Big thanks to everyone for your patience! To see that this story still gets followed and favorited despite its awful update schedule warms up my heart. Well, as things are changing quite a lot in my life, this schedule will probably remain this way for now. Thank you again, and see you on the next chapter!

She looked different.

Her hair, usually pulled back into a simple braid to keep it out of her way, had been combed and tied into an intricate arrangement in which Senju servants had pinned a fresh flower. The many rings on her ears were gone, replaced by a single pair of drop earrings that tickled her neck every time she moved to study her make-uped face. Carmine painted lips, brows sharp and defined, eyes lined with coal, all these embellishments were new to the handmaiden, who had never been allowed to wear make-up until now. No matter the angle in which her head tilted, the sudden beauty of her reflection left her at a loss.

Were it not for the crown of servitude still encircling her head, Hitara could have passed for a lady.

It was the first time she and Satsu got to wear their formal gowns, and so far the experience had been a mix of awe and utter discomfort. The typical Uzushio fashion called for ample skirts that covered the wearer's feet, who had to wear high and rather unstable wooden sandals in order not to dirty the hem. The bust was the place to show extravagance, but for a woman of Hitara's rank, a simple brocade top would suffice. She adjusted it one last time before putting on a light cotton overcoat, the final piece to complete her festive look.

She stared at herself in the mirror and carefully rotated, making sure every inch of her outfit looked how it should before stepping down from the platform. Her balance was still somewhat precarious, but one step at a time she managed to reach the corridor in one piece, and began walking towards Satsu's room.

When she opened the door, Hitara's eyes caught on the silhouette of her friend twirling in front of a mirror. "Satsu? Are you ready?" She asked as she let herself in.

"Almost!" She replied facing with her own image. "That's strange. I thought Uzushio wasn't keen on cleavage."

A puzzled air crossed Hitara's face before she realized what Satsu was talking about. The sight of the young maid turning around, trying in vain to adjust the top of her gown on her bare chest made it hard for her not to laugh. "Oh Satsu, not like that." She said as she undid the sash from Satsu's waist and pointed at herself. "See? You're supposed to wrap this around your whole chest, then put on the embroidered bust piece."

"I see... That makes more sense." The maid spoke as she grabbed the sash from her hand and went behind the modesty screen. "Are we late?"

"Not yet."

While Satsu struggled with her gown, Hitara walked to the window and peeked through. To her relief, she could only see servants down there, going back and forth between the Hokage residence and the inner court. Her gaze snapped back into the room with Satsu calling her name. "How do I look?" She asked.

"Absolutely stunning." Hitara answered, a tender smile drawn on her face.

After one last glance in the mirror, Satsu grabbed her friend by the arm and started pulling her towards the door. "Alright, let's go check on the ladies. I wanna see their kimonos from up close while I still can!"

Hitara had no choice but to follow her friend as she went from a quick walk to full on running. The maid protested, pleaded to slow down as she tried to keep her sandals in place, and nearly tripped several times on her skirts in her attempt to keep up with an all too eager Satsu. This ordeal ended when the duo came to a brutal halt in front of the door, which almost had them both tumble over.

Before they could knock, the door opened to reveal an elderly woman in her ceremonial attire. "Ah, that's good. I was about to go look for you two. Now come on in! We have little time left!" She grabbed the servants by their arms and ushered them inside.

The room was overly crowded with a mix of busy servants and women all dressed in that same black silk kimono. They each bore a different crest on their backs, none that the maids could really recognize. The old madam, whose cloudy white eyes had Satsu hide behind her friend, gestured them to follow her to the center of the room. The ambient chatter noise grew with each lady they passed, until they reached the subjects of all these conversations.

"My ladies." The old woman spoke with a polite nod. "Your handmaidens are here."

The servants gasped when their eyes found the two brides before them. Their pristine white kimonos were like nothing they had ever seen before, with their intricate embroideries of golden peonies and soaring cranes catching on every ray of the sun. Instead of the traditional round hats, they had opted for simple headpieces that allowed for the crimson of their hair to show in all its beauty. A few pins held it in place in a high bun, strategically placed as to frame their delicate, powdered faces. Bright red lips curled into timid smiles as the rest of the women in the room stopped their conservations and stared at them.

"You're so beautiful..." Satsu mumbled, utterly captivated.

"A thousand blessings to my Ladies." Hitara recited before bowing, a gesture that the other maid reciprocated in haste.

"Alright, everyone!" The matriarch spoke raising her hands in the air. "The auspicious hour is upon us. We will now meet with Captain Toka in the inner court where the procession will start. She will take the lead, followed by our brides and their two servants. The rest of us will then follow in rows of two in order of status." She turned to the Uzumakis. "My ladies, if you please."

The maids each offered one arm to their mistresses and helped them step down from the fitting pedestal. The crowd parted before them and bowed when the group began walking towards the exit. As they took the lead out of the building, Kuwa's grip around Hitara's wrist tightened. The servant took a sharp breath in.

It begins.

Behind rows of armed elite shinobis, the crowds of villagers were restless. Dressed in their finest garments, all had their eyes riveted north of the main street, awaiting the arrival of the bridal procession.

Silence fell as the sound of drums resounded from behind the heavy doors leading to the Hokage residence's inner courtyard. The slow rhythm was answered with a long blow of a horn when at last the gates opened, revealing the rare sight of the Senju captain in a kimono. Toka started walking in unison with the drums, her hands joined together beneath the fabric of her sleeves.

She was followed by the two foreign servants holding flags bearing the emblem of the Uzumaki, a way for the clan to be present in spirit at this unprecedented event. They kept at a distance from Toka, one reciprocating the smiles she was offered by the people, the other keeping her focus down to the ground.

At last the two brides passed the threshold and revealed themselves to the mesmerized masses. They walked side by side, their presence all the more imposing as they progressed down into the main street to the sound of a hundred praises. Their radiant gazes found each other several times as they went in mutual enthusiasm, before setting on the horizon where the roof of the sanctuary slowly became visible. They each cradled a small box of offerings in their arms, which would later be used to earn the blessings of the gods in uniting all three clans together.

Behind them, the matriarchs of the eight noble clans of Konoha walked with their heads held high, avoiding for most the distractions from the noisy crowd. They too carried small boxes, which they would offer after the ceremony, containing precious gifts and talismans meant to ensure a good start in the newlyweds' marital life.

As they approached the sanctuary two large taiko drums began beating their own pattern, announcing the procession's imminent arrival on sacred grounds. By now they had reached the sights of Konoha's wealthiest merchants and estimated jonins, who all offered a respectful bow upon seeing Konoha's esteemed guests. Finally, they crossed the great red wooden arch and entered the stone-paved forecourt, where rows of elite men stood on guard left and right.

The drums stopped the moment the Senju captain reached the closed doors of the sanctuary. Toka stepped aside, allowing the two servants to proceed forward. They walked coordinated steps to meet with the two men standing in front of the threshold, and in unison handed them the flags that they would wave from now on. Hitara and Satsu then stepped aside, unworthy by their status to join in the wedding ceremony, and walked away from the brides and their noble crowd.

Once out of sight, Hitara was about to join the rest of the shinobis on guard when Satsu gestured towards the far left side of the sanctuary. "Let's watch the ceremony!"

"Are you sure this is allowed?" Hitara asked, raising a brow.

"Yes... if we're discreet." Satsu giggled. "Besides, we have the rest of the day off so we have nothing better to do, right?"

Her friend sighed, but not without a small grin. "Fine."

After a quick glance left and right, Satsu grabbed Hitara by the wrist and whisked her towards the spot she had found for them: one uncovered window with a direct view on the central pedestal, where the altar, banners and godly effigies were. They kneeled on the grass and began watching what was happening.

Inside the sanctuary, both Senjus and Uchihas had taken their seats under bright garlands of paper lanterns, with the clans' respective Elders and the grooms' closest relatives occupying the front most rows. The priest and two young miko girls stood together behind the altar, on which the ceremonial sake and fine porcelain cups were set down along with a variety of offerings.

Hashirama and Madara stood at a distance of each other, facing away from the altar. They both wore the traditional black hakama, with their respective crest embroidered in white on their backs and on their collars. While Madara's composure was still and dignified, Hashirama's was a bit more... chaotic. He was calm for most of the time, then suddenly would undergo spells of happy tears and euphoria, the kind that would quickly find resolution with a discreet but firm reprimand from Tobirama. He stayed behind his brother with his arms crossed and eyes stirred away from his soon to be ex-sworn enemies, a stance that Izuna mimicked on his side.

The brides offered each other a smiling, discreet nod before they began walking down the aisle. The matriarchs followed in and one by one took their seats on the side rows. Now alone in front of the finest crowd of Konoha, Mito and Kuwa struggled to keep their hands from shaking and their steps coordinated. Still they progressed, solemn and dignified, until they reunited with their fiancés.

The priest raised his hands. "Present your offerings."

The ladies greeted him with a bow and handed the boxes they were carrying to the mikos, who then went back behind the altar to place them among the other offerings.

Upon the priest clapping his hands twice, the brides and grooms kneeled on flat pillows and watched as he rang the sanctuary's bell, calling for the spirits' attention. With slow and graceful gestures he proceeded with the purification ritual, starting with the offerings on the altar, followed by the grooms and ending with the brides. When done, he returned to his original stance.

After a short moment of silence a light, mellow flute melody started playing, accompanied by a slow drum beat and the ringing strings of a koto. "Share the nuptial wine." He spoke as the mikos presented them with two full cups. Madara and Hashirama each grabbed a cup and brought them to their lips, sipping in the strong beverage three distinct times before handing the cups to their fiancées. The ladies repeated the same gestures, covering their mouths with their hands as they did so, before returning the now empty cups to the mikos.

The crowd rose and everyone joined their hands together as the priest grabbed the branch of evergreen from the altar. The brides and grooms followed suit, watching attentively as he bowed to the effigies of divinities carved in the wooden shrine. "I call upon our venerable ancestors and the benevolent spirits to witness the sacred union of Senju, Uchiha and Uzumaki." He raised the evergreen branch once, then turned around to wave it above the couples. "May you bless the grooms and their wives, and grant them eternal harmony and everlasting bliss." He concluded his words by returning the branch to the altar.

The music gradually grew quieter until only the sound of the drum remained, beating as light as rain. The priest in turn kneeled, facing away from the crowd, and began reciting prayers under his breath while holding a couple sticks of lit incense. Hashirama, Madara and their brides observed this sacred moment together, themselves mouthing holy words and calling for the gods' blessings and good fortune. The priest rose first and placed the incense in a small vase by the effigies, where it would burn for the rest of the day.

"May the three rituals begin." The priest proclaimed once back on his feet. "Bow to heaven and earth..."

The grooms and brides bowed deeply until their foreheads touched the ground, then as they stood back up crossed their arms on their chests.

"To father and mother..."

They performed a deep bow again which concluded for some with a deep, bitter sigh, and for others with shedding a discreet tear.

"And to husband and wife."

They carefully shifted on their knees so that they would face each other. At last, their eyes locked together for the first time in days and with trembling smiles the couples bowed, sealing their union in front of their families and high dignitaries.

The priest grabbed the bell's rope and rang it once and loud, then turned to them. "Congratulations to you." He spoke, concluding the wedding ceremony.

As the newlyweds turned and began walking out of the sanctuary, closely followed by their brothers and closest relatives, the crowd began clapping their hands. Many faces were glistening with tears, including the one of Konoha's Hokage, whose eyes refused to stray away from his now wife. Mito herself patted the corner of her eyes dry a few times with her sleeve, while on the other hand the Uchiha couple remained quite reserved, sharing here and there a few timid glances.

Once past the sanctuary's gate, they were welcomed by the villagers' thunderous ovation. Those closest to the scene drew handfuls of rose petals from baskets and threw them over the newlyweds in a curtain of white and red. Meanwhile, children approached the couples to offer them two large, beautifully crafted bouquets, which the brides accepted with a graceful bow.

"Citizens of Konoha!" The Hokage spoke, his eyes still glistening. "It is an honor for us to share this moment with all of you. You are all welcome to join the festivities held on the main square. May you all have a joyful evening."

Back near the sanctuary, the two servants took advantage of the crowd and shinobis' diverted attention to discreetly leave the premises. They reached the outer gate in time to mingle with the remaining personel, and greeted their mistresses as they left with their husbands and guests to have dinner in the reception hall. That done, Satsu began hopping her way towards a nearby alleyway.

"Where are you going?" Hitara asked.

Satsu looked at her confused. "To the park, of course. All the noble clans' servants will be there to celebrate." Seeing the long face her friend pulled, she grabbed her by the shoulders. "You can come, you know?"

"Me? Don't be silly."

"Oh come on, Hitara! There will be music and food and sake! Lots of it! Besides..." Her fingers fidgeted as she paused. "We won't get to celebrate like that in the future, and I can't imagine celebrating anything in Konoha without you."

"Satsu... You know I don't do well with alcohol..." Hitara replied, stroking her nape.

"Please...?"

The servant sighed. "Alright. Just... please promise me that you'll make sure I keep my clothes on. All of them." She asked, shades of red already creeping onto her face.

"Deal." Satsu answered with a wink.

Madara downed yet another cup of sake.

There was no denying, the Senju servants had done a wonderful job. The great reception hall of the Hokage residence looked nothing like its usual dull and austere style. Each corner of the room, each wall had been decorated with fresh flower compositions, carefully arranged so that everywhere one would lay eyes on, they'd be met with bold deep reds and pure whites united in harmony. The three sets of windows were framed with ivory hangings adorned with a few silk flowers here and there, which one could also find scattered on the tables among other finely crafted decorations. The tables themselves had been rearranged in a U shape, with on the sides the noble clan leaders and Elders, and at its center the nuptial table hosting the two newlywed couples and their brothers.

The cooks outdid themselves as well. The food was plentiful, and each dish presented to them was as delicious as the last. Madara took a generous fill for himself over the course of the dinner, which still was nothing compared to the amount of food his little brother had and still was happily devouring next to him. A few years ago, he would've scolded Izuna for this blatant lack of proper manners, especially in a event of this scale.

His brother's attention shifted to him, his mouth still chewing on meat. "What?" He asked, amused.

"Nothing." It was all Madara could answer to his closest of kin after a brief silence. Though he should've pulled him back in line, especially in front of the Elders, the leader could only feel grateful that his dear brother was alive and well before him, enjoying the simple pleasures life could offer.

"Are you done eating?"

"I think so." Madara replied.

"Good." He took another bite of his food before leaning in. "That means you can talk to your wife." He whispered.

Madara's mouth fell agape as his eyes narrowed on his brother. He stammered trying to come up with an answer but came to a complete loss for words when Izuna gave him his trademark smug grin. The little brat knew he was in the right and wouldn't let go until he proved him right.

The clan leader rolled his eyes and turned away from his brother to meet with the profile of his now wife. The contrast was striking. Where Izuna messily indulged in the feast with little to no manners, the cheerful Kuwa maintained her majesty and grace, both in savoring her food and clapping her hands to the rhythm of the music. She was mesmerized by the performance of the dancers, who were recreating scenes of famous romances in an elaborate spectacle of colors and moves. So much so she didn't notice Madara's gaze linger on her.

The more he watched her smile and burst into sweet laughter, the more his expression softened. While the other guests were focused on finishing their plates or chatting between them, Kuwa seemed to be the only one to enjoy the show and herself. To see her this captivated since they met brought some warmth to his guilt-ridden heart.

"A toast!" The sudden yelling had Madara jump in his seat. "To my beloved brother and my new sister-in-law. A thousand blessings!"

"A thousand blessings!" The Uchihas repeated in unison.

The young lord finished his sake in a single mouthful and gestured for all cups to be refilled. As soon as the servants were done, Kuwa placed a hand on Madara's forearm while holding her cup in the other. "And here's a toast to my husband." She spoke softly.

Husband. The word stuck in his mind as if he had never heard it before. That's what he was now to his whole clan, village and to this beautiful woman staring at him, waiting for her gesture to be reciprocated. Trembling, Madara reached for his cup, answered his wife's toast without a word and quickly drank the few sips of alcohol.

As he brought his hand down to refill his plate, a wave of heat travelled all across his chest before soaring up to his throat. Madara coughed loudly and swallowed hard, trying to bring the contents of his stomach back down as a spell of dizziness took hold of his head. His face fell into both his palms while Kuwa started patting his back. "Madara, are you okay?" She asked.

Madara drew a few slow breaths. "I'm fine. Maybe I drank too much."

He rubbed his face before raising his head, only to find the concerned gazes of his wife, brother and other clansmen staring at him with piercing intensity. A hundred eyes watching, judging, and disapproving. "I..." He started as he pushed away Kuwa's hand. "I think I need some fresh air."

"Do you need me to go with you?" She asked, already standing up.

"No need. I won't be long."

He rose from his seat and made his way towards the exit, avoiding further attention as much as possible. As he went, Kuwa searched for Izuna's support, but found her brother-in-law laid back on his chair, half passed out and grumbling nonsense in a drunken haze. Hashirama and Mito weren't of any help either, the both of them being way too entranced by each other's words to pay any attention to their surroundings.

Kuwa heaved a bitter sigh and gestured for the servant to refill her cup.

Madara stumbled out of the building, his hand pressed on his warm forehead. Night had already fallen by that time, and with it had come a fresh breeze that he gladly breathed in. He did so for a minute, calm and still, but to no real avail. The outside air alone wasn't enough to quell the fire swirling deep in his stomach.

He began walking down the earthen road leading to the western gate at a pace he hoped would kickstart his digestion, and simply enjoyed the ambiant silence. This part of town was known to be the most peaceful of all, and with both the current festivities and hot springs closed to the public, Madara knew no one would cross his path there.

By the time he passed the first buildings of the hot springs complex, the pounding in his head had subsided into a dull pressure. Slowing down his pace he glanced at the empty, dark-veiled wooden structures and gardens. The thought of bathing in such silence and stillness was enticing, but pale compared to his whole clan's fury should he choose to ditch his own wedding banquet. Instead, he made his way to the large fountain built up against the wall of the bath house, and sat on the corner of the stone basin. His hands were quick to gather several mouthfuls of cold water, which he drank one after the other before rinsing his face several times, finishing with his now cool palms pressed against his eyes and cheeks.

He did it again once and after a few minutes of cooling down, Madara had finally found relief. The bitter, heavy nausea clutching his insides was reduced to a mere sensation of fullness, something he could manage with ease for the rest of night. That is, if he stopped drinking sake, which with both Izuna and his late state of mind would prove a challenge.

Back on his feet, Madara scanned his surroundings. There weren't anyone in his immediate vicinity, and seemingly no one in this district at all. Only the faint, warm light of a fire burning on the horizon caught his attention.

He knew well the reasonable thing to do was to go back to the Hokage tower, but Madara was curious by nature and going back without exploring this strange sight would keep nagging at his thoughts for the rest of the evening. His mind made up, he crossed the road and through the rows of trees towards the orange glow. As he got closer, the sound of drums reached his ears, followed after more steps by high-pitched singing.

He stopped right before he exited the forest and entered the park, where he could now clearly see that a large party was going on. Around a tall, blazing bonfire, a few dozen maids and servants were dancing and playing music on traditional instruments, while others clapped their hands to accompany them. On the left side, a single table held a plentiful feast that more servants shared between them as they ate and drank together, sitting on the ground.

Madara moved closer with all the discretion and stealth a shinobi of his rank ought to master, and settled behind a large maple tree where he could further investigate the scene without being seen. Without ever activating his sharingan, which would prove a waste of good chakra in his current state, he studied this display of unbridled joy and excesses, until his eyes stopped on a familiar figure among the dancers. He couldn't really discern her face from this distance, but the foreign style of her gown was the clue to bring her name from his clouded memory.

Hitara.

She was dancing in circles around the fire with one girl he recognized as Satsu and two other servants, and singing at the top of her lungs, twirling her skirts as she kicked her legs in rhythm with the music. She nearly fell several times as she did so, which told him she was probably drunk, and not just a little.

The fact had him puzzled. She looked and behaved nothing like the reserved, stern person he had met days ago. The woman dancing in front of him was full of joy and displayed it without reserve, blissfully unaware of her surroundings as if nothing but the words of her song mattered. Here she was with her long hair loose, and her once elegant gown now a mess that revealed her bare shoulders and naked feet for all to see. Shameless, indecent, but without a care in the world.

Envy crept in his heart.

He used to dance. A long time ago, before his father sent him on the battlefield for the first time, he would dance with his mother and aunts to celebrate his clans' victories over the Senju. They would lift him and his baby brother in the air, and twirl with them to the sound of lively music, all while the men celebrated together outside their house, drunken and loud. With a tender smile, Madara remembered every gesture of the women's dance, and laughed as his own dancing image filled his mind. Sadly yet fortunately for him, nobody was alive today to tell this embarrassing tale.

Then in the years that followed, his moves and twirls had become those of the dance of death, celebrating enemy blood spilled and their lives sent to the other world. No laughter would ever resound within the walls of their hideout, only cries of despair and tearful sobs as the dead reunited too soon with the earth.

Now they could truly dance again. For joy and happiness and lack of worry for the days to come.

Madara hushed his laughter when Hitara fell into Satsu's arms after too much spinning, still belting the lyrics to their song as the clapping grew louder. At least some people were happy tonight, one way or another. Though in Madara's case, no amount of alcohol or delicacies could conjure a fickle of happiness, or untie the burning knot in his throat.

He was now married to Kuwa, and this until death did them part. He took her as his wife with the gods and his ancestors' spirits as his witnesses and swore to cherish her. There was no going back.

He had to let go of the past.

Tomorrow would mark a new chapter of his life, one of sharing one heart and one mind with Kuwa, one of marital and clan duties, one without Inari. The portrait of the lost Uzumaki was still vivid in his mind, but he knew that from now on it would slowly fade from his memories, until one day she is but a remnant next to the memories he would make with his wife and own family.

Perhaps he would grow fond of Kuwa, or even love her someday. She had beauty and wits for herself, with a curious and soft, soothing spirit that had already started to take hold of his interest. One day, perhaps.

On this thought Madara reluctantly left his hiding place and walked back to the Hokage tower, humming the handmaiden's song on his way.

The night had grown silent, at last. Outside, shinobis and villagers alike slowly walked their way home, tired from their evening of dancing and singing in the streets. There would be little sleep for many, as they had to open shop by morning or leave for missions beyond Konoha's borders. On the other hand, servants of both Senju and Uchiha wouldn't get to enjoy their rest yet, as they were still busy cleaning up the mess left by clansmen and their guests. She could hear their muffled footsteps from time to time, slowing down as they passed the door not to disturb a slumber she couldn't find.

He didn't come to her.

The servants blamed his absence on his excesses of food and sake at the banquet, and no matter what she asked or said, that was all they spoke of as they prepared her for bedtime.

"Lies." She growled under her breath as she remembered their words.

Kuwa swallowed her tears, her teeth sinking deep into her lower lip. Hurting alone in the dark was one thing, but facing tomorrow's humiliation would prove something entirely different.

End of part 1 of this story. The stage is set, the cast is ready. May the troubled times begin!