I do not own Naruto

Chapter 2

A Painful Reminder of Peaceful Times

The night ended late with Amaya lugging the larger man to the only place she knew of: the Hokage mansion. Tobirama was beginning to act quite flirtatious as the night went on, continuously slipping his fingers inside Amaya's loose fitting kimono. She began with simply pulling his fingers out or slapping at his hands, chuckling at his actions, until she became annoyed. She may or may not have broken a finger or two of his. She admitted to nothing.

The woman brought him to the Hokage mansion, waiting at the gates until some guards passed and went to fetch Hashirama. The Hokage stared at Amaya as he made his way to his incredibly drunk brother and the hired assassin, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. His wife stood behind him, raising a curious eyebrow. She was beautiful, with gorgeous red locks of hair that reached her mid-waist and dark, entrancing eyes. She wore a long white robe that trailed on the ground and the smile that adorned her lips was mischievous. Amaya's breath caught when she saw her, but it was not the beauty of the woman that surprised her.

The gates opened with a nod from Hashirama, as if a trained killer could not have slipped over them if he had tried. Amaya certainly could have passed them easily. She let the Hokage do as he please, who was she to judge? Amaya passed the drunk white-haired man off to his older brother, making sure he was secure in the dark haired man's arms before stepping back. Hashirama tossed the man over his shoulder, nonchalantly, raising an eyebrow at the purple-haired woman.

Amaya nodded her head respectfully to Hashirama before meeting Mito's eyes and doing the same. She small smile played at the corners of her lips as she spoke. "Apologies, Sir. It seems he had a bit too much to drink."

Mito let out a chuckle at the younger woman's words. Hashirama glanced at her and she met his eyes, obviously trying not to smile so broadly. She lost the battle as she snickered behind her sleeve and Hashirama snorted before turning back to Amaya. Tobirama groaned over his brother's shoulder.

The Hokage paused at Amaya, searching her for a moment before snorting. "It seems so."

Amaya nodded once more towards the Hokage, this time her face void of emotions. "I'll take my leave then, if there is nothing else you need." She bowed to him, to Mito, then to even the guards that surrounded the Hokage and his wife. She met Hashirama's eyes last before pulling herself away and turning around.

"Do you need a place to stay tonight?" Mito's smooth voice rolled over the yard, her dark eyes curiously examining the young woman. Hashirama snapped towards his wife, seemingly astonished at her question and Amaya turned around, her light grey eyes wide in awe. She quickly recovered, bowing low to the woman before rising and meeting her eyes, revealing nothing, only a tick in her jaw as she spoke.

"No, thank you Lady Uzumaki - er, um - Senju. I could not impose."

Hashirama turned to stare at her, his eyes narrowing, his mouth in a thin line. Amaya forced herself to met his gaze evenly then averted her eyes, staring at the red-haired woman instead before turning around and walking away. The Hokage and his wife watched the girl walk down the street, her long lavender hair blowing in the wind, past her hips.

Hashirama was confounded by the young woman. Everything about her defied the rumors of her clan, refuted what he supposedly knew about her. It was all lies. She was not the assassin he thought her to be, or the cruel shinobi he had learnt from the many files he had read. Nor was she the girl who begged for his mercy, begged to be given a task of her own. Begged to be accepted.

After her figure disappeared down the road, Hashirama turned around to carry his brother inside, muttering a few obscenities as he did. Mito still stood by the doorway, her dark navy eyes narrowed and lost in thought. She stared at where the girl had disappeared, whispering to herself. Hashirama strained to hear, but could decipher nothing. He bid the stoic guards beside them a goodnight, readjusted Tobirama over his shoulder and began to lead his wife inside.

She shook her head and glanced up at him, her mouth open slightly. "She…" his wife closed her mouth angrily and glared at the ground, regaining her thoughts. "She is familiar to me." Her hands curled in fists due to frustration. She did not meet her husband's eyes, opting to instead attempt to rake through her thoughts.

Hashirama paused, staring at his wife curiously. "You know that woman?"

Mito shook her head, chewing on her lip. "No...but I have seen her face several times before...I recognize her. Somehow I know her, I am sure of it."

Hashirama nodded to himself, attempting to control his racing mind. "She is the sole survivor of the Mae clan. The last one left. She lived near the Land of Whirlpools, maybe her family was hired by the Uzumaki's at one point or another. You may just recognize her from that."

Mito's eyes widened as she stared into the darkness of the night. "Wind Vortex Windmill Technique," She breathed out, tasting the familiar words on her breath. It was a phrase her family often used when she was only a teenager, often whispered sadly and away from children. She knew the words were associated with tragedy of the worst kind and though Mito had never learned the full-extent of it, she knew of what befell the massacred clan.

The Hokage nodded to her and Tobirama groaned. "Let's get inside. The little fool is straining my shoulder. Come on, Mito."

The woman hummed slightly in agreement and led the way into the mansion, her mind still on the young woman whose eyes had been frighteningly familiar. Eyes that held secrets within that others would kill for. She did not blame Tobirama for his interest in the woman, but she did blame him for the stench of alcohol and smoke that he seemed to carry. She wrinkled her nose as she avoided her brother in-law, giggling as she saw Hashirama's expression.

She would worry about the woman later. For now, she would sleep.

The white haired man woke up to a pounding headache and no memory of the events that happened the night before. He was still wearing his blue armor and was lying uncomfortably on his side. He sat up and groaned, not only because of his massive hangover, but because of the crick in his neck that sleeping in his armor always gave him. The red makeup that adorned his cheeks and chin had smudged and his clothes faintly smelled of smoke, probably from Amaya's pipe.

Damn that woman, getting him drunk like that.

The last thing he remembered was a geisha falling into his lap. From there on out, it was a mystery. And why was his hand hurting so much! Shit, it was painful. He held his fingers up, glaring at the makeshift splint surrounding an awkwardly bent and purple forefinger and middle finger.

That woman would die by his hand.

He crawled from his bed and made his way downstairs, squinting at the light as he entered the main hall, almost hissing at a passing guard. The guard in question hurried past him, giving the renowned ninja a wide berth. He made his way downstairs, trudging down the wooden stairs slowly, each step creaking underneath his weight. His pace was beyond sluggish, fearful that if he moved too quickly, he would fall flat on his face or vomit. He had emptied whatever hellish substance that was in his stomach in the chamberpot in his quarters, hopeful that the servant who would take care of it would not be overly offended by its smell. He entered the dining room, glaring at its occupants.

Damn everyone.

Hashirama sat with his wife, Mito at the large dinner table sipping tea delicately. Their son sat in a wooden high chair, smashing peas. They were silent other than the young child, like most mornings. Tobirama rarely ate with them as he had his own home that he had built a few years ago. Despite this, the Hokage mansion always had a guest bedroom prepared and ready for Tobirama. He was familiar with the routines of this house.

Mito and Hashirama glanced at Tobirama with amused expressions as he collapsed in his seat at the end of the table. The couple smugly returned to their breakfasts, reaching out simultaneously to hold hands. The toddler cooed at his uncle.

Damn them all.

Amaya entered the Hokage Mansion, pulling the collar of her clothing higher, glancing up and meeting the gaze of sentry. She smiled at him before walking inside, the end of her black dress-like robe trailing on the stairs. A long slit on either sides of her leg showed off the skin of her thighs while her boots laced up to above her knees. The back of her dress was stitched together in an odd pattern and her shoulder blades were lined with black leather. The cloth hugged her chest tightly while the collar went high, reaching her jawline and the sleeves went past her wrist, with a small slit for her thumb. A forehead protector hung on a belt around her waist, but there was no symbol of a village on it.

A long katana and kunai were attached to the same belt, and also attached to the leather on her shoulders as well, most-likely so it would hold secure when she ran. Amaya's hair was braided along her skull then down her back, and her grey eyes were sharp as she knocked on the door of the Hokage's office. She entered once Hashirama called for her.

He stared at her, slightly surprised at her attire, his eyebrow raised slightly before he cleared his throat and turned to Tobirama. Amaya regarded the silver-haired man with a smirk. He was full on gaping. It was not at the beauty the woman may have held, but the difference in the atmosphere around her. Once again, she was a different person.

Who would she be with him?

Tobirama quickly gained control of his reactions turning back to Hashirama, waiting for orders. The man narrowed his eyes at the woman in black, his lips thinning dangerously. Amaya met his gaze complacently. She finally turned away from Hashirama's frightful intensity and glanced at Tobirama, a smirk pulling at the corners of her lips.

"What happened to you hand, Senju?" Amaya asked conversationally, tilting her head slightly and glancing at the splint covering his fingers. "How did you injure it?" She smiled innocently.

Tobirama glared at her, his red eyes glowing dangerously. "I'm not sure but I think I can guess."

Amaya quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, can you?" She leaned closer to him. "Well, let me assure you, sir, you have very quick fingers," She replied quickly while nodding and winking at him before turning back to Hashirama, still grinning. Besides her, Tobirama choked on air and coughed into his sleeve.

Hashirama watched the pair behind raised eyebrows. He willed himself not to chuckle at her. She was supposed to be an assassin of his, emotionless and terrifying, not the girl who flirted with Tobirama and caused himself to giggle. A girl who was not supposed to be recognized by his wife. She was supposed to be darkness incarnate able to be here then leave without notice.

In the meantime though, she was making quite the lasting impression.

Tobirama at last cleared his throat and met his brother's eyes. "What is this about? Why was I called here?"

Hashirama paused before groaning and scratching his head. He sighed once more before explaining. "Ms. Mae was intended to go on this mission alone, but Madara voiced his concerns...and well, not only has he insisted a member of the Uchiha Clan attend, but also a Senju…."

Tobirama leaned back and tilted his head, his lips pursed and his eyes wide. "Madara suggested this?" The man snorted before eyeing Amaya carefully to see her response, which was nonexistent. "I would think he would be the last person to want a Senju attend."

Hashirama shrugged indifferently. "Either way, I nominated you to go and lead this mission. I also went ahead and had my assistant create a detailed description of the Mae Clan's abilities along with a description of the mission." The Hokage gestured to a pile of white folders to his right. "I suggest reading through this before the mission begins as it is vital to know what is coming."

Amaya smiled wryly, chuckling under her breath at his words. How kind of him to put it in those words, as if they could predict her clan's forbidden jutsu. She, herself, was already ironing herself for Tobirama's reactions to her jutsu, the horror his face would take, the fear in his eyes and the blade for protection. His uneven breaths in the night, as if expecting she would go after him when the moon was out.

The knock on the door jarred Amaya out of her thought and she focused on Hashirama's reactions. Like any other trained ninja, he was quick in hiding his emotions and the greeting he called was normal, though slightly strained. Tobirama on the other hand was filled with foolish rage at the chakra on the other side of the door. Amaya's smile quirked at the unexpected advantage she would have, to know who called for the hatred of Tobirama Senju.

The door opened slowly, revealing a tall lanky man with hair black as night and obsidian eyes. His emotions were carefully contained as he examined the room, his eyes falling on Tobirama before looking at Amaya. She smiled in a cruel fashion when he met her gaze but revealed nothing but a narrowing of his dark eyes. He stepped in and walked up to the Hokage's desk, a foot in front of Amaya, ignoring her.

"Lord Madara sent me." His voice was deep and rough and Amaya did not miss the callous tone he carried when speaking to the Hokage. It was common knowledge that the hierarchy in the Leaf Village was still rocky, especially when it came to the rivalry between the Uchiha and Senju clans.

Out of the corner of her eye, Amaya watched as Tobirama's lip curled slightly in an angry snarl, her mouth twitching slightly at the tension between the two. The Uchiha member spared the silver-haired man no glance as he addressed the Hokage.

"Ryou, so glad you could finally join us," Hashirama smiled despite the curtness of his tone. Amaya grinned widely at that. It seemed the Hokage could be catty when it came down to it. Ryou did not miss it and decided to bow slightly to the man who held his fate. Tobirama retreated to the wall with a sullen glare at the Uchiha. She enjoyed his reactions immensely.

Ryou glanced at Amaya curiously and scratched his scalp before turning back to Hashirama with a raised eyebrow. "This is who I am reporting on? She's only a woman."

Amaya could not help the snort that erupted from her but she quickly regained herself as she regarded the Uchiha. He met her gaze, almost angrily, and the woman licked her lips as she observed him. Tobirama made a noise from the back of the room causing Hashirama to glance at him before sighing. Both Amaya and Ryou ignored him, still staring at each other, both sending silent threats to look away first.

"She is the last of her clan," Hashirama's voice boomed in the room, causing the rest of the occupants to snap their heads in his direction. "She holds a very powerful Kekkai Genkai, the last of which. Though I am sure Madara explained this."

"He only told me to come here to watch someone who could threaten the leaf."

Hashirama grimaced at the man's revelations and glanced at Amaya who divulged nothing as she returned his gaze. "He was always a man of few words." He said the phrase, almost for himself. "I have files for your knowledge about the Mae clan." She Hokage held a file out to the Uchiha who took it quickly and began flipping through the many pages. Amaya stared at the pieces of paper, trying to catch anything the would be useful to her. Tobirama took his files, one for her and the other for the mission she had already memorized. A masked man had come to the door of the inn she was staying at and gave her the pristine pages. It was incredibly detailed, holding all the information she would ever need for her targets, along with another few pages.

The silence in the room was awkward as Hashirama watched the opposites read the many pages. They both only focused on the file of the Mae clan, as she had expected. Amaya let her chakra fall to the bottoms of her feet before reaching out and slowly slithering out the cracks of the door and down the hall, in search of the redhaired woman she had seen in the darkness of the night before.

She would never forget the eyes of Mito Uzumaki, the smile that could turn frightful when the need arose, the dark eyes that had met hers when she was still a young girl, coming along with her father and his men to meet with the head of the Uzumaki clan. Amaya had sat behind her father, still only seven years old when she met the eyes of the daughter of the Uzumaki head, and though the girl had many years on her, she would never forget the kindness those eyes possessed.

"The Wind Vortex Windmill Technique, what the hell is that?" Ryou growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously as they stared at the lavender-haired woman. She reeled in her chakra quickly, deciding to focus on the threat at hand, and no longer search for the woman who had most-likely forgotten her. She shrugged at his question, ignoring him and the spike in his chakra told her the level of his anger. Hashirama narrowed his dark eyes at her before turning back to Ryou.

"If you would only continue reading, it would explain that." Hashirama's tone was strained with annoyance, as if he was having trouble holding himself in check.

"There's nothing about Amaya," Tobirama interjected.

Hashirama swallowed, muscles clenching in his jaw and veins beginning to bulge. Amaya stayed silent, eagerly looking forward for the Hokage to snap at his brother. "That is classified information. Only for the eyes of the Hokage."

"Why?" Both Ryou and Tobirama asked simultaneously, then glared at each other for a few moments. Hashirama cleared his throat forcefully, forcing his younger sibling and the Uchiha shinobi to turn to him.

"It does not concern you. You are dismissed. Tobirama will lead this mission now go and do it."

The Hokage was at his limit. A blue vein throbbed in his forehead and his dark brown eyes were darker than Amaya had ever seen before. His chakra had begun to leak out slightly, tainting the air in a dangerous fashion. His hands gripped the pen in his hand while the other held onto the side of the wooden table tightly. The wood began to groan under the pressure.

Amaya's heart raced with the feeling in the air and she did well to hide her widening grin. Especially because both Tobirama and Ryou were oblivious to the Hokage's anger.

"I refuse to follow orders of that murderer." Ryou's tone had become flat and full of malice. She glanced at him, her face immediately dropping into a terrifying vacantness. The tomoe of his Sharingan swirled around the pupil for a few moments before slowing down and eventually stopping and the scarlet hue of his eyes burned bright. She had only seen the eyes of the Uchiha clan one other time, and she had killed the owner of those eyes.

The room had become silent. It hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Tobirama stared at the Uchiha, frozen in place, unable to defend himself. Hashirama's eyes grew wide and his mouth twisted into an angry grimace. Just as the desk in Hashirama's grip broke in two, Amaya stepped forward to face Ryou, her grey eyes glinting sharply in the light coming from the window behind Hashirama. She forced Ryou to meet her gaze evenly, despite being a full head shorter than him.

"Be careful of throwing the word 'murderer' around, boy. It is a dangerous part of one's vocabulary." Amaya turned from him and stalked towards the door, the glint from the handle of her katana catching in the light.

She threw the door open and glanced back at Tobirama and Ryou. The Senju stared at her in unmasked surprise and Ryou glared daggers at her, mostly likely imagining her death in thousand scenarios. She smiled innocently before it fell and the air around them suddenly became colder. Tobirama felt chills up his spine at the expression the assassin had taken.

"If you would excuse us, I must speak with the Lord Hokage privately." She met both Tobirama and Ryou's eyes and the two men immediately filed out.

Amaya closed to door behind them and stepped forward to stand directly before the broken desk of the Hokage. Some of the papers had slid onto the floor and the ink of fallen pens stained the floor. She waited a moment, checking to assure herself that the two men were really gone and unable to hear her words before bending down pick up some paper and pens of Hashirama Senju. The Hokage stared at her for a moment before he too knelt down to clean up the mess.

"Do you not trust me, Lord Hokage?"

Hashirama raised an eyebrow at her sudden question, glancing at her for a moment from his position on the floor. He had calmed down since Amaya intervened between him and Ryou. It seemed that she understood of what would have happened otherwise. He could never really contain his temper, and it was usually Tobirama who calmed him but the man had been just as affected.

Why would Madara choose the Uchiha who hated all Senju and the Senju who hated all Uchiha along with an assassin of all things for this top secret mission. It was ludicrous, but despite this, Hashirama went along with it. He would accept his friend's request and trust his instincts.

"I do not know you." His reply was quick.

Amaya pursed her lips and nodded before standing up and placing the pens and papers she held on a shelf. "I can respect that, Sir. I also must thank you for telling them nothing of the reason for my clan's demise." She swallowed. "It is none of their business."

Hashirama nodded and eyed her carefully as he too stood. He began repairing his desk with his jutsu. "I agree with you on that. It is no one's business but your own." She stared at his wood jutsu curiously. He must ask her about it. About his wife and how Mito knew this assassin. And he was positive that Amaya knew Mito too.

Amaya met Hashirama's eyes as he sat at his newly refurbished desk. She licked her lips before speaking, suddenly feeling very self conscious. "I would like to make it clear to you that I will not betray you unless I learn of information that will clash with my beliefs. I believe that the leaf holds more power than you may realize, and you specifically can push the world in different directions. My clan was murdered because of corrupted goals, and I will not murder for you because of them."

Hashirama paused, suddenly moved because of her speech. His throat constricted slightly as he forced himself to say his next words. "Be careful of throwing the word 'murdered' around, Amaya Mae, It is a dangerous part of one's vocabulary."

The assassin's eyes widened in shock and her mouth parted slightly at his words. If she stayed here any longer, she would not be able to control the tears that threatened to well. She nodded to him, silently thanking the Hokage for his words. Words that she appreciated more than he could possibly understand.

"You are dismissed, Amaya." He nodded to her and returned his focus to the paper on his desk. Now.

The woman bowed to him quickly before turning around and taking a few steps towards the door, hoping to leave before she would cry.

"One more thing, Ms Mae?"

She turned to him. "Yes?" Her grey eyes were wide and innocent-looking

"Do you know my wife, Mito Uzumaki?" He stared at her, holding his breath.

The grey-eyed woman froze, her small fingers curling into fists and her breath pausing. She said nothing, her breathing finally evening out. Hashirama paused watching her reaction in awe. The woman finally turned her head meeting the Hokage's eyes. Her lips curled into a terrifying snarl and her eyes had become daggers. The slam of his door signaled her leave before his eyes caught up and realized her absence.

She knew his wife. Very well.