Centuries ago a flower grew within a baren plaine known amongst the locals as the Valley of War. Within nothing it found growth, no soil could be cultivated, no trees could nourish the land, and no animals wondered about for shelter or food. Yet still, a seed found place there. It grew, it budded, it blossomed, it wilted, and it eventually gave birth to a beauticous valley.
Unto those of her community, she was indecorous, a malformation of normalcy unto the society which she was borne into. While wandering among the villagers of her hometown she would either find rejection of her existence or -from those most volatile- a threat upon her life. Despite this, within company, she ever remained blithesome, a vision of joviality uncommonly found in peasants of her ranking, especially while they were under the loathing eyes of their community, as she was.
Spring had struck with little resistance from the skies, much to the joys of the Village Da-Ji. Dawn had elapsed and brought with it the brightened sun and a gentle breeze to outcast light clouds of white. Uzumaki Naruko, woke to this light day with a hesitance upon her mind, fearful for the visit of Lou Kaito, the patriarch of his clan. Whom only came under the pretense of returning a large favour owed to her father. She herself knew little of the man apart from his status and the slight information her father could offer, despite this, she was expected to marry into his family should all present negotiations proceed as desired.
She was outside her home as it were, bathing in the gentle light of day and tracking the birds as they flew. Laying by the riverside nearest the Tinaki bridge beside, watching the birds overhead, and listening reverently to the soothing sound of the flowing water. An attempt to escape from her family's restricting plans, futile in consideration of her circumstance, though she had no want to be married unto a strange man from a clan she knew not; And in secrecy, within her own hatred of self, she fathomed no proposal would come once he saw her. Naruko knew what ugliness she showcased upon the people of her community, thusly it remained a strong doubt in her mind, that a man born of a well-standing clan would allow his son to wed a woman who appeared continuously, and horridly, burnt.
"Naruko! Come!" The ever forceful voice of her mother rang quite loudly among the shore of the river, and Naruko fathomed that many passing travellers would be startled for its intense sound. Still, she, being ever accustomed to the forceful sound, quickly stood, straightened the knots within her hair, brushed off her skirt of dirt, and hurried to the beckoning side of her mother. Surrounding her were the ever entrancing sounds of the festival being made ready, along with the people behind her scuttling boxes and grain bags, torches and clusters of food. Even to stand among them, her mother remained ever an image of graceful beauty, despite her own peculiar hair tone, it marked her better then her daughter's brown skin and hence she was never cast out from society. Naruko would frequently find herself in a wanderance why she hadn't inherited her mother's beauty, her mother beheld stunning pale skin, rose-tinted lips, midnight cast eyes, and of course the hair which outstood her as exotic, gleaming crimson within the sunlight, and a natural blessing of luck upon her each day. The young girl wished often for such graceful and handsome, tones upon herself. Yet, she knew she would ever retain her brown skin, embrightened light blonde hair, and the eyes of a noon sky to oddly outstand her darkened skin. All of which made her merely a demon in the eyes of the people.
She bowed to the ever regal woman in a slightly embarrassed display of manners, her hanfu was dirt covered from the riverside, though her hair had remained well tied. "Forgive me, mother, I lost myself in the sound of the water's gentle flow." She received a sigh in turn and took that to be her permission to rise away from her bow.
Naruko's mother held a very minimal power, and yet, remained the only one keeping them both from being expelled. Uzumaki Kushina, born of the Uzumaki clan was, sadly, only born into a branching family therein, but as she still held onto the name, she remained considered a relative of the King of the Land of Fire, and thusly she was held with a cautious respect and honour. "Honestly… You must work upon your tardy manner, or it will certainly cause issue whence you are married."
While her mother retained a careful power, her father was quite different, not opposition as it were, but similar. Her father was Uzumaki Minato, the seamstress and embroider for the town. A man who truly believed that his daughter would marry a noble one day. A kind man, that the people both respected and kept a distance from, he was carefully considered within the community as the one who had sired a demon, and yet, one who spun fantastical silk -so much so that his works were extremely well known they even had renown within the capital. Yet, should an opportunity arise, the community would gladly have him excelled along with his daughter. Both parents knew this and it remained partial reasoning why both Minato and Kushina were so desperate to see their daughter married, if only into a minor clan whom could provide her continual security.
Naruko found the entire concept a waste of time, as none within their village desired her, and it remained ever a doubt within her mind someone outside would find her beautiful either. Still, her father had invited an old friend of his, a clan head to come and meet with them to discuss the possibility of a betrothal between their children, hence, herself and a man whom she had never been acquainted with. She herself, despised the entire concept, as it was a reminder of her peculiar status within her own hometown.
Surprisingly, her mother retained a hopeful spirit at the chance of success for this particular suitor. Naruko had no guess why that would be, as all others had rejected any proposal within a minute of glancing upon her. Nevertheless, her mother grasped at her shoulder and began directing her back to their small commoner's home, apprehension climbing upon each step she made. She had little desire to be mocked upon for her appearance once more, though she had formulated a mental predictable routine for herself as the years wore on and her father's many friends visited to judge her suitability for their sons. Alas, this, had never swayed in her favour. Naruko entered the house under grave embarrassment, should her schedule for just such an occasion follow; her entire appearance would be demeaned and she would be proclaimed a demon unworthy of a husband.
Of course, upon her contemplation was when the man she was to meet came to greet her. As a first impression for the sake of her parents, she gave her respects as humbly she might, with a low bow and by downcasting her gaze to the wooden floors beneath her. The man was Nara Shikaku, a Samurai servicing the members of the Senju clan, as had his clan for two centuries before him. Even as she bowed, Naruko heard the fragile sigh to escape the man and knew her place would not be among his family.
"Minato, I cannot accept your daughter into my clan." The room shifted into a place of deflation. Despite this, the Nara straightened his posture and lifted his chin. "However, I do know of a harem selection taking place within the capital in two weeks' time. It would be a grand chance to submit your daughter for the selection." A silence filled the breeze, as beside her Naruko heard, rather then saw, her mother's low pitched, deeply intimidating, growling; this was mere moments before Kushina launched herself towards Shikaku, her claws were prepped to rib away his skin. In a blink, however, Minato had managed to grasp his wife's waist and jerk her away from his old friend.
A venom seemed to radiate as an aura around the woman, and though Naruko had seen it in previous whence punished, it had never occurred with such a vicious intent before."The harem!? Do you suggest that my daughter is worthy only to be the Emperor's concubine!?" Though odd under his present circumstance the man whom had been nary ripped into pieces laughed as if the concept she spat was hilarious.
"Why Kushina, it is a large honour to be choosen for the selection." Upon that Naruko knew her mother disagreed-.
-So pronounced the outcry of outrage from Kushina."Honour?! To be a whore?!" While her husband attempted to placate her anger with simplistic words of calming reasoning.
"Perhaps we should submit her for the selection." It was then that Naruko chooses to remove herself from the scene, she could not make herself fit within her parent's disagreements.
So, her feet turned and made her swiftly wonder to the river once more, feigning ignorance as the villagers about her ignored her or stared upon her in cruelty, in anger at her very existence passing by their shops. Her large blue eyes fixed at the road beneath her, while her bound feet made a plea for freedom as she walked, small hands twirled around themselves, while in the meanwhile, her dark brown skin shone in the sunlight along with her luminescent blonde hair.
Nearby her a shout rang out loud in malice: "Outcast!" As was normalcy within her small community, and she forced her eyes not to stray, and her mind to think of her options in marriage, rather then the continual cruelty of her fellows. In a brief consideration, she pondered on what luxuries those of royal blood relished within, and the fear of nobility which had been ingrained upon her marginally disappeared for but a moment. Naruko knew she could legally sign into the selection process, as she did belong to a noble clan by all right. However, she knew not if she could withstand the lifestyle of a concubine, regardless of if she serviced the Emperor or a king of thieves.
Yet, in glimpsing backward towards her parents' demure argument, a glow surrounding them, of which, she had never experienced. And upon touching delicately at the skin of her face which she so despised, she wondered if a face as hideous as hers could ever find one to love it, as her parents had so found each other. From what she knew from the clans whom had visited and rejected her as easily as they might a spoiled fruit, she knew none would look upon her and welcome someone such as herself into their family.
Below her, the gentle rhythm produced by the soft stream tapping the rocks soothed her mind, but her spirit remained uncertain she had no contemplation as to her path anymore. As a child, it had been lain before her in perfect order, in the clarity of a polished stone; to marry, to service, to bare an heir for her family, little complexity emplaced upon her life. To regard herself now, her markings were that of a failure, upon herself, the gods, and her family. Surrounding her were the cherry blossoms of the river, freshly blooming to carry a lovely scent upon the breeze. Naruko looked upon herself within the beautiful glide of the water beneath her and could see only an ugly dark. Her palate would never fit with white lead paint or a crimson lip with jade and kohl embellished eyes, in attempting, she had looked like a mere mockery. The matchmaker of the town had refused to have her presence within her home, claiming that someone as dark as her would only corrupt the other 'proper' ladies.
Naruko plucked a blossom, and in frail hope, placed it behind her ear to glimpse upon her reflection and see the beauty her father saw. Yet, to stare, she saw nothing save the demon the villagers so referred to her as. She had no want to give herself away into despair, however, in waiting there, in watching the flowing creek, soon her eyes began to fill with a wetness she could hardly contain. Shame fell upon her, swiftly after.
Only to quickly be hidden, as footsteps approached ahead, crunching upon the pale stones of the bay and disrupting her solitude. Though, glancing upon the man, she hadn't expected a soldier to greet her, he smiled not carrying an expression of rock, and looking down onto her with equal stoicism. "You are of the Uzumaki family, as I have been told." She rose from the ground and gave a brief bow as respectfully as she might, not daring to stare into the man's eyes once more, she affirmed. "Good, this, is for your father, to be delivered immediately." He said nothing further, but remained awaiting, Naruko could only assume, for her response.
"Yes, sir. I understand." He left with swift departure. Decorum dictated that she leave the message to her father's eyesight only, but upon her mind a man of war having brought the notice only meant a bad fortune. Thus, she took to glimpsing upon it herself, and to her great surprise, disappointment, and -inappropriate- rage, it bore the seal of the Emperor.
Naruko could not make a fool of herself, she knew that this was indeed a call to war. Naruko shook in a fear she hadn't known she possessed, her father could not fight in yet another battle, not one as prolonged as a war.