Prologue
The clan heiress stares out at the sunset, drinking miso soup, enjoying the last of her freedom. She cannot think about what sort of bleak future awaits her. The wife of an enemy, branded a traitor by marriage if all should go wrong, a competitor to her own sister. She closes her eyes and swallows hard. As much as she wants to run away, she knows her father has set his guards upon her. His best shinobi. There is no way she can outrun them or beat them in stealth and deception. She was no great runner in any sense of the word. Her skills were above average, but not that much so and at best the only ability that granted her worth was her talent to perform powerful fuinjutsu.
She supposes this pleases her husband to be. He gets a wealthy wife, her inheritance of Uzumaki Clan techniques and forbidden jutsu that she is to bring with her in scrolls and a woman of elite lineage. Descendent from the legendary sage himself if the myths about him are true. Finishing the last of her soup, she goes ahead and pours herself sake. Her father would not approve, but she finds that right now that she could use the cloudy effects of alcohol.
She says nothing to the presence that sits next to her. Her brother Arashi who will become the Clan Leader when her father dies. "You can't blame him for playing both those headstrong Shinobi at their own game." He comments dryly. She spares him a glance, unmoved at his attempt at humour. He drinks the sake straight from the bottle. Neither of them cares about propriety at the moment, but she is sure their conduct will be reported to their father by his spies.
"Do you really think so? I always thought Hashirama was genuine. Mito certainly seems to think so." Arashi snorts at that and lazily rests down on his elbows. "Our sweet sister has turned into a lovesick fool. Hashirama genuine? To his own idealistic philosophies perhaps, but to keeping promises and treaties in the ninja world? He's almost as slimy and backstabbing as that Uchiha bastard you are going to marry."
She manages to form a weak smile at her brother's disrespect to her betrothed. At least he understood what their father was getting them into. "Why do you think father wants me to marry him? What is going to happen when the Senju catch wind of this?" Her brother looks at her long and hard and gives a quiet sigh.
"I thought it should be obvious. Father is trying to play it shrewd. Play the game how they play it. He is covering his bases you could say. One daughter married to his ally, one daughter married to his ally's enemy. It puts Hashirama in a very perilous position. He cannot exactly declare war on the Uzumaki Clan for this when his wife is the Clan Leader's daughter. Mito wouldn't be under any obligation to be a quiet submissive wife if he chose to forsake all honour and do so anyway. Senju laws are different for women."
She winces at that, again thinking of what sort of future lay ahead of her. As the broodmare and doormat to the leader of the Uchiha clan.
"Yes I understand, but why do that to our ally? Why make friends with the enemy?"
Arashi takes another drink from the bottle and idly begins to play with strands of his sister's hair.
"Because father wishes to play the peacemaker. Hashirama does want to end the feud with the Uchiha Clan and with an Uzumaki as the wife of the enemy Clan Leader, it paves the way for negotiations. And if that doesn't work, whatever side wins, there will be an Uzumaki girl in one of the highest positions in clan politics and Uzushiogakure is safe."
She snorts at her brother's assessment.
"Shrewd yes. Believable? No. The Senju Clan won't forget this betrayal and if the Uchiha Clan wins, they will never look upon us as equals or give us much respect. They will know our clan for liars and traitors even if there is a clan heiress married to their respective leaders. With the politics aside, either me or Mito will be completely disgraced."
Her brother merely smiles and kisses her cheek.
"Yes I suppose so, assuming they don't form a bond. But that is the way of the world isn't it? The way it is for women born into elite Shinobi families. You don't have a choice in the matter and considering the rumours surrounding you from summers past, think yourself glad to have made a marriage this grand."
She looks away and ignores what her brother is insinuating. She had travelled from Uzushiogakure to the fire nation to visit her sister and had thus begun a relationship with Hashirama's brother. She had thought it was a good idea. To be close to Mito, to get away from Uzushiogakure and formulate her own future. The shameless way she flaunted her affair with Tobirama had sent tongues wagging and rather than supporting her liaison with the younger Senju brother, her sister sent her back home in disgrace.
"Yes I suppose I should be glad to spend the rest of my life on my knees pouring sake to a man whose ambition will probably haunt nations of generations to come," She says sarcastically unaware of how close to the truth she was.
Her brother tips the bottle of sake to her.
"Ah, and heartbreak suits you my little sister. Akane Uchiha has a ring to it don't you think?"
Akane Uzumaki 's aunts spend the rest of the week busily preparing for her upcoming meeting with Uchiha Madara and the wedding that will follow. Measurements are taken of her, elaborate kimonos and yukata's are ordered as well as jewels and ornaments for her hair. Some clothes for battle are ordered and only done so in case she is needed to protect the Uchiha stronghold as the Clan Mistress. Her aunt cheerfully tells her that she should have no need to worry. The Uchiha Clan are a powerful group, her fiancé and his brother even more so. That she has nothing to fear and should easily be able to focus on her wifely tasks.
It takes a lot of self-control not to bite out a nasty retort and keep a cold indifferent exterior. More chests of clothes, goods, scrolls and other valuable items will be ordered for her by Madara when she becomes his wife as befitting of the Clan's Mistress. Or so she is assured. The only satisfaction she gets out of this is knowing that she will have more wealth and elegance than Mito could ever hope for. Mito who often had to travel with her husband on missions and participate in wars. Mito, who had to give birth to a stillborn baby in a camp within the midst of a battlefield because her husband was so set on making a united land.
A familiar sense of pity washes over her. Although she had never forgiven Mito for her treatment of her those few years ago and shaming her away from her home, Akane couldn't help, but feel a little bad at what her sister had suffered because of her husband's ambition. She wonders if Mito has still convinced herself that the death of her baby had been a necessary sacrifice. If both of them believed that.
She looks at herself in the mirror as a servant finishes combing her hair. It was best not to think about Mito. Not to think about Tobirama and whether he still cares for her and to put aside any hopes for joining the Senju Clan and one day making amends with her sister. They were enemies now, with different duties and different loyalties.
She was to be the wife of one of the most powerful Shinobi in the fire nation, however much she hated him.
Her reflection stares back at her, the blue grey of her eyes, the pale whiteness of her skin contrasted with the bright redness of her hair. She may not find love as her sister had or have a very promising and bright future to mark her name and accomplishments as a kunoichi on the battlefield, but she would be the best she could be. She would be proud of her heritage and future title and the children of the future that would carry on the Uzumaki and Uchiha legacy. Grudge who grudge it, it would be done.
Akane Uzumaki travells in silence within a palanquin. It would have been faster to travel as Shinobi, but as this was to be a formal meeting, it would also be done with proper formality. She and her party would stay a few weeks within Uchiha territory where in front of witnesses, Madara would make her his wife before her fellow clansmen departed and she would begin her new life as the Clan Mistress.
It was now that she began to envy her sister. Mito didn't have to give up her heritage, her alliance or her loyalty to her clan because of a contract of marriage. Mito even as a wife was seen as an ambassador and negotiator for the Uzumaki Clan, having their interests at heart while she served as a loving wife to the Senju Clan's leader. She even kept with her many within her Uzumaki retinue to join the Senju and to serve her.
Things for Akane would be very different and she had been wracking her brain for weeks to figure out if there was a way around it. Once she married Madara, she would have to give up all that made her an Uzumaki and leave it all behind. She would be no peacemaker nor would she have any say or influence in his affairs. She would have to be completely and utterly loyal to the Uchiha clan and devoted to her husband. The Uchiha wouldn't expect anything less.
She sighed in frustration. Her servants had been good in seeking out extra tidbits of information for her, but all of it had been negative. If pretty clothes and babies were all she had to look forward to, Akane simply wondered how she was going to keep herself sane.
"We've arrived my lady," one of her father's shinobi said to her through the drawn curtains of her palanquin. She quietly thanked him and offered him her hand as he helped her out. Everyone got into formation and from the distance Akane could see the Uchiha entourage up ahead. She squinted as she scanned the dark clothed figures and even felt a tinge of fear when she saw their fire fan banners swaying in the wind. She was entering into an unknown world, most likely hated because she was a foreigner and had a reputation of being a Senju's harlot, but she would have to make do. She would work hard, earn their respect and loyalty and make a path for herself. She would be greater than Mito, greater than any other Uzumaki that ever lived. She may not be marrying for love, but she just wanted the title, not the man. He could not disgrace her in public because it would shame his clan.
I can do this.
She took a deep breath and waited with cool civility as both clans marched to meet one another. Formalities were said, names were signed on scrolls to bind treaties and form the alliance. Through it all, Akane, hidden behind some women of her family and her clan's shinobi caught glimpses of the man she was to marry. She had heard he was handsome and indeed he far exceeded her expectations, but his eyes were cold and calculating. He gave no indication of scanning the crowd for her face nor was he in a hurry to be formally presented to his bride.
She supposed the good thing about this was that his good looks would make lying beneath him easier and if he truly disliked her as she thought he did, their coupling ritual would be quick and business like, solely for the procreation of children. Akane could live with that. She wouldn't mind if he ignored her for the rest of their married days and only sought her out where necessary. If he wanted to fuck painted whores, he could do so all he liked and she would use his underestimation of her to stab him in the back and take his clan from him one day.
While contemplating this, Akane made sure to keep her face neutral. These were farfetched sentiments, but she would file them away for when she needed them.
"And may I present the Lady Akane Uzumaki, the youngest daughter of Daiki Uzumaki and your wife to be." Akane slowly came forward as members of her family parted to let her meet the Uchiha patriarch. Respectfully she bowed to him and muttered a quiet "Madara-sama," to show her respect.
As she raised her head, she saw him scrutinise her up and down, as if he would dwell deep into the darkest corner of her mind and unravel her secrets and intentions. The look was intimidating, but she knew better than to show how bothered she was by it. Instead she kept her face neutral.
In the end, he nodded to her.
"Lady Akane, it is an honour to finally meet you. Your clansmen have told me much of your beauty and your formidable skills as a kunoichi. I am certain you will bring much to our clan." It was beautifully said, but that smile he was wearing seemed like he had just bitten into an extra sour lemon. Perturbed by this, she lowered her head and thanked him. He gave her the crook of his arm and she gingerly laced her arm in his.
Now that, that awkward presentation had been done, Madara led her up to the main stronghold, owned by the Uchiha's off their base. Servants had prepared it for their arrival and the wedding which was to take place when Madara named the day, within the month as the contract stated.
He spoke not a word to her at all and as they entered the main hall and took their places to dine, he kept his conversation centred towards war with the Hyuuga Clan or mainly spoke to his brother. He barely even glanced at her. Akane knew better than to show any indication that she was insulted by his mannerisms and lack of regard. This was after all, what she expected so why would she let it bother her now?
Many of her clansmen spoke about strategic movements and perhaps being able to obtain some forbidden Hyuuga scrolls. Akane of course wanted to contribute her part, but she knew better than to speak. Even though she was a clan heiress, a powerful kunoichi and specialized in battle formation tactics, she didn't think her fiancée or his clan would appreciate commentary from a woman who was not invited to speak. Perhaps they thought her some insignificant spoilt brat whose skills as a ninja were mediocre at best.
She supposed she could look at it on the bright side. If they though her weak, she could use it to her advantage and assure her own safety if things between her and Madara became too sour. She glanced over at him, seated next to her. He was talking to his brother about adding more areas to the training grounds and scarcely acknowledged her presence. Respectfully she looked away not wanting to be caught staring and instead looked to her aunt, her mother's eldest sister. Her aunt gave her a reassuring smile as if to tell her in that one look that she understood the hard road women must take in this world.
Akane wondered if she could take her aunt, Kotone Uzumaki as her example. Her aunt had been no older than sixteen when she married and spent the next several years birthing one child after another. Given the amount of children that died in infancy or in battle, it was imperative for kunoichi to marry young, produce sons and prepare them for the dark world that lay ahead. Her aunt had lived a troublesome life filled with blood and war. She had fought in armies and killed men, she had forged herself a daunting reputation, something that Akane wanted, yet it hadn't turned out so good for her aunt in the end. All of her children died, killed in battle, destroyed by illness. Her husband was gone and now she was a clan elder and advised Uzumaki policy.
She was a woman of strong will, but Akane wondered if that was the sort of future that awaited her. To lose sons and siblings, to have almost nothing left. It must have been Kotone's pride as an Uzumaki that kept her going and contributing to the wellbeing of the clan. Akane managed to smile weakly back at her and return to her meal. She had to stop letting these negative emotions get to her. She had to stop comparing herself to other people's lives. She would make one for herself and if she made it to old age, she would look back and remember the legacy she left behind.
The feasting continued on late into the night and entertainment followed with stories of glory, dances from servants and gifts to be given to strengthen the alliance. With a nod from her aunt Akane respectfully excused herself from Madara and bid him goodnight. A stern looking Uchiha matriarch led her and the rest of the Uzumaki women to their assigned quarters.
Akane and Kotone were given their own separate accommodations to sleep in and her aunt proceeded to take out her hair ornaments and brush out the long red strands. She untied her niece's many layers of kimono and hung them up for the servants to arrange in the morning. It was all done in absolute silence as she helped Akane into a bedroom yukata and a dark over robe to wear while they sipped some tea before they went to bed.
"What do you think?" Kotone whispered to her quietly. They sat close, aware there were probably Uchiha spies about even though the walls were solid. The Uchiha were a sly clan, who knows what sort of jutsu they had at their disposal to spy on them?
"He's powerful and respected. He has wealth from the lands in the fire nation that they have conquered and he is feared by many. Though I doubt I could make him love me or have much control over his affairs." Kotone went tight lipped at that and set down her tea.
"You do not know your own beauty. He's only a man after all and like many men will give in to carnal needs. You can seduce him easily just as you seduced Tobirama. And if you cannot gain his love, then you can command his respect. You will be his wife, but more importantly you will be the Mistress of the Clan. The position demands reverence from both him and his clansmen."
Akane looked down on the ground, her eyes gazing over the frayed tatami mats they were sitting on. "He barely looked at me all night, let alone speak to me. I will have a lot of work to do," she said dryly. Her aunt nodded at that and gently ran her fingers through her niece's hair. "Marriages like this are always hard things to work on, but you will get there in the end. Madara Uchiha is a difficult man to please who lived a life of hardship and warfare well before he came into power. You on the other hand have always lived a privileged life served on a bended knee. Your knowledge of the true horrors of war is minimal at best even though you are a kunoichi. He knows this and doesn't take it well. While I am sure there are various reasons, I do suspect much of his dislike has to do with you making him the laughing stock of all of the fire nation a few summers past."
Akane gripped her yukata tightly with her hand not finding herself the least bit remorseful.
"Yes, the knowledge a Senju ravished his future bride before he did must certainly have made his blood boil with rage," Akane said nastily. Her aunt couldn't help, but smirk in return. Idle prattle continued on for a little longer before Kotone blew out the candles and the Uzumaki women went to sleep.