Acquiring New Orders

I walked into the dwelling of the Yamakage, directed to the room where he met with people for business by one of his attendants I took a seat and waited. My bag was packed and sitting to the side of my chair, I hadn't needed to bring it but perhaps its presence would influence parts of the upcoming discussion. For now though I silently sat there as I waited for both Bryn and Ayame to see if we would be directed to venture out and rebuild the Uchiha in the name of ending the war.

Ayame had taken alot longer to get to the Yamakages office, being a girl she had managed to over pack her bag as usual. Ayame busted her way through the door inside almost completely breaking it off of the hinges ''Ayame has arrived!'' she roared happily. Ayame turned to spot Ventus so she decided to take a seat next to him, normally she would burst into Bryns office but Today she was feeling a little more professional, besides she didn't want to embaress Ventus. ''Hey Bro sooo uhhh... how long you been waiting?'' she asked.

I sat calmly at my desk as two of my favorite shinobi walked into the room, two refugee Uchiha's whom I had been caring for for years now. One was Ventus. Ventus had become a reliable ally and a strong friend, and I had grown to count on him many times throughout my reign as Yamakage. The other one to walk in was Ayame, Ventus' sister, and a woman that I had grown feelings for by knowing her since her capture, when we were both children. One might say that I loved her, but I feared bringing that up, as my enemies would use that weakness to harm her, and break me. Ventus was carrying a bag; a packed bag. I knew already where this was going.

"I saw him enter the city with my own two eyes, and I know the burden he is asking you to carry." As I started, I stood up and walked slowly behind both of their chairs. "The Uchiha clan, a clan that neither of you two knew very well, was wiped out with the destruction of the Volcano. Rebuilding a clan can be no easy thing." As I said this, I felt a tear well up in my eye. The mighty Stormbloods.. I was the last. I knew the pride these people in front of me felt, and why they felt they needed to bring pride back to their names, but I couldn't have faith in the task knowing the fate of my own clan.

"I know very well how difficult it can be to carry a namesake. So tell me, how did a child get you to return to your roots, when you could have any day before this one?"

I sat there and looked at the kage and gave the most honest answer I could, "He asked." I shrugged as I gave my shockingly simple answer, or at least it would be shocking from probably anyone else as my reputation for going along with things easily meant that it was probably even expected.

Ayame's face lit up as she saw Bryn though she tried to hide the stupid look on her face and it sure was a stupid one. Bringing her attention back from her daze Ayame listened to Bryn's words, they seemed to have hit hard and she coould tell deep down he didn't want them to go but would let them none the less. Ayame listened to Ventus's reply, as usual his answer was short and simple an annoyed look crossed her face as she folded her arms. ''The Child was more convincing then you would think, his mention of the death of my old ties to the clan swayed me more then ever. To be honest I based my answer solely around wanting to change the Uchiha name, no longer will we be known as tainted. With my help I believe the Uchiha can change, atop of this I think only we can finish The Raksaka''she said her voice seriour for once.

With a mention of the Raksaka, a sour thought crossed my mind. A nasty thought had been racing through my mind for the past year, and it was just brought up to light again when she said something about it. The Raksaka. While I had been focusing all of my efforts on ending the Empire, focusing on freeing the people of the shinobi world, I had let another power come into effect. The Raksaka were only focused on destruction. As they demonstrated by destroying the villages, all they cared about was their own personal furthering. Now, not only was blood being shed in the war, but now there was another, hidden war ensuing just as much, if not more blood.

"Fine. You may leave, as you could have guessed I would say. Promise me this though. one day, you will stop the Raksaka in the name of the free shinobi. Stop the Raksaka in the name of the Stormblood and of the Uchiha. You may leave, but you're going to have leave your headbands here. I trust you both to return to me when all is said and done, or better yet ally your new Uchiha family with me, but if you were to die on your ventures, I wouldn't be able to find your bodies and remember you by anything. So you give me your headbands, and here," I said as I walked back behind my desk. I took my Dusters off of my belt, and uncorded one of the two from the tie, and slid it across the desk towards Ventus.

"For you Ventus, my brother. My raw power will be with you always, aiding you in your conquests against all odds. You are a simple man, and this is a simple gift. Simple power. It is made of triple-reinforced steel, and infused by the electricity of the Stormbloods with diamond carbon, and my clan's insignia is etched into the side. Use this tool well on your journey. Now you may leave, me and Ayame need to speak alone. Good luck to you on your adventure, my brother." As I finished with Ventus, I held out my fist, in order for him to hit it with his fist, a mark of friendship amongst my friends. I waited for Ventus to leave, and then turned to Ayame Uchiha.

"Ayame Uchiha," I began as I stood up and walked around my desk to her. I grabbed her hands and helped her out of her chair and held her hands as I looked into her Sharingan. "Ayame, my love. You have been under my watch for years, and even came to command my ANBU eventually. You are an independent, beautiful woman, with faith in what you believe. For you, I don't have the backing of my raw power, but I have something a little deeper instead." I then reached around and lifted my jacket up over my head. My fur-lined jacket inscribed with the emblem of the Rebellion that had been my father's before me. "Keep me in your heart always, I will be with you keeping you warm no matter where you go. No matter where one travels, even into the heat of the Volcano, coldness can always be found in the world. Use this to remind you to not give in, and to keep your heart soft. And this," I untied the Chikagakure headband from around my left bicep that I hid underneath my jacket at all times. "Do not ever forget the Mountains. They raised you, and they gave your strength, and they will be waiting for your return home. I will be waiting as well. WHen Ventus and your new clanmates stay to lead the Uchiha, when the clan is restored, promise me you will come back to me. I love you, and one day I wish to make you my bride. but that day can only come when the world sees peace, and no other time. I will bring about peace with the Empire, and you will bring it with the Raksaka. We will both fight to see eachother some day."

I kissed her on the forehead, and a tear ran down my cheek. Me, Bryn T. Stormblood, shed a tear. "Fret not, friend. If they are your family, they will never leave your thoughts, and you will never leave theirs. And plus, the faster we end this war, the faster your family can return to normal." Words rang through my head from my friend the Yonbi. "You're right." I replied.

"Go now, and may we someday meet again." I would then turn my back to Ayame and the door, and look out my window overlooking the Spire, overlooking my people. "Please leave your headband in my mailbox at the ANBU barracks. Tell your brother to do the same. Farewell."

I continued to look out the window as I said this. I do what I do for not only my family, but for these troubled people that I look down to every day. They look to me to be their mountain, but sometimes, I feel as though I need them.

Tomorrow, I would begin the end.

I watched as Bryn gave me one of his most favored weapons in shock, I had seen many acts of charity on his behalf over the years but this was one of the most personal. I would take the weapon and turn it over a few times in my palm before placing it in my bag. I then fist bumped my friend before taking my bag and walking to the door. "I'll meet you at your office in HQ." I would then close the door behind me and make my way to the village gates.

[exit]

Ayame felt her body tremble as Bryn spoke, his words, his feelings for her seemed too much. He knew the journey they were about to take was a dangerous one and allowed them to go for Ayame's and Ventus's pride. Perhaps this was just an example of why Ayame had strong feelings for him to begin with. Ayame's hands began to tremble as Bryn placed his jacket around her as his gift, she could still feel the warmth from his body and the smell of his scent on the jacket, her heart seemed to have dropped.

Ayame watched as Bryn turned around and said farewell, Ayame's fists clenched as she heard the last word and an angered look crossed her face, tears drooping down her face ''Now you listen here Bryn! This isn't Farewell! This isn't even goodbye! I will return to your side, this place is my home and forever will be!'' She said her tears now covering her face. ''I am forever a Kunoichi of Chikagakure, not even death can keep me from returning here'' She added clenching her fists tighter. Ayame let her emotions take over and ran behind Bryn hugging him from behind, her grip tight as if she never wanted to let go, her tears running down his back. ''Before I leave I have one last request...'' she cried.

Just as I thought Ayame had left already, I felt an embrace onto my back, and the warmth of the girl once again. I didn't want to miss it; I really didn't. "I would do anything for you, Ayame. What would you ask of me?" I responded to her softly as I turned myself around in her arms so I could hug her as well. This would be among the hardest things I've done thus far, seeing Ayame walk away from me, seeing her and not knowing if I could see her again. How did I know I would survive the war? For all I know, this would be the last, and I don't know how to handle this. "I'd do anything.." I repeated as a few fought back tears rolled down my face as well.

Ayame felt the embrace of Bryn, his warm body heating her up, it was a nice feeling and something she rarely felt. Ayame tilted her face to look into Bryn's eyes, she watched as a few tears rushed down his cheek, raising her hand to his face she grabbed it ''This is my last request... My first and last kiss from you'' she said as her tears seemed to slow. With that Ayame pushed Bryn's face into her, their lips connecting, A Flash of the day she first met Bryn in her mind. The day she was saved by him after being attacked as a child by the older boys. The kissed lasted what seemed like a life time till Ayame finally pulled away, she began to walk toward the exit of Bryn's office, his Headband now wrapped around her arm and his jacket covering her shoulders ''Good bye my love..'' She whispered.

After the kiss, I let her slip away. Little did I know, that this would be the last time I spoke to Ayame Uchiha, and it would be for every day after this that I would regret not making her stay by my side. As for my brother, Ventus, he would continue to live on the legacy of the Mountain wherever he went, and I was proud of that fact.

I gazed back to the window, sadness turning to anger. Anger at this separation, and anger at this war. I needed to end this war, and for the first time in a year, tomorrow would be the day I openly assaulted the Empire once again.

I had troops to talk to and battalions to form. I had formations to draw and plans to leave behind. I would be a very busy man, as was the duty of the Yamakage. Tomorrow would be the first day worth dying for, and I would fight forever as hard as I could to end this war, to end the suffering of my people, and to get back Ayama Uchiha.

And this was only the beginning of my rugged work, as after all,

The Mountains were a rough place to live.

[Exit]