[b]“If he fights the Land of Water he will die, and the Hozuki clan will become like the Kaguya: A memory.”[/b] His sister’s concerns were reasonable; The Land of Water could take care of him, and the Land of Fire’s support meant there was zero chance of his clan being able to function outside of the lands. A hole was dug and Sangetsu would now need to lie in it, for with his outrageous claim and disregard for the man whom the Land of Water and other nations called a hero he had killed his future opportunities entirely. Kotomi was smart, so he understood her desire to make certain her brother of all people understood the position Sangetsu had just put the Land of Water under. [b]“We’ll act as we need to. Allow the Hokage time to get that message …maybe he’ll humble him.”[/b] While Kotomi felt that the peace treaty complicated the war effort, Takeshi didn’t believe much had changed. The Empress had acknowledged that her forces were not superior to the rebellion’s finesse and variety of skills. This was likely just a means for her to save face, but there were a few uncertainties to that opinion too. Takeshi wanted to believe this, but Jinchuuriki were still a big weapon for the enemy. Was this ‘peace treaty’ a legitimate wish or merely an attempt to lure the rebels out and wipe them out en masse? Takeshi looked towards his sister and forward once more. A future needed to be secured for their people, but he didn’t see a world where the Empire didn’t abuse them. [b]“She killed our father, Kotomi …I won’t soon forget that. And neither should you.”[/b] To be specific, it wasn’t the Empress that did it, but her reinforcements overwhelming him. Sangetsu wasn’t there preparing to give his life for others so he couldn’t understand the meaning of sacrificing oneself. Nikuya who was currently monitoring Konoha had been one, but compared to the second she was almost entirely irrelevant. There were rarely people in the world his father had been concerned with on a fighting level, one being the Hokage …and the other ... [i]He’s still out there …[/i] - Kaede didn’t agree with Dren’s desires but understood that as a priority target she would need to be watched carefully. Happening to be outside of the village during the attack six months ago was not a fault but a cruel circumstance; she understood the feeling of powerlessness but didn’t believe that holding it inside as if he intended to miss the battle was the right answer. There wasn’t any time to console her family member, as more and more that took place in her surroundings became clear. It had been a long time since she was exposed to the harshness of battle, and while her actions prevented the fatalities of many comrades throughout the forests surrounding Konoha she could see and feel much of the life being extinguished around her enemies. Within sight of her a kunoichi had taken a severe blow and had hit the ground terribly hard. The Imperials that were against her had begun to close in with no mercy or hesitation in sight, and with everyone focusing on their own battles it seemed no one was seeing her being surrounded nor coming to her aid. While she couldn’t make out what she was saying from this distance, she could tell that she was in trouble. Her injuries were severe, and was unfortunately one of the few poor souls who didn’t have her seal. If Dren refused to take action, then this was up to her. [b]“Follow me! Only engage in self-defense!”[/b] Kaede ordered rather heated at Dren; when a life she could save was on the line, the gloves of politeness were often relaxed in order to bring clear communication between her and another. No one had moved to this girl’s aid, and she was in a position to both heal her injuries and save her life. Accelerating through the trees at a surprisingly quick pace, the main family’s prized heir had jumped between Karela and the Imperial soldiers. They had flinched in surprise and had begun to consider their options, recognizing the girl’s Byakugan and knowing of the Hyuga clan’s fearsome reputation. Of course they could also figure that there were more of them than there was of her. Kaede had several options of ending this fight quickly, but instead knelt down and placed her left hand over the center of the burn on her face. Releasing chakra and scattering it across her face to cover the area of injury, Kaede’s eyes darted around to the soldiers that surrounded her. They were puzzled and still aggressive, but were still watching this go on, which gave her more time to work. Within seconds of her chakra emerging from her hand, Karela’s pain around her face was diminishing to the point the injury almost seemed like an illusion. The skin began to mend, her chakra swimming throughout her skin with the sensation of a moist, cool rag. The Empire soldiers were captivated, but upon noticing that the wound had begun to be healed in a matter of moments they had grown concerned. The enemy wasn’t letting up, all that they did was quickly becoming healed, and that talk about a ‘Guardian Angel’ in the Leaf Village had made more and more sense. In the several seconds she had arrived, they felt an odd sensation of peace and calm from this young woman, and it was enough for them to pause. She was …dangerous as a Hyuga, perhaps more than that, but they couldn’t bring themselves to land an attack on her. She didn’t appear to be a willing enemy like so many others who butchered their comrades. [b]“Please go, while you still can.”[/b] Kaede mumbled to the several surrounding her in an act that surprised them. The opponents they faced had all been merciless, but here one was offering them a chance to regroup. Looking to each other and knowing that with the way the battle was progressing they weren’t certain to defeat the rebels. They contemplated doing what she had said silently, and only until one of them turned on their heel and retreated did the others follow. Kaede watched until they were certainly out of sight before lowering her guard, her idle right palm was prepared to intercept any hostility. Breathing easy, she smiled and looked to Karela. She believed she may have seen her in the village once or twice, but didn’t know her name or origin, and was too busy to say hello. [b]“What’s your name?”[/b] She asked silently, hoping to get her talking as she saw the silhouettes of her comrades rushing by. The men she instructed to flee had a chance at escape, for if they stayed here they certainly would’ve been killed one way or another. Moving both hands over to her arms together, she began to soothe the burns scattered on them and mend the skin in a short process. Concentrating her efforts on a single person helped her ability to mend wounds, but it didn’t take away from the others she was simultaneously restoring across the forest. All her training and dedication had her serve as a huge boon to the forces of Konoha for a long time, and it was her duty to help her comrades however she could. - Kenta Akimichi had emerged from the centermost barracks, watching the pillars of smoke and explosions that rattled the forest. Clutching his fists together he had proceeded onto the main road; shortly enough a small amount of men, no more than fifteen, had rushed up to him. Some of them had been scathed in combat, while others appeared fresh and had avoided it well enough. They appeared shaken and concerned, there was no blame to pass onto them for how things had transpired. All they needed was one more day to get this to the Hokage, and perhaps the blood wouldn’t have flowed as it was now. Though inside he was wounded from this sight, on the outside he was stone and watchful. [b]“Sir, we need orders. The rebels are closing in and—“[/b] [b]“Those of you who want to stay, remain with me. Those of you who want a better chance at surviving …start making your way to the Land of Rivers. Try to ensure Nikuya can escape, but if you find that order impossible to carry out, save each other and get back to the castle.”[/b] Kenta’s order was firm and without hesitance, something other shinobi and soldiers could hear and believe in. It wasn’t suicide he was ordering, but instead a chance to fight another day offered by the subcommander of the Imperial occupation. He could see that Konoha’s rage was as strong as it had been six months ago, and the men and women of the Empire were too used to peace. It had all begun to make sense. [b]“They’ve too many more resources at their disposal. With the majority of the Empress’ strength with her, there’s minimal chance we can successfully fight them off and secure the Land of Fire. Pass this along, and quickly ...we're short on time.”[/b] Even now he could feel the drums of battle edge closer and closer; slowly but surely the rebel’s efforts were paying off and if his old comrade and the Hokage had been behind things, it meant Nikuya was in absolutely no position to turn this around with her ‘beast’. This was a downhill battle, and unless a couple of the Empire’s finest were creeping up behind him there was nothing more that could possibly be done. Those that wanted to stand and fight for what they believed in, to the death, were to remain with him. The soldiers looked among each other worriedly before scattering, obviously uncertain of whether they’d stand in a battle their commander didn’t believe they’d survive, or if they should live and carry on with their lives. With the dismissal, Kenta had traveled down the road, heading towards the battle. Only taking several steps he paused, noticing that things would be different starting now. [b]“Come to finish the job yourself, old friend?”[/b] Takeo’s blade was surprisingly light on blood and it was instead his knuckles that were a little on the red side. He had focused on breaking through the tightest of the enemy lines and had his own personal objective; see that the highest-ranking of this base were eliminated before they were allowed to escape. Although the seasoned warrior was familiar with ‘expect the unexpected’, an old comrade from his short ANBU days was the last thing he had expected to remain here. Kenta Akimichi was one of a shameful small amount that had openly defected from the Konoha they loved for the Empire, finding their ideals and goals beneficial to themselves. Takeo didn’t like traitors, couldn’t stomach those who turned on what they once stood for in the most cowardly way possible, but at the sight of Kenta he stood at ease. [b]“I figured you would’ve been rotated out of here Kenta... anymore upper-class soldiers around here I should kill before getting back to you?”[/b] [b]“I'm the only one. You know Nikuya liked to keep a tight grip on things. The only reason I’m a ‘sub commander’ is because I shut up and let her do things her way …within reason.”[/b] Turning around, the Akimichi sucked in a deep breath, eying his comrade with some sadness in his eyes and emptiness in his gut. [b]“If only you’d have waited one last day. This could have been prevented.”[/b] [b]“Not likely.”[/b] Takeo shook his head in disagreement. Things had been boiling for some time, and the rebels attack was the chance they’d have to release all that anguish after stomaching the position they were in. This was an unavoidable outcome, and Kenta must have realized it as well. The Akimichi tossed to him a scroll that was idle in his hand, unlikely a trap as Kenta wasn’t an underhanded kind of person. Rare of a shinobi these days, but the man was honorable until he had dropped Konoha in favor of the Empire. Catching it with his right hand casually, Takeo looked at it, appearing no more than an average scroll with a seal representing the Empress. This meant it had come from the very top. [b]“What is this supposed to be?”[/b] [b]“Peace.”[/b] With Kenta's orders being passed around to the Imperial forces that still remained, the Empire had begun to make a cautious retreat back towards the barracks. Some of them were certain of their decisions already, but others were not as quick to decide on their probable fates. The rebels had, minus one, not been very merciful or opting to hold back. As a result, only the most dedicated wished to remain behind for a massacre on this scale.