The next day, early morning was an odd one; only in fact due to certain people walking around the Uchiha compound asking others if they had seen someone. It was bizarre, selectively it was like in the night, or the very early hours before anyone had risen, these people had simply been spirited away. Where to, nobody knew, there was literally no sign of them, their belongings still remained so either they went somewhere, or someone came for them. The latter was a bit ridiculous, although the guards which were stationed around major entrances and exits of the clan's home, hadn't noted anyone leaving, no person was sighted. How can people just disappear without guards even seeing?

It was Junpei who eventually let slip, clearly something was eating away at the young man, and he just couldn't help but blurt out his woes to his cousin. Junichi practically attacked his cousin for being an idiot, Junpei got hit over the head and shaken about being asked if he realised just what he had accidentally noticed while apparently stargazing. Junichi scoffed at that thought, as if his cousin was merely stargazing, not calling his relative suspicious but stargazing seemed too calming for Junpei to dabble in.

"I didn't know what that old man was up to! I thought he had finally skulked back home! At least I saw him go into his home, I didn't think it was important! Stop it, Junichi, I'm getting dizzy!" Junpei's head was more or less whipping back and forwards from the annoyed throttling his cousin was sending his way. Junpei couldn't sleep, it was a common thing that he had these episodes; he had long since discovered it was no use alerting anyone to his struggles, when he was a kid, he'd just get told to shut up and go back to bed by exhausted parents. His aunt and uncle, before their deaths just...he didn't bother them, he learned quickly no one could help him with these moments, so he was best off finding something to pass the time before he could sleep.

All he wanted was air, he had slid open his bedroom window, had taken in a lungful of air, enjoying the crisp coolness of it and the night, and that's when he saw him; only just though, the shadows of the night and buildings were adding to Osamu's sneaking quite well. Junpei always knew that old man was as crafty as a fox, but he had silently watched him slip into his home, he'd been missing and who only knew where for a few days. To be honest, Junpei thought he'd wound up getting himself killed, as bad as it is, if that happened at least Moriko and Tomoko could grieve and move on.

"Idiot! You saw him leave too! That's what you literally just said to me!" Junichi was despairing as he stopped shaking his cousin and narrowed his eyes at him.

Junpei's head stayed leaning against his shoulder, his eyes practically spinning as he stared blankly up at the angry man still clasping onto his shoulders. He gulped and shuddered, he really didn't want to get shaken about again so he reached up and placed his hands over his cousin's. Junichi released him with a sigh and held his hands up, sign of casual peace that he'd leave Junpei alone, at least for the moment. Sighing shortly and pushing a hand through his short hair, Junpei straightened himself out and nodded, he was affirming what Junichi just said but that just caused his cousin to glare at him again.

"How long was he in there for?" Junichi knew despite of how his cousin could be, he was more observational than he looked.

Junpei held up a hand and took to counting his fingers down, Junichi raised a dark eyebrow. He didn't have a clue what that was about, and he chose not to ask. "Long enough to see others converge near his house."

"Move, now." Junichi grasped onto his cousin again and hauled him up. "Don't whinge! Move!" Junpei got dragged out of his home and just allowed his cousin to lead him to who knew where. He couldn't help but sigh, he had only just managed to get to sleep when he heard all the commotion of missing people, inhaling and exhaling he tilted his head upwards to look at his annoyed cousin, it didn't take a genius to make the link here; Osamu was stopping off at his home last, he had met others, and together the small band had left again. Maybe the old man had found something after all, but going off on his own was still ridiculous; Junpei pouted and straightened himself up when he had had enough of being dragged about. Junichi just frowned his way, the pair shared a knowing look, he was leading friends and relatives of their clansmen and women to their death, no doubt.

The cousins weren't exactly wrong, and neither of them were to know that Osamu had ventured to the other side of the river where the Senjus did, in fact dwell. Deep within the forestry that from the tree line of the riverbank, it could not be seen. There had been traps set to deter people coming near who were not meant to, but these were easily enough diverted around with enough skill and quickness. Someone would no doubt come check the traps and by the time they did, the small group wouldn't be here.

Osamu had been lurking and loitering and shielding himself as he overlooked the Senju compound from the safety of being up high in the trees. It was pointless going to those in charge of his clan, he wasn't a fool, he knew none of them took his words seriously, at least not anymore. It wasn't hard to find some that shared his outlook and wanted to have more determined action than the odd, and slightly pathetic scuffle here and there. It wasn't enough to satisfy them, so breaching the homes of their enemies would satisfy them all in some way.

The guards were not an issue, they were dispatched before they could make a noise, silently their bodies fell to the floors and that was when the small eight-man team sort to doing just whatever they wanted. The only thing they didn't even think to comprehend was that within the clan were some that had exceptional sensing skills, Tobirama being just one who had felt a shift in the air even as he turned over on his bedroll. The feeling did not dissipate, it only grew worse. His eyes widened though when from the window he had been sleepily staring at light up with bright flames.

There was a fire beyond his home and instantly he woke his older brother up, Hashirama groggily waved him off before hearing the first screams, that had him jolting up along with their two younger siblings. Itama and Saruyama were instantly at the window peering out and diverting to the side when more fire erupted past, both laying in a heap on the floor they looked bewildered before having their arms grasped by their siblings and hauled up.

Before any of them could even speak, Butsama had burst into their room, his expression bleak as it was grave. "We're under attack," he stated bluntly while noting his children were all still standing around sleepy in different degrees but also dressed within their bed wear. "Get ready and follow me." Butsama slammed the door and stood on guard and would allow them a mere few minutes to get prepared to go out, if they weren't ready then they'd go out as they were. He didn't know who was attacking them, but he could pitch a pretty good guess.

The Uchiha had never ventured this far, nor had they attacked their home before; likewise, the Senju hadn't attacked theirs either. It was a cowardly action to attack while asleep and utterly defenceless, this absolutely reeked of desperation, which confused Butsama as the door behind him slid open and there were his kids armoured up with weapons already in hand. He sighed, they were efficient at getting ready under pressure, and quickly. But this whole thing was...Butsama felt ridiculous wasn't enough of a word, it was mind boggling in a way, the absolute brazenness of it all, or hubris, he wasn't sure which won out.

His pace was fast as he led them out of the house, stupidly someone was standing with their back turned to the door, even before they managed to fully turn to look at Butsama, he had slashed and stabbed forwards, Butsama looked blankly at the dimming red eyes staring begrudgingly but also indignantly at him. He just shoved the lifeless body off of his katana before looking over his shoulder, frowning at the sight of the kids still hiding in the shadow of the doorway he moved forwards; "Help those that cannot help themselves, and kill anyone in your way." He all but barked at them as he disappeared in amongst the fray of those trying to escape the carnage, were caught in fights and also the fights with the fires.

The siblings exchanged a look between themselves before running out, Hashirama and Tobirama went one way, the twins went another and soon found themselves either dodging out of the way of the confusion or pulling each other away from suddenly erupting fires. So far, they hadn't seen any other Uchiha, which was both good and bad, why would they attack their homes only to ditch and disappear? A few Senju laid lifeless as the twins continued onwards, so they had been around. The injuries on their bodies were not from the fire, even as Itama knelt down to check on the status of someone, he soon found himself being hauled back and the clashing of metal reached his ears even before he could properly right himself from staggering.

Saruyama braced her katana down her arm, shielding most of her body and glaring at the weapon which was grinding painfully against her own. She heard Itama call out and his steps scuffling before it dawned on her that someone had engaged him in a fight too. It was obvious that children were an easy target, but also their deaths would affect those they were related and tied to as well. It wasn't like they hadn't all experienced that in some way, or another.

"Saruyama," the voice before her sounded curious, condescending though.

She cursed Itama for using her name before finding herself getting pushed aggressively back. She managed to right her stance before a rather vicious volley was sent her way, she managed to block the majority but did get a slash to one of her arms that had her dropping her katana and hopping back. She kept her injured arm to herself while reaching to her side for a kunai. She much preferred the longer weapon, kept people at bay, the shorter blade was too close, one slip would lead to disastrous effects quicker she always felt.

The man talking sounded older than her father, she wasn't looking at his face, she wasn't that foolish. She was avoiding eye contact at all times, she could feel the steady drip of blood trailing down her sleeve and pooling at her elbow, it was seeping through the fabric of her sleeve and dropping to the ground below her, the quiet patter-patter sound seemed too loud amongst the chaos around her. The fires felt too hot, and Itama and his opponent sounded far away to where she was standing. She wasn't risking a look, the moment she looked away and diverted her attention she would be dead.

"Interesting, was it you I saw at the river, or was it the boy over there? Regardless, I suppose I should thank you for running back home, lead us right to you."

Saruyama inhaled sharply, she was in two minds whether the man who was following herself and Madara had actually saw them, evidently it was a yes. "This isn't all of you. So, what are you doing here? Or don't the rest of your clan know you are here?" Saruyama saw his feet move before the scuffling of his shoes reached her ears. She dodged back and clashed her kunai against his own before finding herself being pushed at arm's length, before she could react, she felt a foot against her stomach, and she went hurling backwards from the rough kick that was sent her way. She felt her breath leave her body as she rolled along the ground before stopping.

"Well, aren't you a cocky one? That is often the way with children, you think you know everything, but you don't have a clue." The man still sounded condescending as he dashed forwards, Saruyama was pushing herself up with her one arm and looked up without realising is. The man attacking her was older than her father, his grey hued hair was tied up with a few locks escaping the tie and falling into his face; his face was lined from years of life, pain and fighting, but his eyes were dark. It had her eyes widening, she was barely a threat to him, that he didn't even bother activating his sharingan. But then why would she be a threat? The state of her right now, she couldn't be less threatening if she even tried.

A shadow fell over her, wisps of smoke coming with the figure as a hand was clasped onto her shoulder and she was pulled to a stand, her feet were unsteady, and she was about to fight off the owner of the hand before a familiar voice reached her ears. "Stand up, and fight, do not give him the satisfaction of cutting you down before you can deal the death blow to him." Butsama had smoke and blood flickered over his armour and his skin, his face was devoid of emotion as he stared at the man who had skidded to a halt, seeing an adult suddenly seemed to make the man think twice.

Saruyama took her father's words to heart, in a small way, but she couldn't help but think he was being silly. No way could she kill someone like this man, he was stronger, more experienced, and she clearly needed help, not saving, but help. The man heard Butsama's words and threw his head back, thinking this was all highly amusing as a laugh came from him which just sounded full of sarcasm. "There would be no satisfaction from killing something that didn't put up a fight." Tilting his head, the man looked between them, "Another one of yours, eh, Butsama?" It wasn't like her father wasn't well known to the enemy, he was strong, and usually always present in skirmishes against the Uchiha, he had taken out a fair few and then some, that was for sure. It was also no secret from intel gathered that he had a few children, the resemblance between the girl and the man were minimal, at best, but both had similar shaped eyes, both shared the exact same blank expression as they shifted their feet into a better stance. Physically there wasn't much to link the pair as being related, but characteristics and little quirks like this, it was as plain as day.

"I don't know your name, I'm not interested in it either," Butsama simply responded and charged forwards. He did call out to her, Saruyama kept her injured arm to herself still and painfully dodged out of the way of them fighting to retrieve her katana. The man was good, that was a given, but he very well couldn't fight on two fronts, especially when the combined unit worked rather flawlessly.

Butsama would either attack from the front and feint to the side, by that point Saruyama would be coming in from a low skid and jump to attack, if there was an attack sent at her and that was spotted, Butsama would attack from the side. Saruyama's katana was blocked a few times, having two blades now in his hand, the grey haired man could deflect both with as much ease as he could muster. In an act of pure desperation, the man hit Saruyama's injured arm which had her staggering and grasping onto it as if that'd ease the pain, and before she could even react a kunai was inches from her face. She couldn't help but flinch as the blood flicked across her face, there was a katana sticking out from the man's throat, her father standing behind him with a deadly serious expression gracing his features.

Much like the man earlier at their door, Butsama just pushed the corpse off of his blade before stepping over the body and standing in front of her. He frowned, he shook his head before looking up and around them. "Where are your brothers?"

Saruyama couldn't help but feel like he was a little disappointed in her somehow, but she turned and started running. "This way, father!" Saruyama's injured arm just dangled by her side, the grip strength being gone, she couldn't clasp onto the lip of her chest armour anymore, so she just let it swing around as she ran onwards. Her father, ironically much like Hashirama and Itama, didn't have Tobirama and her own ability at being sensitive to tracking and sensing others, or specifically trying to find someone in particular.

Itama was soon found, he kicked out from underneath the Uchiha who had fought him to get him away from his sister. A few scratches adorned his face, he didn't ask how they were together, he just followed suit as they were off to find their brothers. Butsama seemed to wish to regroup, but it was more than that, this was utter chaos, which was probably the intention; create a scene and follow it up with a stronger force, if that stronger force were soon going to come, they needed to regroup. Not only did they need to come together, but they also needed to establish who was injured, who was dead, and who was able to fight.

It was no surprise to see the two older siblings having dealt with the Uchiha they encountered, now taking to aiding those around them. Spotting the two youngest and their father had Hashirama and Tobirama moving over quickly, much like Saruyama and Itama, Hashirama and Tobirama too hadn't come out of this unscathed, it was clear someone had at least backhanded or hit Hashirama in the face, a bruise was starting to appear on his cheek, his skin already looking swollen and sore. Tobirama had a few grazes to his hands and face, none of them seemed to show signs of being burned. The homes and buildings around them though...the fires had ripped through some, windows and doors now just empty holes and the insides absolutely razed. It would take a lot to recover from this, but that could wait.

"We only encountered a small number; I don't think this was their main force." Tobirama looked around at the smoky area and those laying lifeless, both Uchiha and Senju alike. In amongst this there were those trying to put the fires out, the thick black smoke billowing upwards into the night air, the moon brightly shined illuminating the scene as the stars just shimmered and glistened away.

"I can only feel those that are our own," Saruyama frowned and watched as Tobirama tilted his head and narrowed his eyes upwards, he was much more aware and better than her and eventually even he had to agree.

Truth be told, the Uchiha who were here, once they were all dead and dealt with Tobirama could no longer feel the spiky, chaotic and dark energy that they gave off. "What was this then?" Hashirama spoke up from beside his snowy haired brother. He wiped the back of his hand against his forehead with a sigh, he was smearing smoke across his tanned skin unbeknownst to him. "A test? A rouge unit? All of them were definitely Uchiha, none of them were from another clan."

"If they were information gathering, then none of them managed to get out to relay back to their camp." Itama sheathed his katana with a quiet sigh coming from him, he suddenly felt quite exhausted. The adrenaline was slowly leaving his body and he could feel himself coming down.

"Maybe they were chancing their luck? Maybe they just happened upon us..." Saruyama said slowly and frowned, she shook her head slowly. "That's too coincidental for me, and I don't like it." She decided promptly, earning nods from her brothers.

"Then they knew we were here," Butsama concluded, hearing his children talk amongst themselves. They were all bringing up points which were valid. He frowned and looked around, seemingly taking in the carnage and chaos for the first time since it all happened. "But you can't feel any more of them?" He looked between Tobirama and Saruyama, both shook their heads. Butsama frowned, "I don't like it. Their purpose was to create this situation, regardless of if none of them would leave alive. This is causing death, and destruction, just for the sake of such a thing."

"Maybe they hoped to kill more of our stronger shinobi? Catch them by surprise." Tobirama offered, placing his hands on his hips and looking at his father seriously.

"If they were going to do that, then they shouldn't have started fires." Hashirama couldn't help but state in a low tone. He couldn't help but feel like this was a suicide mission for some reason they wouldn't figure out, or ever know; though Hashirama felt like revenge was the answer they were actually looking for, but no one was saying it. He turned his attention to his three siblings, they all needed seeing to and bandaging up, along with everyone else that was hurt in the skirmish, not to mention dealing with those that had died.

No one slept that much after this, so much was needing to be done. Those that were Uchiha were dealt with accordingly, they attacked them and were their enemies, but they were all buried together in a grave away from the Senju graveyard. It wasn't like they could send the bodies back to the clan, they didn't know their exact positions, but also the bodies would no doubt cause more issues. The Senju wasn't the issue here, it was those that sought them out and ambushed them. But the Uchiha wouldn't see that, that was a given.

All of this happened in the night, and the Uchiha were oblivious to it; apart from maybe Osamu's daughter, Moriko. But even she may not have fully understood what her father was intending. By the time Junichi had dragged Junpei to Tajima, who had been unfortunately tasked with trying to find the older Uchiha, it was no secret what had happened, and where he went along with some other Uchiha. Osamu had persuaded some diehard clansmen and women to go with him to attack the Senju compound, to attack in the middle of the night, deal as much damage as possible even if it wound up with all of them dying, they seemingly didn't care if they took some Senju out in the process.

It just so happened that they did all die, their bodies not returned for their own burials, and that the losses to the Senju were minimal at best, but the damage done to their homes was drastically more than the body count they had hoped for. Even in the dead of night, a surprise attack was able to get repelled and countered so easily. But was that such a surprise, when the Uchiha who went were so few in numbers?

Tajima despaired, he couldn't say what he really thought of this all, least of all with Moriko around still, and Tomoko looking heartbroken that it was clear her grandfather really wasn't going to return home now. At least they could stop putting small teams out to find him, and it was pointless to try and find his body and the others, they weren't going to find them.

Though Izuna had been brash on his thoughts over how he thought his time was being wasted looking for the older Uchiha, he couldn't help but look saddened. Maybe a small part of him did want those that went to not have gone, and they had returned, or just didn't listen to Osamu and someone could've talked him around and out of this. Madara just stuck by his earlier beliefs on this, actions have consequences. The man was determined for revenge, he went and found it, and got himself killed along with others that were taken in by perhaps false promises and words. He could say he couldn't believe this happened, but really, nothing particularly surprised him anymore.

Junpei and Junichi were still around and offered to take the children and train with them for a bit so the adults could discuss this matter further. Though yes, they were stepping out of this, adults in their own rights they felt this was going to be messy and the kids didn't need to be around for it. Tomoko took more persuading as she didn't want to leave her mother, Moriko urged her daughter to go, even if she didn't want to, which lead to the males awkwardly not knowing how to deal with the distraught girl who just followed them silently.

Madara could almost hear the gears turning in her mind, with a sigh, he crossed his arms and looked down at her as she sat on a bench. Izuna was being given the run around by the cousins, something which was causing the younger boy to grow irritated and puff out his cheeks before shouting something which was meant to be threatening. Shame he was still quite young and had the cuteness of childhood hanging about him, or else he could've been taken seriously. "Are you thinking of going to try and find them too?"

Tomoko snapped to attention, as if she had been caught out, she did look guiltily up at him. Madara frowned and sat slowly down beside her. "He wouldn't have done this, if others just-"

"Others did listen to him, and they're dead now too." Madara cut her off while shutting his eyes, "I'm not here to stop you, or talk you out of anything, people will do whatever they want. But I think it'll be pointless to follow your grandfather into the afterlife without truly living your life." Madara heard a sniffle and looked slowly at the dark haired girl beside him, Madara's eyes widened, and he held his hands up. "I didn't mean to make you cry!" He exclaimed quietly and shook his hands, as if that would magically make her stop. Madara just looked hugely uncomfortable, what does he do now? What to do with a crying girl, what do people do to quieten them down and stop them?

"I just wish we had his body, so we could at least grieve."

Madara lowered his hands and looked back towards his brother, Izuna had flaked to the floor with the cousins either side of him, Madara wasn't even going to question why Junpei was poking his brother on the stomach. Although it became clear once Izuna burst out laughing and wiggled away, only to be caught and picked up and put onto Junichi's back. The pair chased Junpei then, Izuna's smaller hands reaching out to try and grasp onto his collar, while Junichi shifted his hold on the younger boy's legs. Madara sighed heavily, it was actually nice to see his brother be able to have fun, even nicer still was seeing people humour and entertain him, Izuna was still a child.

"Sometimes it isn't that simple, or easy. We should know that by now." Everyone had relatives scattered about the lands which weren't reclaimed, it was horrible but that was how it went.

"I wish I could be as pragmatic as you," Tomoko sighed and wrapped her arms around her middle, she still sniffled now and then, tears still in her dark eyes as she looked blankly at the ground below her feet.

Madara frowned slowly at that, he didn't think anyone would want to be like him in any way. "It's just easier to see what's needing to be done in the here and now." Madara heard his name being called and looked in his father's direction, calling out to Izuna the pair started to return to his father. Madara couldn't help but frown again, he felt like either something was going to happen from this, or nothing; either would result in people in the clan having varied thoughts and feelings, he knew that much.

Tajima guided his sons back home, once inside he sat heavily down at the table, crossing his legs as he did so and watched as his sons sat opposite to him. "It is much easier to say that those who went with Osamu, and Osamu himself was lost in battle. His actions are not being discussed further, purely because it is felt like other likeminded people will follow through with a repeat of what he did, and that'll just lead to more and more dying for a pointless cause." Tajima explained though with a weight to his tone, he seemed tired by this. He slammed his hand on the table and frowned deeply, "It didn't have to be like this, it didn't." He was angry, not just at Osamu but maybe even those which got taken in with what he had said.

"Does this mean we're just going to ignore that he even existed?" Izuna asked plainly, shifting to kneel and lean his crossed arms on the table, he watched as his father straightened up and looked at him as he spoke.

Madara frowned and shooed his brothers arms off of the table. "You can't just erase someone from existence, that's ridiculous, Izuna."

"But if what he did isn't being spoken about, and is being ignored, I just want to know if that means we're ignoring he even was here...what about Moriko and Tomoko?" Izuna put a finger to his chin as he looked up at the ceiling.

"You're making this more complicated, Izuna. What Osamu set out to do is to not be spoken about, likewise those that went with him. It doesn't mean we're ignoring he was here mere days ago." Madara despaired and ran a hand down his face, trust his brother to presume they were blanking someone even being alive and present up until very recently.

Tajima watched the pair quietly before leaning back against his hands, "Madara is right, Izuna. It is just yet another thing to not speak about amongst our clan." Every clan had little secrets, theirs was no exception. "Moriko and Tomoko will be okay, I'm sure. But I cannot help but think others will treat them differently, purely based on what Osamu did. Don't either of you treat Tomoko any differently, she is still your friend." Tajima said, looking seriously between his two boys, Izuna and Madara exchanged a look before nodding slowly. Izuna didn't have many dealings with the girl, so his father's words were easy to agree with. Madara would bump into Tomoko more and more often, she seemed broken earlier, and admittedly he didn't think anything he said or did would help her mend; he was ultimately powerless to mend a broken and betrayed heart.