Disclaimer: I do not own the anime series Naruto, its characters, or any plot or storylines within the Naruto-verse. Hanako (OC) and any non-canon characters within this fiction are owned by me.
Summary: The cost of war was unavoidable. The fisherman village could barely sustain itself, and so she was sold to a mercenary clan. Watch how Hanako struggled to not only find her place, but also survive the power struggle within the Senju clan. Pre-Konoha, slight AU, TobiramaxOC. Rated M just to be safe.
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Disturbance
The first two weeks of her new life was a blur. She had reluctantly settled into a routine, but had very little contact with anyone from the clan. She would wake up just as the sun rose, and her first chore was to ensure the livestock just outside the village walls were fed and the fencing and enclosures were maintained. She didn't need to milk the cows or goats nor sheer the sheep, as there were farm boys for those tasks. Instead, Hanako did collect a few eggs since she passed the kitchens on her way to the barracks, and thus was asked to deliver some every morning. She did have the freedom to choose which chores she did in what sequence, and she had discovered it'd be best to tend to the animals first thing in the morning, as if she chose to clean and do laundry, her movement around the barracks could wake the sleeping shinobi.
Next, she set her sights to the laundry. By the time she had fed and watered the animals, the shinobi sleeping in the barracks would have awakened, and she would be able to collect linen and clothing. There would also be a linen and clothing delivery from the main household. Hanako noticed the beautiful kimonos that would be delivered, and sometimes would have to mend a small tear or a loose stitch in the silk fabric. The kimonos were washed separately, but Hanako was left in charge of mostly the linen and the shinobi's clothing.
Sometimes the laundry would take all morning, and Hanako never took breaks, because she wanted her chores done so she could enjoy her afternoon. She had this same attitude in her home village. Her father had taught her to finish her chores as soon as possible so she would have more free time. Other maids were washing a few clothes, and then they would get a drink or go do something else. Hanako didn't care though; she didn't talk to the rest of them much. On her first night at the Senju household, she was introduced to a few other women who seemed older than her, and they welcomed her to her new home. She shared a room with four other women, and Hanako was lucky enough to secure a sleeping mat next to the window.
Through her whole day, she still held bitterness in her heart. Izayoi had explained to her that she just had to accept that the Senju village was her new home, and there was nothing she could do except honor the clan and obey. Like a dog. Although, some of the comforts the village offered were superior to her home. For one, the sleeping mat she had was very soft, and she was given thick blankets for those extra cold nights. She was allowed personal possessions, but all she had was left at her home village anyway. Also, she had the freedom of the afternoon when her routine chores were completed. If another chore needed to be done, Hanako had no choice but to do it. Izayoi was the one who normally found a few extra one-off jobs for Hanako to do. Just yesterday Hanako scrubbed the steps that led to the small temple, as a noblewoman remarked on how filthy they were.
When she did have the afternoon to herself, Hanako would sit in the temple courtyard. It was a peaceful, open oasis of greenery where many came to meditate and bask in the afternoon sun. The courtyard was maintained by the three monks who ran the temple, but sometimes war-torn shinobi veterans would tend to the gardens as well as a means of therapy, to escape the horrors of the warring states. Hanako's usual spot was by the koi pond, and she would sit under one of the few cherry blossom trees in a bed of soft clovers. The smell of the water and the fish reminded her of home.
She sat in the clover patch, her toes digging into the soft grass as she rested on her heels. Her hands were in her lap, and her eyes gazed over the pond, staring at her reflection. Looking back at her was almost a shell. Her honey colored tresses was up in a loose bun and her cerulean eyes were downcast, upset. She still held onto the sadness that she was never going to see home again. Some nights she would cry herself to sleep, missing the comfort of home. Sure, her father wasn't always the most loving of men or the greatest provider, but she knew that he cared about her in his own way. He always made sure that she was able to eat, even if he meant all he had was a bowl of rice.
Her mind still asked herself why he had to go and sell her though. Did she disappoint him? Had she done wrong by him? Hanako couldn't shake the feeling that it was her own fault, and that her father thought the village would be better off without her. One less mouth to feed.
Was that all she was to her father? Just another mouth to feed? Was her perception of love and family warped all along?
"Hana!"
She blinked, and lifted her blue orbs to the main gate of the temple where Izayoi stood.
"Come," Izayoi called to her as she began walking away and towards the bathhouse, "We are going to bathe before the shinobi return,"
Ah, yes. It was known that a group of shinobi was sent out a few days ago on a mission. This normally meant less work and tidying for the servants of the barracks. They were due to return later in the evening, which meant Hanako would have to take their weapons and armor, clean them, and return them to the barracks armory. She would have to wash any clothing they tossed at her, and sometimes even tend to any wounds they had sustained. She had proven herself useful in that department thanks to Yura's teachings. She couldn't mend great lacerations or broken bones, but bruises and cuts that proved a nuisance were normally seen to by her in the barracks.
Hanako complied, as Izayoi was correct, and knew that they would be working well into the night when the shinobi returned, so she should at least use the time she had at the moment to bathe and be prepared.
For the most part, Hanako bathed in silence while the other maids talked and gossiped. The talk was mostly regarding the upcoming marriage of Lord Butsuma's son to an Uzumaki woman. No doubt Hanako would have to play some part in the preparations of the ceremony; she can see herself scrubbing those temple steps from dawn till dusk. She had been there almost two weeks and she had never seen any trace of the leader or the noble family. Hanako was told by Izayoi that Butsuma had a wife and two surviving sons, and the older woman mentioned in passing that the Senju matriarch was very kind. Apparently Izayoi's younger sister was a handmaiden to Momoko Senju.
Hanako continued to listen to the women in the bath. Her back faced them, and her arms were crossed over her chest and draped over the edge of the spring. Her body was submerged up to her shoulders, allowing the hot water to soothe her muscles from the day's work. She didn't have this luxury in her home village; they bathed with cold water and soap. The bath house was public and communal, but it was known that the noble families and higher ranking shinobi had their own private bath houses. The women were chattering away about nonsensical things that didn't interest Hanako, but her perceptiveness allowed her to lazily pick up on their conversation.
From what she had deduced over her few weeks of living in the Senju village, Butsuma Senju's sons were handsome, and apparently the Uzumaki woman was lucky to be married to the eldest son. The conversations normally grew dull from there. She paid no mind to the noble families nor did she even care about the higher ups. She had her own problems to worry about.
One of them was, finding her sense of belonging again.
An hour passed, and Hanako had removed herself from the spring and went into the change area to dry herself off and pull on a fresh shirt and pants. Small box shelves held baskets for people to place their clothes and belongings in before entering the main hot spring area, and Hanako reached in for her sash. She tied it intricately around her waist to secure her shirt. She was too focused on her task to notice that Izayoi had approached her. It seemed the older woman was the only one who would since her arrival.
"Hana," Izayoi started as she approached the orange blonde girl, "Have you got a spareā¦"
Izayoi had taken it upon herself to look in Hanako's basket, and her face paled and eyes darkened. Hanako had not finished changing, and so there was one item left in the basket, one that the girl would normally put on first to keep it safe.
Hanako tried to push forward and move Izayoi away from her belongings, but she was too slow, as the older woman had already reached in and pulled out a long silver chain with a charm dangling at the end. Izayoi turned to Hanako sternly.
"Hanako, what is this?!"
"It's mine, leave it alone!"
"You could be killed if you're seen with this!"
Hanako's brows furrowed and her nose scrunched into a confused face. How could a simple necklace get her killed?
The charm that dangled from the silver chain was a known taboo symbol within the Senju. Red and white glistened against the sun's evening rays through the high window as the charm swung from the woman's hand. The charm bore the shape of a fan. The color and shape of the traditional fan no doubt made it the recognizable symbol of the Uchiha clan.
"Where did you get this?" Izayoi asked sternly, apprehension clear in her voice.
"A boy gave it to me years ago," Hanako admitted as she tried to swipe for the necklace.
"Are you promised to an Uchiha?"
"A what?"
"This is the symbol of the Uchiha clan, the Senju clan's most powerful rival and longtime enemy, how can you not know this?"
The neutrality of Hanako's home village meant that she was never one to delve into clan politics.
Hanako shrugged, and made one more attempt for the necklace. This time, Izayoi had lowered it and allowed her to take it from her calloused hands. The foolish girl had this on her person for the last two weeks, what if a Senju shinobi had discovered it? She would be brought to Butsuma and trialed for treason and most likely killed just for having an association with an Uchiha. Dark eyes lowered, and Izayoi pinched the bridge of her nose, anxious.
"Please don't tell anyone," Hanako asked softly.
Panic rose in Hanako's chest. The necklace may have seemed small and worthless, but to her it was invaluable. She had just turned fourteen when it was given to her by a boy who had visited the village with his brothers. She couldn't remember his name, only his silky dark hair. The men stayed for a few days and accepted what hospitality her fishing village could offer, as apparently they were far from their home. Hanako and the boy developed a small friendship, and she remembered the boy would always remark on how pretty her eyes were. He seemed to be the youngest one of the five men who visited, as he was the only one of them who seemed cheerful and childish. On their last day, he gave her the necklace to remind her of him, and he said if she wore the necklace, she would always have protection.
Though, that was probably some silly superstition, but Hanako believed it anyway, as there wasn't much for her to have faith in back then. It was the prettiest thing she had ever owned, and it was her first present from anyone, that was why it was so special to her.
Izayoi sighed, frustrated, and lifted her head as footsteps were heard heading towards the change room. If the necklace was seen by the other women, one would sure gossip to the shinobi and then both Hanako and Izayoi would be in trouble.
"I never saw it, don't cry to me if you're caught with it," Izayoi said bitterly as she watched Hanako quickly slide the chain over her head and tuck the charm under the fabric of her clothes. The chain was rather long, so any chance of it slipping out during work was slim. She had been hiding it well considering Izayoi had watched her like a hawk ever since the girl arrived at the Senju village. Gods have mercy on the girl if that charm was discovered on her person by the wrong people.
At first, Izayoi wanted to report what she had seen. However, it was her conscience that made her stop. Hanako was a simple girl from a poor village, and although Izayoi knew how she came across the necklace, she knew deep down there was no strong affiliation. It was a mere trinket given to the young girl in hopes of bedding her perhaps. Whether such a thing was successful on the man's part, Izayoi didn't want to know.
Izayoi was naturally kind and caring; being sympathetic and understanding was part of her nature. Hanako was too innocent to be punished.
"If I were you," Izayoi whispered to Hanako as she tied the sash to her own robe, "I would get rid of it as soon as you could,"
Hanako wasn't about to do that any time soon.
XXXXXXXXXX
She had never stepped inside the main household until now. The dark wooden walls were decorated with tapestries and paintings, all originating from different eras and generations. Some weapons were hung along the walls and columns, most likely family heirlooms. The floors were a deep rich wood to match the walls, with moss green runners along the floor. Naturally like any household, shoes were not permitted to be worn. The rug felt warm against Hanako's bare feet, and she dug her toes in to enjoy its softness. Those who lived in the main house normally passed such a comfort off as an everyday thing, but it was rare that Hanako got to experience such finery.
She held the linen close to her chest as she stood in the main hall. It would be serving as the dining area in celebration of the marriage of the Senju heir to an Uzumaki woman. It was a large room that took her many steps to reach the other end. In the center there was already an elongated table assembled and was currently being polished by two young boys. They had started at either end, and most likely had planned to meet in the middle. The table looked like it could seat about thirty easily. Towards the other end of the room, Hanako could see another woman sitting cross-legged with fine cushions on her lap. She was checking over each sitting cushion for any imperfections. It seemed no detail was missed.
"Hanako, this way," Hatsu called out to her.
Hanako had only interacted with this woman a few times. Izayoi wasn't present for the moment, most likely because she was tending to other affairs with different servants. It seemed everyone was hands-on when it came to the preparation for the wedding feast. Hanako wasn't even sure of the exact date, but judging from the bustling and business of others around her, the day was drawing near.
Hanako pulled the linen close to her like a security blanket, and followed Hatsu across the dining hall. Hasu's hair was beautiful. It fell to her thighs and it was always kept back in a neat plait. Hanako very rarely saw her hair in a bun or any other style; it was as if Hatsu was showing off its length, and it was working, as Hanako was quite envious of it.
"Put the linen over on that chair, then we need to polish the silver and plates,"
Hanako worked well into the night, and her feet were aching. After polishing the silver, she had to dust the fireplaces, and then sweep the floor. Oh yes, and there was more step scrubbing. Hanako was excited to admit though, that she saw Momoko Senju on a few occasions. It seemed the Senju matriarch was overseeing the preparations. The woman was beautiful, and Hanako imprinted the image into her mind. Her silver locks cascaded down elegantly from the bun atop her head, and her movements were smooth, like she was floating on a cloud.
Smiling lightly at the thought, Hanako had never really seen such a well presented woman. She was too used to working around other women of her class and of course the men at the fishing village, especially Mako. In fact, she wondered what he would be doing at that point. Sleeping no doubt, but she wondered absently if her adopted big brother had missed her at all, or whether he was fighting her father's decision to sell her. A familiar ache rippled through her chest again, and she felt lonely.
She found her way easily in the dark. The moon was bright in the sky and provided some direction for Hanako. It was normally safe to walk around the Senju village at night, as there was very little crime within the walls. She was almost home to her sleeping quarters anyway.
From the corner of her eye, she picked up movement. Her natural inquisitiveness had gotten the better of her, and she paused for a moment. In the shadows she saw a cloak, it moved gracefully through the cover of darkness between houses and rooftops. Hanako pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. Was this an intruder?
Perhaps a thief in the night?
She slowly lowered herself to the ground in a crouched position, and watched as the figure bounded its way towards her. She wondered if the figure even knew she was there. She kept to the edge of the nearest storehouse, and found a thick rock by her foot. Picking it up gingerly, she held it in her hands for a few moments, still deciding whether she was going to intervene.
If there was a thief or a troublemaker in the night, surely the shinobi would want to know.
Her gut instinct got the better of her, and she hurled the rock quickly and sharply in the direction of the figure as it passed by another house. It was close enough to hopefully get a direct hit.
It didn't hit. In fact, it was parried. The soft clang in the dense night air echoed off the walls of the buildings. Hanako panicked. The figure had a weapon! She was about to run, but her feet were too sore to move quickly enough. She turned on her heel, but her gaze was met with a kunai lodged into the wooden wall right next to her head, too close for comfort. It was thrown with incredible speed, like it had every intention to startle her.
As she stared at the kunai, a hand emerged and gripped it. The figure had appeared before her instantaneously. There was no humane speed possible for anyone to become so close so quickly. Judging from the size of the figure, it was a male. She felt trapped, as the man had used his other hand to steady himself against the wall while the first hand was still gripped tightly on the kunai.
She was trapped between his arms, and she sunk against the wall, regretting her actions. The hood of his cloak had slid from his face. Slowly, with a tremble in her movement, she turned her head to look into the face of the figure she had so foolishly tried to scare off.
Blue eyes met red ones again for the first time in almost eight years.
XXXXXXXXXX
There you go; she's finally seen Tobirama again!
The circumstances behind such an encounter will be explained in the next chapter.
I love me a cliffhanger!
R&R Please!
