The sound of deep breathing filled the air, two separate rhythms to it as both twins napped peacefully that seemed to nonetheless work together. They had been exhausted from a day spent running around and playing, and visiting family friends. The pair were peaceful upon the mat they shared, each sleeping on their side, their backs pressed together much as they might have slept in their mother’s womb ten years ago. The okiya which sat on the border of Iwagakure and Kumogakure was a warm place despite the temperature outside, so there was no need for a blanket for the exhausted twins. The room they were in belonged to one of the more senior Geisha who was in another portion of the Okiya sharing some tea with several others, giving the twins a chance to get some much-needed rest without being disturbed.

Yet, this would be for naught. Within minutes, in a carefully planned attack, the Okiya would be struck by those with darkness and evil seeded within their hearts. Doors busted open, windows smashed to provide entrance to the bottom floors. The noise was sudden and startling, causing several to cry out in fright. The noise startled Zaylee awake, putting her on alert almost immediately. With eyes open she listened intently, daring not to move for a moment in case it would draw unwanted attention in the direction of her brother and herself. Taking a second or two to sense the area around herself, taking note that the upstairs room the pair were in had not yet been breached by whatever madness was making its way into the Okiya below, she knew she had to act quickly. Shifting on the mat she covered her twin’s mouth to keep him from making a sound as she gently shook him awake. ”Mamoru, wake up. Something bad is happening downstairs.”, she would whisper with urgency, watching as her twin had much the same reaction to being awoken as she did: wide eyed, quiet, judging the world around him for a moment before daring to move.

Before Zaylee could add more a voice ran out from below, cold and dark, authoritative, “Search the place, turn it upside down if you have to. Bring all the women and girls down here, kill any men or boys around. Spare none of them or it’ll be your heads rolling at the end of my sword.” Feeling Mamoru tense, knowing well the fear surging through her twin as he heard these words clearly too, Zaylee knew she would have to act quickly. Getting up from their shared sleeping mat as the sound of heavy footsteps began to make their way towards the stairs and them up them, she half dragged and half helped walk her twin over to the closet. Earlier that day the Geisha whose room they were sharing had revealed a hidden panel with the closet that would have been otherwise overlooked, a place she used to store the most valuable kimono and jewelry she had, as well as other precious items. With haste Zaylee popped the panel free, finding that there were just enough space for Mamoru to fit if he curled himself up.

As if realizing what it was she was about to do Mamoru began to resist, shaking his head no. “No, I won’t hide while they come for you…”--- his words were cut off as Zaylee shoved him inside, ignoring his pleas. With the board in hand that would block the secret area she took one last hard look at her twin while trying to hide so well the look of damnation upon her own face.

”They won’t kill me, I’m female, but if they see you you will die. Stay hidden and stay quiet, no matter what you hear, Mamoru. I will find a way to get in touch with mamma and daddy.”, was all she managed to get out before shoving the board in place as quietly as possible, rearranging the things in the closet so that they were in front of the board, making it look like nothing was disturbed. Heading out of the closet she managed to close it behind herself, giving a nod to Riku who had been watching with rapt attention from the open window where she was perched. ”We can’t fight them off ourselves. Go find my parents.” After receiving a hard look from the harpy eagle she watched as the bird turned, spread its wings, and was gone as well. Making her way to the window, hoping there would be some means of escape for herself as well, she didn’t make it more than halfway across the room before the door was burst open causing Zaylee to freeze.

“Such a little Geisha you are. You’ll fetch us a high price.”, spoke the same cold and evil voice that had given orders only moments prior to kill any male they saw. Realizing with her attire - a midnight blue knee length kimono with white thigh length tobi socks - she looked exactly like the rest of the Geisha below and those who were being dragged from their rooms around her, she knew well the game she would have to play if she wished to remain alive. Acting as the helpless victim for now, having no other choice, she watched as the man came towards her, grabbing her by her shoulder and steering her out of the room after giving it a once over to ensure that no one was left inside: her brother was safe, for now at least. She was led downstairs, and shoved over to where the other Geisha were, sobs and crying filling their ears. The more beautiful of the bunch, or those who were young, stood with Zaylee while the others - the older and more senior of the Geisha - had the darkest of deeds forced upon them right then and there. It seemed to last for an eternity, but she knew it was no more than twenty minutes before the man who seemed to be the leader of the bunch ordered for them to get moving, leaving the women who had been abused broken but still alive.

Zaylee and the rest were led to a large cage that had been loaded onto the back of a cart pulled by horses, and one by one, or two by two they were shoved inside before the heavy steel door was slammed behind them and locked. More shouts, more orders, and the group was on its way, heading away from the Okiya and to the gods only knew where.

In desperation Riku searched, the harpy eagle making use of the skies to try and find and locate Amaya and Daremo, circling back from time to time to keep an eye on the group that moved slowly - a group that contained Zaylee. It wouldn’t be long before she found the dead remains of the Infinity Gang, killed not that long ago. Swooping down the bird ripped forth with sharp talons a piece of flesh containing the Infinity Gang symbol, flying overheard until she felt rather than saw familiar signatures. Swooping low she cawed out in anger and fear, taking in the appearance of Amaya and Daremo seated with another. Seeing Amaya lift her arm after spotting her Riku landed upon it, dropping the bloody piece of flesh onto her lap so that the symbol showed. The woman’s reaction was expected, realizing immediately that something was wrong. Her questions were aggravating, but Riku attempted to answer them as best she could without the ability to speak - piping softly for no, and cawing when Amaya got something right. As Amaya seemed to realize the twins weren’t together, and mentioned Daremo following Riku since she knew where Zaylee was while she headed home to find Mamoru, Riku simply waited, taking to the skies the moment Daremo was prepared to follow her.

---

1,325

With the conversation finally coming to an end, Daremo’s attention refocused on those who were left behind at the Okiya. He needed to return to them, to make sure his family was okay, and tell them of what had happened. He needed to inform the matriarch of the Infinity Gang movement and tell her it was time for them to go further underground. Though as much as he might not like it, his extended family will need to get in contact with former contacts that did not involve in the selling/trading of slaves. It was the only way to keep the Infinity Gang off their back. For while there were many scums in the underworld, there was some who had a shred of a moral compass, at least towards women and children, and it would be those who needed to be contacted as soon as possible.

“Came to Iwagakure no Sato for a vacation, needed up dealing with nuisances again.  Tell me why we came back here?” He could not answer the beast question thoroughly. Why he loved Tsuchi no Kuni for everything it has done and taught him, he had grown tired of dealing with some of the darker parts of the underworld. They have become a chore, unlike a hobby that his younger self enjoyed. Maybe that just showed his age? Who knows. Normally, he would have left the clearing via body flicker, it is the fastest means of travel, but for some reason, he chose to walk back to the Okiya, following Amaya.

He would not manage to get far before seeing a frantic Riku swooping down towards him and Amaya. The bird holding a piece of flesh with a familiar symbol on it - the Infinity Gang. For a splitting second, Daremo’s blood ran cold, and a multitude of emotions ran amuck within him as the thoughts of what the pests were doing to his little girl. The beast within him was oddly quiet. It did not rage nor make any attempt at breaking out the cage. It just laid on the floor, its single eye open, and showing nothing more malice and hatred, “Focus. Do not let your emotions control you.  Do not be foolish and fly off the handle. Your mind needs to be focused on the task at hand, and that is killing those who got our daughter.”

Almost like a switch, Daremo calmed down, taking a deep breath and exhaling it. His animal side was correct. Emotions could not be allowed to run rampant, and cloud his, unless he wished for death. He needed a clear mind to focus on the task at hand. Yet, at the same time, he could not help but wonder if this could be prevented if it was not for Mizuki. If she had not wanted to make plans in dealing with Hastur then he and Amaya would have been home. Either one of them could have dealt with the Infinity Gang, thus, preventing whatever happened from occurring. Yet, instead, they were caught up talks about how to deal with Hastur, while important, he could have cared less for Kumogakure no Sato.

“Makes you wonder, eh? For a hermit who cares for the life of others. She does not seem to care about the movements of the Infinity Gang. I mean, we did find information regarding their plans, and what does she do? Offers us tea, and makes talk about saving Kumo. Granted, she had no knowledge of our children being in Iwagakure no Sato as well, but, still, she condemns others just to talk about a plan that could have been made at any time. And let's not talk about Iwagakure no Sato, the Infinity Gang been a problem since the time of your tenure, and yet, nothing has been done about them. Almost seems like Iwagakure no Sato is using the Infinity Gang for their own means. I mean, one could always count on the Infinity Gang, if a mission is needed. So, it is profitable to keep them around.” The beast said. Daremo could not fault anything that his animal side said. Yes, it does seem like Mizuki cared little for the well-being of the other Geishas and women who were being kidnapped by the Infinity Gang. She seemingly only cared about liberating Lightning Country from a tyrant, who, as far as he knew, has only been, allegedly, tied in with the Jashin Cult. Liberation does not happen overnight, it takes time to free the people, and they had plenty of that when it came to Kumo. If she really cared for Kumo then she would have not been hiding out in the mountains for so long while those in Kumo was be suppressed. It did not make sense to him.

Focusing on Amaya asking Riku questions, Daremo mind started to formulate a plan of action for getting Zaylee out of harm way. He knew not what would be waiting for him upon arriving at the camp, thus, he must be prepared for the worse. “Make sure Mamoru is okay.”, He spoke, looking at Amaya. He had not forgotten about his son. While he did not know if Mamoru was alive or not, the Infinity Gang was notorious for killing males who did not comply with their wishes or ideas. Kami forbid anything happens to his children.

Having said what was needed, Daremo took off, following Riku to the location of the camp. “Daremo. . . You know I was formed when you died when attempting to learn Komodo Sage Mode. Your soul fracture, and splintered. I am your animalistic side. The side who will fight to the death for our loved ones. The side who will kill those who dare to hurt them. I have no care for those who touch which is ours. Since your revival, I had seen your growth as a person. I have seen everything you been through. I know the secrets you hide. We have been separated for a long time, but, now, I think it is time for us to become one. Our children were attacked. Our children were attacked. It is time for us to come together, once and for all, and deal with those who harmed them.” Daremo could not agree more with the statement, thus, the cage containing his animalistic side was open. The beast smiling softly as it begins to dissolve into nothingness, merging with his human side for good.

The terrain around Daremo was like a blur. The colors mixed in together as he sped across the terrain. Chakra pulse outwardly, giving him a wide awareness of where everyone or everything was located. Following Riku down a valley between two mountains, Daremo noted how similar the area was compared to the last fight with the Infinity Gang. When Riku went up the side of a mountain, Daremo followed. A familiar weight perched on his shoulder as Hiretsu joined him as he came to a stop overlooking an encampment belonging to the Infinity Gang. Though, he cared not for who it belongs to, but, rather the familiar signature of Zaylee, that he felt.

---

1188

As the Infinity Gang and their helpless prisoners, still caged in steel, came to a stop Zaylee got a look of the area that would be serving as camp - or so she assumed as she watched supplies being unloaded at the orders of a stout but bulky man with fiery red hair that was untamed and matched his thick beard. The man reminded her of a dwarf from a children’s story, except he had a cruelness and coldness in his beady black eyes that could make ones skin crawl when he looked at you. Fires were lit up, and tents pitched, while the women with the cage seemed for the moment ignored - though this wasn’t something that would last long as several males made their way over making crude gestures and eyeing the girls and women within the cage like nothing more than cattle. The cage was opened, and several women pulled out, only one returning after a stern bark from the leader of this group demanding she be return because she was ‘expensive cargo’.

Thinking quickly, and having no idea if Riku had found where it was her parents had gone or not, thus under the assumption she was alone, Zaylee knew she needed a way to get out of the cage. Knowing that she was one of the ones considered ‘expensive cargo’ as was mentioned earlier, a plan came to mind that was simple and which would hopefully work in her favor. Moving behind the women so that she was out of sight she formed a single red senbon within her hand. Steeling herself for the pain that was to come she thought quickly of where it was she needed the senbon to hit while also knowing she could repair any damage that was made with haste. Clenching her teeth together she stabbed the senbon into her right thigh without hesitation, feeling the senbon do exactly as she thought it had. Only after the senbon disappear from sight did she let out a cry of pain, causing the attention of several women with the cage to turn upon her. Clutching her side she waited as the guards exchanged looks before opening the cage once more and pulling out of it roughly. Within seconds she found the leader standing over her, roughly pulling up her kimono enough to look at the wound which was becoming blackened. Whatever response she was expecting it was not the one she got: the dwarf of a man immediately unsheathed an axe and embedded it into the nearest gaurd’s skull. “YOU LET MY PACKAGE GET DAMAGED?! Let that be a lesson to you. If another of my expensive girls gets hurt you’ll all pay the price for it.” As the man finished speaking he hauled Zaylee up, throwing her over his shoulder with ease and walking towards a large tent with her. Instead of struggling Zaylee allowed it to happen, knowing that if she attacked him openly hell would be rained down upon her from all sides.

Once inside the tent, thankfully located on the outskirts of the camp, she was tossed somewhat unceremoniously onto a bed mat. To a female Infinity Gang member he would grunt, pointing at Zaylee. “She has an injury, looks infected. Heal her, she’s worth more than you and your family in ryo. If she dies I’ll hold you responsible for it.” With his orders barked he headed back outside, leaving Zaylee alone with the woman who looked at her as if she were more of a hassle than she was worth. Knowing that she had to wait to strike Zaylee watched as the woman came over, roughly pulling up the side of her kimono, damaging the fabric with her calloused hands. The woman inspected her wound for a moment, making a soft tsk of a noise to herself at the damage of it, before standing back up and turning to walk away over to her medical supplies she had laid out - basic supplies, nothing that spoke of what the woman was capable of. With the woman’s back to her Zaylee reached into her sleeve, pulling forth from it the hidden scroll within. Unsealing a kunai Zaylee made quick work in summoning up a blue senbon which she jabbed into her leg, immediately beginning the reversal of the damage she had done to herself.

Moving through the pain she made her way silently up behind the woman who thankfully was not very tall, grabbing the woman’s hair she bent her head backwards before she could cry out, and cut a deep line across the woman’s throat, slitting it from ear to ear. Ignoring how easy it was for her to take a life she carefully lowered the woman’s body to the ground, not wanting to create a disturbance that might draw unwanted attention from those around. After a quick glance towards the entrance, finding it still closed, she slipped to the back of the tent, kunai still in hand, and lifted the bottom flap to peer out into the darkness. It took her eyesight but a moment to adjust from the dim light inside and seeing that the coast was clear she slipped out.

Unfortunately, Zaylee didn’t get more than roughly twenty feet from the tent before a shout of alarm came from the leader who had poked his head in to check on the progress: Zaylee gone, out of sight, and his lackey lying dead and bleeding out on the floor with her throat slit. “THE CHILD ESCAPED! VIA IS DEAD. FIND THE GIRL! DO NOT KILL HER.”, the shout was heard throughout the camp, alerting any and all within it to Zaylee’s escape. Pulling the scroll from her sleeve Zaylee focused on the movement of those nearest to her, unsealing weapon after weapon and sending them flying towards the enemy: eyes, throats, chests, the weapons found their mark with ease: the child, instead of panicking, seemingly calm as she killed or maimed one after another while making her way as far from the camp as she could get. This was her training kicking in: panic would do her no good in this situation, what she needed was the calm and deadly focus she had now. While she wanted to break down and cry, to run home to her parents, she had to get herself out alive first and to do that she needed to keep her head and her wits about her. Yes, kill them all. Don’t leave any of them alive., came a voice in her head, the beast who had been awake since her kidnapping finally deciding to speak. ’That’s easier said than done, there’s so many of them…I am just one person.’ Chuckling came from the beast the resided within her mind, Oh, but child, you are not alone. Your father is near. Fear not.

She didn’t have time to question how the beast knew, but she did know that it would not have spoken such words to her if it was not true. The idea that her father was close gave her a renewed strength, as did the sight of Riku diving from the sky, landing on a member of the Infinity Gang’s head that was nearing her from behind, the bird pecking at the person’s eyes until they were blind and taking off again to attack another as the first hit the ground screaming and holding their face and head. Yet another weapon would fall into Zaylee’s hand which she sent soaring straight and true into another enemy: seven dead, the toll kept rising.

---

1,275 | 2,600

Being rash in this situation would not bold well for anyone, thus, Daremo did not react when he saw Zaylee been treated like a sack of potatoes, and thrown over the bandit leader shoulder, and carried to another tent. Only thanks to his senses that he realized Zaylee was not being harmed by the leader, nor the other person within the tent. He had noted, even from the distance, he was at, the discoloration of her flesh, something which only the Guanyin needle could cause. Having an idea of what was going to transpire, he created two raiton clones and watched them moved around the bandit encampment, and station near the backside of the medical tent. The clones having the order to protect Zaylee, and, if needed, remove her from the battlefield.

As a few seconds passed, Daremo watched as the bandit leader peeked his head into the medical tent, and suddenly shouted. A smirk appeared on the silver-haired male face as the bandit leader raged on about Zaylee’s escape. That was his little princess, finding a means to escape a situation by herself. The training she had to undergo was paying off. . . for now. Instead of acting, Daremo watched patiently, citrine eyes locking on Zaylee as she made her move throughout the encampment. With there no signs of her being injured, he could only assume she had healed the self-afflicting wound. Good.

Meanwhile, the clones were moving through the came, silently killing any bandit who dared to get too close to Zaylee. The clones did not bother in making the men nor women suffer, each death happened before the brain could properly register it. The clones had a mission to protect Zaylee, and that is what they were going to do. They would leave the torture to the original one if he so pleased to do so. Thus, the pair continued on with removing opposing threats, while also keeping an eye out on Zaylee, making sure she was okay and protected.

Having enough of just watching, Daremo announced his presence by releasing the restraints on his chakra. In a fifty meter radius, the world stood still as an unnatural presence descended upon them all. Humans and animals froze in horror as their mind tries to devolved into a primal state of either fight or flight. The bandits who chose to flee were cut down without mercy by the clones, their whip-like blades removing limbs and heads with incredible ease. Those who stay was unable to move as Daremo touched down on the ground; the grass and vegetation dying as if the male was the embodiment of death.

Words held no place with Daremo as he leisurely walked through the encampment, those who he passing screamed in agony as their flesh started to bubble up and blistered, the smell of decay hung in the air as skin began to turn black, withering up and rotting off, exposing the inner muscles that were suffering the same fate. Citrine eyes focused on the bandit leader, a greenish aura surrounding Daremo, blocking a earth dragon that was fired in his direction. “So you can move.”, were the only words spoken, as Daremo stepped towards the small stature man. His right hand reached out and wrapped around the male’s neck. Lifting the male up, citrine eyes bore into the male, looking at him as if he was nothing.

Flickering his gaze towards Zaylee, Daremo set the male back down, and let go of him. As he walked away, the male began to scream, and much like his companions, his flesh was beginning to slowly rot away. The screams would not last for long as his vocal cords were eaten through by the necrotic energy, resulting in nothing more than pitiful groans from the male. Daremo did not feel like playing with his food. There was no joy in killing insects like the bandits. They had wronged him, thus, they only got to live for as long as he deemed it such. Asides, if he tortured them, what was to say something could happen to Mamoru and Amaya? It was because of him wasting time that this had happened.

“Take Zaylee to the cliff.”, Daremo spoke to the one clone, watching as the clone did what was asked, along with moving the slaves away. Only after they were out of range, did a blackish chakra was released from him, covering a forty-five-meter radius. Life ceased to exist as everything in range contracted necrosis. Flesh began to rot off, leaving behind nothing more than bones with black markings on them. Recalling his chakra, Daremo looked around at the destruction he caused, noting well of every decease body. A pulse of chakra was sent out, as eh checked to make sure no survives remained, and he found none. With his mission done, he body flickered to the cliff where Zaylee was.

Immediately, his arms wrapped around Zaylee, bringing her into an immense hug, “My little princess. Daddy is sorry that he was away.”, the words were spoken, even as a few tears spilled from his eyes. The danger of the situation finally hit Daremo. He could have very well lost his daughter if he did not make it here in time. He could have very well arrived late, and witness his daughter being raped, as many other girls have. If he did not act fast enough, he could have lost his daughter. The mere thought of that, and knowing how lucky it was, tears flowed from the eyes of a man who rarely shred them.

“My little princess.” he murmured, holding onto Zaylee, and engulfing her in as much love as he possibly could. Pulling away from his daughter, glossy citrine eyes glanced over her, “Are you okay? Are you injured? Did they do anything to you? What happened?”, He asked, caring not for those around him, instead, wanting to make sure his daughter was okay, and finding out what happened. The other females did not matter to him, only his daughter. His daughter that he could have lost.

---

1012

Thanks to the heads up from the beast within her mind Zaylee wasn’t at all surprised to see two clones of her father arrive behind her, killing those who would have caused her harm before they could even try. While killing each and every one of the bandits was certainly appealing she could only imagine what her father had in store for them, so she left with the clones and the women who had been rescued from the steel cage they had been held within. She watched from the cliff as death came to those who remained below, her citrine gaze once filled with love and happiness and laughter now dark and cold, calculating and hard. It wouldn’t last long before every last member of the Infinity Gang was dead, their corpses horrible looking.

And then she watched as her father disappeared, though she knew he wouldn’t be gone for long. Sure enough he body flickered nearby her, wrapping her up in a hug. Perhaps it was the hug, perhaps it was her father’s words and the fact that he was crying, or perhaps it was the feeling of safety that his hug brought to her, but in that moment Zaylee felt her knees go weak as she clung to her father. Her body trembled as she sobbed, tears streaming down her cheeks as her emotions finally came to the surface. As she trembled and sobbed she clung to her father, taking a moment before she began to collect herself. Sniffling she released her hold, allowing her father to pull away enough to give her a look over. ”I’m okay. They didn’t do anything to me.”, she paused, wondering where to begin, ignoring the women who were terrified and sobbing around her the same as her father was: to keep her head about her she needed to focus on him and not them, his presence gave her strength, and in that moment she desperately needed it. ”I don’t know what brought this on. Mamoru and I were napping, I woke up when I heard a commotion downstairs. I woke Mamoru up, and I heard the bandit leader give instructions to kill the men and boys. Earlier that day I had found that one of the Geisha had a secret cupboard in their closet. I told Mamoru to hide, but he didn’t want to. I knew they wouldn’t kill me, but they would kill him. I got him to hide and piled stuff up in front of the hiding spot so no one would think he was in there. I didn’t have time to escape though, I only had enough time to send Riku off to find you and mamma.” As she mentioned the bird she felt a familiar weight land upon her shoulder as Riku landed upon it, piping quietly at her. Automatically Zaylee reached up, gently running her fingers along the birds chest as she knew Riku enjoyed.

”The bandit leader grabbed me, took me downstairs. Some of the men they were… hurting the women. The rest of us were loaded into a cage and ended up here. I knew I couldn’t do anything from inside the cage, and I didn’t know if Riku had found you and mamma yet. They were pulling women out of the cage to defile them further. I injured myself so that they’d release me - the bandit leader had called me an expensive prize, so I figured he wouldn’t want me injured. He took me into a tent, ordered the woman there to heal me, threatened her life if she didn’t manage to do so. I waited until her back was turned, pulled out a weapon, and slit her throat. I then escaped out the back of the tent. The beast told me that you were nearby while I was killing some of them and trying to escape…”, she paused then, having nothing else to add to the story. She was curious if her brother was okay, as well as her mother, and it seemed she wouldn’t have to wait long as Amaya body flickered into existence. The woman was covered in blood but without a single wound on her: making Zaylee wonder if she had either been injured and healed herself, or was covered in the blood of her enemies. She placed Mamoru down who had been upon her back. The two raced forward, crossing the distance between them both, and enveloping them in hugs: her brother unharmed.

“Sissy!”, Mamoru called out as he wrapped his arms around his twin, clinging to her as she clung to him. “Are you okay?! You saved me! They killed all the other boys…” Tears streamed down her cheeks once more that matched her brother’s as they hugged.

Amaya, after looking over her daughter and then Daremo for any injuries, and hugging her family, glanced down the cliff at all of the corpses below. “Mamoru told me what Zaylee did. The leader said to kill all of the males. She hid him away to save him, but got caught. They had no idea he was there, but they trashed the place. A few of the women were injured, and it seems they faced the same fate as the other women we saved earlier.”

It was this that caused Zaylee to release her brother from the hug, her citrine colored gaze shifting to her parents as curiosity filled them. ”Other women? What’s been going on?”, she asked suddenly, glancing at her brother who was equally as curious as she was. She knew this was perhaps not the best place to have this conversation, but her curiosity knew no bounds, and she needed the distraction to keep her from breaking down into tears once more. Even now she reached up and wiped away the annoying wetness that was rolling down her cheeks: she didn’t cry often, and she hated doing so.

---

995 | 3,595

Daremo’s grip on Zaylee tightened, when he felt her legs beginning to buckle, thus preventing her from falling onto the ground. The tears flowing down his own face increased when he felt his daughter tremble, and the sudden dampness against his chest. He rubbed her back in a comforting and soothing manner, “Everything will be alright. You are safe now.”, even as the words left his lips, there was some doubt there. Was everything really alright? Was Zaylee truly safe now? As much as he did not want to admit it, for once looking elsewhere besides the cold hearted truth, he knew things have changed.

The moment was a defining one, not only for Zaylee but also for the rest of the family. With her being kidnapped, it showed how vulnerable their children was when neither one of them was around. The moment showed that not everyone would be afraid to target his family due to who he was. That, there would be some people who could care less about his reputation, especially when it comes to getting something they wanted. There are people out in the world who would do whatever they pleased without fear of consequence. The fact was something he subconsciously knew, but, the years have grown him lax to the danger.

Her kidnapping shows Daremo that there was a need to always keep a watchful eye on his children. That danger lurks everywhere, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. The kidnapping was a wake-up call for Daremo. He had known what the Infinity Gang was up to, yet, both he and Amaya pondered around, listening to the words of a hermit, instead of taking actions where it was needed. The conversation could have waited till later. Both of them did not need to be there. He could have had Amaya to go home to be with the children, and he could have just relayed to her the information. There were so many different ways that this could have been played out better for them, but, yet, it happened in one of the worse way possible.

Although Zaylee mentioned nothing happened to her, that none of the bandits defiled her, Daremo knew this moment changed her. One does not simply get kidnapped by bandits, and come out unscarred. Asides from the physical trauma, there is the mental trauma that could be more impactful. There were those who knew how to break people, especially female, without lifting a finger, and from what he saw of those bandits, it would not be surprising if they attempted such.

Daremo did not try to hide the tear streaks, his eyes being glossy as he stared into Zaylee’s. Ever so gently, he wiped away her tears, while listening in rapt attention as she spoke about the ordeal. Though he did not know if the attack was planned. The bandits had broken into the Okiya, killing off any males found. The tactic not being surprising. Killing off the men removes an obstacle, and also strikes fear in the women hearts. It was the commotion that woke up a napping Zaylee who, in turn, woke up Mamoru. While battling was going downstairs, Zaylee had hidden Mamoru, who did not want to, in a secret cupboard. Daremo did not know where to feel proud about his daughter’s quick action, and the fact Mamoru did not want to leave her or mortified at the thought of potentially losing Mamoru if he did not listen to his sister. “Good thinking on hiding Mamoru. I do not want to think about the possibility of losing either of you.” He spoke, “You did the right thing by sending Riku off to find us.”

At the mention of the creature, Daremo watched as it landed on Zaylee’s shoulder, who began petting it. His attention shifted back to Zaylee as she continued her tale. Although he had seen somewhat had happened, Daremo’s fears were confirmed. The bandits were hurting and defiling the women within the cage. And, it was only thanks to Zaylee hurting herself, and being seen as precious cargo, that she did not have the same fate. Anger and hatred boiled within the silver-haired male at the mere thought of the bandits defiling his daughter. These emotions only simmering down due to the knowledge of the bandits being dead. “You did well to get out of the situation.”, he spoke with a hint of proud, but, also remorse; she would not have to do all of this if either him or Amaya was home with them.

When Amaya appeared, covered in blood but showing any signs of injuries, citrine eyes went from her to than Mamoru who was on her back. “Who’s blood? And is Mamoru okay?” Daremo question, eyes showing concern. He knew Amaya could take care of herself, but, still, he worried for her. Then there was Mamoru, their son who was now clinging to Zaylee like a lifeline. “There was still a few bandits loitering around the Okiya, looking for anyone left behind. Needless to say, I got carried away, and painted the walls crimson.” There was not a hint of remorse within Amaya’s voice as she spoke, “And Mamoru is fine. I killed all the rest of the bandits before they could find him.”

Daremo wrapped his arms around his family, hugging them tightly. A frown marred his features when Amaya mentioned that some of the remaining women were injured and had suffered the same fate as the women from earlier, “The same thing happened to some of the women saved her. Thanks to Zaylee’s quick actions, of injuring herself, prevented her from having a similar fate.” Although nothing occurred, it was still hard for him to talk about what could have happened to their precious daughter. Speaking of his daughter, her question was one that was one he had been dreading to talk about. Sighing softly, he looked at Amaya, a verbal conversation held between the two, “Before we talk about that. Let’s get the women to someplace safe.”, he mentioned as a familiar weight was felt on his shoulders as Hiretsu dropped a bloody note in his hand.

Having dropped out the women in Iwagakure, where a medical team rushed to treat them, and the acting Tsuchikage promising to make sure the women were taking care of, Daremo led his family to his old home. A home that was used by his sister and her family, but, they have moved out and went elsewhere. Opening the door, he waited for everyone to get inside before following suit, and locking the door behind him. Moving in the spacious living room, citrine eyes look at Zaylee and Mamoru, “Earlier today, another Okiya had got attacked by the Infinity Gang. The Infinity Gang being a notorious group of bandits that are considered to be the largest force in Tsuchi no Kuni with their members being in the thousands. While visiting friends and non-blood related relatives, the daughter of my former teacher showed up, along with a relative’s of Amaya, both of them were beaten and bloody. They told us about the Infinity Gang attack. Naturally, we went after the group, tracking them down and ultimately killing them. During this time, we ran into a hermit, who, later on, identify themselves as Raiu Mizuki. Mizuki was an acquaintance of mine that I have known since the Seige of Inayabami that took place in Wind Country. She is a Kumo-nin, and, is the diplomat for Kumo, and used to work with Hastur; the Raikage.”, there was a noticeable hint of hate when he mentioned the Raikage.

“Nevertheless, I lost contact with Mizuki after saving her doing the Seige of Inayabami, and with no one knowing where she went, I just assumed she died. Alas, she had just been hiding out in Tsuchi no Kuni, and it was only by chance that we were both trying to free the captured women. Once the women were freed, I found information about the Infinity Gang striking other locations due to the need of more product for their clients. Instead of going after these leads, I, foolishly, agreed to talk to Mizuki once the women were safe back at a Okiya. It was here where she mentioned her plans to overthrow Hastur. The Raikage had been allowing a religious cult known as Jashin to run rampant. The man had causes strife and discord by allowing two of the members who helped to destroy Suna, to join Kumo. Mizuki was not pleased with the actions. Kumo is seen in a bad light by the world at large. So, Mizuki proposed a plan to overthrow Hastur. Thus that is where our talks went. “ He paused, allowing the words to sink in.

Sighing, Daremo shook his head, “I should have never listened to her words, at least, not then where there were more pressing concerns. I and Amaya should have just come home, and none of this would have happened, or, at the very least, I could have sent Amaya back home. I knew about there being other bandit attacks, the bandit leader told me such as he was being tortured, yet, I did not think one of the attacks would hit my family.”

---

1539

Zaylee knew she was safe in her father’s arms and yet in that moment the world felt rendered apart at its seams: everything she knew, everything she had been told, everything she had seen had been replaced by darkness. Nothing could have prepared her for this, no amount of training or teachings could have given her an insight into this very moment. To see the true horrors and darkness of the world, the true disgust and evil that it contained. She had no words to describe how she felt in that moment, but all she knew was that she never wanted to feel like this again.

After telling the story of how she had hidden away her unwilling brother, and having sent off Riku to find them as fast as possible, she listened to her father’s words, sniffling softly. Of all the things she could have guessed at and assumed would happen to her in that moment after being woken up she knew that death was not one of them, and yet death would have come swiftly and painfully to her twin had she not done what she did. Protecting her family was her greatest motivation, and in that moment she had done exactly what she thought was right, even if it could have caused her far greater suffering, fear, and anguish than what she had endured during her short period of time as one of the Infinity Gang’s captives. It was a choice she had made out of the deep love she had for her twin, and a choice she would make again were it ever needed: her family would always come before her own safety, it was simple how it was with Zaylee.

After the arrival of her mother and twin she too looked at Amaya with concern while embracing Mamoru and clinging to the other half of her soul. Getting confirmation that the blood wasn’t hers, but that rather Amaya had gotten carried away when it came to slaughtering the bandits who had threatened her family, Zaylee couldn’t help but to wonder exactly what she had done to them all to get that sheer amount of blood on her person - yet, she wouldn’t ask as more pressing questions needed answering. Traveling back to the Okiya with her parents she kept close to her twin, the pair holding hands as they stood outside with a clone of both her father and mother remaining nearby to keep an eye on them, neither wishing to enter inside - the carnage outside being more than enough of an indication of Amaya’s temper. Blood and body parts were laid everywhere, their removal not having the clean slices of a weapon or a scalpel but rather looking as if they’d been torn, limb from limb. Some bore markings of having been burned horribly, the looks upon their faces, frozen there by death, showing excruciating pain. Even more disturbing though were the piles of gunk and goo mixed with clothing and having a fleshy-fried smell to it as if they had been electrocuted until they exploded.

Leaving, but not after a medical team had arrived to treat and take care of the women, as well as informing the Tsuchikage of what had occured, Zaylee remained close to her family even as they entered into her father’s old home. Stepping into the living room, her hand still in Mamoru’s, she took a seat on one of the chairs, her twin squeezing into the seat next to her as if neither wanted to be apart: gaining strength both mentally and physically in a way from the presence of one another. As Amaya stood nearby Daremo, not wanting to get the couches and so forth covered in the blood and gore that still coated the former Uchiha, the twins gave their father their rapt attention as he began to speak. They listened intently as he explained that another Okiya had been attacked, the survivors having made their way to where Daremo and Amaya had been visiting. The pair had then taken off to find those who had been captured and taken away. In the midst of taking out the bandits and freeing the women another had joined them, a woman named Mizuki, a hermit who her father had worked with before but whom he had lost contact with and assumed dead. Even though her father had gained information about other Okiya’s who had been hit, the fact that this problem was happening everywhere, Mizuki had taken that time to want to talk about a topic that could have lead to the deaths of everyone who heard it: treason, the overthrowing of Hastur the Raikage.

Outwardly Zaylee was still the same shell shocked girl as she had been since the fact that she was safe had settled in, and the sheer actions of bravery that had been done out of the sheer will to survive had been overridden, yet inside she was a whirling mess of emotion. Anger at Mizuki choosing that moment in time to want to talk about something that could have waited until later, hatred towards the unknown woman that was either temporary or permanent for not only ignoring those who were in need but also involving her family in something that could lead to them all being sentenced to death, confusion as to why her parents would involve themselves in something like this considering how dangerous it was for not only them but their family, sadness at the way her father seemed to be blaming himself for the incident even though he hadn’t outright spoken those words. Even Amaya seemed to pick up on it as she reached over and grasped Daremo’s shoulder softly, giving it a gentle squeeze of comfort. Zaylee was unconscious of the fact that she rose to her feet and had crossed the distance between herself and father until she was wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug, hoping to convey through the gesture of love and affection that she didn’t blame him, that she could never blame him, and that even after everything that had happened she still loved him with all of her heart. ”It’s not your fault, daddy. You and momma didn’t know that they would come to where we were.”, Zaylee spoke softly. She didn’t know what made her say those exact words, but she felt deep down that maybe her father just needed to hear them, and likely Amaya too because despite Amaya’s blank expression she had long since perfected she could see the concern and worry in her eyes, too.

She would pull away gently after a moment, looking from her mother and then back to her father. ”From what you’ve said just now if anyone is to blame its Mizuki. She could have had that conversation with the two of you at another time, especially knowing that there were other Okiya planning on being hit. Mizuki knew what those poor people were facing, what would occur should the bandits reach them, and instead of doing something about it she wanted to have a conversation.”, Zaylee paused, shaking her head in disgust: her opinion of the woman wouldn’t be easily swayed or changed now. ”I’ve heard about this woman, I’ve heard how she helped to garner favor with the people for Hastur. Then, after he showed his true colors, and began to show his god complex and how little the people of the Kumogakure meant to him, she just disappeared. I had thought maybe Hastur had killed her, not like anyone would have been allowed to remain alive if they proved it. Now she’s back and wanting to overthrow him? But then she turns around and ignores others who are in need in favor of having this conversation at that exact moment in time?” Zaylee felt her anger spiking the more she thought about this all: already having gained her mother’s short temper it was beginning to show as her rage spiked. She didn’t understand what this woman had been thinking: to want to sit around and do what? Sip tea and talk? While people were being injured, or worse? It didn’t make sense. ”How is she any different than Hastur?”, the words left her lips before she could stop herself: her thoughts and feelings in that moment were dark, filled with anger and hatred towards a person she had never had a chance to meet in her life. She didn’t know if either of her parents would answer her especially as she saw Amaya throwing a glance at Daremo with a pointed look.

Zaylee would have been likely to begin pacing had she not felt her brother’s hand in hers, he too having given their father a hug before taking her hand and attempting to tug her back to the chair they had been seated in before. Giving in to her brother’s wishes despite her high-running emotions was easy enough: he needed her close presence the same as she needed his right now. So instead of taking to pacing around the room like she wanted to do she instead went and sat back down with her brother while keeping her focus on her parents, waiting for them to speak, for answers or perhaps some explanation that would hopefully elevate this unknown woman into a different light. ”Are you sure you can trust her? This is so dangerous, for all of us…”

---

1,590 | 5,185

The burden of being a father, a leader, and someone that is unbreakable was something Daremo was intimately familiar with. All his life, from the moment he could grasps the working of the world around him, he had placed himself in a position where he shoulder than burden so that others would not have to. For those who he loved above all else, he would place the weight of the world on his shoulders. He would stand tall in the face of adversity. He would remain firm when pressured by others. He would shoulder the blame if it meant protecting those who he held dear.

That was not to say he cared for Mizuki. The words he spoken was not to make her seem like an innocent person. No, the reason why he shoulder the burden of what happened today was simple; he did not want his children to hate him and Amaya. He was content with them disliking him. He could withstand them despising him for allowing the kidnapping to happen. For not having the foresight to see it occur, and stopping it before it could happen. He was could shoulder the hate and amonsity that would have towards him. But, he could not with good conscious allow the twins to hate Amaya. Hating one parent is enough. Yes, that is why Daremo was content in shouldering the blame for the incident.

The hand on his shoulder, followed by a gentle squeeze, was appreciated. Citrine eyes flickered towards Amaya, no words were needed to acknowledge what she was trying to do. Leave it to Amaya to figure out what he was doing. The woman was as smart as she was beautiful. Still, he turned his attention back to the children, watching in curiosity as Zaylee moved from her spot and walked towards him. He did not know what she was going to do, but, was surprised when she gave him a hug. Out of everything that ran through his mind, the simple, tender and sweet gesture was not something he thought she would do.

Slowly, he wrapped his arms around Zaylee, holding her close. The words she has spoken tugged at his heart. She had the right to hate him. She had the right to curse his existence. Yet, instead, she did not blame him nor Amaya for what had happened. She knew that neither of them could have known about what was going to happen. Though unspoken, she also told him that she knew, if they had known, none of this would have happened. Flickering his eyes towards Mamoru, Daremo was surprised to see his son nodding his head in agreeance with Zaylee. None of his children hate him nor Amaya. The knowledge of this felt like a weight was lifted off his shoulders.

Reluctantly, he unwrapped his arms from around Zaylee. He listened to her speak about Mizuki, pointing out the whole incident was on the fault of the said woman. That, instead of talking about plans to overthrow Hastur, Mizuki could have suggested saying the other women that they were made aware of moments priors. He could not fault Zaylee for her comment. Indeed, the priorities were skewed, to say the least. He noted, the sound of mistakes within Zaylee’s voice as she pointed on Mizuki’s history. The Raiu being the one who had ushered in Hastur, spreading his agenda, only to disappear once she realized what Hastur was doing was not for the people, and reappear later with the idea of a rebellion and seeking help. He did not fault Zaylee for her comments, for he felt the same way when the idea was proposed to him.

“The only difference between Hastur and Mizuki is one atrocity acts are known, and the other hides behind the idea of righteous. Mizuki is narrow-minded to the grand scheme of the world. She would damn the lives of others so long as they are not Kumogakure no Sato affiliated. Tsuchi no Kuni is known for its gang problem, and you would think she had been helping cull it while she was a hermit. Yet, she allowed it to continue to fester, not bothering with it much at all.” Daremo spoke. Throughout the conversation with Mizuki, he had noted she made very little reference to the Infinity Gang and gave no hints into her working to try and stop them. It just meant that she did not bother in dealing with the affairs of another country, despite being about preserving life.

A small smile came across his face at the interaction between Zaylee and Mamoru. The bond between the twins was unbreakable, and it seemed like it grew from this horrible incident. At the question, Daremo did not answer right away, instead, moved towards one of the bookshelves, and searched for a particular book, “Trusting her? No, there are only a few people who I truly trust, and she is not one of them. While the rebellion of hers in a nice idea, because Hastur does need to stop, she does not have the mental capability to do what is needed. She wants to avoid casualties, hoping to only kill the key figures. Such a way of thinking is that of a fool. Lives will be lost, and one will need to understand this fact.” He said, pulling out a thick book. Opening the book, Daremo continues, “I will be using this rebellion for my own gains. Kumogakure no Sato needs a strong Raikage who is fair and just when needed, but also have a heavy hand when the times called for it. I suspect Mizuki might attempt to aim for the position if Hastur is removed, but, she does not have what it takes. I will be using this rebellion as a means to become a candidate for the Raikage position.”

Allowing them time to digest what he said, Daremo continued, “We will need to be careful for now on. If we do work with the rebellion, masks and codenames will be used. I do not want any of us to be tied with the rebellion. If Mizuki runs back to Hastur with names? I will end her where she stands.” He said with conviction.

---

1038

Remaining seated next to her brother, Mamoru, Zaylee listened carefully to her father’s response to the words she had spoken moments prior and the questions she had asked. Was she angry at Mizuki, and thus this anger was clouding her judgement of the woman she didn’t know? Perhaps, it was certainly possible, and anger was known to make people irrational. However, in this situation she didn’t think that her anger was misplaced. Zaylee could understand, quite deeply in fact considering she was a Kumogakure nin herself, that Hastur’s methods were abhorrent at best and downright beastly at worst. He was a man who did not deserve to call himself Raikage, and did not deserve to wield such power. However, the way that things were handled, the lives that had been forever altered and changed? Were they truly worth the sacrifice? Zaylee didn’t think so. She listened intently as her father pointed out the one single difference between the two entities, pointing out that the female was narrow minded. It seemed that those who were not Kumogakure nin could be damned to the layers of hell and back and the woman could not care provided it wasn’t happening to someone from Kumogakure no Sato. Her father went on to point out that the problems with the Infinity Gang within Iwagakure no Sato, and the surrounding border, had been an issue that had been going on for quite some time, yet despite the Kumogakure nin being present and in the area for a while she hadn’t bothered stepping forth to help in the situation before then.

She watched as her father rose from his seat, heading over to one of the many bookshelves within the room while speaking further on the subject at hand. She and her twin listened intently as her father went on to explain that he by no means trusted her, and that while the idea of a rebellion against Hastur was a sound idea Mizuki lacked the capacity to see it through in any sort of way that would garner proper results. The female wished to preserve as much life as possible, going after only key targets and having them eliminated. For even someone like Zaylee, so new to the shinobi world, politics, and the grand scheme of things, she could already see how this would not be possible. A rebellion could spark a civil war within Kumogakure and its surrounding minor villages, those of the rebellion against those who supported Hastur and his ideas, lives would be lost and people would suffer, it was simply the way of things and there was no avoiding it. Even with her own thoughts on the matter she kept quiet in favor of listening to the rest of what her father had to say, the next part to come causing her eyes to open wide in shock and unexpectedness: he was going to use this rebellion for his own purposes, to become Raikage and replace Hastur. He would be fair and just when needed, but willing to have a heavy hand when the situation dictated a need for it. He went on to mention that he suspected Mizuki wanted the position of Raikage for herself, but further added that he didn’t feel she had what it took to take it. This was certainly a turn of events that she hadn’t expected, and yet she felt she should have all the same: her father was strong, she had seen as much during training even with him holding back, he knew when to be firm and when to be gentle. Perhaps it was her biases due to Daremo being her father, but she couldn’t help but to agree that he would make a much better Raikage than Mizuki could ever hope to become.

Her father then went on to mention that any more dealings with the rebellion would be done under disguise: code names and masks would need to be worn to protect the identities of those involved. He also warned what would happen to Mizuki should she decide to try and turn traitor against them. Despite all that Zaylee had just very recently gone through there came a sense of renewed being within her: a sort of empowerment that came with her father’s words. It wiped away her fear from the incident that had occured with the Infinity Gang - if only temporarily for the moment - and made her want to seek works of action as well: she wanted to help. This desire to help though went beyond just working to overthrow Hastur, if her father wished to become Raikage than he would need strong and able bodied people to defend him. Assassination attempts would abound, especially considering the turmoil that Hastur’s overthrow would cause within the country. People would be after him night and day, of this she was very certain. Her goal since the loss of Kaia~Mai had been to get as strong as possible to protect her family, and while this was a goal that she had been working towards ever increasingly, there was a desire to push herself further and harder than ever before. Not only did she want to get strong, now she would need to. Only the best could protect the Raikage, and she aimed to be one of them. ”I want to help, and not just with the rebellion - though I do want to help there, too. I want to continue our training, harder than before. When mommy died I promised myself that I would become as strong as could be so that I could protect my family. I knew it would be a long road, and it would be hard, but I was willing to do now. Now more than ever before I need to do it. If you’re hoping to become Raikage than I know that will paint a target on your back, more so because of the rebellion and the fact that no matter how many people die those who support Hastur will always be around. It will also paint a target on momma’s, Mamoru,s and my backs as well as people seek to use us against you.” It was in that moment that Zaylee realized what she had said: the real reason why when she was only four years old, and almost immediately after returning from Kaia~Mai’s funeral, she had asked her father to train her. Her twin had always assumed it was because she needed the distraction, and she assumed that’s what the others thought too. Now though, was the answer clear as day at last: she longed to grow stronger because her worst fear was losing another member of her family, another person that she loved and cared about. The loss of her mother had nearly broken her, nearly destroyed her, but through some shred of hope she had overcome: she didn’t think she could handle the loss of a second. She feared it would truly be her breaking point should it occur.

Now more than ever before she had a reason to push herself even further. To no longer pace herself as she had been doing, and to be slowly eased into the world of a shinobi. Now she had the motivation to dive in head first, to face what was to come head on. She knew it would be utterly brutal, she knew there would be intense pain and hardship, but she was firm in her belief that no matter what was thrown at her her motivation to continue wouldn’t waver. Sure, many others before her had thought the same thing, but her bond with her family was stronger than the bond most had - she loved them more than she loved herself. She would stand behind her father in his decision to attempt to become Raikage, and she would do all she could to make sure he remained alive and well throughout his time in office. Her determination was not made of iron or steel, but of an unbreakable material that would never falter or fail. With what was at stake she simply couldn’t. While she knew the looks upon both Mamoru and Amaya’s face were shock, it was to her father that she held her gaze: she knew that ultimately the decision of what she wanted to do would come down to him and his say-so. From her twin she felt a reassuring gentle squeeze of her hand, but still her citrine gaze rested upon her father, waiting to hear what he would say in response to her request.

---

1,435 | 6,620

To those who knew Daremo when he went by another name, the thought of him becoming Kage again would be a surprising one. During another life, he had given up the prestige position, preferring to work out in the field, instead of being stuck behind the office desk. He lofted the position with a passion due to the rightful, restrictions placed on the Kage; there were things he had wanted to do in the past, bit, could not due to needing glorified babysitters. He could participate in missions because he was deemed too precious for the village. He had to sit back and watch as those underneath his command die for the name of the village. He had to be careful venturing out to places outside of the village, less he wished to be an easy target for those who seek to kill. Yes, from his past experiences as a Kage, many would be shocked to see him desiring the position once more.

Yet, times have changed, and now the man wanted the position. He has grown to care for Lightning Country. The inhabitants have managed to worm their way into his heart. They had managed to find a place within his closed-off persona, and while he might not care for them as much as he would his family or close-knit friends, he cared for them more than he did others. When Hastur got into power, Daremo had thought things would be better for Lightning Country. He had hoped and assumed the male would turn the village into something great. And while, as much as he hate to admit it, the village was well enough, too many enemies had been made, too many things swept underneath the rug, fair and just was thrown out of the window for a tyrannical person who saw themselves as a God. this was not the vision Daremo had for the village, hence his issue with the leadership, thus his appearance of helping Mizuki.

Citrine eyes looked at the occupants of the room, Amaya, Zaylee, Mamoru, the three people who meant the world to him. Daremo waited patiently to see their reaction to his intentions of becoming Raikage. His attention would fall onto the first one to speak, Zaylee, giving his undivided attention to her. He listens as she mentioned wanting to help with the rebellion. The idea of her working with the rebellion was not one he was opposed against. Her kidnapping was a slap in the face. It reminded him that he would need to keep a better eye on his children. Thus, if Zaylee worked alongside him during the rebellion, because there was no way in hell he would allow her to work without him, then he would be able to keep an eye on her, making sure she is safe.

Eyes soften as the mention of his late beloved. His daughter opening up and telling the reason why she wanted to gain strength. She did not want to another family member. She wanted to be strong enough to protect them all. A warm smile spread across his face, and his shined with acknowledgment, “Apart of me want to deny you the chance to work with the rebellion. Yet. . . with you working with me alongside the rebellion, I can keep an eye on you. I can watch after you, and guide you through everything. Plus, it is ideal for we both would have someone we can trust completely.” Daremo mentioned. Trust would be hard when it came to the other members of the rebellion. He did not know any of them, asides from Mizuki, thus trust would be limited, to say the least.

“Indeed, once the nation knows my intention, something that won’t happen until after Hastur is removed, assassinations will undoubtedly happen. I will not be optimistic and say this rebellion will eradicate all of Hastur’s supporters. There will be those who linger after the conflict if we are successful, and they would be out for vengeance. Indeed, they will target us, and we need to be prepared for that.” Daremo said, not bothering in sugarcoating the truth, “If you are truly adamant in wanting to help me protect them than, for now on out, your training will be hell. I will personally break you and mold you into something better than you already are. My mother, your grandmother, never pulled her punches when she trained me. And, seeing how you want this, I won’t be pulling my punches any longer. I do hope you have some healing jutsus. . you will need them.”

Closing the book in hand, Daremo outstretched it towards Zaylee, “Read over the first three chapters over the human skeleton structure. Commit to memory how each bone can mend with and without medical ninjutsu. Remember this well, for you will be tested on that.”, Daremo said, he would be ominous in nature. Zaylee wanted to protect everyone. She want to be apart of the rebellion? Then, she will need to be trained like a monster. . just like her grandmother trained him.

---

848[5625]

Zaylee had no idea how her family would take hearing her motivations behind the sheer amount of training she had been doing, let alone why she had started it in the first place. She had never spoken of the topic before now, she had kept her thoughts and feelings to herself. Yet, here she was for the first time laying herself bare about this particular topic. The gentle squeeze of her hand from her brother, Mamoru, gave her a sense of understanding and comradeship: the squeeze to her said “I understand your pain, and I understand why you’re doing this” without him having to utter a single word or perform any other action. It was a gesture of affection and love and understanding that she returned ever so gently - she wanted him to know that she was thankful he was there, that he would remain by her side through anything and everything that the world would throw at them.

As Zaylee took a moment to think about what the world had tossed in their direction in their short, young lives, she also knew it would only get worse from here on out. Life was going to get ever increasingly complicated: while life had been hard under Hastur before now, it would become steadily more dangerous. This wasn’t just due to the rebellion she wished to play a part in, but also with her father making his announcement that he wished to become Raikage should the gods deem in possible. There stood a high chance their lives would be worth a high price, and there would be those willing to pay. This extended far more than just her father’s: people would attempt to do his family harm to get to him, to knock him off the throne in a manner of speaking. There would be attempts at all of their lives in the coming years should they survive this rebellion, and they all needed to be prepared for it. But for now she wouldn’t worry her mind with such things: they would be dealt with in the short time to come: but rather she would keep her focus on her father, her gaze steady and unwavering as she awaited his response. It was a response she didn’t have to wait long for either: her father mentioned that a part of him wanted to deny her the chance at working with the rebellion, but that part was overridden by the logical side of him that reasoned that by her working alongside of him he could keep a better eye on her at all times. Due to the situation that had happened mere hours earlier, this would certainly be for the best. If him and Amaya were gone, even with people babysitting herself and her twin, the incident could be one that repeated itself, but with far more reaching consequences. This was of course not her father’s only reason, as there was one other he mentioned: trust. Her father’s trust in her was unwavering, she would have his back to the very end, and he could count on her just as she could count on him. In a situation such as the rebellion this was a must have: there would be no way to tell for any of them who was participating because they had the best for Kumogakure in their hearts and minds, who was helping them for their own selfish needs and gains, and who was doing this as a means to act as a spy for Hastur. Even though they would be working alongside people, perhaps many, they wouldn’t be able to trust them entirely, so for her father to have others he could put his trust in was paramount.

She listened intently still to her father as he agreed with her previous statement about assassination attempts: saying that this would indeed be the likely case once he made his goal known - something that wouldn’t happen until after Hastur had been taken care of and his evil having a stop put to it. Her father went on then to prove how much of a realistic he was about this situation: stating that he did not expect this rebellion to stamp out all of Hastur’s supporters, and it was something that Zaylee agreed wholeheartedly with: not all of Hastur’s supporters would be open, honest, and vocal about it, there would be those who worked from the shadows to support those false, self proclaimed God, and it was those that they had to watch out for the most. They would linger, unstopped, even after the conflict ended, and could prove to be potential problems for them all as they worked their schemes and revenge from the shadows. Her father, unwilling to sugarcoat the truth to them with such dire consequences being possible should he do so, agreed with her statement that there would be those who would come after them for what they were about to get involved with. Zaylee couldn’t help but to nod in agreement with the words her father spoke.

As Daremo’s attention shifted onto her training she was unsurprised at what he said: the kid gloves would be off entirely. There would be no more holding back on his part. He would put her through hell, break her down and mold her into something even better than what she already was becoming. Daremo’s own mother hadn’t held back with him, and now he would be doing much the same with her. Zaylee knew she had just signed herself up for a world of pain. She expected their training, which had already been hard to begin with, to now be downright brutal. She knew there would be moments where the average shinobi would want to quit and simply give up, but there would be none of that for her. Not just because she doubted her father would allow her to do so, but also because of the fact that she needed this to be able to protect her family. If she gave up, if she asked for her father to take it easy on her, it would only dampen her progress or halt it altogether. Such implications could come back later on to bite her on her arse should something happen to her father, her mother, or her twin brother. It was a situation she wouldn’t allow to happen. Whatever her father was going to put her through, whatever training he was now planning, she would meet head on no matter how much it hurt or broke her. She had the utmost faith in his words that this would all serve its purpose: that she would come out of it a monster to those who opposed her, to those who threatened those she loved, or whom threatened herself. After agreeing to her training her father made an ominous statement - well, the first of two: he hoped she knew some healing jutsu because she was certainly going to need them. It made her thankful that despite enjoying the use of medical for more offensive based techniques, she had picked up quite a few healing techniques from Amaya during the training sessions she had sat in on when Amaya was teaching Mamoru.

Speaking of her brother, once more he gave her hand a gentle squeeze, this time she taking it as an indication that he had her back in all of this. It would have brought a smile to her face in any other situation, except in that moment she didn’t know if it would be wise to allow her brother to see her after training sessions with her father - would he hate the man for being so brutal with Zaylee? It was something she couldn’t risk, even if it meant she couldn’t heal all of her injuries herself and therefore would have to deal with the pain of them until they healed on their own or she got better at the healing aspects of medical ninjutsu. No, it would likely be best for everyone’s interest if she kept the aftermath of her training with her father away from her twin. She would not risk tainting their father’s image in Mamoru’s eyes because of her own inabilities to take care of herself afterward.

Watching as her father closed the book he had been looking at before holding it out to her she took it and glanced the title over while listening to his words: the second set of ominous words he had spoken thus far. He wanted her to read over the first three chapters which detailed the human skeletal structure, wanting her to commit to memory every bone in the body, and how it could be mended with or without medical ninjutsu. He wanted her to remember what she read well, as he would be testing her on it at some point during their training. It made her mind wander, even as she nodded her head in acknowledgement, what exactly it was her father had planned to do, or for her to do for that matter. Assumptions ran rampant through her mind, anything from their training being just that downright brutal to where she would have to learn how to mend her own self, to more far fetched ideas that involved her father either breaking someone else in front of her or expecting her to do it. She knew only time would tell which of her assumptions were right, if any at all, and she withheld a shudder at the thought. Still, it wasn’t enough to turn her away from her goals.

After their conversation Mamoru and Zaylee kept close to one another, even as the day continued on well into the afternoon and late into the evening hours. The more comfortable Zaylee got the more what had happened began to bother her. As midnight approached Zaylee found herself fighting sleep as hard as she could: she was exhausted and tired after her ordeal, and yet utterly terrified to close her eyes. Of course, it didn’t help that that late morning’s incident had occurred shortly after a nap, only furthering to lead to her issues with going to sleep. Some would have perhaps called this stubbornness, but you did not simply walk away from a situation like that without scars and in Zaylee’s case those scars were mental rather than physical. She was physically whole, not a mark on her, not even from the wound she had given herself, but this moment had defined the child, changed and altered her. Sleep, something she once embraced fully, was now to be avoided at all costs. Yet, it would eventually claim her as she sat on the couch in the living room, reading the book her father had given her. Exhaustion won out, but it was a victory that wouldn’t last - the battle had been won, not the war. Deep in her slumber dreams did not come, but rather nightmares: nightmares of all of the things that could have gone wrong when she had been kidnapped, false visions of things happening that never had, of torment and suffering. It left her in a cold sweat, her skin cool and clammy, as she fought for her life in her night terrors, fighting a battle that was never ending in her mind. It wouldn’t be long after she had fallen asleep that a terrified, ear splitting scream would escape her as she awoke with a sudden start, her mind so focused on the nightmare that she had been having that she unsheathed a kunai as she jumped off of the couch, breathing heavily and poised to strike. Yet, as her mind registered the world around her, as it began to make sense of where she was and whom it was she was with, the kunai would be slowly dropped to the ground before the child collapsed onto her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks as she began to cry. A nightmare: that was all it had been, a horrible and twisted dream brought forth but her subconscious due to the events that had transpired.

---

2,015 | 8,635

Daremo knew the words he had spoken was ominous, and it invoked a sense of uneasiness that was even more so when the medical book was handed over. There was a reason for the way he spoke. He wanted Zaylee to understand what she was about to get into. She needed to know that, starting tomorrow, what she had been taught, what she had through, would be meaningless and insignificant to what he was going to put her through. Just like his mother, he will drag Zaylee through the deepest parts of hell, and continue to do so until she comes out as something greater than she once was. He was going to turn her into a monster, something he knew would be the only thing that would keep her sane in the world which she would be thrust in.

After his announcement of aiming for the Raikage spot, and allowing Zaylee to be apart of the rebellion, the rest of the day went by fairly well. Instead of going into his study, to look over some ideas for future jutsus, Daremo remained in the living room with the rest of his family. Light-hearted conversations were held with his family. He decided it would be best to shy away from the more heavier topic for the time being. With them already having talked about subjects concerning Kumogakure no Sato, there was no reason to continue talking about them the remainder of the day. Asides, he believes it would do them all some good if the topic shifted to something more lighthearted.

As nighttime came about, Daremo was not surprised to find Zaylee still in the living room, reading the book that he had given her. Citrine eyes looked over at his daughter, studying her as she continues to read the book. He could tell that she was tired, but, he knew there was little chance of her actually falling asleep considering what had happened earlier today. An event like that did not leave an individual without some scars as a reminder of what they been through, and while Zaylee had cried earlier, Darempo suspected there was more to come. And, as a father, it saddening that he was powerless to prevent what was to come.

Glancing over at the clock, its nearly midnight, Daremo looked back over to Zaylee, watching as her exhaustion finally won out. It was not much longer before an ear piercing scream was heard, and Daremo moved without hesitation. The distance between himself and the couch which his daughter was laying on was closed in a blink of the eye. “It’s okay, love.”, He spoke, gently grasping the wrist which held the unsheathed kunai while also bringing his daughter into an embrace. Carefully removing the kunai from her grasp, he tossed it in the chair that he was sitting in prior, “Everything is okay, love. You are safe here. No one is going is going to hurt you.” Words of comfort were spoken as he guided her toward the couch.

Not letting go of her, Daremo placed Zaylee into his lap, much like he did when she was younger and held her close. “Daddy is right here, my princess. You are safe. Nothing is going to happen to you.”, he whispered, rocking ever so slightly.

exit

---

552[6177]

Awareness came back to Zaylee slowly: one moment she was being tortured and beaten, and the next she was in a somewhat familiar room with a roaring fire casting the room in a gentle orange glow and lots of warmth against the cold chill outside. She felt a hand on her wrist, gentle compared to the touches of her nightmare, while she felt her father pull her close as he disarmed her. The kunai was tossed into the chair he had been occupying before she had fallen asleep, and as tears rolled down Zaylee’s cheeks and her body trembled with fear and adrenaline she found herself clutching to her father tightly. Not resisting as she was led back to the couch she had just hastily abandoned, she curled up on her father’s lap as her shoulders and back shook with unrestrained sobbing.

His words were comforting but for now they did little to stop the onslaught of the tears she just needed to get out: she was safe, or at least in a physical sense, but in her dreams she was anything but. More so than ever the fear of falling asleep plagued her while tiredness threatened to drag her down once more. It would be another two hours that she would sit, clinging to her father like a lifeline, her tears having run themselves dry, before sleep would claim her once more. In the safe embrace of her father her nightmares were kept at bay, only darkness filling her mind as she rested: having cried herself into such utter exhaustion her mind couldn’t fathom coughing up another nightmare like before. Zaylee slept like she hadn’t slept since she was an infant, waking up only when her brother, mother, or father gently awoke her so that she could take a sip of water or a bite of food. Otherwise sleep claimed her as if it had chained itself to her and she couldn’t break the steel of her bindings. Always an early riser, someone who was up by five o’clock every morning, it was near dinner time before she finally shook sleep off enough to awaken on her own, still seated within her father’s lap as she had been the entire time: curled up against him as if he were this great barrier that would protect her from the evils of the world. Even though she was awake she didn’t move right away, choosing to keep her eyes close and just listen to the soft sounds of the house. In the distance, as if through a closed door, she could hear Amaya talking to herself about a report and the fact that they needed to open up a special school to teach people how to have legible handwriting, upstairs she could hear soft music playing - the kind of brother liked to listen to when he was working on a sewing project - and assumed that’s what he was doing. The crackling of the fire still reached her ears as well, but the sound of her father’s heartbeat what was she decided to focus on for the minute: it’s steady and relaxed rhythm being quite calming for the child. Eventually though a soft sigh would escape her and she would open her eyes. With her stomach roaring to life a smile would grace her lips and she would look at up at her father, devoid of the dark circles that had plagued the underside of her eyes since the previous day. ”Is dinner made? I’m starving!”

---

590 | 9,225

Training the following with a 15% WC reduction due to A-rank (Daremo)

Fuinjutsu C -> B: 9,225 - 1,700 = 7,525
Fuinjutsu B -> A: 7,525 - 2,550 = 4,975
Raiton C -> B: 4,975 - 1,700 = 3,275
Raiton B -> A: 3,275 - 2,550 = 725

Remaining WC: 725