Yuganori, Kinuko
The stillness that had previously covered Kinuko's senses had long since lifted itself, and the world resumed itself at a blurred pace - the clashing of swords and flurry of handsigns sure to occur in any battle shook Kinuko from her brief reverie, and she began to survey the battlefield with more precision than she had previously. Even with the small scale that she was working with, it was obvious to Kinuko who the primary targets in the battle were - the Rebellion was lead by Takeo, but he was not the most important target on the battlefield. The Rebellion's members fought with a pent-up fury that was rare to behold, and it seemed from a cursory glance that they were not following an actual plan - it seemed that they were going to allow their more primal emotions to lead the charge. It was a motive that she could understand, but it was not one that she could support. Giving in to the fury and allowing bloodshed to cloud one's mind was a great disadvantage - and there were those that could take advantage of an unfavourable position like that in order to turn the tides of any fight. Even if she were to ignore the complications introduced by not following a clear plan, the potential swings in the grand design's balance would be unprecedented and incredibly dangerous. It was always best to avoid such things wherever possible.
It seemed that the Hyuuga, Kaede, was among the most valuable of the Rebellion's members. Her presence did not need to be seen to appreciated, for the more skilled Ninja would feel her chakra at work from a considerable distance if they knew what they were looking for, but it was nonetheless one of their most valuable tools - one that they seemed eager to keep as hidden and safe as was possible. It was an intelligent tactic, if nothing else. Kinuko briefly considered her options when it came to dealing with the Hyuuga - she seemed to keep a support network close by, and while it would not be an issue to dispatch them if necessary, Kaede gave off an air of importance to the balance of the world that Kinuko could not ignore. Today was not the day that her cycle ended. It seemed like she would be an interesting person to talk to at some point before the battle was truly over, if only to gain a balanced view of the motivations of the Rebellion.
Turning her gaze away, Kinuko looked upon the metaphorical fodder slaughtering one another with no hesitation, and she could only think of what a senseless loss of life had occurred. There were those destined to die, and their passing was not sad, but it was those who had not yet reached their time that died that brought sadness. Though her mind filled rapidly with the lamentations of the people that had died needlessly, her face showed none of the emotion that she felt and her imperturbable gaze searched onwards once more to find the ample opportunity to strike. As she was scanning, she noticed the form of a young Uchiha (she gathered he was an Uchiha by the way that the men around him were avoiding eye contact at all times) beset by three assailants simultaneously. He managed to deal with the initial two fairly reasonably, but it did not take him look to ask assistance of his allies, only to find that none were responding in a punctual timeframe. Perhaps it was just the sadness, or her uncanny sense of balance, but Kinuko felt that it was not his time to die, yet, and that she could help if only briefly.
Amidst her pensive thoughts, the chaos of the world continued, and it did not take long for a stray member of the Rebellion to wander too closely to her, beset by two members of the Empire. His first reaction was to shout for help, but after finding Kinuko unresponsive to his pleas, he did the only thing that he could - direct the battle towards her in the hope that she would fight to stay alive. With a swift roll backwards, he brought the attention of the two guards towards her, and seeing the chance to dispose of an enemy and a potential enemy simultaneously, the pair of Empire ninja performed handsigns in tandem, preparing to launch a great fireball at the two foes before them. Exhausted and out of chakra, the Rebellion ninja prepared himself for his fate, but he would find that death did not come for him at that second as Kinuko suddenly sprung into action.
With a swiftness and grace that few in the world could claim to possess, Kinuko begun her movements. It would not be practical for her to attempt to disrupt the pair before they completed their techniques, but it would be easy enough to disrupt the technique as it was formed. Her right hand instinctively grabbed the hilt of Hanashi, and with a single, fluid strike befitting an Iaijutsu user, the hilt was drawn forth and blade created simultaneously, imbued with Kinuko's Fukyōwaon no Inkan [Seal of Dissonance]. The motion completed just as the duo prepared to launch their attack, but was intercepted as Kinuko stepped forwards, bringing her blade through the chest of the first ninja. The cut was shallow, but the abnormal pulse of chakra from the seal disrupted the formation of the Great Fireball as it began, only singing the blade, before the silk disappeared entirely. Before the soldier could recoil in shock, a small pivot to her right and a single movement forwards resulted in the now-empty hilt of Hanashi being placed on the wounded soldier's chest, on top of the cut. Tensing her leg and she prepared to pivot, Kinuko drew the soldier's entire volume of blood through the sword with a single stroke, twisting as she did so and bisecting the second Empire-affiliated soldier with a sword made of the first's blood.
The rebel looked on in awe, and his mouth opened to thank Kinuko, but before he could do so the same sword of blood had been driven through his chest. Her face gave nothing away, but Kinuko could not help but feel a great sorrow for the act that she had just committed. By intervening, she had threatened the balance. It was this man's time to die, and it was her job as a sacred guardian of the balance to ensure that it happened. It was not pleasant work, but it was necessary.
Kinuko looked upon the battlefield once more, before throwing a Kunai with a silk tag attached to it emblazoned with another seal - this time the Shōshū no Inkan [Seal of Convocation]. The Kunai was flung quickly enough that it whizzed past Katsu and straight towards the last of his assailants - he dodged the projectile fairly easily, but as his eyes scanned for where it came from, they opened and bulged slightly in shock as the blood-red tip of the sword that Kinuko had just created protruded from his chest, piercing one of his lungs, and she emerged from behind him. Rather than finish the kill quickly, Kinuko allowed the blood that comprised her current sword to resume its normal liquid form, splattering through the soldier's armour and on to the floor as his own blood joined it, and his body crumpled to the ground.
"It is not your time."
And as quickly as the words were spoken, Kinuko turned away from Katsu, and began to walk towards the centre of the battlefield where the most actions were taking place - she could only observe so much from the outskirts, and the battle had waned enough that she was safe to walk slightly more into the thick of things. Still, if things were too hectic for her, she could always leave at any time - but that was a route she was hesitant to take when the balance was at stake.