Izuna thinks about the past as she makes her way to her sister's cell.
Chapter Text
Flashback:
The woman who watched over she and Izumi asked her to dress in a kimono she brought her that afternoon.
Izuna was thrilled to try it on. She was 16 now, nearly a woman, and pleased to look like one that night.
Her hair was pinned up prettily, her lithe form and budding breasts surrounded by a deep plum fabric with white lillies.
She smiled happily at herself in the mirror, her little sister nodding in approval, when their guardian appeared to
tell her she looked lovely and it was time to go. They walked in a peaceful silence down a narrow path within the
compound until Izuna inquired where they were headed. The old woman tilted her lips upwards, softness in her eyes.
"I have found a lovely family for you, Izuna. I think you will be very happy there."
Izuna stopped in her tracks, shocked and trying to understand,"Why can't we stay with you?"
The woman turned back to her, having realized Izuna had halted."You're a lovely girl, and I've received many requests
for your hand.", she smiled encouragingly."I know you don't wish to part from Izumi-chan, but surely you knew you
would have your own families someday, and I believe this is a good match for you. Besides, the young man here
would be likely to grant her a stay if you please him."
Izuna let out a sigh, stifling the urge to turn and run. But where would she turn?
Her father was dead, her mother chose this for them by taking her own life.
The only other person she had been close to was the Iwa boy, and she hadn't seen him since they were dragged back
to Konoha. She would probably never see him again.
"Hai."
The family was gracious to her, welcoming and asking her many questions they seemed to like her answers to.
The boy was silent, but staring and blushing while trying to be subtle about it, fidgeting nervously as he waited for
the approval of his parents.
He was very attractive, lean but muscled with large dark eyes, a sweetness to the heat in them as he gazed at her.
His cheekbones high but masculine, a strong jaw, soft ebony hair just brushed his brow and tumbled to his broad shoulders.
Warmth crept up her neck as she got a better look at his form, only to raise her eyes back to his face and see
a rather delighted smirk at her appraisal that made her cheeks burn.
So this is what mother meant by chemistry.
Fugaku-sama was called and she and the boy were told to wait in the garden.
It was only then she found out his name.
"I am Saitku.", he said, taking her hand boldly and bringing her nearer.
He smells wonderful , she thought, tingling at the feeling of his larger hand enveloping her small one.
He observed her quietly for awhile, then asked her,"Are you afraid?"
"Of what?", she asked, furrowing her brow.
Just then his mother came out into the garden, smiling.
"Your marriage has been made official. Welcome to our home!"
Izuna's mouth fell open, wanting to protest, but remembering her guardians words.
"..the young man here would be likely to grant her a stay if you please him."
She snapped it shut, nodding with what smile she could manage on her lips.
Her new husband's face was blank as he led her upstairs to his room, his hold on her wrist gentle but insistent,
shutting and locking the door behind them.
She worried her bottom lip with her teeth at the change. Where did all his warmth go?
She saw it again when he turned his back to the door and faced her.
His brows furrowed, concern in his eyes. He asked her again,"Are you afraid?"
Yes. Definitely.
"Are you?", she returned, hoping her voice hadn't trembled as much as she thought.
Now she understood his question earlier all too well.
He walked closer to her, so close, a tentative hand coming to her cheek.
When he saw she allowed it, he let out a relieved breath and a small smirk came to his lovely face, a light tremble
in his hand. " Only if you cannot forgive me. I am not sure how to care for you.", he said, sweeping his glance from her
head to her toes and back again to meet her eyes earnestly. "I may not do it right at first, but if you forgive me,
I will learn. I wish to please you and bring you happiness."
She learned over the next few months of his good heart, that the words he spoke that night were very true, and
that he was willing to forgive her as she learned him as well.
One morning, on her way to retrieve Izumi for a visit to her new home with Saitku, she realized she had fallen in
love and never wanted to part with him. The night before had been an intense bout of lovemaking, his kisses and
caresses reverent with gratitude at the news of impending parenthood, culminating in heated whispers and love bites that
stung even now and a throbbing reminder of his passion for her as she walked.
She smiled to herself as she came to the door of the woman who cared for her after her parents died and knocked.
The handsome older woman opened the door and stepped aside to let her in,"You look radiant, Izuna-chan! Your husband
must be bringing you joy!"
Izuna's face flushed with pride,"He is."
"Come. Sit with me a moment. I have news about Izumi-chan."
Izuna kept her own news to herself that day.
She was excited to find Izumi had been selected for a betrothal, but as soon as she got Izumi home with her,
she found out her sister was anything but. "Let me stay with you before I am given away.", her sister had cried
to her that night, quivering and holding her tight about the middle,"Everyone leaves me behind! Let me be with you while I can."
Izuna's eyes, filled with unshed tears at her little sister's heartbroken and fearful request, met her husband's.
His heart was moved as well, and he nodded in agreement.
If only she'd made her go backā¦.
It was much too late. She wouldn't be moved by her this time, by anything else her sister said.
Itachi-san would need to speak for her character, and she hoped all was well.
Ten years ago she would not have imagined forgiving her sister, but time had made her thirst for doing just that.
Her childhood friend from Iwa was coming soon, with new friends of his own, to rescue her.
She wanted to give Izumi a chance to come with her this time, wanted her to be worthy of that chance.
Time was running out, and staying here would be suicide when they came.
Or murder.
Her heart twisted within her chest as she approached the cells with Kabuto.
She would right her mistake with Izumi before she left this awful place, one way or the other.
