Summary: She was an exiled princess; He was a shinobi who bore the responsibility of his clan above all else. What will happen when their worlds collide? "Give me your hand!" He ordered as he stretched an arm toward her as her carriage slipped further over the edge of the steep mountain cliff. "I will...protect you!"
Chapter One: Beautiful Blue
Bustling activity filled the air in the palace as maids rushed back and forth to prepare for the birth of the daimyo's child via his favorite concubine Lady Erika who descended from the ancient kings who once ruled the land thousands, perhaps millions and billions, of years ago. Of course, the daimyo Tsukishiro-dono already had an official wife who birthed him a son, his heir, but the woman had become infertile, unable to bear him anymore children. People flocked all over, offering him women who he sometimes left alone to rot in his harem; the women who were traded to buy favors, land, and mostly money wilted away like the cherry blossoms that filled the huge and expansive harem complex that housed them.
Lady Erika, either by her good fortune or bad luck, was raised by her uncle, a Minister of the Left, who introduced her to the elderly daimyo. Tsukishiro-dono, who was at a steady age of 39, in comparison to the young lady who was merely 17 springs sought the young girl's hand. A few months later, not exceeding 5, young Lady Erika became his eleventh concubine. It was not soon after that she became pregnant with the young child that would soon be birthed today.
The Minister of the Left, Lady Erika's uncle, was delighted with the news!
The daimyo sent him for more gifts: land, money, and women!
Murmurs flooded the palace. Would the young concubine birth a new son...or perhaps a daughter? If she bore a son for the lord, would the lord replace his wife Lady Tsuyu and make Lady Erika headwife? The rumors ran rampant, and that was no small, unjust comment. The servants spread the news like wildfire that engulfed everything in its path; Lady Erika's special lineage as a descendant of the kings of old stirred the citizens of the Fire Country.
Make Erika-sama queen!
Make Erika-sama queen!
Make Erika-sama queen!
Lady Tsuyu merely ignored the rumors and continued to bask in her loneliness. Her son who was already seven no longer required her. He was tutored and fed by numerous men and women. Once he was born, Tsukishiro-dono made sure to separate the mother and son once the boy was weaned. She knew that she, too, was going to rot away into nothingness like the women who lived in her husband's harem. Wife she may be in name, but she was nothing more than a seed bearer for him.
When the Lady Tsuyu was heavy with child, she had experienced growing pains and hemorrhaging so often that they all believed the child would die. He lived, and due to that, she was allowed solace - eternal silence - in the palace of blossoms and leaves. She prayed that the young Lady Erika would not be forced to do the same and live out the sad fate of being an object of a man's simple play.
The other concubines before Lady Erika congratulated the young woman wholeheartedly and they, too, eagerly waited for the birth of a child - someone to take of and dote on. They were either unable to bear children or their wombs would not take the seed of the man who provided so.
In any and all cases, it was unfortunate and pitiful.
With the birth of Lady Erika's child, they hoped to fill the pain in their hearts and become a mother, even to a child that was not their own.
Inside the birthing chamber, Lady Erika lay on a soft mat as the soft wicker which held a pure white wax candle burned brightly. Around her, maids and a female doctor sat beside her, waiting with bated breaths for the child within her womb to stir once again. Lady Erika had been having contractions all day yesterday and all day today; it had been more than 20 hours. Hopefully, it would be time for the baby to arrive soon.
Huff. Huff. Huff.
Lady Erika panted as her small hands gripped the sheets around her tightly. Her stomach twisted and curled painfully. "Ngh…" She whimpered harshly as she felt the contractions flow through her system painfully.
"Milady! Are you well?"
The female doctor put her hand against the lady's swollen belly. "The child is coming!" She announced loudly. "Prepare warm water, new cloth, and a blade!"
Maids rushed to fulfill the orders quickly.
Outside the birthing chamber, Tsukishiro-dono paced back and forth, biting his nails occasionally. He was nervous; his woman was finally going to birth his child! He closed his eyes and thought back to the moment when the Minister of the Left - Ryohei, yes, Ryohei - introduced his niece...she was a young and tender looking thing...perfect for the plucking… He licked his lips slowly as he thought about their wedding night. She was delicious…
Shouts from inside the birthing chamber caught his attention as Lady Erika began to scream in pain.
"Push, milady, push! You're almost there! I can see the baby's head!" The female doctor urged loudly as the young concubine put pressure on her lower half to push out her baby.
Lady Erika grit her teeth fiercely.
The daimyo's eyes were open wide when his woman's cries died down. He slowly looked down at the ground; was this it?
WAAAAAAAAAAH!
Suddenly, like a bolt of thunder, a loud wailing reached his ears.
His child was born!
Lady Tsuyu opened her eyes and sighed before looking out the window as she heard the child's cry from her wing in the palace.
Inside the birthing chamber, Lady Erika breathed quickly and harshly as she tried to gulp in air. The female doctor handed her baby to a maid who quickly washed her in warm water before wrapping her in a silk cloth. The female doctor examined her before handing the baby to the young lady who murmured thank you.
Lady Erika looked at her baby, and her eyes softened. Her child had her hair and skin color. It was a great thing that the child did not resemble her father. Lady Erika bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.
The child was a rare beauty.
A maid rushed out the chamber and went to the daimyo.
"Well?" Tsukishiro demanded in a bored and authoritative tone although he was very excited to know about his newest child.
The maid smiled. "It is a princess, milord!"
His eyes widened, and slowly, a grin formed, his lips curving upward. Tsukishiro-dono was definitely pleased.
He strode into the birthing chamber.
"Give her to me," He ordered authoritatively.
Lady Erika glanced at him before signaling a maid to take the baby and bring her to the lord.
Tsukishiro held his child gently and smiled when her eyes opened.
Blue.
Beautiful, beautiful blue.
He smiled at his daughter, the apple of his eyes.
"Hisana...your name will be Hisana."
"Ha ha ha ha! Beautiful girl! Yes, you are!" Tsukishiro whispered to his young daughter as he spun her around securely in the air as she looked at him with her beautiful blue eyes and squealed happily, tiny arms reaching out toward him. "Beautiful blue!" He complimented as he noticed the happy glint in her eyes sparkle.
They were outside in the garden under the cherry blossoms while the rest of the concubines were sitting close by with Lady Erika sitting in the center mat. Lady Erika watched closely as the lord spun her child around; it was obvious that she knew that the child held his favor like how she did. How unfortunate for her, but how fortunate for her daughter…
Around Lady Erika, the concubines complimented her on producing a beautiful child and blessed her. They comforted her, knowing that she, too, would one day become like them: unused and alone. They also offered to care for her child as they could not have their own.
The lord gave the child to the mother and left to attend his duties although he wanted to take her along.
"Hisana-hime...what a precious child!"
"Lovely eyes!"
"She looks like you, Lady Erika!"
"She resembles the lady more than the lord!"
"Such startling blue eyes!"
The concubines crooned over baby Hisana while her older brother looked at her from behind the trees with an unreadable expression in his eyes before running off after his father.
Lady Erika laughed bashfully. "Thank you, ladies!"
The other ladies laughed, as well.
"I hope that Hisana will grow up happy and strong…" Lady Erika said as she bounced her baby on her lap. She moved in and kissed Hisana's head softly. "I do not want her to live out my life…"
The other women frowned before reaching out to the young concubine.
"Do not fret, Lady Erika...we will do what we can to give your child a good life."
Lady Erika smiled at her fellow concubines. "Thank you," She whispered as they all continued to crowd over Hisana and take turns holding her.
Inside the daimyo's office, Tsukishiro-dono looked over paperwork and signed some off as he hummed to himself, thinking of his precious daughter. Maybe she needs new clothes...I should send the weaver to see Erika and Hisana soon...Deep in his thoughts, he did not notice his son enter the room.
"Father?"
Tsukishiro blinked; ahh, it was his young son Tsukimori. The boy resembled him a lot in terms of looks and personality although he did retain some of his mother's quality like her curiosity and nosiness.
"Yes, son?" Tsukishiro asked his son as he continued to look over paperwork even though his son was standing a few feet away from his disk.
"Can I marry Hisana one day?"
The boy's innocent question caused the lord to choke.
Tsukishiro looked up at his so, incredulous.
Tsukimori blinked.
"May I?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.
Tsukishiro chuckled loudly. "You can't marry Hisana, my boy!" He stated as he tried to contain his laughter.
His son's face scrunched up. "Why?" He asked confusedly.
"She's your sister," Tsukishiro stated as a matter of fact.
Tsukimori frowned. "So?" He countered bitterly. "I like Hisa…"
Tsukishiro stood up and walked over to his son before kneeling down in front of him. "We of the noble blood do not interbreed. It is shameful and disgusting… you must not think of your sister like that," He explained, placing an arm on his son's head. "She will someday marry to bring honor to our family, as will you. Never forget that your paths will never intertwine like that of man and wife."
Tsukimori nodded his head, his dark eyes never leaving his father's smiling face.
"I understand, Father," He replied, lowering his head to hide his face.
Seven Years Pass
Crash. Crash. Crash.
"Hime! Stop running please!"
"Hisana-hime!"
"Hime-sama, your mother wants you to - "
Glistening dark hair that shimmered with a blue tint flowed in the air as the young Hisana tried to escape her maids and her mother's ladies in waiting that attempted to capture her. Hisana's feet moved here and there, to and fro as she maneuvered herself away and out of their reach. She turned around and grinned cheekily at the people chasing after her. With a mischievous sparkle in her blue eyes, she stuck her tongue at them in an unladylike way before running off.
"You can't catch me!" She cried out before turning and preparing to run before -
Oof!
Hisana fell on her butt, rubbing her nose with puffy eyes as she looked up to see her got in her way.
Dark eyes and jet black hair greeted her eyes.
Hisana gulped inwardly. "Nii-sama," She whispered as she lowered her eyes. Her Tsukimori-nii was amazing. He was only 14 yet he could do so much! Even so, she was still scared of him and his Mama… he always stared at her like she was a piece of meat. It was like the story about the girl and the wolf that Mama told her about at night.
The maids ran over to the two children of the lord.
"Hello, Tsukimori-sama," They greeted and bowed to the young heir of the Fire Country who appraised them with his dark cold eyes.
"What are you doing?" He asked with a sharp voice that felt like piercing glass.
The maids stiffened beside Hisana.
"Are you all so incapable that you cannot look after Hisana's wellbeing?" He lectured the maids who lowered their heads in shame. "Must I inform Father and Lady Erika of your lack of skill and attention?"
"P-Please…"
Tsukimori's eyes glinted maliciously. "Maybe you five need some re-education," He suggested darkly, causing the maids to gasp and shiver in fear.
Feeling disturbed and frightened, Hisana stood up and walked in front of her heads, obstructing her brother's view. She spread her arms up like a "T" in front.
"Leave them alone, Nii-sama… it was my fault… I wanted to surprise Father, so I ran off… Uri-san and the others are not at fault… I am," Hisana sniffed pitifully.
Her brother looked at her for a bit before closing the distance between them and kissing her hair, taking the time to sniff it.
The maids stiffened at the intimate contact.
"It's alright now," Tsukimori murmured softly before embracing Hisana's small frame. He looked up at the maids and ordered them with his eyes to leave him and his beloved Hisa alone. They complied after glancing at each other nervously.
Hisana pulled away from her brother.
"Since you have returned, is Father back, as well?" Hisana asked with a soft smile to hide her growing discomfort.
Before Tsukimori could answer, Lady Tsuyu appeared.
"Tsukimori," Her monotonous voice called out sharply. "Return to your quarters and prepare for the banquet."
The young boy looked at his mother before bowing and leaving, but not after he caressed his sister.
Hisana looked at the elderly woman who gestured her over.
"Beware of him, child," Lady Tsuyu said before beckoning her maids to prepare the young girl for the banquet.
Hisana was dressed in a pure white kimono with a matching silver kosode that seemed to illuminate and bring out her blue eyes, contrasting her dark hair beautifully. Said hair was left down with one side pinned back by a golden ornament which had a red jewel in the center.
At the banquet, Hisana was puzzled to see many men and women, including children, she had never seen before. In various banquets her father had thrown, she knew all of the people since she was tutored by her Mama to know who was who… The lack of knowledge frightened her a bit.
Music filled the air as the musicians played, and dancers moved around with their paper fans, creating a light mood.
"Ne, Uri-san," She whispered to her primary caretaker. "Who are these?" She noted their strange red armor and clothes with a strange crest, making eye contact with a dark haired boy who flushed before looking down at his lap. Hisana blinked, confused.
Uri-san sighed beside her lady. "They are shinobi, Hisana-hime," She answered as she sat dutifully beside Lady Erika's daughter. The 24 year old concubine was ill and unable to leave her bed, so tonight, Uri would watch over Hisana for this banquet.
Hisana's mouth formed an "O." She openly looked at the shinobi with curiosity and then turned to her father and Lady Tsuyu. "Papa, I am bored," Hisana pouted as she blinked her blue eyes cutely at her father who merely chuckled before patting her head.
"Do you want to go play with Uri-san?" Tsukishiro asked his young daughter who shook her head in the negative.
"Uri-san and the others are no fun; they are too slow… they cannot catch me," Hisana explained as her father looked thoughtful for a moment before turning to the silent shinobi who sat still on mats opposite from them.
"Senju Butsuma, you have children here, do you not?" Tsukishiro asked the man who sat in the front.
The man nodded; yes.
Tsukishiro turned to the dark haired boy and the white haired one sitting next to him. "I want these two to entertain my Hisa-hime until you know what is done," He demanded. "I will give you extra."
The Senju nodded curtly before signaling his sons to come forward and bow to the little girl who blinked her blue eyes at them.
"Greetings, Hisana-hime," They both said simultaneously in a practiced manner.
"What's your name?" She smiled at the two brothers although she had yet to know they were such.
"I am Hashirama," The taller one said while the shorter one with white haired called himself "Tobirama."
Hisana's lips curved. "Ne, do you two know any tricks?" She quipped playfully as she eyed them with a look that Number 10 Lady Yuiko taught her.
The two boys gulped slightly although the people around them except for the shinobi and Hisana could barely tell.
Near the throne, Lady Yuiko chuckled behind her fan as she watched Hisana charm the two little shinobis.
Tsukimori watched with dark eyes as his sister stared at the shinobi with open curiosity and interest in her white-silver attire which portrayed her as a young and beautiful snow woman that tempted young men to their deaths.
A siren, that's what she is.
The servant girl beside him poured him another cup of sake which he downed instantly, his dark eyes never straying from his sister's form.
Eight Years Pass
"Hurry, hime!" Uri-san urged as she handed a bundle of cloth to the young princess of the Fire Country.
Hisana sobbed as she tried to grab onto Uri-san's hands. "Uri-san, please…" She begged tearfully as she tried to maintain her ground.
Sobbing with her hime, Uri-san held herself back from listening to the princess' pleas. "You must flee before His Highness Tsukimori finds you and your mother… "
Hisana shook her head. "Uri-san, come with us at least…"
Uri-san shook her head. "If I leave, Tsukimori-sama will know that you and the lady fled. I must stay," She reasoned.
Hisana's eyes watered as she let go of Uri-san before embracing her. "Thank you… you were like my second mother… be safe." Then, she let go of her old nursemaid before entering the carriage which moved out of the gates of the palace quickly.
Uri-san stood and watched the carriage until it disappeared. She wiped her tears and walked back into the dark palace.
Inside the carriage, Hisana sat beside her mother who shivered from the cold. Lady Yuiko sat on her other side and held her hands softly.
"Have hope, Hisana-hime," Lady Yuiko said to the young girl. "Remember what I have taught you."
Hisana smiled through the tears at Lady Yuiko. "Thank you, Lady."
In another part of the Fire Country, the Senjus and the Uchihas battled fiercely against one another.
"MADARA!"
"HASHIRAMA!"
Explosions filled the air as the earth shook and a cloud of dust and dirt swirled around the combatants in the area.