Training sessions would end quickly with Fumiko. Firstly we had begun the basics with my chakra control which I already know. Secondly, I had been more strategical and gotten faster.

It has been five months of this so far. Already turned eighteen finally, and smiling brightly never before I did back at any compound. I still wondered how this war is proceeding in action. I haven't heard any updates of the Uchiha's nor Senju's in this matter in months.

Fumiko already left ten minutes just as we're done today's lesson; tomorrow I have to learn how to control Aiko's chakra not that I want to. Apparently, if I succeed I would be able to enhance more speed, strength and durability.

The listless imbrued bodies of mangled men lay strewn throughout the charred, devastated terrain. Portions of the human anatomy, such as arms, legs and other severed limbs were sprinkled amidst the stalks of long, tarnished grass. Resonating in the sharp wafts of air were the agonized moans and cries from droves of torpid shinobi, a sombre croon of voices, beseeching for their lives as they peered at death; cognizant of their own mortality.

Splattered in the blood of his own and more so that of his enemy, Madara ambled into the area. Only moments ago he had ended a man's life, and was intent on ending another. Soil and blood were caked onto his armour with only a few tears in the flowing plum fabric of his clothing. A streak of blood that trickled from the crown of his head to his brow had long dried, and the cut on his lip that had blood dribbling down his chin had begun to scab over, however, the iron taste remained on his tongue.

"Is that all?" A man shouted as he started reconnoitred the area thoroughly. Moments ago Uchiha Tajima was demised by his only rival Senju Batsuma. Later they both were critically wounded; neither of them would have been able to carry through in this world, so they would now be able to rest in peace with the other fallen soldiers.

Some of the men were severely injured from the wounds that were inflicted on their bodies; embossed with many marks on their flesh, which was severely critical. Ramiko however, was maladroitly in her position as a medic. She couldn't even help those who are indeed needed medic attention.

Ramiko was convulsing violently; she couldn't help but feel guilt uprise in her. She felt as if her bones were quavering tremendously. The Senju's started to retreat as for the Uchiha's as well.

Ramiko frantically started to scout around for Madara or Izuna spontaneously. Her bottom lip trembled as she felt tremulous from the bodies laying out through the canvas. She tasted coal that abided in her mouth as she cringed in distaste.

Ramiko couldn't help but feel consternation build up inside her that this war was coming to an end so quickly.

"Is this it?" she merely whispered inaudibly as she tacit seeing Izuna and Madara; a benignant smile found its way on her cold dry lips.

"You guys are injured let me heal you quickly!" She rushed her way pushing chakra to her feet towards the brothers. She felt her heart beat faster than any normal rate.

Bright green chakra was emitting from her hands into Izuna's inflicted shoulder healing his wound. She started to speed up her body's natural healing process by sending out more chakra from her hands abundantly.

"You're all good to go," she smiled then averting her gaze to Madara. "I think I should check your inflicted wound on your leg mister." Ramiko held a stern look as Madara shook his head. "I've been through worse, why thank you. I think I will live Ramiko-san," he scoffed feeling aggravated from the tense atmosphere. He wasn't the one who would often snap at others, but something was bothering him that no one could quite figure what was exactly bothering him.

"What now nii-san?" Izuna asked as the remaining soldiers started to convene together around them. "I wish father would have seen how I brandish my sword so flawlessly, I think he would have been proud. He must be so ecstatic of us, even in the afterlife, since now he rejoined our mother in a beautiful place." Izuna frowned melancholy in a gloomy state. Madara however, turned to the crowd glowering harshly.

"I don't think it is my intention to take over a clan my father-" he stopped mid sentenced to see the remaining soldiers getting down on one knee solemnly and slowly bowing to the brothers respectively. The looks they were shown were astounded.

So once again the newly chosen leaders have appeared rather astonished and astounded Izuna was.

Apparently, strength training refers to the strengthening of my Taijutsu and the knowledge that I will cross certain boundaries in the teaching itself.

"Right now you have no use for weapons," Fumiko told me, "so you haven't been allowed any today. Come at me at me with your full strength, do not hold back."

I felt an odd feeling not holding a kunai holster at my side. I felt lighter without the slight weight of them.

The session would measure my strengths and weaknesses. It was a test. Pass or fail.

Fumiko went for the preemptive strike as soon as she gave me the signal and took me by surprise. She punched me in the stomach; the force knocked the air from my lungs and sent me off my feet and into the hard ground several feet away.

This was this hardest Taijutsu training I've endured that went on for hours. It was depleting me greatly. I was taking immense hard impacts from her strikes took me by surprise a few times; I'd say I would be sore by tomorrow morning.

The passing few days were the same old routine every day. Today's the day where I would be tested my overall training and how to suppress Aiko's Chakra.

"Aquila, there is something I've been forgetting to tell you," Fumiko mumbled despondently.

We walked over to the north side of the training area where the trees covered most of the scenario around us.

"Huh, what is it?" Feeling a bit eager to know.

"Well, the thing was that you were only here temporarily so you're not permanently going to stay here. But Hagane-sama said that you're free to leave here and go back to your rightful place where you come from later after your last session." Fumiko scratched the back of her neck.

My eyes lit up from the words that came out of her mouth. The excitement started to build up in me. Is it true then?

"So I get to go home so soon?!" I nearly jumped up at her with excitement that was overriding me with passions of joy.

Fumiko smiled delightfully as she nodded placing a hand on my shoulder: "Now about that Phoenix... we haven't fully tamed him have we?" She smirked deviously.

"I don't think it would be proper to tame something Fumiko-sensei..." I bit the corner of my bottom lip apprehensively; exposing a little bit of new fresh sanguine blood.

"Hmm... perhaps Aquila, but we need to test out the power of the Firehawk and see what he is capable of." A smirk was dancing on the corner of her lips. I sighed closing my eyes hesitantly. Something seems very miasmic about her.

"...I don't know, Aiko doesn't like to be bothered a lot." I gulped thickly clenching both my fists so hard that they started to ache.

"That's not the point. You need to steal his chakra and use it for your own benefit."

Huh? Is she being egotistical? I growled cynically. Why am I defending Aiko like this? He and I never had a great bond at all.

I sighed, "I think I should get packing for my trip tomorrow. I don't think I want to go through with the 'I want to control and take over Aiko completely'. I think it's wrong stealing his chakra away from him. Having his hopes and dreams crushed unlike they have any, but that's not the point! I will not and never will be forced to extract his chakra from himself." I snapped as I parted my lips narrowing my eyes before turning on my heal leaving a disgruntled Fumiko standing dumbfounded.

Something still crossed my mind. If using Aiko's chakra was initially a risk to me as I have to temporarily 'conceal' my own chakra in order to access the chakra I have to remove from Aiko, he could possibly end up draining my own chakra, potentially resulting in my own death.

That means I must be limiting the chakra I use if I end up pulling away Aiko's, but I know I couldn't do that. Aiko is way too durable and his talons are hard as steel; this won't result in anything.

I entered my room from a long exhausting day. I sighed leaning back onto my bed with a smile playing on the corner of my lips. I finally feel ecstatic that I would be returning back to the Uchiha Stronghold. I honestly don't have much to pack since I didn't come here with much stuff, to begin with.

I soft knock on my door broke me out of my thoughts that clouded my mind thoroughly. "...Come in," I vociferated inaudibly.

The shoji door creaked open making a crepitating noise. I whipped my head back to see who it was; none of than Takuto standing there.

"First time I have really heard you speak. My, my you have a delicate voice very exquisite per-say." He smirked mischievously as my hands started to tremble slightly.

"What are you doing here?" I murmured quietly as I stood up and went over to pick up my small bag.

"Well...seems that you're leaving so soon sadly. You've never given me the chance to get to know you." Takuto's grinned wider than the moon as I just nodded faintly.

I pushed past him roughly heading for the door with my bag hanging off my shoulder. Never expected him to forcefully grab my wrist and push me up a wall tenaciously making me wince. "Listen you red-hot head, when you leave back to the Uchiha's, don't expect this is a forever goodbye." He growled vehemently loosening his grip and walking out of the room grumbling some words.

I felt befuddled and confused as I was taking in what just happened. I inhaled sharply walking over to the door apprehensively.

I then started tremulously walking towards the main gate of the temple; only to see a few guards present who would be escorting me back apparently. Ugh! Doesn't this keep getting better? First I come here to be kept hidden during the whole war which I couldn't be a part of. Secondly, I had to train here unexpectedly to master Taijutsu mainly, and also to suppress Aiko's chakra.

"Ah, Aquila-san!" I turned around to be greeted by Hagane the lord of this place. "Sadly you're returning so soon. Seemly that both the Uchiha's and Senju's retreated due to the fact that both their leaders had passed on so suddenly..." he mumbled placing his index finger beneath his chin pondering.

"Both their leader?!" I shouted, "hmm yes. So I would imagine both the leaders have impertinent sons who would gladly take over as clan leaders unless they're too young of course." Hagane laughed as I stared at him befuddled.

So does that mean-

No, Madara wouldn't be the next clan leader...? He just turned twenty one not long ago at the most, but that is the starting age and acceptable age to start.

Hagane motioned for the guards to start the journey back to the compound; making sure no enemies would ambush us or cross anyone suspicious who could attack us. Even one scratch blemished on my fair skin from the enemy, or they get a severely chastise punishment coming their way. I sighed mentally getting ready to move out and leave this place at last.

So it'll take two days at max.