket. "No, he's getting older. His health will soon become his main focus. If anything, we'll plant one of our shinobi here as a staff member to introduce daily...vitamins to assist him in his old age." Something colorless, odorless, and scentless that would slowly but surely have the man's already suspect health degrade even further, faster. He had plans for the eldest son as well; traveling half way across the world to assist his sister was noble but foolish. There was plenty that could go wrong on such a trip.

Tatsuo waved his hand in a dismissive manner at the thought of Hayami as a spy. "She looked the worst of us all. I have a feeling this has been as big a surprise to her as to me. I'll feel her out first and if there's some precaution to take...we'll look into them in the future. For now," He closed the blinds to the windows as the moon made it's appearance in the night sky. "I'm going for a walk. Don't eat too much candy."

A quick wink was all Tatsuo left Kota with as he exited his room and enjoyed a slow stroll through the mansion grounds before finally stopping at the eastern courtyard where he found the best view of the night sky and a comfortable gazebo to gaze at it from.

[Amy]

The stairs were not a comfortable place to rest but the young woman wasn’t sure she could make the rest of her descent without tumbling heels over head. She white knuckled the railing with both hands, her head resting against her forearms, waiting patiently for the pounding in her head and chest to stop. By the time the meeting had concluded, everyone satisfied, she had reforged her usual calm expression. She had led the Lord Tsuchikage and Lord Akari to their rooms without letting her expression falter. She had bowed, wishing them a good night without stuttering. She had walked away, her head high and her shoulders firmly set. But it had all been a show. And now, she had to put on another one.

Hayami carefully pulled herself up, making her way down the remainder of the steps. Her heels clicked loudly down the hallways and around the corners until she found herself at the doorway to her father’s office. He had moved back to his chair, his posture casual. Waiting for his daughter.

“Father,” she said, drawing his eyes away from the ceiling.

“Ah, you’ve returned. Very good. Sit, now, we haven’t much time.”

He motioned at one of the chairs on the opposite side of his desk. She knew that she should wait for him to speak. To tell her what he wanted to tell her, to give her her direction. Explain to her how she was supposed to handle this situation. But she couldn’t stay silent any longer.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” A casual question that implied so much more.

“My apologies,” he replied, not sounding apologetic at all. “Do I answer to you now?”

Her face flushed. “That’s not what I mean, Father. He is a married man. You could have given me a chance to prepare.”

“As my daughter, I expect you to always be prepared.”

“It is not respectable,” she said, her control slipping slightly. Her hands tightened on the arms of the chair, her voice trembling. “Not for your daughters. People will talk.”

He waved his hand at her with irreverence. As though she was complaining about new curtains or dinnerware. “No one will speak ill to you. Not with me as your father and the Tsuchikage as your husband. You will be untouchable, Hayami. And you will be incredibly useful to me. This is everything you have been groomed for and more.”

The rest of the conversation was as pointless as the beginning. He didn’t care about decorum. He didn’t care about the shame that swirled in her stomach and led her to skipping dinner entirely. There would be no rescinding the offer. There would be no compromise for her reputation, for her honor. There would be no point in even making such a request. Before she left his office she had been informed which staff would be sent with her. What she would be taking with her. When she would be visiting next. She had been informed of her expected behavior which could be boiled down to quite a simple standard. Give the Tsuchikage whatever he wants, be whoever he wants, and don’t get in his way. And report back as needed.

The conversation with her father had prevented her from being able to settle in for the night and she found herself wandering through the halls of their over-sized manor. The painted eyes of her ancestors were no more kind or understanding than her father’s though and so she soon slipped outside, heading towards the gardens. A bit of fresh air often helped to put things in perspective. Of course, there was no putting the current circumstance into perspective but that wasn’t going to stop her from trying. At the very least, she could enjoy some peace and quiet before the dread of tomorrow arrived. At least, that was what she believed before she saw the figure in the gazebo.

He was leaned forward against the railing, his face hidden from view but his red hair that glowed in the moonlight was unmistakable. Hayami hesitated. His back was to her, he hadn’t seen her. But she didn’t doubt that he knew she was there somehow. She didn’t want to seem a coward by running away. So slowly, her feet moved her forward, step by step until she had to lift her skirts to step into the gazebo. If he hadn’t known she was there before he would now, as her shoes clacked against the wood.

“It’s a beautiful night,” she said as she came to stand behind him, her face lifted towards the moon. “Lord Tsuchikage.” Silence suffocated her as she kept her eyes glued to the night sky. Afraid that if she looked at him, she would crumble where she stood.

“I expect that this trip has not been the type of fruitful that you expected it to be,” she said, her voice sounding much more confident than she felt. “I fear I may offend you,” she continued, uncertainty slipping into her tone. “But I find that I am overcome with a desire to apologize to you and I hope that it can stay between us.” If her father heard of this conversation, the consequences would be vast. “I assure you that my father’s plans have been as much of a shock to me as they have been to you.” Her trembling hands fell to the railing as she stayed a healthy distance from the Tsuchikage, silence overcoming them once again. “I have no intention of coming between you and your wife,” she finally found the courage to say. “These aspirations belong to my father only. I can only be sorry that you have gotten caught up in them and reassure you that I do not intend to bring problems into your home.”

[Niro]

Tatsuo felt the reverberations of her steps echo through the concrete path and wooden frame of the gazebo before anything else. Detecting the subtle tremors in the ground and air very few could replicate to allow him to track people no matter where they were was nearly a second nature to him at this point. The click of Hayamis heels against the path followed immediately after and he had to once again hold back a laugh, this time at fate's timing, or, maybe, fate's insistence, as she paused momentarily on her walk towards him. Tatsuos gaze was focused upwards and locked onto the full moon hanging low in the sky above them as he leaned against the railing immediately next to a crosscutting pillar. Very few clouds crowded the sky and allowed the heavenly body to shine brightly down upon them as it continued its ascent.

Someone had discovered their courage; the footsteps behind him ended and he listened without interruption as she found her voice. A faint smile once more tugged at his lips as she tried to explain her innocence and lack of desire to conform to her fathers wishes. He could detect no lies in her words and the faint tremor in her voice only aided in proving to him she had known nothing about Musashi's stunt in the study. It didn't mean she was free of his influence, however. She was placing trust in him to keep this between them and Tatsuo felt it only kind to respond with similar honesty in return.

"That father of yours is quite the cunning bastard, or at least he thinks he is, huh?" Tatsuo asked as his gaze remained firmly locked onto the moon. "Doesn't he know shinobi specialize in subterfuge and information?" He shook his head and a short laugh did tumble free of his lips as he did so before falling quietly once again. A part of him was glad there was no intentions to come between him and Natsumi but leaving her entirely on the outs would surely prove disastrous with Musashi.

"Do you think you could handle it?" Tatsuo posed the question. Seven simple words that carried a multitude of questions behind them. "My clan, the Akari, are known throughout the Elemental Nations for devouring our own kinsmen. While Kotaru and I have recently been able to...cull the practice of such, it was that way for a long time." He began to explain as a somber tone crept into his voice. "My first memory is my father defending me from another clan member. And then choking down parts of his entrails to gain his strength. That was the norm for the longest time for Akari children. Either that or become someone else's snack."

"And out of all of those horrible creatures, I rose out of them as their most infamous; the Bloody Demon of the Akari." A mirthless laugh escaped him as he recited his epithet. "They tell stories about me to the youngest children nowadays in the clan. Scary stories meant to frighten those children into behaving. Definitely wasn't something I ever expected to hear about me." Memories of his brothers death flashed through his mind dogging at him as silence once more filled the space.

"I was told Kotaru had brought back basically a single chunk of me after my final battle in the Great War. It had taken months for me to heal, even with all my abilities and the best medical shinobi in the world. Months of my family and loved ones waiting in limbo to see if I'd live or die. Luckily for them, maybe not so much for us now, I'm a really hard bastard to keep down." Tatsuos eyes slid to look at her in his peripheral as he spoke, his tone laced with a hint of joviality that had been missing all evening.

"If you think you can keep up, I'll deal with Natsumi and we can at the very least give it an honest shot." He turned to face her, the moon casting a shadowed hue over his already darkened face only lit up by the unnatural glow of his violet eyes and a sincere grin stretched across his lips as if he was a devil meant to ensnare her away from her fathers clutches.

"Can you handle it?"

[Amy]

“We have lived very different lives.”

A cold breeze drifted gently through the gardens and the gazebo, rustling the leaves and brushing Hayami’s hair away from her face. She didn’t turn to face him, not yet. Not as his words swirled through her head and forced her into more than one uncomfortable realization. It wasn’t as though she was ignorant on the types of lives the shinobi in the hidden villages had. She read reports and heard stories both second and first hand from those involved and had presumed them to be the normal. To a degree, she had developed an understanding that the lives of the nobles and the lives of the shinobi ran parallel to each other. She was beginning to understand that this was not the case at all.

“Compared to you and your brother,” she said, remembering how he had referred to Lord Akari to her father. “I have lived a very easy, very privileged life. Of course, I’ve always been aware of this fact. It would be difficult not to be when I’m surrounded by all of this. I don’t believe anyone has ever made it so painfully obvious, though, intentional or not.”

Her voice was soft but no longer trembling. Neither were her hands. She knew nothing about the man who stood at her side watching her. Nothing beyond the stories that she had been told and what he had just told her. And yet, official or not, they were now betrothed. She had never dared to hope she would get to choose her husband but the pool of possibilities had been small. Men she had known since they were boys. Men she had watched grow. Whichever had been chosen, it wouldn’t have mattered much as her life would have been mostly the same no matter what. Boring and uneventful. Full of meetings and parties and little quips meant to impress and show up those around them. Exactly the same as her life was currently.

“My first memory is of this garden in bloom. Running down the walkway, desperate to see as many colors as I could while my mother called after me. She did not chase me, of course, as that would have been improper.” Hayami raised her face further towards the moon, a small smile playing across her lips. “I would not say that my life has been perfect. But it’s hard not to think that it might be when for me, this is the worst thing that has ever happened.”

Her hands slipped off of the railing as she finally turned to face him. She clasped them softly in front of her, meeting his gaze with bated breath. For the first time since her father had shocked them with his plan she really looked at the Tsuchikage. Unconsciously, her shoulders squared as she gazed up at him. Preparing herself for a battle that she never expected to be in.

“I wish that I could say with confidence that I could handle it. That I can shoulder the reputation of your clan. Of you. Of your brother. Your position and the light that it will cast upon me. I wish that I could tell you that I have been preparing for this my entire life and that it will be easy for me.” Her head tilted slightly to the side, hands clasping together tighter. “But I think that would be foolish of me. I cannot make that type of promise to you. But I can make a different one.”

She took a step forward, closing a little bit of the large gap that existed between them. “I can promise you that I will try to keep up. That I will do my best to learn how to thrive in your village and handle whatever it throws at me.” An unwitting smile tugged at the corners of her mouth, teased into existence by the one on the Tsuchikage’s face. “I’ve never turned away from a challenge before. I suppose I see no reason to begin now.”

[Niro]

What a privileged life. It was heavenly compared to the practices he had suffered through under the Akari and even the new normal she was being thrust into. Tatsuo was nearly certain Hayami had done something horrible to be pawned off and married to a brute like himself as a punishment from her father. He felt like the obvious reasons were much too little for it, even as grand as they were in the bigger picture, as he studied her face intently for the first time in the moonlight. Between their arrival and the meeting, he had kept only to glances here and there or when he was required to talk to her so. But now, they were betrothed, albeit forcefully. The green of her eyes reminded him of emeralds mined deep from beneath Iwagakure and he found himself fighting to keep from getting lost in them as she spoke.

"That's all I can ask for. The world he's forced you isn't kind, it's anything but that to be frank. However, I'll do my best to shield you from the worst of it." Tatsuo promised as he took his own step single forward in response to her own. He looked down at her, his eyes wanting to wander down to the cleavage Kotaru had so inelegantly brought up earlier. He kept his eyes locked firmly with hers but the desire gnawed at him. They were to be married, he could sneak a peak. Right? Now he was even fighting himself. Keeping the urge at bay, he reached up towards a stray lock of hair that had escaped its place in her walk up the gazebo steps. Tatsuos calloused finger slid along the shell of her ear as he tucked it back into place before beginning to walk towards those same gazebo steps on his way back to his room.

"I look forward to seeing how you'll face the challenge of stealing my attention from Natsumi." Tatsuo laughed one last time as he looked back at her over his shoulder as he made his way down the gazebo stairs. His own challenge over the next few days before they left would be to not strangle Musashi whenever the pair would meet. He had a feeling his cheeks were going to hurt from fake smiling so much on the way home at this point. "I'll see you in the morning at breakfast, dear." An exaggerated teasing tone inundating the words as the click of his sandals against the stone path began to fade away.

[Kao]

Kotaru toyed with the thought that he should eat every piece of candy in the room just to spite his brother. There were half a dozen reasons he wanted to annoy Tatsuo. Near the top of the list was his mere mention of the Akari elders. If Tatsuo had been anyone else, Kotaru - as the newly self-appointed leader of the clan - would have torn him a new one for even bringing up those bastards. There was also the idea that the daimyo should be slowly poisoned. That was the most boring option possible next to just waiting for the man to die on his own, and Kotaru was always deeply annoyed whenever Tatsuo didn't indulge him in his more nefarious predilections. But at the top of the list was the fact that Tatsuo seemed to care about his new fiancee's feelings.

Unconvinced that the girl wasn't in on it, Kotaru waited exactly four minutes and sixteen seconds after Tatsuo's depature before he pushed open a window and climbed out of it. Once on the roof he took a moment to take in the scenery below, noting the layout of the huge villa and the grounds around it. Without a sound he walked across the tiles, pulling his mask back over the bottom half of his face for good measure. It didn't take him long to spot Tatsuo meandering across the grounds, looking far from out of place within the opulent and meticulously manicured garden. A cool breeze blew from the east, bringing with it the scent of his approaching soon-to-be sister-in-law.

If the two wanted privacy, they were in the wrong place. The bannin leaped from the roof, landing catlike behind a line of dense shrubbery. He was close enough that he didn't have to strain to hear them, and Kotaru watched, unmoving, as his elder brother laid out the unsavory truths of their clan and of his upbringing. The same cool breeze that brushed past Hayami rustled Kotaru's hair, and he couldn't help but think that the wind brought with it whispers of a brewing storm. The garden seemed to shudder in anticipation.

Evidently, the space around the Tsuchikage and his bride was resistant to the sense of dark, impending change. Tatsuo, despite his reputation as a war-mongering beast, was a charming man and knew how to lay it on thick. Kotaru shook his head when his brother tucked a strand of hair behind the woman's ear, and he brushed away the fleeting thought that the two of them together could have been absolute menaces with women. But the older Akari had other ambitions. Kotaru lived almost solely to ensure those ambitions came to light, and he did so by embracing living within shadows. No matter what role Hayami ended up playing, the kage's right hand would ensure it was to their advantage. Enveloped in calm determination, Kotaru slipped away silently as the stars twinkled overhead, oblivious to the black intentions brewing in the darkness below.