The men had gathered by the gate at first light; songbirds had begun to sing their dawn chorus. The soldiers had been conducting finalizations and adjustments to their armaments and steel plates of their reinforced armour. Many were exchanging words with their loved ones before the hour of departure.

I sighed walking over to Izuna who was having troubles putting on his armour.

"Are you sure you still want to fight and participate in this war?" I narrowed my eyes slightly looking at him.

"Of course! I want to fight until my last breath. I want these wars to stop just as many others do. Nii-san, you're going to be the future clan's successor. Maybe you could change the future and be the saviour of this world." He widens his eyes giving off his sympathetic smile. Such hope these days... Madara couldn't help but smile as such a comment.

Future successor? Saviour of this world? Madara scoffed with such sayings.

I sighed not knowing what to say next. I'm am more worried for Izuna now since our previous brothers had passed years back.

"Madara-kun! Izuna-kun!" I spun around for my gaze to be met with Ramiko's blue orbs. Oh, I must have forgotten she is participating. She is a medic and has great chakra reserves.

"Oi, Ramiko!" Izuna greeted bowing slightly as I crossed my arms over my chest.

"Do we have all the medics gathered here?" she asked as I and Izuna shrugged in unison. "Ask father, he actually may know about where the medics would be during this war," Izuna suggested placing a warm caring hand on her shoulder.

The way he looks at her....could it possibly be love?

"Thanks, I hope you guys don't break a sweat out there. I wish the best of luck for you both," she smiled one last time before walking off.

It would be tragic seeing someone like her leave this earth. Still, I want the best for my brother.

Tousan started to round each and every one of us by the main gate of the Stronghold.

"We shall fight for the things we desire and the things we carry closest to our hearts. Those who fall shall not be in vain. We shall not fault or waver if we desire peace in this Great War! Making peace with our enemies can be pragmatic and foolish. The enmity rises within us and we shall fight for what is left and protect are loved ones!" My father extemporized as the shinobi of this clan started to exhilarate through the crowds with cheers.

So a week has passed as I was still in the Black Temple's manor. I still feel an unknown eminent chakra in this palace.

But I still couldn't sleep at night; though I would be used to this place yet, but I'm not. Things are different than the Uchiha Stronghold. I miss it there immensely.

I sat down in the library reading old scrolls of ancient times of the world. The couches here were quite similar to the ones back at-

Why do I keep comparing here to the Uchiha compound?

I was reading through this intriguing scroll as something caught me my eye.

Uzumaki clan?

One of the most prestigious clans. They were distant blood relatives of the Senju clan and as such, both were on good terms; an alliance they hold.

They were very knowledgable in Fūinjutsu, and we're both respected and feared worldwide because of their prodigious skill.

As I kept reading through this interesting clan; noticing that red hair was a common trait among the members of the Uzumaki clan.

But I have red hair which is very suspicious. I wouldn't think-

"I see you're enjoying the library already." Takuto's voice interrupted my thoughts as I mentally facepalmed. Everywhere I go; he shows up out of nowhere.

"Why don't you talk? I heard you talk before to my grandparents and to the elders," he asked curiously as I rolled up the scroll not paying attention to him.

I could tell he had some weird fascination towards me, but I can't like him like that. My head is screaming, but this guy is making me feel so uncomfortable.

"You know you have the most angelic hair I've ever seen. I've never seen anyone with bright crimson hair like yours in this region unless you're an Uzumaki from Uzushiogakure?" He complimented as I frowned not knowing how to respond. I placed the scroll back to where it was in the first place and began to take my leave.

I couldn't feel Takuto trailing me. I sighed in relief. I picked up my pace walking back to my room holding my head real low.

"Oh, my Kami! Did you hear the war that is happening in the Land of Swamps?" A young feminine voice spoke loud and clear to another, as I was about to take a sharp turn.

"You're right! I heard as well! The Uchiha's and the Senju's are fighting. I wonder who would win!" Another woman spoke excitedly.

"I bet my money on the Senju's! Their immense chakra could obliterate the Uchiha's in one move." They both started to laugh loudly.

Are they stupid?

"Well, I'm betting on the Uchiha's because of their blood-red eyes that would cause you terror and nightmares if you take one glance at them." The other chimed and her voice gleefully.

"Yeah right. You probably have a liking to the oldest son of the leader."

"Wha- no I do not!" The other protested as they both started laughing. So Madara is already known out here? I wouldn't be surprised actually. I decided I should just come out and stop listening and walk past them to my room as if I never heard anything.

As of doing so, they stopped dead in their track looking intensely at me. One girl had bright golden blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. As the other had dark brown short length hair with grey eyes. I placed both hands in the pockets of my Kimono walking past them minding my own business.

"You come from the Uchiha clan right?" The blond one asked with irritation in her voice.

"Huh? Umm...yeah?" I asked pretending to be bewildered due to the fact these women know nothing of the shinobi world.

"Tell me, what do you think about this war?" The blonde tilted her head off to the side as I looked away quickly before turning back.

"I don't care about this war or meddling into both clans businesses as to why this war started in the first place," I said strictly straightening my composure as both of the women widen their gaze at my response.

I turned on my feet hurrying back to my room.

Oh, how splendid of those arrogant women. Knowing nothing of this world; one thing was still on my mind was the scroll I read earlier.

Red hair?

Most women and men from the Taiyo's had golden bright yellow hair like the sun. I was always the only red hot head of that clan. Kids made fun of my hair daily which I ignored usually.

I walked into the bathroom noticing my hair was all over the place. Red strands were sticking up in all sorts of directions. I smelt atrocious; nearly forgotten to take a shower for the past four days!

I nearly stripped myself from my kimono and hopped into the shower. The feel of having warm water sprinkle down on me made my spine shiver from the coldness at first.

After washing the dirt and crud off my body like usual; I wrapped a white towel around my body. I looked over to the mirror and started to brush my long crimson hair from the knots that still remained.

I strolled over to the dresser in the corner of the room picking out a sakura coloured yukata with red roses imprinted on it to sleep in.

I feel so much fresh now than before. Apparently, Hagane-sama is the lord of this place. He wants me to train in the high regions of the mountains to suppress the phoenix's chakra and help me tame him.

But for some reason, I don't want to tame Aiko by force at all. I just want to befriend him.

"You're still at that still?" Aiko's voice rung in my head vigorously causing me to gape.

"Yes! I would rather be friends with someone who I would be attached to for a long time since you're sealed inside me!" Now I was up against the vicious bloodlust Fire hawk who was breathing heavily down upon me.

"Hah! Now I see why Madara had a distaste for you since he first laid his eyes on you," he chuckled harshly darkening his eyes full of hate. My fingers twitched at his tone.

The water level started to rise to my knees. The water swayed back and forth causing ripples to form rapidly.

Huh? My breathing hitched as I stared at Aiko feeling vexation in the pit of my stomach. I arched my back and focused my glare on him.

"Why? Why push others away when they're trying to help? I would admit humans do make mistakes which sometimes later turns into regrets, but you shouldn't take out your anger on others. You have feelings like we do." I calmly say as a frown appeared solemnly.

He seems taken aback from my words. The water around me seemed to compress back to the way it was. Aiko's talons dug beneath the grounds causing me to flinch in pain.

"So the seal has been weakening throughout the years at last. I wonder how long you would last Aquila-san." Aiko's words seem to echo in my mind for quite some time as the scene changed back to normal.

I found myself laying back on the most comfortable bed I've been in for years. It was past midnight and I still haven't had the courage to let sleep take over me.

A loud knock interrupted my sleepless form. "Umm... enter," I tiredly say on the other half of the room as the door opened revealing a quite young maid from the castle. I sat up in bed staring at her with interest.

The maid had light strands of hair that was up high in two neatly braids off to sides. The navy blue Kimono that hung off her shoulders brought out her light midnight blue eyes that reminded me of Ramiko.

"Um... I didn't mean to awake you Aquila-sama, I was ordered to come and receive you. The elders and leader-sama wanted me to get you prepared for training. Your trainer would be introduced shortly." She bowed her head low as I blinked twice as I took in what she had said.

I sighed, "first of all, drop the honorifics. I'm just as worthy as you are. Can you please show me the location where I can meet these elders then?" I asked sternly as she nodded frantically stepping out of the room so I could get dress quickly.

I slid on my normal red kimono with the black silk obi around my waist. The kimono is a bit different than all the others I have ever worn; the kimono had two slits up the sides. The burgundy kimono came up just above my breasts covering them completely. Hopefully, I wouldn't be seeing that Takuto.

I stepped outside the room as the maid motioned me to follow her. I felt nervous, I wonder what the training here is like?

As we came to a stop, she opened the door quietly and gave me a little push inside before disappearing.

Three elders and the lord of this place stood still ready to commence.

"Aquila-chan since you're nowhere temporarily and not permanent. You will train here with our only advisor Fumiko. She could be vicious during your time here in Mount Kyoko, but however, she will teach you how to control that beast inside you." Lord Hagane implied as I nodded contently.

A woman in her middle ages opened the shoji door walking in the strange room. "Ah, Fumiko you come at last. You already heard of your temporary student Aquila." Elder Tsukio stated as Fumiko turned to me; her blonde locks covering half her face as she nodded intently.

I notice the bright yellow-orange yukata she was presented in. The sleeves entirely came down to the tips of her fingers. The dark brown obi came around her slim waist in a small bow at the back; also noticing she had a wakizashi attached to her waist, which is a small version of a katana.

I parted my lips in a thin line. "Hmm, so you're Aquila then...? Tomorrow morning we'll get started then. Never act defiant, contumacious or disobey me as you'll pay the consequences. I expect you to be somewhat audacious when training." Fumiko furrowed her brows as I relaxed my arms by my side. I couldn't really comprehend all of what she had said. But I nodded still waiting for a reply.

"Good. I'll see you here exact spot tomorrow morning. You better be committed to this training." She turned on her heel and left us standing astonished. I then soon left back to my room a bit annoyed.

I wish I was still back at the Uchiha compound.