The woman grumbled to herself, a very dissatisfied look written across her face.

"What was that, Shi?" Another woman asked sharply.

"Oh, nothing!" The red haired beauty, Shi, answered quickly, her heart beating fast with fear.

The other woman-who bore the same scarlet hair, except designed into two eloquent buns on both sides of her head with a diamond on her forehead-pulled the woman, Shi's, hair tightly, twisting it in elaborate ways to form a beautiful designed braid that cascaded down her slim back.

"Mito, is this really necessary?" Shi laughed nervously, watching her mentor and cousin, opening a drawer containing make-up. Colored herbs produced to powder to highlight the eyes, a charcoal stick to frame the eyes more dramatically, and wax to coat the lips to display a luster, plump look sat neatly next to an array of the finest make-up brushes.

"Shi, the Uzumaki clan has been working side by side with the Senju for years. It is only customary for our woman, especially those related to the clans heir, to be married to a member of the Senju. Preferably one of their heirs or noble men." Mito explained matter of factually, using precise chakra control to forcefully push Shi down in her seat to do her make-up.

Shi bit her lip. Remaining quite for the rest of her session, watching Mito in the mirror fuse about her looks.

Shi had worked with the Senju for years, side by side in combat. She spent most of her childhood training under her cousin Mito. Even though Mito was only six years her senior, she excelled and mastered the Uzumaki's skill of chakra control, longevity, and fuinjutsu in a short matter of time. Shi excelled as Mito did, but her father and uncle insisted she focused her training on medicine. Mito guided her throughout the years in medical ninjutsu, which Shi excelled and mastered. Shi even followed in her cousins footsteps, using their clans gift with chakra control, and learning to use enormous strength.

Throughout the recent years, Shi was mostly in the medical tent. She spent numerous hours with her cousin healing their clan, and their clan's allies. Shi was incredibly gifted with medicine, but she lacked the skill to fight efficiently. Her father and uncle prohibited her to participate in any battles against Uchiha, in fear she'd be captured and used for her abilities.

However, Shi decided to prove herself. She snuck into the Uchiha compound, which landed her in the medical tent for the next year. No small battles allowed like the previous years. That was until she snuck out again, and went to a major battle involving the Uchiha. Now, she crossed the line. When her father and uncle found out, they were furious and decided it was time she married, hoping it would settle her down.

Shi enjoyed the Senju, she knew many of the members by name. Even calling many of them without their honorific. But, the idea of marrying one of them. It was absolutely frightening to her. She never imagined any of them in a romantic way.

"Look at you, I've never been so proud." Mito whispered, squeezing Shi's shoulders proudly. Shi gulped, looking up at her reflection. Staring back at herself was a young, sophisticated woman, whose long scarlet hair was braided back, holding a shine of luster. The woman blinked, her emerald eyes shinning brightly- captivating anyone who dared looked at her, attracting attention whenever she blinked. The finest of silk robes clothed her, stunning images of flowers blooming on branches were embroidered on the expensive silk. The woman blinked again, her glossed lips in a line.

"You'll make us proud, you can do this." Mito whispered again, guiding Shi up from her chair. The cousins looked at each other before embracing in a firm hug.

"Do you love him." Shi asked.

Mito smiled, "I do. At first I was against the idea of arranged marriages. But, I grew to love Hashirama, and we made it work." Shi smiled, squeezing her cousins hand one last time before she left for the ceremony.


Uchiha Madara hated ceremonies. He hated crowded, loud places. Especially crowded, loud places solely dedicated to him.

"Brother!" Izuna called, wrapping his arm firmly around Madara and raising his glass.

"You seem excited." Madara sighed, watching his brother raise his glass to the females that passed, making them giggle and blush.

"Brother! This is one of the few times we can relax and celebrate! Not to mention, a perfect time to find a suitor." Izuna winked, shouldering his brother as females walked past again, giggling and battering their eye lashes at the duo of brothers.

"Hn." Madara scoffed, flicking Izunas arm off as he-calmly-stormed out of the party.


An array of multifarious orbs watched her intently. Her every move analyzed. Her entire whole taken in, torn apart, and spit back out. A room filled with dark haired and red haired peopled buzzed with murmurs upon Shi's arrival.

She took a deep breath before walking down the stair case, her (arranged) husband waiting for her at the bottom.

In. Out. In. Out.

She repeated slowly descending the stairs to her fate.

The crowd grew louder as she came into view more.

So beautiful.

What a perfect couple.

Look how grown she is!

The comments made her nauseous.

She was almost there, the bottom was approaching fast, he was there waiting. Her fate was waiting.

In. Out. In. Out.

She mustered up the gentlest smile she could as her small, delicate foot, tapped the bottom step.

"Hello Tobirama."