Happy holidays everyone, have some angst.

Updated: 12/22/19

"Not those ones! Mama can't stand those, they make her sick!" Ame snatched the golden apples Rikuro had been about to toss into the basket and shoved them back onto the stand. She shot her cousin a dirty look before grabbing the akane apples.

"She's never had a problem with them before," he grumbled.

Ame rolled her eyes, sticking another pair into the basket for extra measure, before rolling into a lecture. "Stupid Richi-chan. When a woman is having a baby their tastes get all mixed up, so they don't always like the stuff they used to because the baby makes it taste gross and they get sick."

"I hope whatever Ayano-oba is eating now makes this baby sweet, because all that bitter food she ate when she had you has made you a royal pain in the ass."

"The only royal ass around here is you ya giant buttface!"

He let out an undignified squawk when she kicked him in the legs. In one swift movement Rikuro pivoted on his heel and locked an arm around her neck, effectively pinning her against his side. And while she pinwheeled her arms and abused whatever she could reach, he took the opportunity to rub his knuckles into her scalp, hard.

"Oooww! Let go of me!" She twisted and bit his arm.

Rikuro shoved her away, hissing and rubbing the spot she bit with a glare. "Argh! What is with you this morning?!"

Ame backed up with a low hiss of her own. The two stared each other down, one with eyes sharper than any knife and a fierce glower that was too much like his father's, and the other bearing the signs of a poor night's sleep and an unblinking gaze that seemed a little more feral over human in the eyes of anyone who spared more than a glance at the commotion. If it wasn't for the owner of the fruit stall clearing his throat then they undoubtedly would have continued stoking the tension between them without a second thought for their errand or their surroundings.

They moved away from each other, and while Rikuro focused on picking out more fruit, Ame turned her dissatisfaction towards the ground. Her hands twitched at her sides, the urge to reach behind her and hold the familiar grooves of her staff taking hold of her like an insufferable itch. If it weren't for so many people insisting that she start getting used to carrying it on her back then it would already be in her grasp. As it was now she had to settle for slowly clenching and unclenching her fingers to resist the temptation.

If it had just been a rough night's sleep as her only problem Ame probably could have shrugged the storm cloud looming over her like it was no big deal, but no. Her dumb cousin had to be a preteen boy with a point to prove or pride to keep or some other thing that made him even more annoying than he normally was before they even got to the stupid market. And then he threw whatever remaining brain cells he possessed out the window by forgetting the stuff Mama asked them to get! And he had the gall to ask what was up with her.

"I should have just ditched you when we ran into Asuma and his team earlier and done the shopping myself." Ame frowned at him as he grabbed a pear that looked like it had seen a war of its own until he took notice and put it back. She quickly grabbed a healthier looking one and stuck it in the basket, earning her a stingy little huff.

"Yeah and with what money? You know it was given to me because I'm the responsible one."

"Just because you're older doesn't automatically make you more responsible," she snipped. "And you were so engrossed in your idiotic argument that I could have picked your pockets and made off like a thief in the night before you'd even think to notice something was amiss."

Rikuro made a move to grab her again when a shadow fell over the two. They looked up to see a demon with an aura of fire waving wildly behind it, giving them only a split second to balk before the wrath of two fists landed on their heads.

"Quit fighting already! You're disrupting the other shoppers!"

She yelped and grabbed her head, where the beginning of a welt was already forming, glaring at the attacker through the tears. An equally furious stare bore into her nearly causing Ame to stumble back. The demon wasn't a demon at all, the aura of fire turning into a mane of stunning red hair that hovered menacingly around the woman― Whether through chakra or sheer force of will alone she'd never been able to figure it out. The rate in which the blood drained from her face did not produce a pleasant sensation.

"Ku-Kushina!"

Said woman had a basket on one arm, hands on her hips, and a mean glare to match. Ame was no stranger to that stance, though usually she was observing it in action against Obito over being on the receiving end of it. A shiver raced up her spine.

"Honestly," Kushina griped, "I know getting along with your family all the time is impossible― kami knows how often I got into arguments with my mother ―but you should show a little restraint in public ya know! This is the market not a training ground."

Ame chuckled nervously. "Sorry."

Her cousin bowed his head, the tips of his ears having gone bright as the apples in the basket. "We're sorry Uzumaki-san. It won't happen again."

"Uzumaki-san." At that, Kushina immediately wilted. "Uzumaki-san was my father, and it makes me sound so old. I'm only twenty-two ya know!"

Poor Rikuro could only fumble over his words and turn into a tomato in the face; he may have had good manners, but that didn't mean he knew how to recover from accidentally insulting a woman. He wasn't nearly as suave as he liked to think he was. Ame couldn't help but giggle, this time more genuine, and she shoved him off with an order to get the rest of the groceries before he accidentally choked himself from trying to apologize so much.

He left with a dirty look, but at least he wasn't making a fool of himself― Though she couldn't account for how badly he could mess up the rest of the shopping, a thought she wasn't ready to entertain.

"Don't mind him!" She chirped as brightly as she could muster, which, quite frankly, wasn't all that much. "He just forgets how to relax when adults are around."

In a blink, Kushina went from being in a slump to bright eyed once more. She eyed Ame for a moment and sighed. "Well, he's certainly better mannered than most of the boys I knew growing up. Although I have to say, you two sure don't hold any bars when it comes to each other. You really should try to get along more ya know. How are you supposed to help your mother if you're always fighting one another?"

She glanced at the ground, swallowing hard. It hadn't occurred to her how much her and Rikuro's squabbles hindered their ability to help Mama, who not only needed all the help she could get now during the pregnancy, but would also need their help after the baby was born. There was no way she would be a good sister if she constantly let every petty little thing get to her, and that included her behavior thus far today. Being moody wouldn't be setting a good example for her future sibling.

"I'll try harder to get along with him," she promised.

"Good girl." Kushina smiled and gave her a pat on the head, earning a scowl that made her laugh. It wasn't a dainty sound, like most women Ame had heard before, but a jubilant one that one couldn't help but be drawn into. Before she knew it the tension was slipping from her shoulders and she was smiling a little more openly than before.

"How is your mother by the way?"

Ame gently bobbed from side to side. "She's been doing great! Mama says the baby's been kicking a lot lately and thinks it'll be a fighter when it's time to come out."

"Better than the screamer that was you when you were born," called Rikuro from the other side of the stand. "We could hear you from the other side of the estate, you were so loud."

"Zip it you!" Her whole head went from cool to on fire as she whipped around and glared at her cousin. He simply smirked and turned to the fruit vendor, pulling out the money Mama had given him, completely ignoring her.

A snort from behind her made her want to melt into a puddle and disappear. Slowly, she turned around and hung her head. Why did Rikuro have to have such a big mouth?

"As long as she and the baby are in good health then that's all that matters, right?" Another snort was stifled and Kushina gazed fondly at her. But when she leaned forward a subtle shift gleamed in her eyes causing Ame to shift uncertainly under the newfound lens of scrutiny. "And you're making sure to take care of yourself as well? You've gotta be in tip-top shape for your mom, especially when the baby comes."

'Crap, is it really that obvious? Do I look that bad?'

Mama had definitely given her more questioning looks once she'd come out of her room, but she hadn't said anything else so Ame assumed she scraped by with passing marks. The way Kushina eyed her said no act she could put up was gonna fly with her.

Still, it had only been one restless night. One nightmare. It had shaken her, definitely, but there was no way she was going to let it get to her for long. Just… right now she didn't want to deal with anything related to that dream.

Ame waved a hand through the air, trying to keep her smile relaxed. "I'm fine, I promise."

Kushina opened her mouth, presumably to argue, but the opportunity flew by when Rikuro reappeared. He pinched her side. Ame hissed and retaliated by jabbing her elbow into his gut, to which he blocked effortlessly, a smarmy grin dancing along his face. That was repaid in kindness with a stomp to his foot.

A defeated groan saw to the woman's head hanging in her hand. "Honestly you two. Didn't we just have a discussion about this?"

Like he'd just been struck by lightning, Rikuro's entire body went rigid, his spine straightening so quickly that Ame was pretty sure she heard a couple bones popping. He gave a precise forty-five degree bow― seriously, she knew he had a stick in his ass when it came to rules and pleasing the adults, but this was overkill, even for him ―and declared, "We're sorry Kushina-san. It won't happen again, right?"

Ame could only stare, flabbergasted, as Rikuro gave her a smile so sweet it was likely to give her nightmares on top of cavities. Even when she didn't respond he plowed on like everything was absolutely fine.

"Anyway, we've got to get going. Oba-san wanted us home before lunch."

It took only a second for Kushina to recover, something, perhaps the fact that Rikuro's voice had cracked, amusing her greatly if the smirk on her face were any indication.

"Of course, don't let me keep you two." She waved them off. "Take care. And no more fighting, you hear?"

"Yes ma'am!"

He grabbed Ame by the wrist and dragged her off without even allowing her a chance to say goodbye. Kushina's giggles followed them out of the market.

"What the heck—" Ame managed to wrestle her hand back, huffing, "—is wrong with you now?"

"Nothing! We really did need to leave."

"If I didn't know any better I'd almost say you were scared of Kushina."

Rikuro didn't respond. For a second she couldn't believe it, and then a wickedly gleeful grin lit up her face. Ame skipped in front of her cousin.

"You are afraid of her!"

He coughed. "You mean I chose my battles and made a tactical retreat."

"Absolutely not. You're scared of Kushina and that's that!" She cackled. In all fairness, Kushina was absolutely terrifying, no denying that. But that display in the market hadn't even scratched the surface. There were worse things the Red Hot Habanero could do than deal a couple lumps and a scolding.

"Agree to disagree. I respect the fact that she can beat me into the netherworld and I'd rather stay on her good side because of it."

"Whatever you say Richi-chan. I'll just make sure to tell Yūhi-san that you're a chicken that can't even admit to being a chicken."

"..."

'Three, two…'

She was already turning on her heel and running when he said, "You're so dead!"

It was difficult, living with a weariness which burrowed deep into one's bones, scoring marks right through even the core of one's own soul. Carrying the weight of this exhaustion was a constant uphill battle; like a punishment, these burdens became a bolder that had to be pushed to the top of the mountain to see a resolution, but every time he came close his efforts were thwarted, and the bolder would be sent back to the bottom wherein he would have to begin the strenuous task of reaching the top all over again.

Ryouta was tired of struggling and getting nowhere. No one would listen to reason. Not his brother, not even the others that suffered the same as him. The poison that came with many names— loyalty, duty, obedience —had sunk its claws deep into their hearts, blinding them to the truth of reality. It was too late for the others to distance themselves from that which would do them harm.

He closed his eyes, shutting out a world which was familiar yet also a stranger to him. 'Home' was no longer a place where he could belong.

An image of his family flickered in his mind, perfect as a picture. There was Kiki, the love of his life, mother of their child, his best friend. She faded away. Dead and gone. And then there was Rikuro, bright and intelligent and young, a little spit fire in his own right. The thought of allowing the same fate to befall him was like driving a knife through his heart. He couldn't— No, he wouldn't let his son throw his life away for a village that was so undeserving of it in the first place. The rest of the clan could take that fall for all he cared. And there was so little Ryouta cared for now.

Slowly, he opened his eyes, the creak of the courtyard gate signaling the arrival of undesirable company. Kouhei's presence had never been a large one despite being the elder sibling. He rarely let his temper run unchecked, and even when he did he was quick to smooth things over afterward. Only for a time when they were younger had that been untrue, yet somehow he always remained the peacemaker, his brother. Once, he had perceived this as a good quality. Now the peacefulness had turned to complacency and it was just another thing the Leaf used to demean and walk over each and every one of them.

"Ryouta…" There was a layer of mourning in that single word. In his name. It echoed through the courtyard, a sorrowful tune.

He couldn't stand to listen to it.

"Do you remember the number of times we fought when we were younger? Okaa-san would get so furious and yell at us to make fools of ourselves in here just be done with it." He carefully slid a hand into his haori, wrapping around Sukinā's hilt and stroked it with his thumb.

"Beating each other to a pulp never did solve our problems," his brother's voice was still soft, "but it did exhaust us enough that it helped. Things are different though. We can't fix things the way we used to."

"We can't fix things the way you want to fix them now."

"And your solution is somehow better?" An icy edge solidified beneath his words; a slippery slope which led to a pitfall filled with treacherous spikes. "Do you think betrayal is the answer? Because clearly your innocence means nothing anymore. All because you can't let your grief go. Or should I say won't?"

His grip, which had merely rested on the hilt before, spasmed and tightened drastically. Taking a deep breath, Ryouta forced himself to relax, if only marginally. It wasn't that he had thought he wouldn't be caught— On the contrary, he hadn't done enough to keep himself from even crossing paths with suspicion and guilt. He had wanted to stir the pot, reveal to each side their deficiencies, and for that to happen sacrifices needed to be made. By severing the ties with the rest of the family. By attempting to make an example of his niece. If they would not listen to the words that came out of his mouth, his actions were guaranteed to earn him the attention he was owed.

And if Kouhei would not step down, he would become another example, of that he was most certainly decided upon.

"My grief is the only thing that has allowed me to see the truth. If acknowledging that truth makes me a traitor then I wonder what that makes you— You who would blindly be lead, and lead others with you, by the Leaf like swine to the slaughter." Beneath the calm was a sea that roiled and churned its seething hate in an endless cycle. The storm was about to break upon them, and they were caught in the middle of no-man's water.

"That does not excuse your actions!" Kouhei growled, and he could easily picture him dramatically throwing his hand to the side. "You know as well as the rest of us that no other place would treat us half as generously as Konoha has. We signed an oath. We agreed to let ourselves be used for the Leaf, by the Leaf. It was the price we had to pay if we wished to live at all! You know this! Your wife knew this!"

"Do not speak of her!" he roared, fury rearing its ugly head as he whirled around. "You have no right! You allowed her to take that mission― That sham which only served to thin our numbers! You, like the Hidden Leaf, sent her to her death!"

His composure nearly slipped away from him altogether in that moment. Blinded by a white hot light, Ryouta shook, every ounce of resentment and blame that he had stewed in and mulled over for the past few months finally surfacing in full, an ugly beast awoken from slumber at last. It threatened to overflow into the world, demanded to be known. It wanted to bleed on everything like a wound that had been festering and had been prodded open once more. It wanted to consume him the same as it wanted to feast on all that he hated.

Kouhei reached for his weapon but did not draw it. "You claim to have opened your eyes to the truth, but you are still blind! You blame Konoha, you blame me, but that's not who you're truly angry with."

"There is no one else to blame but the ones who sent her away in the first place," he snarled.

"Kiki had every opportunity to refuse that mission! Both the Hokage and I cautioned her about the dangers, about her chances, but she insisted on going. Face yourself Ryouta! You're mad at her for taking that mission and leaving you behind."

"Don't lie to me! She took that mission from an obligation to serve, not because she chose to. She wouldn't have otherwise because she had a son who needed her―"

"She did it precisely for her child!" Kouhei snapped. "So Rikuro could have a future! She went in hopes that her efforts could help end the war!"

"STOP LYING TO ME!"

Sukinā was a blur as it finally escaped its sheath. He lunged. Grace had abandoned him, leaving him to stumble around like a child only playing at being a soldier. With clumsy slashes and overestimated jabs all he succeeded in accomplishing was making Kouhei dance. It only infuriated him more how his brother nimbly evaded each attack.

A massive tremor sent the earth rolling beneath their feet, bringing the brothers to a shaky halt. The sun steadily faded until all light was gone and with its disappearance so fled the warmth, leaving him colder than the dead. The air had grown thick enough to choke on.

'Genjutsu.' Ryouta grimly acknowledged, and immediately disrupted his chakra.

For a split second he doubted himself. He had come to, or so he had thought, yet still he perceived nothing but murk and gloom. Then his brother coughed, and the headiness of gunpowder and ash hit his nose. Dark smoke plumed above, hovering like a thick blanket that was prepared to smother them. Flickers of sparks rose above the walls of the training courtyard followed by a shrill screech. And then another, and another, until it finally dawned on Ryouta that what he was hearing was screaming. Screaming and metal dragging across metal.

Kouhei dashed for the gate, and, momentarily forgetting his reasons for fighting in the first place, so did Ryouta.

Beyond the courtyard several houses were set ablaze. The ground was cracked, shattered in some places even, and between the smoke shadows flickered in and out of view. Many fellow clansmen were scrambling around to avoid being struck down. A few already lay amongst the rubble, motionless. Broken.

The blood drained from his brother's face as they caught a fleeting glance at what could only have been an ANBU operative. "What…"

"See what your precious Leaf thinks of us?" Kouhei's back was still to him. The tight grip on his weapon returned as he slowly rose it into the air. "We're nothing but carrion for the birds now."

And like the ashes that now fell through the air, so did Sukinā descend.

"We could have been home by now if you hadn't stopped to nag me over everything. Wouldn't have had to listen to a lecture from Kushina-san either." For what felt like the millionth time Ame rolled her eyes at Rikuro's griping and offered him another sullen look.

"You started it by taking forever arguing with Asuma."

His lip jutted out mulishly, deepening his glare. Ame sighed but didn't say anything else. Honestly, and he said she was the one being a pain.

Without any warning, Rikuro jumped for the nearest branch and darted through the trees.

"Hey!" Ame shouted and leapt after him.

"No more delays! We're taking a shortcut," he yelled back.

"You still could have given me a― Ack!" Ame barely managed to duck in time before getting whacked in the face by a branch. "A little warning would have been nice!"

Rikuro barely glanced back, casting an irritatingly smug look in her direction, and moved even faster than before. A strangled noise that rolled on itself, much like a cat's growl, formed in the back of her throat as she charged after him. She was so focused on staring daggers into his backside that it barely even registered that, the further into the forest they went, the darker it got, despite not quite being midday yet.

Eventually, Rikuro veered off his path to climb higher. Ame followed him up a couple branches before stopping with a heavy sigh. Just what did he think he was doing now?

"Oooi!" she yelled. "I thought you were in a hurry to get home?"

Instead of answering, he disappeared above the treeline, and a frown broke across her face. After a couple minutes and still no sign of her cousin, Ame made her way up the tree. The second she poked her head through the foliage she was blinded.

"Do you smell that?" She blinked rapidly, looking over at her cousin. Rikuro was crouched beside her, his face scrunched deeply in consternation, his nose pointed high in the air.

She almost asked what she was supposed to be smelling― they were surrounded by a lush forest that was enhanced by the summer sun ―when a fresh breeze wafted by, bringing with it something that did not belong among the greenery. The tang of pollutant danced with the wind, heady as it tickled her nose. 'Smoke.'

It was strong enough to be noticeable, yet as the two surveyed the area there wasn't so much as a trail in the sky to be seen. Although…

"Is it just me, or does that part of the forest look… subdued?" Ame wasn't quite sure how to describe it as she squinted. Dim was one way to put it, but it also looked as if the color had been partially leached out of it. The combo almost made everything appear blurry and her eyes started watering again.

"Home is that way," Rikuro murmured. His whole frame had gone stiff.

The two traded worried glances.

"If there's a fire, it's not entirely natural," she concluded. "Not if it's being concealed."

There was a pause as she waited for him to say something. Even though she often liked to claim that his age didn't grant him anything over her, that wasn't entirely true. Being older gave him more experience and more experience gave him the authority to make the call on what they did next. On one hand, this abnormality, and their lack of experience in the field, meant that they should return to the village and inform the higher ups. On the other hand, home was in that direction, and they couldn't just ignore that.

Rikuro breathed in deeply, steadying himself. A hint of trepidation flickered in his eyes. "We need to find the source of this hidden smoke." He turned towards her. "It'll be something like what the mission at the Tenryū should have been― Mark and observation. When we find something we'll run back to the village to inform them."

She tensed at the mention of the river. That mission had gone south all too quickly for her to be at ease with his decision. Who was to say that things wouldn't end just as badly, if not worse, this time? For all they knew this was another trap they were walking into. The thought almost made her recoil.

Ame chewed on the inside of her lip while studying her cousin. 'Rikuro wouldn't… He wouldn't hurt me like that.'

Rikuro wasn't his father.

Steadying herself with a deep breath, Ame nodded and prepared to move. "Alright. Let's do this."

They jumped down the tree and continued running in earnest now. The smoke gradually appeared, forcing them to go lower. It condensed little by little until the sunlight could barely even poke a ray through it. Ame could feel chakra in the air now. It was what prevented the smoke from rising into the sky and alerting the ninja in the village to trouble, meaning that one or more people were in control of it. Tension ran high between the two; silently, it ricocheted between them, mounting higher and higher despite not once exchanging another word.

The estate was close now, they knew even though they couldn't see it. She could hear the fire as well, was practically choking on it as a blast of heat surged over her like a sudden fever, the almost rumbling crackle as it devoured the wood, bringing down surrounding trees and more. She coughed into her sleeve and kept close to Rikuro.

Through the roar of the inferno she heard another sound that made her breath catch in her throat. Screams, agonized, wild, enraged. They echoed through the woods mixing in so seamlessly that it almost added to the burning symphony.

"We can't stay here!" Rikuro shouted.

No sooner had he spoken then something flew out of the smoke and straight for them. Faster than lightning, Rikuro drew his swords and deflected the kunai, pushing her behind him. She barely caught sight of something else flickering from the smoke before he was suddenly there.

A man dressed in black and a gray flak jacket loomed over them, his bone white mask smeared with soot and undoubtable traces of blood. He was avian themed― an owl if she had to guess ―and he definitely wasn't some run of the mill shinobi.

'ANBU!' Her own weapon had already found its way into her hands, but now her grip tightened drastically. She spied the spiral marking on his shoulder, marking him as Konoha's, but was unable to relax even a little.

Was this their punishment come home to roost?

"You're Hiroshi children?" Rikuro ignored the surprise in his raspy voice by raising his weapons a little higher; he couldn't tell if the man before them was friend or foe either. It was useless though. There was nothing that either of them could do up against a member of ANBU, and Ame knew that he knew just by the subtle shaking in his arms.

Owl took a step towards them and they took two more back. "You shouldn't be here. Retreat to the village and―"

The change appeared in a minute movement, a flick of his head, before he was lunging forward. There was no room to think, no room to breathe, as they were shoved against the base of a nearby tree. Owl easily pinned both of Rikuro's hands out of the way, shoving the boy against Ame so she was unable to move. With his free hand he made an unfamiliar sign that sent a wave of chakra over them. The sensation was not unlike being covered by a blanket; safety without being smothered.

At that same moment another figure burst from the smoke. Her eyes widened― It was one of their clansmen! She opened her mouth to say something, to shout, anything, but her voice was stuck. For the young man had barely gotten in two steps before coming to a halt, a different person wearing a mask appearing in front of them. One second he was standing, the next was a spray of blood and the drop of a body like stones into water. Ame trembled, unable to look away.

The chakra dispelled when the other ninja disappeared. Owl released Rikuro and slowly backed away.

"You two, return to the village."

"But―!" Rikuro glanced at the body and bit back his response.

"There's nothing you can do here," Owl said. "Go back and notify the village."

And then he was gone. The two stood in tense silence. Ame looked to the body once more, now mostly shrouded by the smoke. She reached for her cousin and clutched his arm. It was difficult to breathe and it wasn't just because of the air.

"Mama's in there," came the horrified little whisper. She doubted her mother had left the house since they had left for the market, and with unknown assailants attacking everything that moved in the smoke the likelihood of her being trapped was high.

Rikuro stared ahead. His body shook lightly beneath her grip; she almost thought she was imagining it. He grabbed her hand and squeezed, deathly tight. Uncertainty lined his edges, but determined understanding filled his eyes.

He didn't say anything― didn't need to, really ―as he tugged her forward, running towards what they had been told to abandon. They veered to the right as soon as the main gates became distinguishable through the haze, skirting near the edges of the compound as they looked for another way in. There were a few exits scattered around the compound in the event of an emergency, and after a few harried minutes of searching Rikuro found one, leading them into the training courtyard.

Evidence of the battle had reached even here, with stones torn apart and equipment scattered and embedded across the ground and in the walls― Even the posts had been ripped from the ground and crushed to splinters. Carefully, they crept their way across and slipped through the remains of the gates, keeping close to the walls in an attempt to maintain cover. The main house wasn't far, just a few buildings away, and, hopefully, that's where they would find Mama and be able to escape.

"Stay close to me," Rikuro muttered and readied his weapons. Keeping low, he darted from the shadows, weaving his way through the rubble. Ame remained hot on his heels.

They ducked and dodged stray weapons and flying debris, spent agonizing seconds crawling on the ground, flew from rock to rock to avoid being seen. The first building was only a couple meters away when a familiar shout caused her to stop. The sound of her Papa nearby, alive, still fighting, gave her hope. She could almost fully make him out through the haze. Just another step forward and maybe―

Ame froze.

It wasn't an ANBU that her father was fighting. Locked in a stalemate, Papa struggled to keep his brother from overpowering him. He said something she couldn't make out, shoving Ryouta away and raised his sword.

Two things occurred at that moment, almost, she numbly thought, like they were directly influenced by one another. The chakra that had been containing the smoke vanished and in a sudden, violent gust of wind, the area cleared as the dark vapors spiraled into the sky. She barely registered the difference.

Time had come to a standstill, yet drops of crimson fell to the earth, unaware of the change in the world around.

Sukinā was embedded in Kouhei's chest, his blood coating the metal with a sickening shine. Papa coughed and more of the red liquid dribbled from his lips. The grip on his own weapon went slack, and the sword fell to the ground with a clatter. In a swift, unfeeling move, Ryouta pulled the blade out with a disgusting squelch. His gaze was unreadable as he watched his brother fall.

"PAPA!" Her throat was raw, from the smoke. From the discordant wail that tore at her on its way out. Ryouta's head whipped in her direction, but his gaze did not meet with hers.

Slowly, Ame eyes gravitated to her left to see Rikuro standing there. There was a look on his face that she had never seen before, yet it mirrored what she felt perfectly. She saw it in his eyes, could hear it in the quiet sob he choked back― His heart was breaking. And then he was dragging her away. Rikuro ignored his father's cries and ran.

They raced around a half demolished house before abruptly stumbling to a halt. Rikuro had gone from holding her by the crook of her elbow to grabbing her shoulders and holding on so tight that surely there were already bruises forming. His hair had come undone, spilling over his face as he leaned forward, breathing fast and shallow. The first tears came when she realized he was saying something over and over and over; 'I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry―'

All the things she could have said, all the things she should have said, never had a chance to be heard, for in the next instant Rikuro pushed himself away. He stood rigidly, face gaunt and streaked with grime, eyes rimmed red. There was an unspoken world of pain in his glassy eyes, the tears had already locked themselves away, but he was determined once more.

"We're going to get Ayano-oba and get out of here." He tried so, so hard to keep the tremor out of his voice, but the shock was still too great. With more force he repeated, "We're getting Ayano-oba and getting out!"

"A valiant declaration kid, but pretty useless too."

Rikuro was a blur, whirling around, crossing his blades just in time to defend against a downward strike. Ame stumbled, tripping over a large rock. She quivered when the face of a badger leered over her cousin's shoulder.

Every hidden village had an ANBU division, and every ANBU division had their own defining disguise. Konoha and Kiri used porcelain masks, with the exception that Kiri did not use animals and always had their village symbol adorning them. Suna wore turbans combined with oni masks, and Kumo used masks heavily influenced by kabuki. Iwagakure, however, possessed the most unsettling visor. Made of red clay, each mask was shaped to exaggerate every threatening detail, taking notes from the most disturbing gigaku and bugaku masks alike.

It was with a cold realization that Ame finally understood just who was attacking them.

"Ame, run!" Rikuro strained against the ANBU's weapon, trying to push him off to no avail.

Badger chuckled and vanished, reappearing to loom above her. Ame froze as a wave of killing intent descended upon her. He raised a tantō in preparation to strike.

"Little girl, let me put you out of your misery."

Buildings burned, people fought― All of it stopped. Twice, now, time had ceased its endless march. Yet once again blood held no awareness for this event as it raced to feed the ground.

She wasn't aware whether she screamed this time or not; all she could hear was the pitiful yowl of a wounded cat. With his quick reflexes― damn his reflexes, and damn him ―Rikuro had found his way in front of her once more. His body moved, rigid, slack, falling, falling, falling. He turned his head, lips moving, no sound.

The ANBU paid him no mind, stepping over the bleeding boy and prepared to strike again.

Akuma was in her hands.

'When did I let go?'

She was standing up.

'How did I get here?'

There was a screech as his blade met the staff's odd, wooden-metallic surface. Her body moved in a familiar pattern, but her mind was far, far away from her body. Vibrant energy, hot, white, and crackling, bloomed from within the lacrima.

"Raiton: Kaimetsu!"

The electricity grew until her view of the Badger had become obstructed by it. It latched onto the man's weapon, making him a major point of conduction. He was paralyzed, not even allowed to scream as the lightning encompassed his body, shooting him far beyond her line of sight in a terrible explosion.

Her vision blurred and the world nearly tilted upside down. All the joints in her body felt light, detached. Pins and needles pricked against the tips of her fingers and toes. Vaguely, she registered that these were the signs that came moments before passing out. Ame looked down at her cousin. He was no longer moving.

"Run."

That's what he'd told her.

"Run." Ame wobbled dangerously, turning herself towards home. The main house wasn't far now.

"Run."

And she ran. She ran until the breath in her lungs turned to smoke itself, and then kept running still. She ran until it was more by memory than sight. She ran until the pounding of her feet turned to harsh ringing in her ears. Even as she crossed over the threshold of her home, even as her pace slowed to a sluggish amble, she ran. In her heart she wouldn't stop running, wouldn't stop trying to get away from this hell manifested on earth, until she'd run so far that she could finally escape it all.

The ringing became muted the further she moved in her house. For a second, Ame almost allowed herself to believe that everything was just a dream. Another one of her nightmares. It would have been easier, perhaps, to let herself move forward with this delusion, but this was all too real. The caved in halls, the broken floors and burning walls, the bodies which she dared not look at when spying them from the corner of her eye. Everything was real, and she was stuck in the middle of living it.

Mama was holed up in the study when she finally found her. Ame leaned heavily against the door frame, watching her mother frantically pull books and scrolls from shelves and hastily force them into containment scrolls. There was already a pile of them littered at her feet.

"Himeko," Mama panted, "take these and― and hold onto them for― nngh!"

Ayano clutched her midsection, falling to her knees. Said white cat appeared at her side in a flash, hackles raised.

"Mistress!"

"I'm fine. I just―," she winced, sharply sucking in air. "I just don't have as much chakra as usual right now."

"You shouldn't be using any of your chakra. Forget the scrolls,"she growled even while making them disappear with a flick of her tail, "let the fire consume them and get out of here." Himeko purred fiercely while rubbing her face against Ayano's arms. "With any luck the kits still haven't returned and we can intercept them before they even make it here."

Ame shuffled forward just then, kicking a frame that had fallen from one of the shelves. Mama and Himeko whirled around at the sudden sound, the former pulling a short knife from the folds of her robes while the feline hissed. She faltered, her pallor waning as the blood drained from her face. Her mother lurched forward and Ame fell easily into her arms. She couldn't tell who was shaking more― Herself, or Mama.

"No, no, no, no, no!" Mama muttered frantically. "Honey what are you doing here?!"

Her tongue was too thick for her mouth. There were more tears waiting to come out, yet she doubted her ability to cry anymore. "We came to get you," came the tremulous whisper. "Rikuro said… we'd save you…"

"You― Where's Rikuro now?" Mama looked over her head as if she would see Rikuro waiting nearby. As if his absence didn't mean something. "Ame, where is Rikuro?"

"Papa's dead. Oji-san killed him," she said instead. It was easier to be linear and Mama needed to know that too. The moment was still there, practically burned into her eyes so she was forced to view it forever. Mama seemed to be made of stone. "The Badger got Rikuro because I― Rikuro's dead because I―!"

Ah. There were the tears. Her hands flew to her face, trying to block the view, but it just. Wouldn't. Go. Away. It was all her fault. Rikuro was dead because she didn't move. He was dead because she hadn't done what she was told. She had been too scared then― was still utterly terrified ―and had killed him. Not with her own hands, but they were covered in his blood as if she'd done it herself.

"Honey no. No, no, no― It's not your fault!" Mama's embrace turned to iron and she murmured useless words into her hair. Ame hiccupped fiercely. The smoke was starting to fill up the study, making her choke again.

Eventually Mama pulled away, unsteadily clambering to her feet while dragging Ame with her. She opened her mouth to speak when something caught her eye. Ayano yanked Ame behind her, face bared in a silent snarl, brandishing her karambit.

Ame hardly dared to breathe. Narrow eyes, mouth twisted half in gnarled anger, half leering, Badger stood in the doorway, a large crack spanning across the bridge of his mask. The ANBU member stepped forward, one hand limp and mangled and an ugly shade of purple, while the other clenched and unclenched around a kunai. He ignored her mother and leveled the weapon directly at her.

"Almost got me." He laughed, but there wasn't a trace of humor in his voice. "Now I remember though― You're someone else's prey."

"Try touching her and I'll cut you down." Mama snapped. Badger slowly inclined his head towards her.

"Ne, lady, I don't think you get how this works. This isn't a regular house call. It's an extermination."

Mama lowered her head, murmuring, "Himeko, take Ame and run. I'll catch up soon enough."

That was a lie. She knew it, Ame knew it and clenched her mother's robes tighter because of it, the ANBU knew it but didn't say anything. Himeko opened her mouth to protest but a sharp look kept her quiet. With a terse nod the cat turned away from her mistress and looked urgently to Ame.

"Kit run!"

"Run."

Badger and Mama leapt, slamming their weapons into one another.

"Run."

Ame darted around the fight and out the door, eyes never once leaving her mother's small frame. The last she saw of Hiroshi Ayano was a determined smile. Feral and beautiful.

Leading the way, Himeko charged from the burning house with Ame hot on her heels. It had been so painfully obvious before but now the nails were truly being hammered into her heart; she couldn't do anything. Around her the compound was turning to ashes, people were dying, and she couldn't help a single one of them. She gnashed her teeth and skidded to a halt, hands flying rapidly before slamming to the ground. Akimitsu appeared before her in a blink.

"Go get sensei! Tell him I need help!"

There wasn't a damn thing she could do, but there were others that could. Hopefully the village had already sent units to contain the fire. She had to believe that there were already people on their way. Even if he wasn't with those people, Minato-sensei would still come. He would know how to help.

She pushed herself to her feet with a grunt and watched as Akimitsu became nothing more than an orange streak in the distance. Her head swam. 'Move!' she screamed at herself .Ame pushed forward, pouring every ounce of frustration within her into running.

The gates were close now. Just a little bit further and she'd be safer in the woods.

Just as she thought this a hand shot out from around the corner of a collapsing home, clocking her on the side of the head while tangling in her hair, yanking her back. Ame screamed as she was thrown to the ground. A few paces away Himeko skidded to a halt. Her back arched with a furious hiss and she charged.

"Piss off ya mangy cat." A booted foot connected with the feline's sternum. Himeko went flying, vanishing in a puff mid-air. Ame frantically scrabbled at the ground trying to pull herself upright. From the moment she had identified Badger's village she knew that the Tenryū hadn't taken the life of her worst nightmare. And now he had finally come to finish what he had started.

Kujō shoved his foot against her back and forced her to the ground again. All the air whooshed from her lungs when he kicked, digging his heel into her spine.

"Isn't this just nice," he chuckled nastily. "I've been counting down the days 'til I could finally pay you back you know. We can both thank my buddies in ANBU for the opportunity."

Rocks dug into her stomach as she wriggled around, but with his boot only pressing in harder her efforts seemed no better than a bug struggling to turn itself right side up. Kujō merely allowed her to continue her pathetic attempt to escape. No doubt he took great pleasure in seeing her so utterly at his mercy. Her weakness was still laughable to him.

But eventually he grew tired.

The pressure disappeared and Ame greedily gulped down air. Every inch of her was shaking from head to toe, each muscle crying from the abuse. She stretched her arms out and tried to worm her way across the ground. Kujō tutted. "You're going to be a good kid and stay put!"

He rammed his claws into her calves to emphasize his point and she howled at the sky. Quick and sharp, the pain lanced through her body, paralyzing it once, and then again when he withdrew the blades. Ame pressed her forehead to the ground, heaving.

"I always did enjoy that sound," he said cheerfully. Warm metal gently touched against her shoulder blade, twisting from side to side as if he were contemplating where to strike next. "Let's see how long you can keep it up."

The thin metal easily tore through her coat, pushing it hard enough to bite into her skin while he dragged it across her back. She screamed again and as he repeated the action, slicing her just a little slower, a little deeper, scoring her backside with slashes. Red stained her vision.

Through tears she watched as all around the world was razed to the ground. The bodies of her family were bleeding out too feed the greedy flames. Everything she had ever known, all that she held dear― Gone. Just like that.

The red consumed her just like the fire. It covered her whole body, burning with each mark that foul man delivered etched onto her. But the pain was not all that it gave birth to; there was fury, a furnace ready to explode, and it demanded a release.

Her hand inched towards Akuma, discarded only an arm's length away when she had fallen. The wood was unnervingly cool against her feverish skin upon grasping it. With a heavy gasp the girl flipped onto her back― every muscle protested violently; she was yelling, roaring ―and pointed the lacrima at Kujō's face.

He wasn't impressed, batting it away with his claws.

"What did you think you could do with―"

Her fingers fell into place; she couldn't wreak devastation anymore, but she'd paralyze the hell out of him as payment for what he'd done. What comes around goes around.

Kujō froze as an arc of lightning streamed from the lacrima and across his claws. The crackling energy encircled his body and for a second, one beautiful second, she couldn't help but think, he was the one screaming. Then he was on the ground, twitching.

Planting Akuma into the ground, the young girl forced herself onto her feet. She couldn't see anymore, not through the blur of tears or the dizziness, nor through the fire that raced through her body with each step she forced it to take. If she didn't know better, she almost would have believed this was only another injury Kujō had inflicted upon her.

Ame staggered to the gates. There would be no more running― not like the voices of the deceased were urging her to do anyway ―but she was still moving forward. Blind, running on dregs of chakra, and bleeding out, but still alive. No matter how exhausted she was, no matter how much she ached, she would continue to struggle forward. In the end, she would be the one that got away once more.