It was dark, almost too dark. Any light that may have come from the stars or moon was covered by foreboding clouds. The dark hid the figures of the two children laying in one of the training fields. It was silent other than the two children's panting. A few weapons were scattered, the only evidence of their late night training.

"Akiyo?" A small voice came from the little girl, "when do you believe this rebellion will be over?"

"Who knows," The older boy, Akiyo, responded just as quietly, "Hopefully soon though."

"I do not like it. It is horrible and it is ugly."

"I know."

The silence returned again. A streak of light slipped through the clouds, and the girl sat up. Her jet-black hair fell over her shoulder, hair that her mother required her to keep long. Her golden eyes caught the light, illuminating her face.

"What is it?" Akiyo asked, sitting up along with her.

Her face wrinkled, disrupting the blue ~ shaped marks on her nose and cheeks. She opened her mouth to respond but a scream echoed through the area.

Akiyo quickly stood, pulling the girl with him. "Come on, we need to get out of here."

Several more screams reached their ears as they started running. The light they saw became fire. Their peaceful meadow became chaos. Their rest became panic.

They weaved their way through the streets, ducking from various fights that had broken out. Houses were alight in flame, children were crying as their parents were drawn into the fight. The town was a blur of red and orange and black.

The two children jumped back, narrowly avoiding a sword that had sliced through one of the townspeople. The girl screamed and Akiyo tightened his grip on her hand. As they continued running towards the other side of the town, more bodies fell around them. The dark smoke burnt their eyes and their skin prickled from the heat of the fire. As they ran, blood from various victims splattered across their clothes. Torch fire caught on Akiyo's sleeve as they ran and he hurriedly patted it out as he continued to run. His heart raced as he searched to find somewhere to hide until the fights died down. He ducked into an alley, pulling the girl behind him. The two ducked behind a dumpster and panted. The girl curled into Akiyo and he held her gently, trying to soothe her fear.

Laughs and screams mixed together outside of the alley, combining to form a haunting melody. The stars that had been covered by clouds, were now replaced by sparks. A thud came from beside the young pair as a body fell from a building and landed on the dumpster. Another crash sounded as a man jumped down after. "More gutter trash?!" The man yelled upon seeing the kids.

Akiyo grabbed the girl and they ran back out of the alley, barely dodging the man's attack.

"I wish to go home," The young girl cried.

"I know. I'm taking you. We'll be there soon."

After turning several more corners, the pair reached a dark neighborhood. The fires were hidden from view and other than a few echoes of metal clashing against metal, very little sound reached their ears. The two sighed in relief that their neighborhood had been left untouched. They quietly wandered through the streets, until an unpleasant smell reached them. The clouds overhead had drifted enough to allow a few small moon rays through. A few crackles and snaps sounded as the children viewed the site. Bodies laid strewn in the street, foundations smoldered, burnt clothing floated in the light wind. The clouds covered all light again and the girl fell to her knees.

A cry echoed, then a thud and laughter. A rebel, searching to kill survivors. More laughter… more rebels.

"We need to leave," Akiyo whispered as quietly as he could.

"But…"

"More rebels are coming. If we don't get out of here-"

"Boys, there's more over here! Come on!" A voice yelled.

"Sorami, now!" Akiyo yelled grabbing the girl's hand and pulling her to her feet. He raced with her to the alley they had come through. The rebel's voice sounded from behind them, he was gaining on them. Sorami tripped, falling over onto a body. She scrambled to get up but not before the rebel grabbed her. He threw her back to the ground, knocking the wind from her lungs. She gasped and he drew his sword. Sorami quickly curled into a ball, blocking her head with her arms, as he tried to slash at her. His sword tore threw her forearms, but missed its ultimate goal. The rebel angrily slashed again, cutting her arms again, creating a large deep X across her arms. A kunai flew towards the man, embedding itself in his stomach and momentarily surprising him. Akiyo grabbed Sorami again and started racing away.

Soon, the two were back out in the chaos where it was easy enough to lose the man. Akiyo pulled Sorami to the country's gate. They slipped through and turned to see nothing but death. Akiyo loosened his grip on Sorami's hand and began walking away from their home. Once they had traveled a couple miles, he built up a fire and sat next to it with the girl. He pulled out a roll of bandages he had in his pouch, grateful that they had been training before the chaos so he had his weapons and bandages on his. He gently wrapped the bleeding gashes on Sorami's arms and then she curled into him.

Tears poured from her eyes, her sobs coming loudly no longer needing to be quiet. Akiyo gently held her and soothed her. Sorami's tears slowed and her breathing leveled as exhaustion replaced the adrenaline. She rolled in Akiyo's grip so that she only rested her head in his lap, watching the fire. "Where will we go?" She whispered, almost silently.

Akiyo stared into the fire, stabbing it with a stick to keep it lit for warmth. "The closest place we can… Konohagakure."