I apologize to you dear reader for the wait! Now for info regarding future updates you can visit my profile where I'll try to keep track of the chapter progress. Enjoy chapter 2!
Mito's chest heaved silent breaths, her hand holding her head up and her gaze lost in the vast of Spring. Behind that window, the Uzumaki compound looked like a thriving hive with its people coming and going in the wait for today's big event. Her eyes darted up. A few more hours and the sun would kiss the horizon, marking the end of another day. A few more hours and she'd kiss her maiden life goodbye and leave the land of Whirlpools to be with her future husband in Konoha.
A warm glow enveloped her chest at the thought of Hashirama. He should still be at this office at that hour, sighing at the pile of documents he still has to go through, running his fingers through his silky soft hair as he mumbles to himself how he's going to tackle the task before the night. Being Hokage was a tough job. Even more so when the Hokage in question had no skills whatsoever at administration and time management. Fortunately he could count on his brother, even if it meant being scolded several times a day. Poor Hashirama. A quiet laugh broke her silent apathy for a second.
Her room had been empty for an hour now. With impeccable diligence, Satsu had taken care of their belongings: Her most precious kimonos had been folded into their respective boxes while the rest of her clothes had gone into wooden chests. Each piece of her jewelry had been packed individually with great care, as well as her personal objects such as her ivory flute and collection of sculpted animals. At the same time, the maids had removed the linens and curtains from her bed, together with the carpets and tapestries ornamenting the walls. Her nest and refuge was now bare, but not to her dismay. This room was no longer the room that had welcomed happy moments from the past, making it a bit easier for her to move on.
She brought a hand to her grumbling stomach. "Satsu, did you already pack our dinner?"
"I did, my Lady. We'll have stir-fried vegetables, steamed pork buns, onigiri and a favorite of yours: custard-filled dorayaki!"
Her mouth watered with every word, with the last one awakening an even bigger roar within her belly. The servant's head turned to the source of the noise. "Oh heavens, Lady Mito you're starving!" She said dropping her cleaning supplies.
"I'm fine."
Satsu began pacing back and forth, her hands knitted together. "Oh this is awful! The kitchen… Yes! I'm sure the kitchen has something for you to eat right away and-" Her voice trailed higher with each footsteps.
"Satsu!" Mito called. "Everything is fine. I'll eat a little something when we're on the road to the harbor."
The girl looked at her mistress with eyes full of concern. "Are you sure? There's still enough time for me to go and get you a snack."
"No need for that." Mito smiled at her maid, a smile reciprocated by Satsu when she finally allowed herself to breathe out. Stirring away from the window the Uzumaki slowly rose on her feet and smoothed the pastel panels of her kimono. "Take me to the koï pond instead. I'm suffocating in this room."
"Right away, my Lady." Satsu replied joyfully, grabbing Mito's arm as she started walking. "Fresh air will do you good. I'll also bring you some pellets."
"Pellets? What for?"
"To feed the koï, of course! I know you love to watch them bounce out of the water. Surely it'll alleviate your nervousness." Satsu didn't really wait for an answer to start guiding her mistress towards the courtyard.
If only her heart was plagued with just nervousness. What weighed on her shoulders at this moment couldn't be suppressed by infusions or medicine, even less by a trip to the other side of the compound. The pain of leaving Inari behind had settled within her months ago and now that the time of parting ways was at hand, she knew the feeling would linger no matter what. It was the kind of hurt only time could soothe but never truly heal.
When Satsu slid the door to the gardens open a cool breeze blew in the corridor, one that Mito welcomed with closed eyes and a deep sigh. Right before they exited, the Uzumaki kicked her sandals away and removed her socks, then dug her naked feet into the fresh grass. She paused to inhale the earthy scents surrounding her. The dirt had been turned for news patches of flowers, and the ones already at the dusk of their lives shared their final sweet notes with each step Mito took. Another cycle, another sight to soon behold.
Satsu on the other hand had opted for the main path, jumping one foot after the other on each stone while still keeping close to her mistress. Mito couldn't repress a discreet laugh. The playful girl had reached adulthood yet still had the carelessness and endless energy of a child. Even the binds of servitude didn't seem to shackle her youthful spirit. Little by little Mito picked up the pace of Satsu's jumps until she too was hoping, graceful and light, and most important, hidden from sight.
Since her clothes were much looser around the legs, Satsu quickened her steps and soon enough distanced Mito by a few meters. Not being one for competition, the Uzumaki kept her own peaceful rhythm. When reunited with her maid, a breathless Mito gazed upon her favorite part of the gardens: the willow corner where the koï pond was. That, and two ladies sitting by it.
"My Lady, look!" Satsu tugged on her mistress's sleeve. "Oohoo! Hitara!" She shouted, waving her hand in the air.
Mito watched as the two ladies turned their heads in their direction, surprise etching on her face as she slowly recognized who had double-crossed them. Hitara looked serious as always, with her caramel colored hair gathered up in a long braid, neatly tied yukata and impassive eyes. As for the lady she was accompanying, it seemed time had gifted her with only blessings. Kneeling in the lush green, dressed in a lovely pale purple kimono and fine gold jewelry, Kuwa looked like one of those beauties from legends told by the ancients. Unbothered by the messily tied up long red locks, her face held that fascinating expression, of both deep focus and restlessness, highlighted by the tip of her tongue peeking from between her lips. Her gaze was locked on the fish swimming in the water while her hand made the charcoal stick and all its shades dance onto the paper. A movement she almost regretted seeing being interrupted.
Following Satsu hurrying towards them, the princess's first reaction was to pull down on her kimono to hide her lack of socks and sandals. She took the smallest steps as to not disturb this disguise and soon reached conversational distance with this cousin that only seemed to grow lovelier the closer she got to her. Beside her, Satsu had already assumed her greeting stance. "Your servant greets Lady Kuwa."
Kuwa's personal maid reciprocated, bringing one knee to the ground and bowing her head. "Your servant greets Lady Mito." She spoke, her low-pitched voice contrasting with Satsu's gleeful tone.
The Uzumaki was about to answer with a polite nod when Kuwa also dropped a knee, almost tripping in her haste. "Your cousin greets Lady Mito. Congratulations on your betrothal."
Mito's eyes grew wide at the unexpected display and rushed to help Kuwa up. "Please. Please, there's no need for such formality, really." She stammered, relieved that nobody else saw that, but embarassed nonetheless.
Her hands came to rest on top of hers as Mito studied her cousin. It had been so long. Twelve or so years, if her memory served her well. She was still a child when overnight Kuwa stopped joining her for their daily lessons and leisure activities, only to learn later through her mother that Kuwa had been sent to live in the summer palace permanently, along with other clansmen. Still to this day, she had no idea as to why this divide in the clan happened. But to see her so radiant, Mito knew that she had been treated well. The girl from the old days had blossomed beautifully, and judging by how tightly her fingers intertwined with hers, Kuwa was as emotional as she was.
"I should congratulate you too." Mito said, blinking away a few tears. "This marriage is a chance at a wonderful future and I'm glad you're the one it's been bestowed upon." The addition stirred the heartache, yet Mito never let anything show.
"It's... It's an honor to have been chosen to seal such an important alliance." She declared as she regained a little composure. "I admit I'm a bit scared. I mean, I've got to live up to both clans' expectations...".
"I know the feeling."
"But at the same time..." A faint blush spread across her cheeks. "The thought of having a man to call my husband is... rather pleasant."
Mito giggled at her choice of words and even more so when her gaze found the one of Hitara, being squished into Satsu's tight embrace. "I'm happy to see you're doing well, Hitara." She said in an attempt to free the servant from her prison of good intention.
The servant gently wiggled away from the loosening arms around her. "I thank you for your concern, my Lady. I'm doing well."
"I didn't know you had been reassigned! I'm so happy for you!" Satsu squealed hopping up and down. "Are you coming to Konoha too?"
"Of course I am."
"Awesome! You can't imagine how relieved I am to hear that. I was so afraid I would end up all alone in Konoha and that I-" Mito placed a hand on Satsu's shoulder and gently brought her back to reality. "Satsu, you're trailing off."
The girl looked at her mistress, then let out a small gasp. "Oh. My apologies, Lady Kuwa. I forgot my place."
"It's alright." Kuwa said waving her hand. "You're quite a feisty one. Not that I don't like that, but for now I suggest you keep this amazing energy for our trip. We could definitely use it during those long hours."
"Yes, my Lady."
Mito turned to Kuwa and pointed at the large notebook she was holding. "May I see?"
Her cousin's cheeks reddened some more when she handed it over. "They're not that good, you know. I'm still practicing with moving subjects and I'm not happy with my most recent tries." She said, looking away.
With care for the worn-out binding Mito opened the notebook and was met with the sketch Kuwa had yet to finish. The koïs ondulated on the paper in fluid curvy lines, mimicking that hypnotic dance that tormented minds couldn't resist staring at. It was simple, just a few gestures and yet there was so much life. As she dove deeper into the pages, the princess marveled at the watercolor stills she immediately recognized as the summer palace, with its painted ceramic decorations incrusted into the walls, replicated there with an incredible amount of detail. "You must have surpassed me by now." Kuwa added.
"Me? I've never reached this level of proficiency." Her hand rested on the pages, tracing the contours of the sketches absent-mindedly. "Drawing was the first class I dropped when my grandfather ordered I learn about diplomacy and politics. I never had the patience to get all those shapes right anyway."
Her cousin stared at her. "Lord Ashina must really dote on you to allow you to be taught politics."
"He does, I guess." Her tone had gone bitter by that last word. Without another look for Kuwa's creations she closed the notebook and handed it back to its owner. "Speaking of him, we should head to the meeting hall."
"But my Lady..." Satsu's gentle hands grasped at her arm. "We're not scheduled to leave yet."
"Whether we go now or right before we board the carriage doesn't matter, as long as we go." She replied dryly. "Kuwa, do you mind?"
"No, not at all." Kuwa answered in astonishment before remembering her manners. "We'll have plenty of time to talk later. Please lead the way."
Mito spinned around and went to retrieve her socks and sandals, no longer minding the potential stares. Behind her, Hitara threw a questionning look at her mistress, a look that Kuwa answered with a command to hurry.
Mito trembled when her knees radiated with pain. She had counted on the many layers of her kimono to add up to the softness of the cushion, but nothing did the trick in the end. One slight shift of her weight towards her arms and now her back threatened to ache just as bad. She let out a series of controlled breaths, enough to ease some tension. A few more seconds and her very last bow to Ashina Uzumaki and his court of Elders would be over and she could stand up with all her height.
Once the reciting of blessings had come to its end she rose one step at a time and assumed a dignified stance, meeting with those four pairs of eyes, weighing on her without restraint, never drifting away. With a gaze equally devoid of emotion, she stared at this court of old shinobis surrounding her grandfather. All of them withered warriors, long past a prime she never witnessed. Come to think of it, it was probably the last time she saw these faces in her lifetime and, deep inside, she hoped it would be the case.
The sound of scrolls being rolled close accompanied Ashina standing up. "You should reach Konoha tomorrow evening at the latest and will be meeting with the Daimyo of the Land of Fire the following day, as per tradition." He paused as his free hand joined the other on his staff, his face bearing a solemn expression. "The sages of Konoha deemed the ninth of May to be the auspicious date for both your weddings, and like so it shall happen."
"Yes, my Lord." The ladies acquiesced in unison.
The Elder woman pointed at them with an open hand. "Once married to your illustrious husbands, all eyes will be on you. The path you'll walk on together will be fraught with many challenges. You must remember to make sure that in each and every one of your steps you are worthy of the crests that will soon adorn your backs."
"Well said." The patriarch nodded in her direction. "Mito, Kuwa, no matter what comes your way, stay true to our values and to our vow of peace. Only then can you truly honor the Uzumaki clan." He concluded his words with a hit of his staff on the floor. "This session is now over."
Mito and Kuwa said their goodbyes to the group of Elders on their way out before offering their arms to the maids, ready to walk out as well. They already had turned their backs on the dais when Ashina called. "Mito, wait!"
The pair stopped and allowed him to catch up to them. "I'll be waiting for you at the gate." Kuwa muttered to Mito before taking her leave. Relunctantly, the princess stayed put. "My Lord?"
"Please, my child. Things no longer need to be this formal between us."
"I'm only following the rules." She replied with barely enough contenance to hide annoyance. "You wanted to tell me something?"
"Yes." Ashina sighed. "These past months have been hard on the both of us, and especially on you." He took a step forward, his gaze trying to meet with hers. "I admit I haven't been as supportive as I should have been, and now that you're about to leave the country, I realize the distance I put between us was not for the better." He reached out to take her hand, which remained motionless in his grasp. "I do not ask you to forgive me. I just wanted you to know that."
Mito stared at the old man in front of her for a moment, tears welling up the more she did. An apology. Not the kind she had hoped for, but an apology nonetheless. That much she could concede. But for it to come right before her departure, because of her departure, she couldn't accept. She withdrew her hand and nodded politely. "Thank you for telling me. I now bid you goodbye." She spoke before hurrying outside with Satsu in tow.
"Mito!" Ashina called, but seeing that she wouldn't change her mind decided to leave her be. Holding onto his staff he climbed the short stairs to the dais and dragged himself back into his chair. He remained there for a while, breathless and alone to reflect on his mistakes. Outside of the building, right as the doors closed behind her Mito stopped dead in her tracks. Her head fell as a wave of emotions came crashing, a twisted mix of despair and shame she had managed to supress until now. Her fingers curled into fists on the silk of her kimono. She had done her part. That was all that should matter. Now she could leave, and gods did she want to.
"My Lady, are you okay?" Satsu asked, gently patting her shoulder.
Mito inhaled as much air as she could before straightening up and muster what could pass for a smile. "Let's go get that dorayaki." She declared. Satsu chose not to debate the subject further and remained silent as she welcomed her mistress's arm and accompanied her to the carriage. With every step separating her from the center of the compound, Mito pulled herself together. The sooner they would leave Uzushio, the better.
Behind the curtain of the carriage's window, Mito could hear the crowd singing a thousand praises. All the people of Uzushio had gathered to bid their farewell, gathered in tight lines along the main road, and to say the intention didn't touch her heart would have been a lie. The alliance wasn't even sealed yet that the civilians were already thanking her, some even lamented over her departure audibly as the convoy passed them. There was gratitude out there. And love, so much of it.
The temptation to pull the curtain and wave goodbye to her people was huge, but giving in would probably have her reprimanded by the guard, or worse, further lectured on the proper conduct in public. Her hand remained on her lap, brushing the expensive embroideries with her thumb in an attempt to empty her mind. Out there were those who sought protection from the Uzumaki clan decades ago, and their children who witnessed the end of war, and their children who knew nothing but peace. The peace they had fought for. The very peace she would strengthen in the days to come. If she couldn't show her gratitude, she hoped her silent prayer would grant them all the bliss they deserved.
"Do you know how long the trip will take?" Kuwa asked Mito, who took her attention away from the outside.
"If everything goes well, less than a day. We'll reach the harbor before dusk, and there we'll board the boat that will take us to the Land of Fire."
"It'll be the first time we sleep on a boat! I heard the cabins are rather small, but really comfortable." Satsu added, barely containing her excitement. Mito offered her a kind smile before continuing. "We should reach the country's shore by morning. A group of elite shinobis led by Toka will welcome us there and then escort us to Konoha, which should take roughly eight hours."
For a second, both confusion and surprise painted Kuwa's features. "You mean... Toka Senju? The kunoichi who fought at the battle of Shunji Pass?"
"You should enjoy her presence while you can. She's not in Konoha most of the time as she's travelling the remote regions of the Land of Fire, tending to reconstruction and relief for those who survived the war."
Mito watched as Kuwa's expression switched from marvel to deep thought. "It's incredible when you think about it. She's fought on the battlefield as one of the most ruthless warriors history has ever known, and now she's tending to those who lost everything and escorting ladies to be wed." Kuwa laughed, hidden behind her sleeve. "Fighting for your clan is commandable, but I think dedicating your time and skills to caring for a greater cause is even more so."
"That is true."
Kuwa relaxed into her seat. "You know, we may not have chosen our future husbands ourselves, but I feel that in the end, this small sacrifice will allow me to hopefully fulfill a greater wish."
"What is it?"
"To make sure history never repeat itself ever again."
Her words brought over a heavy silence that no even the cheerful Satsu dared to break. Forgoing all formalities, Mito slid closer to her cousin and took her hand into hers. "You have suffered greatly. Us and the rest of our clan still bear the scars of warfare, and the ghosts of our fallen brothers and sisters have yet to find their way in the afterlife." She bit her lip, forcing a shaky breath into her lungs "But Kuwa, the brighest of days are ahead of us now. This alliance will settle a precedent, a foundation for a society to thrive in peace, not in the fear of having to send children on the battlefield. There we will thrive too, like we should have years ago."
She welcomed Kuwa's hopeful gaze, as well as that gentle squeeze of her fingers around hers. There would be harships awaiting them in Konoha, in the village itself and within the Senju and Uchiha clans, but compared to the promise of certain freedom, the anguish in Mito's heart kept away. She'd stay true to her vow of course, but be it with or without Ashina's approval, she fully intended on fulfilling it her way.
The cheering in the streets now sounded like a far away humming, ponctuated by the slow rhythm of walking horses. The pause between the four women lasted for a while, until the young servant seized the opportunity to lift up the mood. "I'd like to get married one day." Satsu said, cupping her cheeks with both hands.
Mito's mood didn't take long to brighten up. "That can be arranged. What kind of man would you like to marry?"
"Let's see..." The maid stirred on her seat. "Someone kind and honest, with whom I could share happy moments. That and... not a shinobi."
"Why?" Kuwa asked. "The finest matches in Konoha are probably from shinobi clans. Wouldn't you like a man with some standing?"
"Thank you for your concern, Lady Kuwa." Satsu nodded. "What I meant is that a shinobi must prioritize missions over their families, even if it means putting their lives on the line. I don't think I could bear the loneliness at home and the perpetual dread of my husband getting injured, or worse."
"That's a fair point." Mito conceded. "A civilian then. Well, I'm sure we could find you a nice gentlemen from a family of merchants or craftsmen."
"That sounds great, my Lady." The Uzumaki was met with a wide grin, quickly followed by a much more tense one. "But that is still far in the future. I beg Lady Mito not to worry about this matter, especially with your own special day coming so soon."
All ladies couldn't resist a sweet laugh at the sight of Satsu petrified into another one of her overly apologetic bows. "Alright, Satsu. We'll come back to the subject in due time." Mito said, catching her breath. "What about you, Hitara? You'll be of age soon. Would you like Kuwa and I to find a nice husband for you?"
The servant's gaze wandered away from the eyes of both mistresses. "My Lady, I'm touched by your concern, but I do not wish to marry."
"How so?"
"The Uzumaki clan has done so much for me already. Lord Ashina and my Ladies have provided me with things and opportunities I would have never dared to hope for. There's not a single day in this life where I don't feel grateful for everything that has been bestowed onto me. I wish to repay this kindness with a life by your side."
"If this is how you feel, then I won't go against your wish. Marriage isn't the only option servants have." Kuwa replied, patting her shoulder. "I command your loyalty. When the time comes, I'll reward you accordingly."
"Well said." Mito concluded.
Hitara glanced over at Satsu, the ghost of a grin drawing on her face. "I'd be honored to be there for your special day."
"Of course!" Satsu clapped her hands together. "You'd be invited at the sanctuary and I'd reserve one of the best seats for you at the banquet!"
The maid's joy faded as she witnessed the face of her friend drain of its colors. Her back sinking into the soft of the pillow, Hitara placed her hand on her mouth and breathed out, visibly shaken. "Are you alright?" Mito asked.
Hitara shook her head, almost choking as she swallowed. "Satsu...? Would you happen to have ginger with you?"
"Yes, I do!" Satsu lost no time and retrieved a bag from under her seat in a rather disruptive maneuver. "Just take long steady breaths, okay? Oh, heavens..." Her hands rummaged in the bag, stopping at moments to read the tags identifying each ingredient, before pushing handfuls of those to the side in a frustrated sigh. Until she found it. The pouch that would save her friend. Triumphant, she handed it to a pale Hitara. "Chew on a slice until the nausea eases. Since we're in for a long trip you can just keep it all with you."
"Thank you." Hitara answered while bringing a slice of dried ginger to her mouth.
"Are these... medicine?" Kuwa asked, pointing at the bag.
"Yes, my Lady. This is my pharmacy bag. Everywhere I go with my mistress it comes with me."
"So you're some kind of healer?"
Satsu brought her palms to her cheeks in an attempt to conceal her blushing. "Well, my skills are far from those of a real healer but... something like that, I guess. Before I was appointed to serve Lady Mito, I used to serve at the physician's office. I picked up some knowledge from the old nurse working there."
"And ever since Satsu has been at my service, I've never had to see this grandma again." Mito said, throwing a knowing glance at her maid. It had been a few years already since Satsu entered the Uzumaki residence as her personal maid and to her delight, the Satsu of today still had much in common with the teenage girl she met back then. She was a breeze of fresh air in her clan-abiding cage. "I don't know how I would have managed without her by my side."
"My Lady..." Her maid mumbled, the shades of red growing brighter on her face. "I mean, I thank my Lady for her compliment." She replied, beaming with pride.
"Ah Mito." Kuwa sighed as she leaned back into her pillow. "It seems we both stumbled upon excellent maids."
"Indeed so."
"My Ladies, we're about to leave Uzushio!" Satsu said while half her head was still peeking out through the carriage's window.
Hitara, now sporting slightly healthier colors, grabbed her by her obi and pulled her back in place. "Sit down, Satsu. The guards might punish you."
Curious to confirm the fact, Mito pulled off the curtain and took a peek at the outside. As she could see for herself the main gate of Uzushio stood in front of them, with its doors already opening to let the convoy through. The border patrol kneeled in unison when the carriage passed them, and once the last elite shinobis gave the signal, they maneuvered the doors closed.
The Uzumaki princess closed her eyes on this feeling brewing in her stomach. More than sadness, if was relief. By leaving the bounds of Uzushio, she hoped all misfortunes would stay behind and that the few blessings she could claim as her own would follow her into to forest and across the sea.