Uchiha Stronghold [Flashback]

[Rinoa]

((For Uchiha Characters only!!!)) 

One year ago.. 

The Clan Halls were decked out with intricate fabrics and drapes, in the theme for celebration with alternating colors of reds, grays and blues. Such celebration was only due to the fact that the first female had shown such promise and grace to have been promoted by the Hokage himself into a position of greater responsibility. Tact and cunning displayed, as well as resourcefulness and not to mention her kind heart that won everyone (but her own clan) over had the Hokage swooning. 

Chit chat gathered around the young woman, as it was by the Hokage's wishes to call for such a grand celebration for the young woman. Onyx hair was pulled high into an intricate bun, her kimono matching the theme that the Hokage had asked for. The Uchiha Clan Halls were located on their main grounds, but also doubled as the Military Police Force Hall, considering that they were all but Uchiha clan members. 

While Rinoa was greeted by smiles and congratulations, she knew better. They were all fakes, hoping to keep on the Hokage's good side. They didn't care for her, they only begrudgingly accepted the Hokage's wishes because it was he who asked for it. The last celebration they held here was when Itashui was promoted, which was so many years ago that she couldn't tell someone what he had looked like if she tried. 

Her steely graphite eyes only remained on molten as she took the fake praises with grace. She knew better than to allow her real emotions to seep through the facade. Such was the life and existence of being an Uchiha. 

[Hono Uzumaki]

A somber male Uchiha moved through the zombie-like masses of people. Minaru accept the invitation only because he assumed this event would be mandatory; if only he knew earlier.

"What the hell is this party even for?" he grumbled under his breath, observing the scene before him. He was fresh out of the Chunnin Exams, or at least it felt like it. Only two weak prior did he suffer the loss of his crush.. Joy. Think about her hurt still and being a true shinobi he should have been able to put the mention past him in order to complete his duties.

With an expression between bored and pissed off, he sulked towards the more empty portion of the room.

Even though Minaru thought of himself as a hard motherfucker, he did have a nice side; though, it was only ever used to win people over to screw them in the end.

"Must be about her." his eyes fixated their icy gaze upon Rinoa. He didn't talk to his cousins, and wasn't to sure about a lot anymore; but he felt it was only right to stand beside whatever the Uchiha leader says. He slowly began to remember the talk he had with him prior to the Chunnin Exams about this...

"Win over the Hokage, that sounds easy enough." he made his way over, first stopping on Rinoa to do his deed and play his part. Do his little act.
"Rinoa-itoko, congratulations!" his enthusiasm wasn't there, but he went for the embrace and let out a whisper.
"Make it look good, the Hokage is watching. We are a loving happy clan. Right?" he chuckled.

[Uchiha Itashui]

Another family gathering... great. Itashui sighed softly as he neared the entrance to the HQ of the Military Police, adorned in a silky, dark navy-kimono, hair styled more tightly and formal than his usually relaxed ponytail. The bangs still escaped from the confines of the constrictive tail, but that, perhaps, was his own personal flare. The kimono, resting comfortably against his muscularly lean physique, possessed the Uchiha insignia along the backside.

Silently slipping into the doorway, his eyes scanning the room, Itashui muttered low but stern 'hellos' to those who either accompanied him at the entryway or those he passed. His obsidian oculars, analytical and cold, took note of the decor and setup of this occasion. It reminded him of his own 'congratulatory' event for joining the Military Police, but, this was individualized for someone he didn't expect to join the Force: an Uchiha woman named Rinoa. While he never deeply engaged in conversation with her, Itashui knew her by name and face, but that really didn't say much. It wasn't wise for a woman to join the Force, Itashui knew this and was partly at fault, considering the opinions of the Uchiha males on the squad. The Hokage may have influenced those to be respectful, but Itashui wasn't sure exactly if the Hokage was aware of what he truly had done. The Hokage was setting her up to be badgered and verbally beaten down by the sexist views of the Uchiha clan. It didn't sit right with him, but he also thought it would soon be troublesome having a female in the police force.

His priority to congratulate Rinoa, Itashui sauntered over by the woman whom everyone flocked toward - it was obvious, just by that alone. Standing in a line, behind Minaru, he was surprised the kid swooped in for a hug. It wasn't the usual formal policy... but, then again, he was unaware of Rinoa's and Minaru's relationship - they could have been close. Itashui wasn't one to fraternize much with his clan... or people, for that matter. He'd politely and patiently wait for his turn to send his wishes to Rinoa, first observing the duo in their awkward embrace. His face void of emotion, his gaze seemed disinterested and unimpressed with the display. "Pffft." He inwardly mused, restraining the need to visibly scowl.

[Rinoa]

Voices filtered through her ears similarly with the same effect as white noise - over time, you just grew accustomed to the sound. The same words over and over again: congratulations, we're so proud of you, you've brought us great honor to our clan. The same recycled jargon. Majority of them had her in an embrace for about 2.83 seconds before releasing her as though she was covered in filth.

Of course this was all men.

The women of the clan were circulating the room, pleasing the guests (who weren't really guests at all), but really all they were doing was putting on a grandiose show for the Hokage. The man of power stood behind her with a extremely joyous expression on his face, though not too close as to give her space. The other females of the clan seemed to have been rotating as though their movements were drafted, a plan of attack nearly, all calculated. Their dress was equally impeccable; they all had their onyx manes in a far simpler bun, their bangs framing their angular faces, and all donned in a dark red, nigh carmine shade kimono with the Uchiha fan on the back. Simple uniform.

Rinoa's dress wasn't simple by any means. The Hokage wouldn't have allowed it. Her obsidian hair was pulled into a messier yet elegant bun, ornate pins of crystal decorating the mass of hair in it's height. A strand or two fell in the front to frame her much rounder face, striking against her alabaster skin and drawing that much attention to her lightened grey eyes. The kimono she wore was of a dark navy blue color, with delicate and intricate designs done in black and gray along the fabric resembling what she knew to be gusts of wind.

Picture perfect, right? Not until Minaru had pulled her close into an embrace, his voice having rousing her from the peaceful lull of white noise that she had fell into. His voice whispering against her ear was by no means harsh, though it was hard for her to resist raising a brow. The clan would be furious if she let a single emotion that was remotely displeasing be seen in public. Begrudgingly, she brought her hands to press against the youth's back, returning the hug and forcing a smile to adorn her features. "Ah...," she had started, only for her voice to drown out as her own eyes fell onto her superior, in the prodigal sense: Itashui.

Eyes wide, she remained before the two as though dumb, words not leaving her lips though jaw slackened.

The Hokage, having noticed this, chuckled before stepping forth. "Now, now, there will be time later to speak with her and catch up, I assure you. Let the rest of the clan congratulate Rinoa on her achievements," he kindly instructed, wanting Rinoa to be a bit more acquainted with her future partner. He was no fool to the Uchiha Clan's workings, but let them be if they believe he was.

[Hono Uzumaki]

He laid a mocking kiss on each cheek, and laid a fake smile on his face. Facing the Hokage, he spoke;

"I am just so happy for my cousin, this has been her wish for so long. I hope that one day, you would honor me with such a position if I am qualified."

Even though he spoke words of grace and honor, the constant wrenching in his gut was making it hard too lie. Minaru studied hard in the Academy for a certain purpose. Ever since he was young, lying had been something he was profoundly gifted at, Minaru studied the flow of chakra and understood how chakra levels can show that a person is lying.

Minaru calls his ability to lie, or hide the lie, Chakra Suppression. Using this state, one cannot only mask there presence in a battle, but also control the flow of chakra within there body. Due to the amount of chakra control this takes and the type of justu, one wasn't able to mold chakra.

Minaru kept a firm mental grip, his dull black eyes scanning the room, the Hokage spoke directly to the young Uchiha.
"Your love is refreshing in such hard times, and especially for you." A bead of sweat began to form on Minaru's bro as his thoughts began to race.
"Don't you dare bring HER up." he internally raged; his mind was a mess, but his face concealed his emotions.
"The Chunnin Exam's weren't that long ago... I know you and my Daughter were close." the Hokage speaking of his daughter Joy, Minaru's fallen comrade and love.
"Sir, I-.." he began to only be cut off.
"My apologies.." somehow, even through all he has done to prevent people from reading him, the Kage knew.
"Well, in times of war my Lord. Tragedy happens." he gritted through his teeth as he address the Kage.
"Please, excuse me for a moment." Minaru calmly left the gathering and stepped into the restroom.

Pushing open the restroom door, he gently locked it behind him. A few stalls lined the main wall and opposite them were the sinks. Minaru went start to turn on the water, spinning the handles frantically. The young Uchiha was steaming, his blood was hot and the cool water wasn't enough to get him to relax. The room began to spin as his vision faded, his reflection fractured in the mirror. He rapidly began to slam his fist against the sturdy granite that the sink's counters were fabricated from; he choked back tears. 

"Joy... I am sorry." he said as he heard his own name bounce within his skull, like the voices were all in his head. Joy's voice was screaming for him to help. He tried to plug his ears, but to no avail. The room began to darken and shortly faded. He rubbed his eyes and as they opened, he was no longer staring at his reflection or even in the village at all. Again, the surrounded by titanic trees within the Forest of Death, he stood. "Genjustu?" he thought. The cries for help grew louder and he instinctively set off in search. He smashed through tress, limbs, branches; nothing would stop him, not this time, he couldn't live through what he assumed the genjustu showed him. The clearing was quiet, the man muffling Joy's cries  just before slaughtering her like cattle. Minaru did as before, ripping the man's head from his shoulders with sheer speed and leverage. The skull rolled away as he dropped and embraced the dead body, sobbing like a newborn; screaming for his fallen love. The shrill screams continued like a melodic death song. His vision went black again in his embrace. He opened his eyes to find the restroom destroyed. Minaru managed to smash through every wood stall, cracking the foundation and destroying the plumbing beyond normal repair. Glass filled each fist as he laid motionless, cuddling a toilet in the fetal position. Mumbling psychotically as he rubbed his head against the dismantled toilet.

"Joy, Joy. I'll avenge you."

Every stall had fallen and water was already flooding the floor. The hissing of broken plumbing connections whistled loudly and echo'd along the wall. He was truly still out of it in his delusion.

[Uchiha Itashui]

The amount of awkwardness ensuing was... unbearable, at least, probably for the woman standing in honor: Rinoa. Betwixt the Hokage's remembrance of his daughter and Minaru's visible disdain of the subject coming to light, Rinoa also faced the stares of Uchiha clansmen in regards to the informal hug earlier. Still, the seemingly patient male awaited for Minaru to excuse himself and for the unspoken signal to press forward, shuffling toward the Uchiha female with a stiff, but nonetheless formal posture. His right hand jutted from his side, kimono sleeve adjusting with the motions, his limb outstretched as if to shake with Rinoa's own, should she accept the gesture. "Congratulations, Rinoa-san. I do hope you live up to expectations." It wasn't genuine. His voice was stern and inconspicuously threatening. But, he wasn't the aggressor in this affair, no. It was a hidden message, an undertone to 'watch your back.' With the males of the clan, a female would have bigger shoes to fill in the military police. It was a warning that she should certainly heed. But, the Hokage would likely find Itashui's words pleasing, considering he didn't grasp the connotation of his words. It would be for the best that Rinoa knew what she was getting herself into, after all.

His gaze, hardened and cold, lingered on her until the gesture and exchange subsided. He wasn't one for words, but maybe Rinoa didn't catch the indication. If so, she'd learn the hard way. But, just as perhaps the two conversed, the thunderous clanking, crashing and tinkering was heard - however, tinkering was an understatement. Blinking irregularly, his composed-visage disrupted, Itashui (as well as many other Uchiha folk) turned to gaze in the direction of the sound, each expression as dumbfounded as the next. What was going on in the restroom? Water began to pool and roll from the crevice of the door along the floor, and Itashui really didn't want to know what was transpiring in the bathroom. Whatever it was, whoever was destroying the HQ, they'd surely have a fine to pay - along with the embarrassment and shaming of each and every Uchiha occupying the room.

Oh well, tough luck for that guy.

[Rinoa]

As Minaru brought her in close for the mock-kisses on either cheek, she couldn't resist her grey eyes flaring out in surprise. Such gall he had to take such measures, all to impress the Hokage? Was his opinion really that valuable to the clan?

She hadn't even had the opportunity to respond to his faux-mirth before he was pulled away by the Hokage's attempt to converse and distract, which only then pushed Itashui forward to speak with her.

His words, albeit congratulatory, caused for her body to go rigid. Was there an underlying tone that was heeding her away from these responsibilities? Or was it just her imagination getting the better of her?

Naively, she peered up into his onyx orbs with her own lightened metal-grey eyes, with an inquiring gaze, trying to find out just what exactly she should be expecting from his words. Instead, the moment ended almost as quickly as it came on, her own rationale butting in. No words left the young woman, but rather a warm smile came from her features, beaming up at her elder.

While her lips did indeed part to speak a thank you, the moment was cut short by the sound of tinkering and flooding. Her head whipped, just as several other Uchihas' had done, over in the direction where the sound came from. Her eyes fell onto the corridors leading towards the bathrooms before her gaze fell to the Hokage. "Should I..-?" she began, asking wordlessly if she should investigate.

The Hokage nodded towards her, giving her the okay to go and look into the situation. Rinoa lifted at the skirt of her kimono as she took quick strides towards the bathrooms, tiptoeing as she closed in and noticed the running water along the floors.

Her eyes scrutinized against the wet floors, lips pursed as she tried to understand just what could have possibly occurred for this to have been the result. She hadn't realized that she left behind Itashui, who was probably still staring in her wake.

[Hono Uzumaki]

Minaru was soaking wet and shivering, still cuddling his toilet. He came to, "What happened... Joy?" tears streamed down his face as his Sharingan flared.

Visions of the forest continued to stream like a slide by slide projector. He couldn't make out what was happening... what is all of this water. 

"I can't help." He drug his fingernails across the wood floor carving up marks.

[Uchiha Itashui]

Maybe the Hokage ushered the remaining Uchiha and invited guests to resume conversation, as if to remove all the attention from the situation in the bathroom. That was a possibility, or it was also possible that everyone still watched and had their head turned in the direction of the restroom. The "Star" of the party moved to further assess and subdue the situation, so perhaps people were observing her move over there. Whatever the case was, Itashui knew now was a great time to grab a drink.

Shuffling over to the stationed area for drinks, Itashui requested a glass of Sake. His frame leaned against the 'bar', contorted to stare at the others occupying the HQ. He was a natural observer, never really engaging in conversation... so watching from afar was right in his alley. Muttering a stern thank you when the hired tender placed the glass of Sake on the counter near him, Itashui wrapped his palm and digits around the cup. Soon, it rose to his lips and hardly with gusto, Itashui let the rice-alcohol beverage pour down his throat. Quietly, his eyes returned to the commotion, idly standing about as he wondered what exactly was going on. He wasn't much of a heavy drinker, but in his spare time, he didn't find anything wrong with it. Just seemed like the perfect time for it, because... with all this going on... it might be a long evening. One drink or two was acceptable, too.

[Rinoa]

"Joy..."

Joy? Why was that name familiar to her ears?

The brunette continued rushing forward, hearing the murmurings, only to find her cousin Minaru clutching to the porcelain bowl of the toilet. She frowned a little bit, her eyes softening at the sight. Now she remembered: Joy was the Hokage's late daughter and Minaru was on her team.

With a gentle exhale, she bent over as she approached Minaru's lain form, careful with her tone of voice and touch. Nimble fingers cupped at his cheek gently as she cooed. "I know, Minaru," she murmured. "but we need to get you up..."

She hoped to coax him with her soothing voice and gentle touches, as she could distinctly see that his mind wasn't in the present. She didn't want to rouse him from this state, as his behavior may become violent. The clan didn't need such dishonor.

[Hono Uzumaki]

Cold soft hands touched his face, light pitter-patter softly caressed his dimples and cheeks. This wasn't the touch he once knew, another attacker? Forcibly jumping to the corner of the ruined restroom, his katana now drawn. His Sharingan were still active, but a milky-white haze still infested his sight.

Using his Katana as a climbing hook, he pierced the wall. Minaru slammed both feet to the worn ceder walls and drew his blade, using chakra channeled to his feet to maintain his place on the wall and grant him the ability to swing.

"You will not kill an Uchiha."

Minaru spoke behind his thick black bangs, and even wet and cold the words rang out with anger and hatred. The sounds were as if the very air within him was evaporating to steam and couldn't get out fast enough. His metacarpal bones rubbed tightly up against one another as he spun his sword, weaving his wrist and rotating his fingers to make a continuous ellipsis of cold steel.

"Fear me, for I have nothing to live for any longer." he muttered in a sociopath's monotone.

His blade began to crackle and his voice became harsh, "Joyous Current" he cried.

The blur of silver that spun in his hand took an eerie red hue and the sound of lighting fractured through the air. Joy was akin to Raiton, and this was something she shared. The two of them always helped eachother along, though when it came to Joy; the boy always lied saying he couldn't do the justu. All just a ploy so he could spend time with her. What a foolish boy.

Large muscular arms ripped through the air, swinging his sword in the direction of Rinoa, unleashing forth a mighty blast of concentrated Raiton. Like a buzz-saw on a cutting table, the ball ripped through the wood of the facility. A small linkage could be made out that lead the ball back to the source of the attack. One could see it, but spending to long on watching could lead you to Death. Minaru took stride into a sprint, but not at her; around her. Think of the walls as a bowl, he accelerated in circles, staying horizontal to the floor. Bidding his time obviously.

The blue orb was for sure the first concern, but would Minaru find his way back to the light and reenter the realm of reality?

[Uchiha Itashui]

Things were settling down outside, least with Rinoa moving to rectify the situation, people would begin to care less. Idle chit-chat and small talk soon ensued, and Itashui swigged more of the sake within his grasp. "Pah." He refreshingly exclaimed, finding comfort normally at these parties with a light buzz. He wasn't buzzed yet, but building his way up to that state. It might not have been best to meddle in the booze for long or at the moment, now, given the incoming force of elemental jutsu.

The distinct sound alerted his being, eyes frantically darting toward the bathroom once more. Many of the clansmen reacted in a similar fashion, even motioned to escape the incoming orb of electrical energy. Some scattered and moved other slowly-reacting bystanders away from the ninjutsu, others gasped in as they watched in a safe distance. One was in the line of the ninjutsu projectile: a young Uchiha child who was mesmerized with the light, eyes wide like a deer in headlights. The little girl was stunned. Many would now scream in horror, but, Itashui was near the child. Dropping his glass along the counter, the Uchiha prodigy scrambled forward in a swift motion, fingers and hands gesturing a few hand signals. Whilst in motion, chakra collected throughout his palms, lips softly muttering. "Fūton: Daitoppa." Heart racing, eyes conveying a slight panic, he'd lunge in front of the little girl, prepared to take the brunt of this assault. But, his palms stretched outward as a condensed, but concentrated 'tunnel' of wind propelled to combat the incoming raiton sphere, the stronger nature dispersing the raiton like soft sparkles of a firework. While his face remained calm and stern, the adrenaline associated with combat rushed. What was going on in that bathroom?! The girl didn't notice the danger she was in, cheering and giggling at the display of 'electrical fireworks' quickly dancing and then disappearing into the air. The gust probably didn't push forward into the restroom as Itashui mainly focused solely on ridding the energy. It was a short-ranged technique, at least this time. Once all was safe, the female parent of the child scooped her kin into her arms, sobbing in joy. Itashui gave her a small dip of his head as she thanked him, then returned his attention to the restroom with a large, gaping hole. Heads turned in that area, some were likely going to intervene, he assumed. But, who knew?

[Tatsuo]

Hiroshi stood among the rest of his family; however, he lingered far in the back to keep attention from himself. Not only would he remain in the shadows, but he'd be able to watch the area from his position and pick out those he wished to mingle with, as well as keep an eye on the one who was the reason this 'party' was put together: Rinoa. Then, his eyes shifted towards his younger brother and he watched with a hidden, but calm expression. Things seemed to be slow and dull, despite the flowing life around him, but then again, it was nothing short of pretend and a lies, all of which he despised. His brows furrowed and he clenched his jaws together to observe the sight displayed before him. Why had he even come, having known the false display that would occur. Was it because of the position he wished to obtain? Could it have been to pay his respects to the female? Perhaps that was it, and it was time for him to do so. He rolled his shoulders in a forward motion and then took a single step forward while his eyes scanned the 'family' around him, and then smiled to himself before he headed in the direction of Rinoa.

His steps, however, would come to a stop when his brother moved towards the bathroom after sharing words with the Hokage. Hiroshi, who happened to miss the conversation, did not think twice of the situation, and pressed on with his slow, but wide steps, which carried him half-way towards the woman. But, alas, his destination would never be reached, for the bathrooom began to sing of ruin and distruction. Then it began to cry tears of sorror; tears that would leak through the opening of the door. Hiroshi looked towards Rinoa who made her way towards the bathroom to check out the situation he thought, and brushed off the man known as Itashui in the process. He then shrugged his shoulders and moved in the direction of the drinks when he suddenly remembered seeing his brother enter the bathroom. Had the boy left?! He snapped his head in the direction of the bathroom and then spun on the balls of his feet so that he was now facing the entrance. In the next second--before he could think about acting--his feet were carrying him in the direction of the bathroom. He moved in the form of a fast-walk, for he was uncertain as to what he'd find on the other side.

By the time he arrived to the door, he heard the faint sound of voices; left arm pressed forward and pushed the door open while he stepped inside. This place was a mess! He then allowed his orbs to land on the two present and then stared towards his brother. Was he the cause of this? There could be no way... However, that thought of his was stopped short, for the sound of a blade awoken another side of him. This was not good... he snapped his eyes directly towards his brother and then it happened... that familiar sound of crackling chakra rang through the male's ears, and he sprang himself foward. Hiroshi's left hand moved in the direction of Rinoa's back while his front shifted to her side and his right hand motioned through a series of quick kata. Just then, his right hand lifted towards the on-coming concentrated raiton. {Raiton: Inazuma} would be said in the back of his mind before he released a concentrated bolt of his own negatively charged raiton in order to counter his brother's attack so that he and the woman would be spared from the blast. Assuming this worked, his eyes would shift to follow the flow of his brother, now that the main threat was taken care of, and he'd spin on the balls of his feet to face the male so that he could make an attempt at a tackle. He had to get control of this situation before things got even more out of hand, and he had to fight the entire clan off his brother... or better yet, fight his brother off the entire clan.

[Hono Uzumaki]

A blurred line of crimson chased after the boy in motion, his speed could be mistaken as a shadow clone justu for the doppelganger images put forth into normal vision. The glow of his Sharingan was apparent and was always a constant threat. The young Jounin's eyes could follow bullets with max precision, even in a two tomoe state as they were. His footwork kept pace for an attempt at execution, he neared the perfect moment to strike before something caught his eye. A compulsive splurge of words slipped from his mouth as a soft whisper left his lips. He made out the Uchiha crest and his face... "Ani-san.."

Minaru's Sharingan dimmed a faded to black as his brother entered. He watched as his own attack was nullified without effort. His nerves were shot and his confidence began to buckle for the moment.
How could he not know his Brother was here, and what was he doing? What was Minaru doing himself?
'Another delusion?' he thought.

Minaru had no time to think, Hiro caught him completely off guard as his sibling dashed forward.  Hiroshi was a man of many talents, he was the one to teach Minaru all he knew, so how could he beat a man who's moves are his own? Minaru set into a sense of worry.

The sounds of snapping ceder planks and high impact collisions erupted as the young boy's mass was meet by a greater one, Hiro's. Minaru flew through the air with little time to think... he coughed as the wind was slightly ripped from his lungs.
"Have you turned on me as well, Ani-san." he growled with a choke as he swiftly brought up his knee. Spacing himself from the grasps of his brother, he hit a building hard, skidding against the wall only to come to rest as he met the earth.

Sitting on his butt, he quickly sweeped his legs underneath him and sat in a crouch. With this space they now had, what would be done. Minaru glared at his brother, the soulless coal eyes of a lost soul peered outward and searched the man's face. 

"Of course, you show up to save the day for others; I remember when it was for me." he barked in annoyance. "Just because your going to be Hokage doesn't mean you forget who your family is; your REAL family." his fingers tickled the pommel of his katana. "It was you and me against the World right, no Nation's shinobi could ever touch us, right? So, why don't you help me fight. I have come to the elders, healers, the wisest of our clan and village; but nothing is done. The Leaf just wants a warrior, and the Uchiha fear their Pride being stripped by the defective kid who can't handle death." he was in full rant. His speech picked up speed as he became more and more enraged. A soft aura began to glow around him, and odd grey chakra floated a bout him. 

"So, Big Brother, what will you do? Kill me for the clan or enslave me for the village? I know your it's bitch anyway." his last sentence seemed to sting Minaru's tongue as the words escaped the curves of his lips. The aura was manifesting an almost physical pressure and force as the black pupils, which normally sat docile, peered with killer intent and flared wildly into his Sharingan. Although, normally his Two Tomoe didn't appear in mid-spin.

"SAY SOMETHING." he cried with a devilish scream. His voice carried and echoed through the calm alley they broke into a few meters away from the HQ. The blur of crimson and black slowed within each eye and not two, but three tomoe glared at down as he shunshined to the rooftop. He would  hold out his sword, carefully staring down the steel like a hard sight of a gun, aiming for the Hokage to be. 

How far does someone need to fall to feel as though their family, clan and village do not want them? Minaru couldn't understand how a devoted shinobi could be put into this.

"Or die.."

[Tatsuo]

Hiroshi felt the connection of their bodies against one another and then could only watch as the both of them flew through the air with his younger brother in his arms. His nostrils flared and soon he met the young one's knee as it forced space between both him and Minaru. He then folded his legs close to himself and landed onto the ground in a crouched-skidding position, which was halted when he placed his right and left hands onto the ground. Him being the one who initiated the attack, had a better recover time, although he had not planned pushing this far. Regardless, his eyes focused on his brother--who decided to hug a wall--and lingered there for a moment or two. His lips parted and he soon released a soft sighs... What was going on with him? His mind then flashed back to what his brother said during their fall and said, "Turned against you? No. I will all stand by your side." However, his words had been too low to hear, for he was unsure if he'd be able to reach his brother.


Then the boy moved into a crouched position and cleared at him. He furrowed his brows and then realized how off his brother's aura was. Then he listened to each word the boy spoke. His eyes remained focused on his brother while his head snapped in the direction of the shunshin. His head tilted and his brows furrowed. Words would not reach out to his brother, he assumed, but was willing to try at this point. His lips parted and he called out to him, "Minaru, it is us against the world. Every step I take is an advancement for you." He paused and spun fully to face the boy, and noticed the chance with a quick glance of his dark orbs. His brows furrowed farther and he took a single step back, but not in retreat. For the moment, the Hokage to be was sizing up his brother to see what he would do next. As far as he could tell, this entire ordeal was going in the wrong direction, and quickly. If he didn't do anything, someone would end up hurt... But how would he go about acting?

If he stood before his brother in combat, hate may surly brew, for the words previously spoken came out with hate--at least that was how he took it. But that wouldn't be the extent of it, he was sure. The male began to watch his brother and soon narrowed his gaze onto the male with a hardened expression. Having spent years training his brother and teaching him different arts, he knew his skill was already better than others, and holding back against him too much may put him in a bad spot. Regardless, this was something that had to be done. Finally, he broke his silence and called out in an attempt to reach Minaru, "I stand by your side. I only saved Rinoa because there is no reason to harm our own kin. You need to get a hold of who you are, Minaru. This isn't you. This isn't the brother I raised. This isn't the brother who showed his guts to me." His right hand then moved towards his back and he tugged and the hilt of the blade that settled behind him at waist-level, but did not release the weapon from its sheath yet. His brother's last words struck him deeply, and he said nothing in response to them. Instead, he simply watched the boy from his position and readied himself for whatever was to come.