Disclaimer: I do not own the anime series Naruto, its characters, or any plot or storylines within the Naruto-verse. Mikoto (OC) and any non-canon characters within this fiction are owned by me.
Summary: During the Era of Warring States, the Hagoromo clan eventually allied with the Uchiha clan. As a show of good faith and loyalty, the eldest Hagoromo daughter was offered to the Uchiha heir. This is Mikoto's story. MadaraxOC. Rated M just to be safe.
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Chapter One
Five Years Later
Spring.
After the torrents of wind and the wash of a white wonderland over the mountains, it melts away into a beautiful oasis of green and gold. Small droplets of ice still clung to the stark green leaves and the remnants of snow begin to be absorbed into the ground, creating a rich earthy smell. Birds sang for the first time in months and the clouds parted to make way for the beaming sun. Small buds in garden beds awaken and reach up to the sky towards the warmth, preparing to open up and expel to the world their magnificent colors.
Children donned soft yukatas instead of the dreadfully heavy kimonos they were forced to wear during the colder months. They would run outside and play in the field, chasing birds, and catching frogs. Mothers would welcome the sun's rays to dry their family's laundry, and allow their winter babes to experience outside for the first time.
Spring represented renewal, tranquility, and life to the human inhabitants, but to one young girl it represented the beginning of the end.
Elbows were propped up on a windowsill, and a delicate chin rested on two open palms. Chocolate orbs gazed through the glass, watching the children of the village kick a red ball around. She missed those days. The days when she could run and play without a care in the world, she didn't have any restraint or a sense of duty.
It was this day five years ago where she was told that her childhood was over, and her maturing process had to begin. She closed her eyes at the memory. She was thirteen, a mere stripling of a woman, when her father sat her down in front of her mother and her three younger sisters and told her she was betrothed to a young boy from another clan. Her three sisters giggled and mentioned cooties, while her mother just sat there and remained in a solemn silence.
It wasn't until later on that she was taught the politics behind her arranged union. She saw it for herself in fact, the clan was dying out. Too many people were being killed and there were not enough children being born to maintain the population. There was famine for a short while, food was scarce and the survival of the clan remained the priority instead of fighting other clans. Sickness followed suit, and it claimed her youngest sister. Her mother and father had gone into a deep depression, constantly bickering and fighting. They still did sometimes.
Then, help arrived. That help carried a banner of a red and white war fan, along with many beautiful clansmen with onyx eyes and dark hair. They supplied the village with food and taught them how to create medicines and vaccines. Shinobi from this clan were constantly occupying their territory, and she and her younger sisters felt threatened by this. However, her father told her that it was going to be alright, that they were there to help the clan. his oldest daughter stepped forward and asked why they were helping an enemy clan, and that was when he smiled at her, it was a sad smile.
"Because, my dear," she remembered his words clearly, "It will be your marriage into their clan that will ensure our survival."
Uchiha.
That was the clan's name. The lady at the windowsill didn't know who exactly she was going to wed, but she knew that he was the heir to the clan. Since her father only had daughters, there was no heir, not in this patriarchal society. When her father passes, then there would be warfare within the clan to decide on its new leader. To prevent this, his oldest daughter's husband would become the clan leader, and eventually unite the Hagoromo and the Uchiha clans as one.
Her train of thought was cut short by a gentle voice coming from her bedroom door.
"Mikoto, breakfast is almost ready."
The figure at the windowsill turned and rested her brown eyes on her mother. Her mother had grown frail in the last few years, she was ill as well, but thanks to the Uchiha, her life was prolonged for an amount of time. Mikoto slipped of the chaise and walked over to her mother, her ebony hair swaying behind her. She often liked to wear her hair down but with a small jade comb to pin her bangs out of her eyes.
They walked down the hall towards the dining area in a comfortable silence. Mikoto supported her mother with one arm hooked around hers, and she guided the older woman as they walked. Mikoto was a spitting image of her mother, soft, gentle features framed with a rounded face and a cherub nose. Her eyes were wide and round that were hidden under long thick lashes. They both had pale skin, showing that they rarely worked outside. The only difference between Mikoto and her mother appearance wise was that Mikoto was blessed with the chocolate brown colored eyes of her father instead of her mother's dull green ones.
Mikoto had a pear-shaped body. Her well-rounded hips were much wider than her shoulders, and she had a small, delicate frame. She was shorter than the average woman, while her mother and sisters were all tall.
Growing up, Mikoto and her sisters were taught basic shinobi techniques such as taijutsu and ninjutsu. She was no elite Jonin, but Mikoto could at least defend herself enough to get away from a dangerous situation. Women in the Hagoromo clan were discouraged from fighting on the front lines. It was believed that their place was to stay behind and bear children.
However, due to the scarcity of shinobi in their clan, Mikoto and her sisters were given extra tutorage in shinobi skills. Once Mikoto learned of her engagement to the Uchiha heir, she was immediately forbidden from any further training, and instead she went on to learn how to be a good wife- more importantly, how to be a good wife to him. Her sisters on the other hand, were further advanced in their skills, which made Mikoto feel weak and underrated, she was the oldest, and therefore she should have been the strongest.
Breakfast went smoothly and was uneventful. This all changed however, when Gyoza dismissed his two youngest daughters so that he could speak with his eldest. Like always, her mother remained silent the entire time. Mikoto was sure that she was going to get a scolding; she was always in trouble one way or another.
"Mikoto," her father started, "You came of age during winter. As you are probably aware now, it's time for us to repay the Uchiha clan."
Mikoto inwardly sighed; she knew this talk was coming. She had turned eighteen about a month ago, and she was actually dreading this talk from her father.
"I understand what has to be done, father." Mikoto looked up from her miso soup to her father, "When?" she asked shortly.
"Uchiha clan members will be here tomorrow to escort you to their village." her father answered bluntly, causing Mikoto to lower her gaze.
She had only met him twice in the five years of their betrothal. The first time was when she had just turned fourteen. He was sent on a mission to deliver supplies to the Hagoromo clan. The two clans were not very far from each other, it was only about a fourteen hour walk as the crow flies. Someone fast enough could make it there and back within a day. There was just a harshly dense forest that separated the two villages with a river running straight down the middle, as if it were a borderline. Streams flowed off in different directions, and the Hagoromo clan was fortunate enough to have one of the streams pass straight through their village, making it safe for them to gather water and fish.
After Madara had delivered the supplies, he and his squad were offered accommodation in the village overnight so that they were well rested for their journey. The Uchiha heir graciously accepted, but had a hint of reluctance in his voice. He didn't appear to be one who enjoyed accepting help from others. Mikoto noticed this when his squad were enjoying a hearty meal, and he sat in the corner with a simple bowl of Ramen. Mikoto wasn't sure if her betrothed knew who she was at the time, because she remembered offering him a bowl of miso soup which he declined, and rudely waved his hand at her in dismissal.
She didn't see him again after that for a couple of years.
When she had turned sixteen, he came back to the village on another mission. They had received reports of Senju clam members in their territory, so Tajima had sent reinforcements just to be safe. There, Madara had caught sight of Mikoto with her two younger sisters (the youngest had passed by then) practicing their shuriken throwing. She recalled him sitting by the bank of the stream and watching them casually. Her sisters were none the wiser, but she could feel his steel onyx eyes piercing into her, judging her.
When her sisters had left, she continued to practice. She was average; she was able to hit the makeshift dummy, but completely off from the vital points. It was the first time she had a proper conversation with him.
"I thought Hagoromo women weren't allowed to be shinobi?" his deep, eloquent voice rang through her memory. He slowly approached the stocky sixteen year old girl with a quizzical brow.
"Yes, but there aren't many of us anymore, so we need all the people we can spare."
"Fair enough," Madara grunted at her before turning to leave, he still with no idea that she was his intended, "You would have made an ugly wife anyway,"
That statement rang through her mind for the next two years. He thought she was ugly, the one she was supposed to marry. That is what turned her into a subdued little woman with a scarce amount of self-esteem. She never told anyone about their interaction, but the way her mother and sisters carried on, Mikoto believed that she wasn't ugly, despite what he said.
She was dumpy and tomboyish back then, puberty wasn't nice to her. Perhaps given he hasn't seen her in two years, his opinion may have changed. Mikoto then wondered if he even remembered her since he was so dismissive of her.
Mikoto lifted her gaze back to her father. His tired old eyes bore into her youthful ones. She knew he wasn't overly joyous about this union, he didn't want to part with his oldest daughter so suddenly, but it was for the good of the clan, its survival was riding entirely on her.
"Tomorrow is too soon," Mikoto said to her father, "I won't have enough time to say goodbye,"
Her father raised his wrinkled, calloused hand to silence her.
"You will have all day today, they will be here at dawn so that the travel back will be during daylight. So it's safe for you." He said to her.
"Just remember what I've taught you, please." Her mother's voice chimed in.
How could Mikoto forget what she was taught? From the age of thirteen she was taught how to be a wife. It was everything from doing her hair properly, to making the perfect ramen, even how to get blood stains out of clothes and armor. More importantly, her lessons were customized to suit him. She knew how to cook his favorite meals perfectly, she was taught his hobbies, habits, and history. Yes, the Uchiha had sent over an elder to live with them for three years so that she was well-versed in the Uchiha clan history and customs.
Her mother taught her how to walk, talk, sit, and stand all like a proper noblewoman. It was exhausting, but her mother assured her it was how Mikoto was going to survive in such foreign territory. She was told that all eyes would be on her, judging her, waiting for her to mess up. it was rumored that some in the Uchiha clan objected to the marriage, but Tajima was positive it would bring good to both clans involved. It would make them stronger and they would be able to put up a better front against the Senju.
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A raven haired teen leaned against the wall of his family home as he spotted his older brother sitting on the front patio. He smirked slightly as he noticed his older brother took a puff of a familiar brown pipe, blowing smoke rings off into the distance, completely unaware that he was being watched. This was what Madara did after an argument with his father. He would puff his pipe and sit in that exact spot until midnight. Izuna's older brother was a very down to earth, brooding type, just like their father. In contrast, Izuna preferred to talk about his emotions with others and try to keep his grip on reality.
The argument had happened over dinner. His father announced that the young girl from the Hagoromo clan had come of age, and they were going to be wed whether Madara wanted to or not. The Uchiha clan had upheld their end of the treaty by providing assistance to the Hagoromo clan, and now in turn the Hagoromo clan will provide the Uchiha with a wife for Madara.
Madara was repulsed by the idea. It was five years ago when he was told that he was betrothed to a young Hagoromo girl. Madara instantly asked questions about what she looked like, and who the Hagoromo clan was in relation to them- considering the Uchiha were incredibly powerful, Madara believed they didn't need outside help. He had been to the Hagoromo village twice, and not once had the thought cross his mind to seek out his future bride. In fact, he wanted nothing to do with her; she was probably going to be ugly anyway.
Izuna pushed himself off the wall and went to sit beside his brother.
"You can't exactly back out from this," Izuna informed his brother.
The older of the two sighed and lowered his pipe, "I know,"
"This is for the good of the clan, the Hagoromo have a lot to offer us, and you know we aren't as strong as we used to be."
For once, Izuna was right. He was the bright little spark in Madara's otherwise dull and dreary life. Madara killed his first man at age twelve, and since then he has killed many others. The older Uchiha realized that they were nothing but bags of flesh and bone, easily destroyed with a simple cut to just the right area.
Madara thought he would at least find a beautiful Uchiha woman to marry. As heir to the clan, he was expected to marry young and start producing his own heirs as fast as possible. That was what his father did. He also wasn't expected to just have one heir; he was expected to sire multiple sons to one woman. He wanted pure Uchiha children, but they would have the sharingan despite their heritage. Also, they would have natural wind and fire chakra natures. These two natures, when used correctly, can be formidable.
"Look at it this way," Izuna leaned back on his hands and stared up at the moon, "You just need heirs, you aren't really required to love her."
Madara choked on the smoke of his pipe and glanced at his younger brother, shock and confusion smeared across his face.
"That is cruel even for you, little brother." Madara said before playfully reaching out and smacking the back of Izuna's head.
True, Madara wasn't required to love her. In fact, he could probably have an affair on the side and no one would be able to say anything. Madara shook his head; he had already dishonored his betrothed by being with other women, many in fact. He had suffered though many a scolding from his father and elders about the subject, but Tajima expected this behavior, so he was much more dismissive than the elders.
"Well, we're going to escort her here tomorrow," Madara said to is little brother, "Hopefully she isn't a spoilt child who can't get her hands dirty."
"Does she even know who you are or what you look like?" Izuna asked.
"I doubt it," Madara replied, "I don't even know what she looks like either, it'll be a surprise for both of us,"
With that, the two brothers sat in a comfortable silence, gazing out into the cloudless night sky as not only dawn drew closer, but also Madara's future.
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R&R Please!
