Ukiyo sat beneath a tree, picking berries she grew on small twigs around her. They sprouted from the ground and leaned over to her, offering their fruit. Ukiyo quietly ate them, meditating on all of the events that had been leading to her current predicament. I can't shake the feeling that this is wrong. The action itself seems right, but in the context of our plan it just seems...rash. There must be a way to use the situation to our advantage first, right? While this night be what you call "cold feet", you do have a point. In every scenario, you have options. Even those that aren't the best have their advantages, and all have their disadvantages. Its up to us to make sure we don't pass up a larger advantage for a smaller one. As in this case, we cannot choose one without giving up the other. How does choosing to stay damage our plans? I don't see anything about it that couldn't be put off. What you wish to gain would result in one of three things. If you wish to use your position negatively, you have a high chance of getting caught. It just takes one slip up and everything we've worked for would be for not. If you wish to take things passively, it will only strengthen your bonds and make things more difficult in the end. You can tell already that these bonds are troubling your mind as it is, Ukiyo. Ukiyo looked down to the grass, grazing her hand over the top of their blades. She sighed. Thirdly, I do not know if the situation could be used positively. I feel that this place doesn't have anything to offer us, and your fight with the Hokage will surely prove that to you too, I believe. Ukiyo made a whining noise. I don't want to fight the Hokage. Takeshi-sama, he's been so kind to me. Sympathy for a human? A katon-user at that? I'm human as well, you know. We aren't all bad. This is very true. But do ask yourself, is it your human side that deems him as kind? Or the part of you that resides in our world? Ukiyo stood up and began pacing, she didn't enjoy these discussions with her plants. They always troubled her, and often left her more confused than before.

As Ukiyo thought, she heard rustling in some of the bushes at the far end of the opening. The grass was steady, and the bushes again too, as Ukiyo stared in the direction and remained perfectly still, waiting. Suddenly, the bushes began shaking again, but this time several did. The first one started, then a split second later, the one next to it, then the one next to that and so on. It made a path of noise and motion that swung around the perimeter of the grassy opening and Ukiyo was immediately on guard. Just as it reached close to behind her, Ukiyo jumped back towards the center of the area. A figure emerged from the bush, though it was blurry, indistinguishable. It was more of an outline of a figure rather than a solid object. It was about the shape/size of a person, so Ukiyo knew this was a jutsu. Better yet, she knew exactly who's jutsu it was. Kaguna! Ukiyo whipped out a kunai and held it up to defend herself, but knew it wouldn't be much use. It was all she could do so in the time it took Kaguna to reach her. The figure's hand phased through the kunai and grasped Ukiyo's throat; their hand materializing with their face.

Ukiyo, so nice to see you again. Kaguna said with a graceful smile, clenching her niece's throat tightly. Ukiyo flicked her kunai at her head, which phased through as her face disappeared into a puff of wind. Ukiyo used this as a brief distract though as she weaved three hand signs, then grasped Kaguna's wrist. She channeled chakra into it, and just as she was about to squeeze down and break her wrist, Kaguna's hand disappeared yet again. Ukiyo breathed heavily, catching her breath as she moved into a defensive stance. Her voice was deeper than usual, a bit hoarse and clearly foreboding.

Leave now.

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The figure retreated several feet rapidly, grass being pulled along with her gust. She materialized her entire self, standing upright with her right hand on her hip. She was still smiling, and looked to Ukiyo cheerfully.

How have you been, dearest? Ukiyo ground her teeth. Of all the things to interrupt her thoughts at this very moment, a Senju. She was furious; the memories she had of Kaguna flashed briefly in her mind. She remembered everything, and dismissed it in less than a second. Something took hold of her, a sense of hatred that had been simmering for many years but had just now come to a boil. The Senju was everything she hated; even with their ability to create life they manage to make the world a living nightmare for plant-life. They spread war and hatred, imbalance in all walks of life. Ukiyo saw Kaguna as simply another Senju right now, and knew full well what that would mean for her. A part of Ukiyo wanted to hold her back, tell her to remember who this woman was and to think before acting. But darker thoughts prevailed, This will be our first step towards purification. This world is filthy, turned black and abused by all types of humans. None more despicable than the shinobi, and no shinobi more despicable than those two. You know what must be done, it does not matter Who she is. Ukiyo's eyes filled with rage as she lifted her head up to look into Kaguna's. Kaguna's expression diminished slightly, surprised by her niece's look. She was upset. As much as Kaguna knew she couldn't have helped Ukiyo over all these years, she still wished she could have prevented this.

LEAVE! Ukiyo was overwhelmed with hatred, and Kaguna sighed heavily at the thought of what she must do. Ukiyo would not come quietly, but Kaguna knew if she didn't take her in now, there may never be a chance to save her.

Ukiyo...I wish things could be like they were. Kaguna disappeared again, and a gust of wind flew towards Ukiyo. Ukiyo made two hand signs, and suddenly eight massive vines grew out from her's back. They drifted back and fourth all around her, ready to capture their target the moment she reappeared. The gust of wind ripped through the field and through Ukiyo, her vines re-positioning to cover her back now. As Kaguna drifted through, however, she materialized just out of reach of the vines and grasped onto two of them behind her. From her wrists then sprouted forth hundreds of smaller vines which began covering Ukiyo's, jumping from one to another to completely immobilize them in a dense web. Ukiyo had turned around by now and was shocked at the view.

You...can use Mokuton? As she spoke, Kaguna began pulling on her vines, beginning to tear them out of Ukiyo's back. Ukiyo made another hand sign and suddenly every inch of her vines were covered in thorns, tearing through Kaguna's plants with ease as the tugged against their razor edges. Kaguna disappeared again and flew up to the canopy above. She didn't respond to Ukiyo, knowing that speaking to her would achieve nothing. Ukiyo could hear the canopy rustling, so she looked up to keep an eye on her opponent. Something wasn't right though. She felt like a sitting duck in the relatively open field standing directly beneath her opponent. Ukiyo knew she should leave, but the moment she began running towards an edge, a massive downpour of wind blasted the opening. It was intense; as if thousands and thousands of pounds of pressure were pushing down. Leaves, grass, twigs, and even some branches flew around violently in the gust, bark began tearing from trees, and everything in the opening was flattened to the ground. At the first sound of wind, however, Ukiyo had activated her true skin, coating herself in bark. She was still being pushed against the ground heavily and unable to move, but her bark protected her body from any true damage. Her vines, however, were torn off violently from her body and cast away into the brush. She knew Kaguna couldn't keep this up forever, and sure enough, in a few moments the wind had settled. Kaguna was amazed to see Ukiyo stand right back up after her jutsu ended, speaking under her breath, You've grown up so much.

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Ukiyo stood up, then looked above her at the rustling leaves/branches. My turn. Ukiyo jumped up towards the canopy, throwing her hand up and activating a seed to create a small bundle of vines latch up onto some overhead branches as well as some vines from her body latch onto those. She pulled herself up as the canopy continued to rustle. Good, she thinks she can touch me. As soon as Ukiyo reached high enough, the gust of wind was upon her, surrounding her on all sides. Kaguna materialized around Ukiyo, locking each of her limbs as well as her knock with a combination of her legs, arms, and vines protruding from her shoulders/waste. Ukiyo couldn't move a muscle, and grinned at the memory of her aunt teaching her such moves. However it was apparent that she had no clue what Ukiyo was capable now. She formed a hand seal on each hand by touching her pinky to index finger, and suddenly her entire body was covered by 10 huge chutes of bamboo, protruding all along the spots where Kaguna's arms, legs, torso, and neck were. Several of them pierced clear through Kaguna, however several missed as she transformed back into wind. She glided away towards the ground, then along it to the edge of the trees. She re-materialized within some bushes, though Ukiyo couldn't see. Kaguna was bleeding quite badly and was having a little trouble staying in her  jutsu, as it was stressful enough when her body was at full health.

Ukiyo dropped back down to the floor, landing in a crouch with a thump. She wore a devilish grin on her face, almost chuckling beneath her breath. Oiii! Kaguna! Don't tell me your done playing already! Was I too rough with you?! She looked around, though couldn't see or hear a single movement in the brush. She closed her eyes, contemplating if she should use the jutsu that would surely end her aunt. Please, allow us. You do not have to bare this burden on your own. She was close to me... I should be the one to do it. If you don't, she'll escape. Ukiyo looked around again, furious that she couldn't find her. She knew her plants were right, but didn't want Kaguna to meet her end at their hands. She waited a while for her to come out, contemplating if she really should let them take over and kill her. However Kaguna revealed herself, coming forth from the brush with bandages over her wounds.

I'm afraid we're done playing for today, Ukiyo. I must admit, you have gotten much more skilled than the last time I saw you. Unfortunately it looks like I can't say you've matured much mentally. You're still just the temperamental kid you've always been. She smiled, chuckling a little once again. Just think twice before you choose which path to take, kiddo. You're still growing, and I'd love to see what type of flower you'll be one day. Ukiyo was taken aback for a split second, though this didn't last long. Her rage came flowing back at the thought that Kaguna might be trying to manipulate her. She ground her teeth and closed her eyes before shouting, though before she could get a word out, she heard her opponent turn into gust yet again. Ukiyo quickly took a defensive stance yet again and prepared herself. The wind passed straight through her and into the brush behind, trailing off towards the village. Ukiyo looked off to the side and down, thinking about what she said. I haven't chosen yet I guess... She shook the thought quickly and turn around, ready to pursuit.

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Ukiyo took off after the breeze that flowed through the forest, shaking the brush every which way. It wasn't long before the cross-streams began confusing her, and the trail became obscured. Ukiyo was at an impasse when a large gust of wind, most likely from one of Kaguna's jutsu, shook the forest all around her. It continued for nearly a minute, and as far as she could hear or see. Ukiyo knew she would lose Kaguna if she didn't act quickly. Find her. I'd like to bring her down myself... but I lost her. With that, Ukiyo closed her eyes and tilted her head back, feeling her consciousness slowly slip away until the final thoughts were stripped from her mind. Suddenly, grass began growing on every surface around her. Tree trunks, branches, leaves, nests, everything was coated in grass. It reached out almost a hundred meters, and along the path she could sense something. There. The grass was being blown in a particular direction some distance ahead and seemed to be going at a steady pace in that direction. That has to be her. Ukiyo didn't have time to run through all of the foliage to keep up with her, so she sunk into the branch she was standing on and quickly began zipping through the root system underground. She stayed on the wind's (and hopefully Kaguna's) trail for nearly a mile before Kaguna re-materialized.

Shit. Kaguna couldn't keep up her jutsu anymore. Well, she could, but it would then run the risk of consuming her entirely. Once that happens, she'd have no way of reforming herself without external assistance. She stood on a branch covered in grass, and knew Ukiyo was close. She continued running along the branches towards the village, but unfortunately Ukiyo was must closer than she thought. As Kaguna leaped from one branch to another, Ukiyo emerged from one of the branches she had just jumped towards. Ukiyo drew a kunai and held it up to where Kaguna's throat would be landing, though she quickly made a hand seal and blew a gust of wind at Ukiyo's chest. She flew off the branch, though landed on a lower/further away one with grace, then quickly jumped back up towards her opponent. Kaguna had landed on a branch away from Ukiyo and was now making a long stream of seals as she crouched. Please Ukiyo, don't make me do this. Ukiyo laughed. She had no doubt in her abilities, and now absolutely no doubt in her resolve. After all, it was her plant's resolve now, and they had very little problem with killing a Senju. She spoke in a calm, definitive tone,

You won't be making it back to the village alive, you know. She looked up to Kaguna with a heartless glare, and without another word, began stepping off the branch. Before her foot fell through the air, however, Ukiyo disappeared. She was directly behind Kaguna and already launching her palm to her back. Kaguna couldn't tell where she had went, and was taken off guard as she was pushed off the branch. The hit wouldn't be too strong, but enough to badly bruise her muscle and make moving around painful for Kaguna. She too landed gracefully, however. On a branch below, she turned up to Ukiyo and put her hands to her lips as she took in air. Another wind attack- Kaguna began blowing, and a barrage of razor wind blasted through to Ukiyo. It shredded apart the branch she was standing on and even the trunk; in fact the whole tree Ukiyo had been perched on was now little more than rubble. Ukiyo braced herself with her arms crossed in front of her, taking the hit to her bark skin as it was torn apart in the process. When the wind stopped, Ukiyo dropped from the air to a branch more level with Kaguna and laughed. That was it? Your jutsu are so unoriginal.

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Kaguna was smiling at Ukiyo blissfully; she seemed to be completely at ease, immune to the fact that her jutsu just had no effect on Ukiyo. Ukiyo was just about to launch at Kaguna when she felt something, however. All over her body the thin vines from before began to grow. She had no clue how Kaguna was able to spawn them directly on her body, but then she felt it. Seeds?? Ukiyo tried to jump up to safety but was already being held down by the vines. So she learned Mokuton and replicated Ukiyo's jutsu? She's much stronger than I had thought. It's no matter though, our strength's doubled since the last time Ukiyo saw her. Ukiyo made a hand seal with her hand separately, and suddenly all over her little explosions of water set off. There were twenty in all, each of which smashed through the thin vines and freed her in every direction. Kaguna's smile fell instantly, surprised at her niece's ability yet again.

Still full of surprises, eh Ukiyo? She panted as she spoke; between her Wind Walker technique having been sustained for quite a while and the two S rank jutsus she let off, Kaguna didn't know if she could handle fighting much more. She was already wounded in several spots, running low on chakra, and on top of that facing the one person who knew every in and out of her Taijutsu. Kaguna was feeling a bit hopeless, but knew that now was not the time to give up. She wanted to save Ukiyo, somehow. She could see the darkness in her stirring, the anger and the vengeance swelling up and consuming her mind. Kaguna didn't want to see this happen to someone she loved so much. Even if it was against her will, Kaguna would have to bring her in. She had thought running would be acceptable, thinking she could come back any time to try to reason with her. But something was different now. Ukiyo was cold, unwilling to speak with her let alone leave with her. Kaguna knew something bad had gotten into her head and it was clear she didn't have any desire of getting it out. It wouldn't be long before... well, it wouldn't be long before it was too late. That's all she knew and that's all she had to know. Ukiyo would be coming with her, one way or another. Kaguna made two hand seals and breathed in deeply. Ukiyo saw and stopped herself from immediately charging, instead making a snake seal of her own and concentrating on molding chakra. Another wind jutsu? This should be easy... Kaguna then made two more hand seals; Hare-Monkey. Shit, it IS Ukiyo's jutsu. Just as she made the seals, a greenish-yellow aura began emanating from Ukiyo. Kaguna tilted back her head and flung it forward as she began blowing out. A stream of wind shot out like a bullet, but what was truly dangerous about it was the fact that it also carried a barrage of seeds. Hundreds and hundreds of seeds began blasting towards Ukiyo in a concentrated beam of wind. Ukiyo immediately began letting out a barrage of punches in response to the seeds, as if she was trying to hit them. Instead, blasts of wood emerged in front of her hands wherever she punched, blocking the seeds as they pelted the wood and fell to the floor. The streams of wood were torn up by the wind and broke quickly, so Ukiyo continued letting out as many hits as she could as fast as possible. She eventually spun over with a flip and began using her feet while spinning to create a wider defense, sustaining it with her momentum. Seeds flew everywhere as they ricocheted around, pelting the wood for almost no damage as the wind that carried them tore it apart. After nearly half a minute of constant defense and constant seeds, Kaguna stopped. She was gasping for air and fell to her knees; it took every ounce of breath she had to make that attack and used a good portion of what little chakra she had left. Ukiyo was panting too, but seemed much more composed than Kaguna. The aura around her was gone, however, having used up the chakra she melded for it.

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Ukiyo began hopping to nearby branches, slowly making her way over to Kaguna. At this range, grass began growing all over Kaguna as Ukiyo approached her, making a seal with each hand. This is it, Kaguna. It's too bad Ukiyo can't see this. Kaguna's eyes widened. Her hands were clenching the branch below her, and now began shaking. She tilted her head up slowly and spoke in a weak, shaking voice,

What- what did you just say? Ukiyo stopped for a split second, then smiled when she realized what the question meant. She began laughing as she continued walking.

Oh, poor Kaguna, you don't know the first thing about Ukiyo do you? She grinned maniacally, panting through her nose as her brow curled. The little girl you knew is long gone. She is as dead as her parents. But don't worry, she brought her hands together in front of her chest, you'll be joining her shortly. Kaguna grasped the branch tightly, digging into the wood and splintering it apart. She ground her teeth as tears began streaming down her face. It was worse than she knew, or even thought. Something else truly had taken her over, another entity entirely. Kaguna could see how powerful Ukiyo was, and wouldn't let such a threat exist. She knew how much hatred Ukiyo harbored towards their clan as well as the leaf. She didn't care that Ukiyo was her niece, her granddaughter, or even a friend she cared for deeply. She had to be stopped, no matter what the consequences.

As Ukiyo drew close, Kaguna began slowly standing up. Her legs were shaking and her body seemed as if it was going to fall apart at any second. Ukiyo chuckled at the attempt, preparing her jutsu to finish her off once and for all. Kaguna looked up into Ukiyo's eyes one last time, Ukiyo...I'm sorry. Kaguna's body then lifted off the branch a few inches and her head tilted back. From the edges in, she began disappearing, turning into wind yet again. Ukiyo smiled, She's at her end, there's no way she can sustain that jutsu long enough to escape. However something wasn't right. Kaguna's figure, obscured as it was and surrounded by currents of air, was staying still. She just hovered in front of Ukiyo, seeming to go nowhere. Is this a trick? A clone? Just then, the seeds all around the two of them from Kaguna's last attack began flying towards her. From the canopy above, leaves all around, to the grassy floor below, seeds emerged from the woodwork and began getting caught up in the wind. More and more flew in to the current and when the majority had been absorbed, Kaguna's entire body was now outlined with seeds. Her lips seemed to move, but nothing audible emerged from them. Ukiyo was shocked, having no idea what she was capable of with this new jutsu. The wind walker alone was incredible...but this? Ninja like her cannot be allowed to live. Ukiyo prepared herself for Kaguna's assault, but had no clue how to stop it. She planned to try her original strategy; wait for her to materialize and then strike. But what happened next was nothing Ukiyo could have prepared for.

The gust of wind, Kaguna, with its seed-figure form, swept forward towards Ukiyo. At this distance, all she could do was wait for a chance to strike back, and drop down below if things got ugly. However the wind passed directly through her, or rather, into her. The streams of air surrounded Ukiyo, thrashing leaves and branches and grass around as it took hold of her. The seeds followed too, however instead of taking Kaguna's form, they began covering Ukiyo's body. Every inch of it was concealed by seeds. Ukiyo then began reaching into her pocket, but against her own will. The hell? She's...using the seeds to control me! How can I get out of this? I can barely move a muscle- Ukiyo's hand drew forth a kunai from her pocket. With her arm shaking, it began rising towards her throat. Ukiyo fought the urge as much as she could, but the seeds seem to draw from the wind around her, which had much more force than her physical strength. Ukiyo clenched her muscles and thought quickly as the kunai neared her throat. She struggled as much as she could, but eventually was able to pull up her middle and ring finger on the hand not clenching the kunai. It was a little easier on that hand to maneuver, and she pulled the two fingers apart in order to activate her jutsu. A small flower emerged from Ukiyo's hand as the kunai made contact with her neck, and instantly, Ukiyo passed out. She had suppressed her chakra so that she wouldn't fight off the flower's effect, and as a result, her body quickly went limp. Kaguna was out of chakra, having put everything she had into this last attack. She looked at the flower, quickly deducing what Ukiyo had done. Leaving her body, Kaguna knew not to materialize close enough for that flower to take over her as well, so she got a good distance away before releasing jutsu. She had no chakra left, and no will to fight. The moment that flower wilted, Ukiyo would wake up to and surely try to kill her again. Kaguna reached her limit. As much as she wanted to stop Ukiyo, she knew she was unable to right now. She turned around, and headed back to the village.

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Ukiyo awoke to find that she was exactly where she last remembered. She stood up off the forest floor and took hold of two fistfuls of grass. She ground her teeth at the thought of what she had just done; shutting her entire body down just because she was in danger? Ukiyo never thought she'd have to do such a thing, and prayed she never would have to again. It left her so vulnerable; the smallest edge against her flower and anyone else could have killed her by now. Well, I guess not only anyone else; Kaguna herself was extremely strong. That jutsu...what was that? I had no idea she could use Mokuton, let alone to that degree. And my jutsu on top of that... I couldn't even create such a technique. Her wind walker was always stronger than I could imagine, so I don't know why I'm so surprised. I guess this is just an entirely different level. My seeds can't do what she did, even with my vines I couldn't dream of controlling someone's body. If I face her again, what would I do? I pretty much just got lucky and that's the only god damn reason I'm still alive right now. Ukiyo closed her eyes tightly and clenched the grass, several thin streams of tears dropping down her cheeks. Her fear of death came flooding back with her inability to protect herself from it. Kaguna's not even the strongest ninja I know. How could I believe I stand a chance against the Hokage when a mere Jounin nearly kills me? Maybe I'm not ready yet, maybe I'm still just as weak as I was back then...You're not. You've learned, grown, you are a fine young woman. You survived, and that is what you are best at. Don't doubt your abilities for a minute; we had that bitch on the ropes when-

Don't call her a bitch! Ukiyo screamed out at the ground as she knelt over. The voices were quiet for a moment as Ukiyo sobbed, now unable to control the flow of emotion she had been holding back since the second she saw Kaguna. Kaguna, why couldn't you stay with me? Why did you have to go back to those traitorous, heartless fucking Senju?! We could be leaving together. Why can't you just see it the way I do? Ukiyo ripped up a handful of grass from the ground. What makes you think we'll succeed? What makes you think it's worth it? Why are humans so evil? I mean why do you think that, or why do I do? Or...or... Ukiyo's head was banging violently. She was in pain and the crying made it worse; with each deep, stuttered intake of breath it felt like the pressure from Kaguna's wind trying to cave her skull in again. She threw the blades of grass back down and continued weeping, feeling more conflicted now than ever before. She was so close to realizing the beginning of her dreams, yet now felt further estranged from how she truly felt than ever.

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