Morning/Evening all! Wow, chapter 4 is dramatic and depressing...Lots of stuff going on and the first appearance of an important OC. I'm not joking, she's important just not right now. I wish Madara would stop being so mean :'( It's not nice but if he wasn't kinda mean and temperamental it wouldn't quite be Madara would it? XD
Chapter Title: As usual it comes from a song I really like. Bigger Than Us by White Lies. It's an epic song and on my top ten most played list.
Disclaimer: Really getting sick of writing this but it's better than getting sued (Y) I don't own Naruto. I do however own Yukiko Ginhana and Atsuko Uchiha although whether they want me to own them or not is a matter of opinion.
~ The Detective Prince
Chapter Four
And I Feel Like I'm Breaking Up And I Wanted To Stay!
It seemed like hours that Yukiko had sat, hugging her knees to her chest, before someone entered the room.
It was an Uchiha woman, tall and slender with wavy black hair and deep grey eyes. She was a maid, a dust pan and brush in hand as she walked in.
"You're Izuna-sama's guest," she exclaimed, bowing despite the confused look on the kunoichi's face.
"Excuse me? I'm being held here actually," she corrected, her hold on her knees loosening.
"Oh, forgive me, it's just he told us all to treat you as his guest this morning. He actually asked me to come and check on you, how are you, Yukiko-sama?"
"Fine..." she was very confused at this point. "It's been over a week since someone's treated me with such respect, what's your name?"
"I am Atsuko Uchiha and respect is to be expected, you are still a clan leader even if you do not have a clan anymore," Atsuko had a kind look on her face and unlike Izuna's it didn't seem fake at all.
"That's one way of looking at it, you're not a kunoichi?" Yukiko asked, standing up shakily.
"I'm not; we have no acting kunoichi in our clan at the moment by orders of Madara-sama. We lost quite a few in a battle about 4 years ago and fearing something like that would happen again he's banned all kunoichi for the time being," she explained, her voice soft and soothing like a bell chime.
"Oh, I see. I heard the Senju are here, is it true?"
"You heard correctly, they are currently in a meeting with Madara-sama and Izuna-sama," Yukiko grabbed Kiyoshi.
"Where's the meeting room?" she asked urgently, straightening up until she realised she was in no condition to into a meeting room, having not cleaned in a while.
"I'm afraid I can not tell you, Madara-sama's orders. Is there anything I can get you, Yukiko-sama?"
"Erm, yes there is actually, Atsuko-san, can you get me some clothes please? I'm going to have a bath," she opened the other door in the room and it did, indeed, lead to a huge bathroom.
"Of course, m'lady,"
"Ah, Madara-kun, it's been quite some time," Hashirama sat down opposite the Uchiha while their younger brothers sat at their sides.
"It's been great not having you interfering with our assignments actually," Izuna laughed, his hands folded politely in front of him.
"What're you here for, Hashirama? You dare turn up at my stronghold like this and that's all you have to say?" Madara snapped, resisting the urge to stand up in anger.
"Madara-kun, if you continue to be so angry and worked up all the time you'll die young and that's actually the last thing I want to happen to you, for such talent to go to waste would be a great loss to the shinobi world," the older Senju pointed out, laughing softly to himself.
"Are you trying to test my patience or just plain insult me?" he spat, gripping the wood of the table viciously.
"Two reasons, one reason being that our common enemy has chosen to stay here for a few days starting tomorrow..."
"Kouta Azuri?" Izuna asked, looking to Madara. "We can't make a move then though it'd be too dangerous,"
"The second reason is that there are rumours of a certain clan slaughter and a missing clan leader have one thing in common. And that's that both are due to your hand, so I simply wanted to inform you of something," he paused, looking to Tobirama for a moment.
"Yukiko Ginhana and her family have always worked closely with us, if we find any concrete proof that you had a hand in the slaughter of the Ginhana or you've kidnapped or killed Yukiko, we'll show up with an army next time," the younger Senju warned, red eyes trained on Madara that burned with hatred.
"Is that all?" Izuna laughed, thinking of the trouble the Senju would be in if they knew the gravity of the situation.
"Yes, that's all, we're on our way to pay our respects to the Fire Temple so we thought we'd just come and tell you how we felt before leaving," Hashirama stood up calmly, touching his brother's shoulder.
"Madara-kun, please look after yourself. I meant what I said; it would be a terrible shame if you died,"
"I assure you, Hashirama, I'll live for years after you have passed on,"
Yukiko couldn't say she felt fantastic after her bath but she did feel much better, her white hair gleaming once again.
Covered in a black towel she stepped out and saw that Atsuko had left her a yukata on the bed. It was black with a white floral pattern and a white sash.
It reminded her of the yukata she'd worn to her mother's funeral but she didn't complain.
She'd gotten changed with the towel draped over her shoulders to keep her wet hair off her clothes and her hair untied for once as well and no sooner had she done all this had Izuna walked into the room.
"Yuki-chan, you're dressed! Don't worry, the mean ol' Senju are gone now," he winked at her yet he didn't move from the door.
"I'd rather they'd stayed, Izuna-san. Why am I being treated as a guest?" she asked with a sigh, looking over at him.
"Because you are my guest! Now as my guest, I would like you to attend our dinner now," the sly Uchiha gestured towards the door, she hesitated for a moment.
"That would mean being near..." she glanced down to the floor suddenly.
"Near my brother but come on, he's in a bad enough mood he'll just ignore you!" seeing she'd need a tug he leapt forward and tugged her wrist, making her flinch.
"I don't trust you," Yukiko muttered, looking back up at him.
"I never recall asking you to, now come on!" he pulled her again but this time she let him, throwing the towel on her shoulders to the bed as they left.
Now the pair were getting odd looks down the corridors, apparently not everyone had gotten the news that she was now a 'guest'.
Yukiko was blown away by the size of their grand hall, hanging wall scrolls of the Uchiha symbol lined the tables from the ceiling and it was full of talking. Apparently she had been wrong, most of the Uchiha seemed content and their leader was sat at the very front of the hall appearing to be deep in thought.
Izuna let go of her wrist and strode up to the front table, Yukiko trailing behind trying to observe the clan and all the different members' interactions with each other.
"You can tell me, Yuki-chan, you're impressed by our clan, aren't you?" he looked behind him with his head tilted in a curious expression.
"There are so many of you, I'm surprised Madara-sama has control over this many men," and she was being honest, she was surprised and at the same time a little angry.
"Izuna, what's she doing out of your room?" Madara had apparently broken his trail of thought and was glaring at the two.
"Oh, I didn't mention that she'll be eating with us. You have to take care of your pets, brother," she dared to glare at Izuna for being referred to as a pet.
"I've got too much on my mind to argue," the leader admitted dryly.
"Oh? Did our guests today bother you, because I think that's one of the best meetings we've had with the Senju," Izuna began, sitting down beside Madara and gesturing Yukiko to sit beside him. "No one lost their temper, too much. No one ended up fighting and you didn't even stand up and start shouting your head off like usual either. Oh, did you notice all those negative things I just listed come from you?" he asked, laughing.
If she didn't know any better, Yukiko would've thought that Izuna was clearly either insane, stupid or suicidal. Unfortunately she knew better and she knew that Izuna was just an unafraid genius who could only find pleasure when he was manipulating those around him into weird power struggles.
"Shut up, Izuna! You know damn well that Hashirama provokes me!" he snapped.
Unflappable as ever, Izuna shrugged it off. "I can't imagine Hashirama provoking anyone; can you, Yuki-chan?"
She knew she'd be dragged in, she guessed that was the main reason she was brought to eat in the hall in the first place. She took in a deep breath and tried to get into the mindset she'd been raised with.
"I'm not going to comment. I've never been in a room with Madara-sama and Senju-sama and this business is to do with the Uchiha," she explained, looking down at the fresh platter of food that was laid down in front of them.
"Ah! Spoken like a true leader, take some lessons from Yuki-chan, Madara! She never raises her voice or reacts without reason and she always respects others. None of this rough behaviour you do," now she actually would step in, just to keep the meal civil she decided to stick up for Madara at this point.
"That's hardly fair, Izuna-san. You see, I was raised to take over my clan and that means I learnt to be like my mother was. My father was an awful lot like you and he was resented for certain situations he put our clan in. Your clan and mine were very different, Madara-sama's authoritative approach is what's needed in a clan of this size and with goals like yours do," there was a stunned look on Izuna's face momentarily; apparently he hadn't expected her to rise to his bait.
"Well, Yuki-chan, if that's what you think. So about our guests tomorrow?" now both Madara and Yukiko were stunned, he'd dropped his argument. Yes he'd moved onto a new one but he'd dropped a perfectly good argument.
"The damn Azuri, I'm trying to figure out how to deal with that insufferable Kouta. I despise him nearly as much as Hashirama," Madara growled, looking to his brother.
"Oh I hate him too, one of the few people in this world I'll openly say that about!" Izuna went back to his habit of toying with his hair for a moment. "You know what he'll want while he's here," he added darkly.
Yukiko had been trying hard to eat but she was drawn to their conversation. She'd heard about the Azuri and according to her mother Kouta Azuri was a pig ignorant man with nothing but greed and selfishness in his soul.
"I'm aware of that, Izuna. I don't need reminding, especially from you."
It was midnight by the time Yukiko and Izuna were back in his room, he seemed in a pleasant mood despite the talk of the Azuri at dinner as he twirled around to face her.
"Here's a fun little fact. Tonight will be your first night here, falling asleep of your own accord," he pointed out, an almost honest grin on his face.
"That's true," she whispered, tiredness hitting her now like a wave. She was still concussed after all and felt like she'd spent most of the day pushed and pulled around. Upon further inspection she remembered she had spent the day being pushed and pulled around.
She knelt down on the floor, intending to sleep there when Izuna dragged her up.
"C'mon, Yuki-chan, I don't bite unless you're into that sort of thing! If you're worried about anything don't, you're not exactly attractive by Uchiha standards!" never had she been so bluntly insulted with a smile as well.
"Hm, I guess that's one thing I'm glad of. It's quite impressive that there's not a single person I've seen yet with light hair or eyes,"
"Madara will have you believe we're bred for perfection. Besides silly white hair like yours would get us spotted easier, haven't you ever considered dying it?" Izuna was busy with his shirt over his head, his speech muffled.
"I can't say I ever have, I suppose I never saw a problem with it before. In our land you'd blend in with the snow more with white hair and pale skin although our clan wasn't all set to one standard appearance," Yukiko sat on the edge of the bed, thinking back to her clan and how different it was from the Uchiha.
"Really? You've never seen a problem with it?" he asked, now lying in bed.
"No, so what will Kouta Azuri want while he's here?" she turned around, it had been bothering her for a while now why the brothers hated the Azuri so much.
"Oh you don't have to bother yourself with that, Yuki-chan!"
Kouta Azuri was in no way a pleasant man, nor attractive to make up for it like Madara was.
He was a tall, lean man with scruffy brown hair and wild ice blue eyes; he wore a long robe with bright blues and deep reds adorning it. Behind him was his guard, two beefy looking men with a constant sneering expression.
Yukiko didn't greet him directly but since she was sentenced to trailing Izuna under Madara's orders, something she found strange, she was forced to spend time with him.
The Azuri weren't a very good fighting clan but they were sensors and, essentially, business men and while Yukiko thought that the Uchiha were a bunch of brutish warriors, at least they fought properly.
"You're not an Uchiha," Kouta declared as they reached the throne room.
"No, I am not. I'm a clanless kunoichi, hired by Madara-sama to take care of the women," she bowed respectfully and kept to the story that Izuna had told her she needed to use. In all fairness though, she was a clanless kunoichi.
"Ah, finally deciding you'd better protect your women, Madara-kun?"
I think I'm beginning to see why he hates him...She thought to herself, keeping her head down.
"Only when I heard you were coming," Madara scoffed; apparently even he was able to pretend he had a sense of humour when he needed to.
"Well, the lady has no chakra. She can hardly protect your women with no ninjutsu," he laughed.
"My apologies, my main skill is kenjutsu so I don't need chakra," she looked to Izuna for a moment. She wondered if she'd spoken out of turn or been rude, she wasn't used to be this low down in a pecking order and her mother hadn't taught her how to behave like one either.
"Kenjutsu, eh? Chikaru," Kouta barked, one of the men launched her at.
Instincts kicked in and she drew Kiyoshi, blocking his punch. He was strong enough that she was pushed back several feet though.
"I hardly think that's fair!" Izuna laughed as the man lunged for her again. "Release!"
Yukiko felt it instantly, a burst of energy that overflowed within her as soon as the seal faded.
"Ice Style: Deadly Hail!" several icicles shot out as she rushed forward to land to swipe on the guard, stopping just before she actually made contact with him though.
"Merciful little minx, aren't you?" Kouta suddenly announced with a strange undertone, earning him a glare from both Yukiko and Madara. Hers was gone in an instant as soon as she remembered her place but his stayed.
"Mercy is a common courtesy amongst brethren who are not at war," the kunoichi sheathed Kiyoshi and stood behind Madara's seat.
"Is that so? You don't speak like a clanless ninja at all. Tell me, Madara-kun, why bother lying to me when you know, as a master sensor, I can tell when you do it?" he asked, a smug grin on his lips and a raised eyebrow.
"You're not high enough to know who she is or why she's here," the Uchiha stated bluntly, standing up.
"I'm a clan leader who works with you, are you telling me a non-Uchiha has strictly Uchiha access?" it was clear that there was anger between the pair now and the peaceful natured Yukiko looked to Izuna to see if he'd defuse the situation however he seemed to be enjoying this particular argument.
"That's exactly what I'm telling you, yes," there was that thunderous tone again, it wasn't loud just deep and threatening. Madara's Sharingan reacted to the change in his mood, activating instantly.
"My oh my, Madara-kun, you don't scare me,"
A fool, this man is an utter fool...She deduced, feeling the electricity in the air making her heart quicken slightly.
"Hear that, Madara? He's not scared of us!" Izuna was thrilled now; his eyes had a gleam to them.
"I respect you, Madara-kun; however my clan does too much for you. You wouldn't kill me,"
"When someone doesn't give me the respect I deserve I tend to forget who they are and they usually end up dead, regardless of whatever I wanted from them in the beginning,"
Those words, if Kouta Azuri had heard them himself he wouldn't be talking to Madara the way he was she was certain of that.
"Yuki-chan, I'm sorry to say this but I think me and you have to leave. There's some business talk and although I'd love to carry on listening to this, well...I can't stand this guy," Izuna whispered to her and the pair made their way to the door, she looked back at Kouta and Madara and couldn't help but think that she wouldn't be surprised if this was the first and last time she'd see Kouta Azuri.
"I'll have to reseal your chakra now. You disappointed me," he sighed as they walked out to rooftop; apparently it was Izuna's favourite place to sit and think.
"Because I didn't kill one of his guards? He can't help being assigned to such a horrible leader," the snow had stopped falling but it was still cloaking the landscape, making everything seem much quieter and cleaner.
"You didn't even claim he could be good to his people like you do Madara. You must not like him either. No one does really. Nope, that guy's all round bad. He struts around like a king but his clan hate him, other clans hate him. He suffers from delusions of grandeur," he laughed, making several hand signs and then placing a finger on her exposed stomach, having changed back into her freshly cleaned ninja outfit for the day.
Yukiko flinched and looked down in surprise as the black mark came back, three tomoe around a tiny dot like the Sharingan. It sucked her chakra back from her again.
"That was necessary?" she asked, placing her finger on the centre.
"It was. If me and Madara aren't around I'm sure you could dent our army a little," Izuna mocked, his smirk returning as he looked out to the snowy forest. "So why would someone called Yukiko with an ice affinity hate the snow?"
"For the irony?" Yukiko looked up at Izuna, slightly thrown off at the fact he'd laughed at what she'd said.
"I knew there was a person in that calm exterior. You're wound up so tightly, following your mother's word like it was a religion. Do you even know how to have fun, Yuki-chan?" his observation had surprised her as well. She had spoken to him that she followed what her mother had taught her to be a clan leader however the Uchiha had taken it a step further. What else could she expect for an Uchiha who liked to play mind games though?
"Of course I know how to have fun but being a prisoner isn't my idea of fun. I don't intend to sit around and joke with my captors who killed my entire clan," even though she was saying what was undoubtedly something that was affecting her deeply she was calm as she said it, not a hint of anger could be heard.
"There's an option 2?" Izuna pinched some of the snow in front of him and rolled it between two fingers until it melted.
"Keep my head down, don't get killed and wait until I give Madara my information," Yukiko was starting to feel numb again.
"Then what?"
"I...I don't know. I can't go back to my country and I can't stay in this one. Maybe I'll go find a small house in the middle of nowhere and become a hermit of sorts," he looked at her and laughed again, even though she'd been serious.
"You could become an instructor here, I mean there aren't many people as quick with a blade as you and you know about different poisons," he offered, Madara's falcon had taken flight again, circling above them.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I have to go see him, and you have to follow me while Kouta is here," Izuna jumped up, offering a hand to her. Yukiko didn't take his hand, getting up by herself.
"Why do I have to follow you all day, Izuna-san? I'm sure Madara-sama would much rather I stay in your room,"
"No. Just stay with me at all times," he turned around suddenly, his voice dark again. She opened her mouth to ask him more questions but decided against it.
If Yukiko had thought their little exchange in the throne room had been tense she was completely unprepared for what was awaiting her in the grand hall for dinner that night, with Izuna attending like usual she had to follow him like a shadow.
Izuna seemed a lot more on edge though now the sun had faded, checking where she was every few minutes. She was always right beside him but something was definitely putting him on edge.
And that something was still being high and mighty and generally talking down to everyone.
"So tell me, little minx," that was her nickname apparently and it made her shudder every time it spewed from his condescending mouth. "What do you see in a guy like Madara-kun that you'd do business with him? I assume he's giving you something good in return..." there was a dangerous look in his eyes but it paled in comparison to the one in Madara's.
Yukiko had to choose her words carefully now that she knew this man could tell when she was lying.
"Madara-sama has spared my life and in return I have decided to help him with certain matters..." no reaction from Kouta yet, "I also admire how he is able to rally so many of his clansmen under a similar cause as my own..."
"Is that so? I sense there's something deeper than that going on. You've been following little Izu around all day, you fallen for an Uchiha? That's a dangerous game," Izuna's fist clenched at the fabric of his trousers, his knuckles paling. He was tempted to get up and leave but knew it'd do him no good.
There were some things even Izuna found intolerable and unforgivable and apparently Kouta was one of them.
"No I haven't. I have a bad sense of direction," she faked a smile, hoping he couldn't detect the lie in a simple gesture.
"We may have to speak more deeply into the matter later, little minx," Izuna shot a look to Madara, who for once was holding his tongue and temper in check.
"Yes I wouldn't mind hearing how you run your own clan; politics within clans has always fascinated me,"
She was shocked at how much she was having to twist her words just so he wouldn't catch her out, this seemed like Izuna's kind of person, so why the obvious hatred?
Later meant waiting for Madara to tell Izuna he wanted to talk to him alone, Izuna protested a little but dropped it considering his older brother was fit to kill someone and he knew when to back down with Madara. It wasn't often but it happened.
"Stay here, Yukiko," he muttered as he left the room, it was one of the few times he'd called her Yukiko as if to emphasize how much he meant it.
And she did stay there, she laid down on the bed and decided to read through a book Izuna had sitting on the side of his desk which was on Kekkei Genkai. Being a Kekkei Genkai user herself she was quite intrigued and completely immersed in it until...
Knock knock knock.
"Huh? Come in," she assumed it would be Atsuko or perhaps Izuna had decided to knock in case she was getting changed, something she doubted he'd do but there was always a chance.
"Ah, little minx, I'm glad those two brutish Uchiha are out of the way for now. However, I think we should continue this chat elsewhere," Kouta stood, arms folded, behind his guards.
"Actually I've been told not to leave this room," she pointed out, sitting up and touching the sheath of Kiyoshi which was propped against the bed.
"Come now, little minx, I didn't ask you to and you have no chakra now. We're telling you to come with us," the guards grabbed her arms, Kiyoshi slipping out of her grip. She tried to twist round.
"Let go of me!" she cried out, trying to kick her legs as they lifted her off the ground.
She struggled down the corridor and all the way to what she assumed was Kouta's room for the duration of his stay where she was roughly thrown to the floor.
The two guards left, ordered to stand outside and watch for any Uchiha passing by.
"This hardly seems the way to begin a friendly chat," Yukiko snapped, feeling her pride bruised as she stood up.
"Oh? Did I give you the impression this would be a friendly chat?" Kouta retorted, throwing his gaudy jacket to the bed. "Well, little minx, did I? I hardly think that dragging Yukiko Ginhana to my room would be considered the grounds for idle conversation,"
"How do you know who I am?" she asked, pressing her back to the door as she glared, her crimson eyes burning.
"An ice user, and a pretty one, with a sword with a blade encrusted with diamonds down its centre. You don't need to be a genius to figure out who you are, Yukiko-san," he flicked some unruly bangs off his shoulder as he approached her.
"You think you can intimidate me after the time I've spent with Madara-sama?" she growled, feeling vulnerable without Kiyoshi.
"How about I seduce you instead?" he slammed one hand to the right of her head, causing her to avert her gaze for a moment.
"You think you can seduce someone with a heart of ice?" Yukiko asked, her cool tone returned for a moment.
"No, I know I can. I can take you away from this hell and clear your name, Yukiko, give you back your freedom. Become mine and I'll do all that," he placed two fingers beneath her chin.
"You expect me to move from one Hell to another?" he cut the gap between them even more, her voice trembling slightly now. "At least the Uchiha haven't asked me to give up my pride," it was different from Madara, she wasn't as terrified because she knew this man was just a man not some sort of vicious, ruthless beast.
But as soon as other hand was on her waist she flinched.
"Perhaps I should show you why you should. You have a pretty bounty you know," his face inches from hers as his hand travelled up her shirt. She brought her hands up to push him away but he was stronger than he looked.
"Get off me!" she yelled, panic overflowing within her now, Kouta pressed his body against hers, she tried biting his shoulder but as soon as her mouth was open his lips were crashing against hers.
Her muffled protests did her no good, his full weight pressed against her, one hand grabbing one of her breasts while the other had moved down to the small of her back.
She inwardly cursed Izuna, thinking of the jutsu she could've been able to use to get him away. But she was hit with an emotion she hadn't felt since Daisuke's death. A pathetic helplessness had taken over her. She was trying desperately to fight however she was trapped, not by him but by the limits of her own body.
He pulled back for a moment, looking down at her.
"I suppose that hasn't convinced you from that look on your face, well then..." he took his hand out from under her shirt, a confused look clouding her eyes. "If you'd just relax you'd come to enjoy this, when I take you with me this will be a regular occurrence, my little snowy minx," that name again she shuddered, suddenly his hand was snaking into her trousers.
"No!" she tried to the side to try get away from him but found herself even more trapped, pushed into a corner.
Yukiko tried kicking him next, but the fact was she hadn't been good at taijutsu, never relying on it as she was always carrying Kiyoshi. Her stomach was starting to turn as well, her body trembling.
She felt it suddenly and it took all her strength not to be sick as she felt two of his fingers penetrate her. Every muscle in her body tightened as if to fight it off and keep them from delving any further.
A tear rolled down her cheek and she wasn't sure if it was from fear or humiliation.
"Oh what? You'd rather Izu or Madara?" he laughed, pulling away for a moment before grabbing her and throwing her onto the bed onto of his jacket. "Carry on with the fearful act, minx. It makes it so much better,"
"You disgusting..." in a flicker he was on top of her, tearing at her shirt.
Alarm bells, serious alarm bells went off and from nowhere through all her anger and vulnerability at his violation she managed to pull a punch and a scream. Yukiko hit him square in the jaw and no matter how much it hurt her hand and wrist she didn't hesitate, booting the door and managing to rush down the corridor.
Yukiko! Ah, I tried to make Kouta Azuri the creepiest I could. My best friend was freaked out by him but you can tell me how I did! I hate that bastard though -.- There was a reason I rated this M by the way...There was this part and future lemons coming up...Not with Kouta though. If I have to write more stuff about him I'll start feeling dirty myself...
I'm going to go scrub the Kouta from me now...Ew.
Join me next time though! The drama's just getting started...Hopefully there'll be peace for little Yukiko yet but I wouldn't count on it happening soon. Review as well!
Next Chapter Title: These Walls Are Painted Red!
