A Forest Hidden

Chapter 3 - Demon

The leaves of the greening trees above swirled as the hidden shinobi bounded upon the forest floor shrouded in shadows.

One after another, the Senju's silent footsteps tapped against the fell trees covered in moss. The air was cool and lifeless as they neared the edge of the great forest that covered the lands claimed by their daimyo in the south. Away from conflict and the horrors of war, the daimyo of their land lived comfortably in his great palace with servants, concubines, and his council. The only worries that plagued the daimyo were his fear of consuming poisoned food and how long it would take him to stroll the palace gardens. The fears that plagued the common-folk were if they would still be alive when they wake – and these fears were shared by all who lived in their gracious lord's lands beyond the palace surrounded by high walls of carved stone. If the daimyo had heeded their request, they would have had an army of one thousand strong – twice the size of the ruthless Uchiha Madara's army of five-hundred that awaited them just ahead of their dense and lush forest.

Serving the rival lord at the northern tip of the region where the plains began with their tall grasses and weaving rivers, the Uchiha pledged their servitude to the young daimyo – a boy who assumed the title shortly after his father passed from a fever that claimed many lives during the winter months that recently passed. Barely thirteen years, the young lord retained an unquenchable thirst for power and the Uchiha stood behind the strong, and only the strong. Sensing strength with their eyes of blood, they flocked behind the banners of any daimyo who possessed a similar thirst for power – and adequate coin. As with the curse of hatred, it was spoken in hushed tones amongst the other clans that the Uchiha were also a victim of the curse of power.

That was something Hashirama regretfully believed to be true.

As the six Senju men dashed upon the forest floor in silence towards their destination, the scattered light of day gleamed upon their armor, reflecting off each crack, each groove, and each crest that decorated the plating on their chest and shoulders. Out of all of them, Tohei's armor was the most immaculate. He was barely eighteen years of age, and thus was limited only to guard duty back in the settlement. Unlike his friend Jun, Tohei was fortunate enough to not see combat firsthand – only the injured and the dead that he encountered while on duty. While he followed close behind the backs of his superiors, he narrowed his dark green eyes upon the forest thicket that lay ahead. Although still considered a boy, he was the only man remaining of his family line as a fever claimed the lives of both his mother and father – and his little sister of only seven years. A proud Senju, he aspired to be a great swordsman and become as skilled in his ninjutsu as Tobirama – who he idolized since he was a child. Both he and Jun shared that together. Revenge festering inside his heart, he bounded behind his superiors as the hilt of his sword reminded him of the blade upon his back. The next time he would unsheathe the blade, it would be against an Uchiha – he thought to himself.

Suddenly, Hashirama came to a pause upon the forest floor, his stance crouched and prepared for what awaited him a distance away. The others soon halted behind him, confused as to why their chieftain stopped so abruptly. His dark eyes widened, he turned towards the direction of the chakra he sensed. As Tobirama was about to open his mouth to speak, he suddenly sensed the presence on the winds. Looking in the same direction, he gnashed his teeth in shock at the feel of the monstrous and burgeoning chakra that lumbered amongst the forest only a distance away. Hashirama knew what it was – he could tell as the air grew dense and heavy around them from its presence. The other Senju who stood with them clad in armor sensed the chakra as well – the presence all too familiar and reminiscent of a nightmare. Bewildered, Tohei stepped forward to the brothers. Unlike his superiors, he lacked the sensory capabilities to understand what was happening.

"What is it?" He asked. "Why did we stop? Is -,"

"Quiet, Tohei...!" Tobirama silenced.

Leaning against a tree, he narrowed his red eyes towards the chakra he detected in the distance. As the air fell dead within his senses, he jolted for a moment – his eyes widening. Whipping his head towards his elder brother who listened carefully as he knelt by a tree trunk, he gave him a glance mired in urgency.