After everyone's spa time was over, they made their way back into the ballroom where a bar was set up. Everyone was drinking and dancing through the night. Some people cackled obnoxiously and some were actually being classy with their alcohol. Reina was simply walking around with nothing to do when two arms snaked their way around her tiny waist and pulled her in.
"GOTCHA'!" Izuna laughed and spun her around. "Care to dance? We never finished what we started." He plastered a clever smirk across his face and took her hand.
Reina rolled her eyes playfully and gave in. "Fine." She set her hand on his shoulder and they began to dance through the crowd.
"Beautiful!" The younger Uchiha commented and as he spun her, he snatched up a glass of sake from a waiter's tray. "To the future of Reina Senju!" He tilted his head back, downing the shot in one gulp. "That was refreshing." He spun again and placed the empty glass on another tray. "Ooh! Burns." Izuna swayed Reina across the dance floor and eventually made their way to Madara. "We have arrived."
"Thank-you, Izuna." Madara swapped places with his brother who simply walked to the bar. "Excuse me, Reina; I must speak to you for a moment."
"It's fine. What is it you need to talk about?"
"Your belongings are being moved into my mansion tonight. Everything was boxed and is being brought over now."
"Oh, is that so?" Reina's heart fell to her gut.
"Is there a problem with that, Reina?" He purred her name.
"No, it's fine." She looked at his victorious smirk and narrowed her eyes. "That means after the wedding I immediately leave to your mansion."
"It does. Once you become Reina Uchiha, you'll be living with me for the rest of your life." He spun her around with a chuckle and let go of her.
Reina turned around to see him, but he was gone. "How sly." She whispered and stood there in petrified disgust.
"REINA!" Hashirama scooped her up and spun her around.
"Ahaha! Hashi!" She giggled and was passed over into Tobirama's arms. He popped her into the air a bit and set her down.
"Look at you!" Tobirama smiled. Hashirama stood next to him and looked at Reina.
"Oh! My little sister is getting married!" He slapped his hands together and cried a flood of tears with joy. "I'm so proud!"
"As am I!" A woman's voice rang.
Reina spun around and her eyes widened. "Lady Mito!" She hugged the stunning woman. Mitp was like an older sister and even a mother figure to her. Her eyes watered as she it out euphoric breaths. "I'm so happy to see you."
"I am equally as blessed to see you." She smiled and looked at Reina as she grabbed onto her shoulders. "You're gorgeous! You almost look like me." Mito cupped her cheeks softly. "You're getting married, darling. I'm so pleased … except it's to an Uchiha … Madara specifically … I assume there is a reason for that, but I don't want to hear it now because I'm so excited for you! Aw well!" She let go. "Let's talk after you finish having a moment with your brothers."
"Oh! Let me properly introduce you to them." Reina guided Mito in front of Hashirama and Tobirama gently. "This is my brother, Hashirama Senju, and my other brother, Tobirama Senju. Hashirama is the Hokage now, but I wouldn't be surprised if Tobirama succeeded him." Reina gave a devious smirk as she saw Hashirama and Mito's expressions toward each other. She knew it was an ingenious idea to introduce them to each other. "Score!" Reina giggled.
"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you, Hashirama." Mito bowed.
"The pleasure is all mine, Lady Mito." Hashirama bowed in return and they both smiled at each other when coming back up.
Mito hid a faint blush by smiling wider and turning to Tobirama. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Tobirama." She bowed to him.
"Thank-you, I'm honored to meet you too." He bowed.
Mito gave a nervous, heart-fluttering sigh as she felt Hashirama's spirited eyes on her. "Well, Lady Reina, shall we?" She turned around and they began to walk together. Once they were far away from the Senju brothers and near the doors, Mito giggled embarrassed. "Lord Hashirama is handsome."
"I knew it was a good idea." Reina chuckled with her. "You two are the yin and yang."
"You really think so?" Mito's face was blushing ferociously as they strode out of the ballroom.
"I wouldn't lie about something like that." Reina winked and they made their way outside and sat down on a bench. "Oh, it's cool out here." Reina breathed in the fresh air. "Aah!"
"It's splendid here in Konoha."
"Isn't it? They chose a fantastic location."
"True." Mito took in a deep breath and sighed. "Reina, about Madara, stay hot on your feet with him and keep your guard up."
Reina closed her eyes and tilted her head down. "I know."
"I'm sorry you have to marry him. He's a power hungry fiend. So please, be cautious." Mito stared into the night sky. "Also … you want to have children, don't you?"
"Yes," Reina nodded. "but not with him."
"Whether it happens or not, protect your children too."
"Thank-you." Reina looked at her friend and they held each other's hand.
Mito grabbed their intertwined hands with her other hand and Reina did the same. They faced each other, holding both of their hands in one mass. "Promise me one more thing … keep your power protected. If he finds a way to use it-"
"Reina!" Chiharu was standing at the doorway of the complex and was calling her name.
"One moment please!" Reina turned to an urgent Mito who started rambling for Reina's sake.
"If he finds a way to use your power he will think of world domination. I wouldn't be surprised if he already made plans before he learned about you-"
"Reina! Don't keep your elders waiting!" The lady called.
Mito growled and turned back to Reina, speeding up her words if that was even possible. "Anyway, think of every possibility that he can get a hold of you and never give in."
"I promise I won't. Every Senju carries the Will of Fire." Reina reassured.
"Excellent. That's my girl." Mito dug through her kimono pocket and took out a gem necklace. "Take this. You forgot it in my hands when I visited you last time. I didn't want to leave it lying around the Ashikaga mansion so I kept it."
Reina smiled as Mito placed the gem necklace around her neck. "Thank-you. I was looking for it! Hashirama gave it to me before he left for the war."
"It has so much worth! Keep it safe."
"Reina!" The old woman walked down one step and Reina came running up to her. Mito walked slightly behind her.
"I'm sorry, lady Chiharu!" Reina bowed and walked next to the elder.
"It's fine, it's time for the closing speech and more celebrating, but then you and Madara must go to sleep. Everyone is waiting on you, but they are too drunk to care! Anyway, you have to change into your last kimono first!" She chuckled and they walked to her room.
"Of course I have to!" Reina threw her hands up in the air and they rushed to her dressing room. She was stripped and cleaned, clothed and scented, and was ready to go. The two raced down the stairs and to the dancehall.
Reina shuffled to Madara's side by the doorway and they made their way to the stage. "May I have your attention, please?!" The same guard from the beginning of the party announced and everyone turned to the stage where Madara and Reina were standing. Everyone fell silent and Madara began to make a brief, final speech before him and Reina walked off the stage together.
Madara and Reina continued to walk out and down the halls together quietly until he piped up. "Where were you?"
Reina's heart nearly skipped a beat. She smiled and remained calm; recalling that Madara is able to sense anything unusual about her if he so desired to pay attention to her. Reina looked up at him, remembering what Mito said about her safety. "I was outside getting fresh air with Mito. She gave me a personal gift." She pulled the necklace out from under her kimono and showed it to him.
"How thoughtful." He said plainly. They walked up a few flights of stairs and diverged to their rooms. "I'm not even the slightest bit tired."
"A ninja should eat and sleep whenever he can." Reina ticked her finger back and forth.
"That's for rookies my dear." He smirked and walked up to her. "And I know you are no rookie." The taunting Uchiha chuckled and turned around, opening his door and stepping into his room. "Good-night." He waved and shut the door with an arrogant smirk.
Reina simply put her hands up in defense, sarcastically praising him for being a big-shot and walked into her room. "I swear." She sighed and saw the ladies smiling at her.
"You were talking to him."
"Weren't you?" The ladies said one after another.
"Yes, we walked up here together like normal humans would. We started conversing, like normal humans would." She pointed out trying to change the course of their minds.
"Right!" They all said to tease her as they got to work. Reina was bathed, dried, moisturized, her hair was brushed, and she was dressed in a flowing, sheer, white, nightgown that gave her an elegant appearance. After they finished, they said their good-byes and let her be.
Reina trudged to her bed and slid under the covers. She turned off the lamp light and stared up aimlessly at the ceiling. Today was her last day as Reina Senju. Reina mused of how miserable she would most likely be, stuck within the Uchiha perimeters. The terrible treatment she would receive frazzled her even more. Sure Madara was proper and respectable with manners and reservation, but he was a temperamental, retired, warlord with a "God complex" as Hashirama would put it. Nothing would be able to match up with such deep seeded brutality. Reina smiled, at the image of her brothers and their euphoric memories that Hashirama's words had plagued her with. It was always the three of them wherever they went. They truly were thicker than thieves. Now, Reina was being yanked away from her criminal trio. She had no power, no say, no right, and no will to fight against her marriage. Shackled with her mouth stitched up, wrists bounded by a barbed-wire-encrusted rope, and chained by the waist, the chain in which Madara was dragging her by, she was void of legitimate protests.
Reina's thoughts were interrupted by a few, drunken voices traveling down the halls. It was about time some people went to sleep. Of course, Madara and Reina had to retire early, but everyone else had a late-night freedom. The annoying sounds turned her sour and she blocked them out by snuggling the covers up above her ears and flipping over. Eventually, the Senju fell sound asleep.
In the morning, Reina woke up to Chiharu and Shika in her room. The sun peaked through the window and glared upon the elders' faces. They were smiling pleasantly, she could at least tell that, but her hazy eyes wanted to close and let her body lay dormant for a few more hours.
"I don't think so." Chiharu ticked her finger. With a mischievous look, she and Shika marched to each side of Reina's bed. They ripped her covers off and Reina curled into a fetal position.
"Ah- It's cold!" She managed to say through yawns, but continued to drift away nonetheless.
The women looked at each other once again with that same, deviant look and sighed. "Well, ice water never hurt anyone." Shika sang, causing Reina to bolt upright from her bed.
"No." She simply erupted and stood up. Looking around the room, she saw a tray of food resting on her desk.
"Eat your breakfast; we have to get you ready while everyone else is eating. They are still sleeping, but you and Madara-sama are awake." Shika gestured to the platter of food.
"Thank-you." Reina bowed and sat down at her desk. "Itadakimasu." She said quietly and began to eat. Reina slowed down her consumption until she appeared to play with her food. Her fork dangled above her fruit slices as she aimlessly stared at them moving under her silverware.
"Reina, what's wrong?" Shika spoke out of concern.
Reina simply turned her head toward the woman and shook her head. "Nothing, ma'am."
The elders looked at each other and gave a slight nod. Chiharu slowly stepped closer to Reina and placed her hands on the back of her chair as she stood next to her. "Reina, you should eat. We can't have you passing out during the ceremony."
Reina nodded and stabbed her fruit with her fork. "Yes, that would be bad." She brought the food to her mouth, slowly chewing it before she swallowed. Her free hand moved its way up to her face as she rested her chin on her thumb and covered her lips with a loose fist. She was seemingly lost in her thoughts when Chiharu removed her hand from her face and encouraged her to continue eating. Eventually, Reina finished her meal, slowly sipping her tea and staring at the empty plate on her desk.
"Are you ready to have the ladies come in to dress you?" Shika questioned softly.
Reina stood up and nodded. "Yes, I'll open the door." She began to pace to the door when she was hit with the sudden realization that after she was dressed, she would immediately be married. She would completely belong to Madara Uchiha. She would reluctantly lose all she loved and cherished. She would be caged, scrutinized, and belittled for as far as she could foresee. Reina suddenly felt sick and she stopped midway to the door. Her breathing quickened as she hunched over and collapsed onto one knee. She smacked her hand over her eyes as she began to weep on the floor where she crumbled into a ball. Tears streamed as she covered her face with both of her hands, shaking and wailing to herself. "Aaaaaaah! Nooooooo! I can't do this! I don't want to do this! Aaahaaaa!"
Chiharu and Shika rushed over to Reina and lifted her into an upright position. Chiharu looked at Reina with a pained expression' attempting to talk to her as softly, yet realistically as she could. "Reina, please! You must! It's already done and over with!"
Shika tried to calm her breathing by stroking her face and hushing her. "Ssssssh, honey. It'll be fine! We know you're scared! We know you're nervous!"
Reina bawled and clutched her head, gripping tufts of her hair as she bawled her hands into fists. "I can't! I WONT! I WON'T!" She practically growled as she shook her head, completely in denial of her current situation.
"Reina, you have to. You can't do anything about it, now." Chiharu said as she forced Reina to look at her. "Look at me. Look at me!" When she grabbed Reina's attention, she continued to speak. "Ssssshh, Reina. I know you're stronger than this. You're ready for this. It just finally hit you … and pretty hard to be completely frank. This isn't to punish you. This isn't to satisfy anything of Madara's, nor is it to punish him either. This is for the sake of trust, friendship, comradery. You'll make your brothers and this village proud. I'm sure your parents would be proud of you for making such a sacrifice. You know this, don't you?"
Reina whimpered and nodded. "Yes."
Shika smiled and held Reina's hand; rubbing it to ease her nerves. "Reina, this is demanding a lot from you. There's no doubt. At the same time, we are eternally grateful for your existence and this offering… You of all people should know that a duty is a duty and it must be carried out no matter what. This isn't any different."
Reina nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'm just stressed … that's all."
Chiharu sighed with relief. "She's talking informally."
Shika nodded and laughed. "Thank God." The elders turned to each other and began cackling together.
Reina cracked a smile and gave a soft giggle herself. She wiped her eyes and waited for the elders to stop laughing before she spoke again. "I'm so sorry for my outburst. I didn't mean it. It's just- a wave of sickness and fear washed over me and I- I'm terribly sorry. I feel so embarrassed and ashamed. I've been ready to do this."
Shika smiled and helped Reina up. "Reina, we know and we accept your apology."
Chiharu stepped forward and rested a hand on Reina's shoulder. "It's partially our fault for not letting you express yourself, but now you've done what you needed to do."
Reina nodded and wiped her tears once more. "Thank-you… I'm ready now. Please open the door for the ladies."
Chiharu glided to the door and opened it to reveal the ladies. "I'm terribly sorry for calling you ladies out so early and keeping you waiting. Lady Shika and I wanted to allow some extra time in case Reina had pre-wedding jitters."
"It's fine, Lady Chiharu!"
"It's totally okay!"
"Awe, I hope Lady Reina is okay!"
Chiharu smiled as she waited for the plethora of comments to end. "Now, please come in ladies and do your best." She moved to the side as the women flooded into the room and talked about Reina's wedding.
"You are marrying Madara Uchiha!"
"This is fantastic!"
"I can't believe it!"
"You're a lucky lady!"
"Always use protection!"
"No means no!"
"You're so pretty!"
"He's lucky to have a girl with a body like yours!"
"We're going to make you look better than you ever did!"
"Oooooooohhhhhhhh! So exciting!"
"Ladies, I know I'm getting married, I know." Reina reassured and they simply giggled.
"Sure, Reina Uchiha." They taunted and Reina clutched her head.
"Stop! Please don't tread those waters!" She begged and was willing to make it a threat. Then again, being the sweetheart she was, she didn't want to insult the ladies or ruin their relationship with her over a stupid, little misunderstanding.
"We're sorry, Lady Reina." They apologized in unnatural harmony.
"… Right. Well, let's get ready."
"Right!" With that, the ladies turned a sleepy, puffy-eyed Reina, into a bride.