Aspen stared out the window, her golden eyes heavy with boredom. Her mind was far away, in a time where she ruled herself. The images flashed before her, dancing on the windowsill. She was running, fast. A smile was slapped broadly on her face and she remembered the feeling of being completely breathless. Yet Aspen remembered her reason for being so entirely happy. There was a man trailing behind her with golden locks and a steady gaze that followed her protectively.

A bustle of skirts broke her reminisce. She didn't even bother to acknowledge Lin, her maid, as she walked into her chamber baring her gown for the day.

"I thought maybe you would like to wear the red one today. It looks so beautiful with your raven hair. My goodness it is heavy do you think…" Lin trailed off as she noticed her lady was not even bothering to pretend to listen to her.

Truly the girl sitting beside the window was an extraordinary wonder. At the tender age of twenty-five she managed to outshine everyone in the Land of Fire and probably many in any other country as well. No one dared compete with her shiny locks of black and pale skin that made her red lips glow and her rare golden eyes glisten. Her beauty was enough to make any woman jealous, including Lin.

Oh how the woman wished to be the one sitting lightly at the window, waited on hand and foot. To have her looks would mean instant wealth, maybe even happiness.

Finally, Aspen turned to the young girl. Letting out a graceful yawn she motioned for the gown to be placed on the spacious bed. Lin did as she was told, gently placing the silk down in fear of wrinkling the expensive material.

"The Fire Daimyo is anxious to see you right away milady. He told me to have you ready to meet him in the throne room."

"I see. Did he say what was so important?"

"No milady, only to have you ready immediately."

Aspen made her way to the bed and began slipping into the expensive gown. She waved Lin away as she tried to help with the fastening. She was in no hurry to meet her husband.

"Kat showed me a new hairstyle. Would you like me to do it for you milady?" Lin asked hopefully her fingers tingling with the urge to comb through the silky tangles.

"No Lin," she sighed, "just do it as it is normally done."

Aspen's mind was far away as the girl handled her hair. She thought back to a time when instead of dresses her legs were warmly held in pants and her hair was blown freely across her face. She pictured herself running lightly through the forest, her young mind free. Aspen referred to this memory a lot and every time she did another memory would appear, brighter than the last. A flash of blonde. Surreal azure eyes.

"What are you smiling about milady," Lin asked, immediately evaporating the warm feeling that was taking over Aspen's mind.

"Nothing Lin. Are you finished yet?"

The girl nodded, unable to hide her disappointment. When the palace maidens would gather to gossip on their ladies, many would brag on how close they were to the nobility. Their breasts would swell with pride as they told the lower maids how much they were trusted with private information and how important they were to their charges.

"Lady Ming could never get out of bed if it were not for me. She said so herself."

"That is nothing. Last night Lady Dana gave me one of her favorite gowns to wear. She said it looked better on me."

"That is because Lady Dana couldn't fit in it. She is the size of a horse."

Lin let out a sigh. It was no use lying to the maids. The whole castle knew their Lady was distant and disinterested in the world around her. With the crown added as the finishing touch, Lin backed away to admire her handy work. Aspen did not even bother looking in the mirror. In an instant she was on her feet, gliding to the door.

Aspen wanted to get the meeting with her husband over as quickly as possible. She never prided herself on patience but his tedious manner and uncertainness was enough to drive a monk into becoming a raving killer. As she entered the throne room, she was reminded once again why she took such great pains to avoid her husband.

The man's looks reflected his numbing personality perfectly. In a desperate attempt to hide his early balding he had pushed his crown farther forward on his head, making him look utterly ridiculous. But of course no one told him this. The daimyo, who Aspen always pictured as a powerful man, still had child-like features around his face, giving him the look of innocence and yet marring any chance of being handsome. His attempt of a moustache utterly failed and looked pathetic and worn on his lip. Aspen tried to hide her disgust. All her life she had grown up among the world's most powerful, each one of them had strength and distinguished airs that marked them as leaders. Her husband, a man who ruled one of the most powerful countries in the world, was nothing more than a spineless worm with his indecisive ways and cautious conduct.

"Ah my beautiful Aspen," he crooned from his chair, as he saw her enter. Her legs screamed at her to run but she knew her place. Surrounding the small Daimyo were his many advisors. They varied in size and shape but all shared the same desire. The most persuasive would be the Daimyo's 'winner' and so the Daimyo would have that advisors idea carried out. Pure loathing screeched through her body at the sight of the many vultures surrounding the little lost fawn.

"My lord," she said, sweeping into a bow, "you said you wanted to see me."

"Oh yes," he said in excitement, "I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise for me?"

"Yes my sweet plum," he squealed in delight, "I know how lonely you have been lately. Myron here tells me you are just tired from all the excitement of our marriage, so I decided to surprise you with a vacation!"

"A vacation my Lord? But I couldn't possibly; we are on the brink of war!"

"Oh. You know about that."

"Yes of course. As lady of this country it is my duty to know what is happening in it."

"Aspen, my darling date, I would prefer if you were out of the country while we are sorting out this whole mess."

"Why?" She asked her eyes slanting in suspicion.

The Daimyo looked a little flustered over being questioned. Everyone was just supposed to do as they were told. "Because…," he looked to his council for guidance.

"Because," smiled a member who Aspen did not know, "it would be a great help to the country if you were out of danger. His lordship would not be able to concentrate if he feared you could be hurt."

"Sir you may not know this so I will overlook your ignorance this time, but I am the daughter of Warlord Jhan. I was born in a war."

"Oh come now, my plumb, being here will only bore you. I have countless meetings to attend to. You will only wilt like a flower in this drafty castle."The gold flecked walls glimmered behind him, almost to show as if they were insulted.

"Then let me attend the meetings."

"Women do not attend war councils, Lady Aspen," drawled a member she knew as Faust.

"I see no reason why I should not. Maybe you have all forgotten who it was that kept us from war with the Land of Water."

"We have not forgotten," growled another bitterly.

"Well then it's settled my strawberry. You will attend with me to the meetings with the Hidden Leaf ninjas tomorrow."

"The Hidden Leaf," she repeated barely able to contain the excitement that pushed her voice higher.

"Yes," the Daimyo sighed, for the first time looking displeased, "the Hokage wishes to discuss a few matters with me personally."

"I see," she said now eager to leave, "Well then I must prepare the household for their arrival. If you will excuse me."

"Of course, my scrumptious orange. Wait for me tonight." The last parted lit his face up in anticipation. A feeling of dread came into her, squashing the hopeful feeling she had once held. Tonight she may lay with the Daimyo, but her mind would be with Minato Namikaze.