The sun was shining against the bright blue sky and the Hidden Leaf Village welcomed its warmth with open arms. People scurried about the bustling streets as they ran their errands. Reina and Shika, both carrying parasols, were part of this crowd. Reina watched as everyone around her went about their business. She turned her head at every street vendor selling delicious, greasy food. Oh, how she would kill for a fatty snack.

Shika tugged on Reina's navy yukata sleeve and gestured toward a flower shop. "This is the florist I was speaking of."

Reina quickly snapped out of her gluttonous trance and wiped any drool from the corners of her mouth. "Oh! How lovely… Say, Shika, do you think I can get something to eat first?"

Shika furrowed her brows at Reina. "Reina, you must stick to a strict diet until both your birthday and future wedding are over. You must look thin for each ceremony. It's difficult enough keeping you out of the sun."

Reina nodded and sighed. "I understand."

"Come along, now. We need to pick out the floral arrangements for the festival." Shika guided the two over to the flower shop. She opened the door and inhaled deeply. "Ah, what a fresh scent."

Reina frowned. "Yeah, it smells fresh, but it doesn't beat that barbeque pork on the street."

"Reina, please." Shika held a hand up for her to cease her complaining.

A tall woman with blonde hair in a half ponytail bowed at a counter. "Hello! Welcome to the Yamanaka Flower Shop! What can I do for you today?"

Shika smiled. "Yes, we need flower arrangements for Reina Senju's upcoming festival."

Reina began to walk around the flower shop as the two women talked business. She felt awkward that a girl like her was having a massive festival thrown just for the sake of marriage. It made her seem more important than she actually felt. She wasn't royalty and she certainly didn't enjoy feeling like a fraud. Reina zoned everything out and smelled various flora; admiring how vastly different they all were. She looked around and found her favorite flower.

"White spider mums." Reina smiled and continued looking around. "I wonder if Madara has a favorite flower." Reina stopped in her tracks and blinked a few times as her face began to heat up. "No, I don't. It doesn't matter. It's not like I care or anything. The less I feel for him the better." She deeply inhaled and exhaled to regain her composure.

"Reina! Do come here!" Shika called in her shrill voice.

Reina jumped. "Coming!" She called and bolted toward the elder. "What can I do?"

"Well, we need for you to choose what flower arrangements you want." Shika said. "Go on. Look at the catalogue."

Reina tilted her head and looked at Shika with a perplexed expression. "You mean… I actually get to choose?"

Hashirama was sitting across from Madara in the same office Reina met him at. Typically, Madara would visit Hashirama at the tower; however, today's matters to discuss were slightly more confidential. The two were drinking tea while addressing various inquiries set forth by the Uchiha clan. Eventually, as per usual, they ended up conversing about Reina.

Madara spoke first. "I'm concerned about Reina."

Hashirama set his cup of tea down and folded his hands in his lap. "Why is that?"

"I have a feeling she's going to be drawn to one suitor in particular." Madara stated.

Hashirama raised a brow. "Typically I'm the one with a hunch. This is an interesting turn of events." He sighed and looked at his friend. "I agree, but I don't think we should stress about it now. If we need to change plans we will discuss it during that time."

Madara nodded. "I know, but we need to ensure she is protected. These people will come at her like moths to a flame. She's valuable and vulnerable." Madara sipped his tea and set his cup down. "I do hope she remains within village limits."

Hashirama crossed his legs. "I understand. To be clear, we are only having this celebration for politics sake and for Reina's mental health. It'll ease her into her new life better." He watched Madara carefully. "Tobirama and I know he wants to be in control of Reina's power, but why does he seem like he genuinely wants to protect her. Is it just a mask? Either way, he's right about the potential dangers this festival can pose. Does he just want to ensure he has her? If that's the case, I'm going to leave him in limbo until the festival concludes."

"Hashirama." Madara spoke firmly. "Do you feel the slightest bit guilty for lying to your sister?"

Hashirama froze as he was blindsided. "He's playing with my emotions." He cleared his throat. "I don't understand what you are trying to say."

"You tell her the Uchiha clan is her best option, though there is more to it. We are both aware of that." Madara smirked as watched Hashirama tense up. The two of them both knew Reina would be the only thing keeping the peace between the Uchiha clan and the Senju clan. Madara finally had his assurance. "She doesn't have a choice in who she marries. How do you cope with that as such a kindhearted individual?"

Hashirama composed himself. He felt Madara's digs, but he wasn't about to give in. "I promised to protect her at all costs both physical and mentally. If this ensures her safety, I will go through with it."

Madara nodded. "Now, a question for the Hokage…" He leaned back in his chair. "What would happen if you had to choose between Reina and the village?"

Hashirama felt his heart pump louder as his adrenaline spiked. "I…"

"It's a difficult question to answer, I know." Madara waited as he internally smirked.

Hashirama sighed. "I would have no choice but to protect the villagers. This is our dream after all. We've worked so hard to build this village and turn our silly fantasy into a reality. I could never let it get destroyed."

Madara leaned in and smiled. "This is why you're the Hokage… This is why I must take care of Reina."

Hashirama looked at his tea cup. "He's right." He said to himself, confused by the mix of attacks and flattery coming from the Uchiha clan lord in front of him.

"Nonetheless, we are going to carry out this festival in a very careful and diplomatic way. Security must be extremely tight." Madara said in a matter of fact manner as he changed the subject.

Hashirama snapped out of his trance. "But of course! We can't have anything go wrong. These are important times and peace must be maintained."

Madara smiled with an internal deviance. "Hashirama, you are the leader I could never be. You are always so focused on peace. I admire that."

"Yes! But you are the logic I need to stay balanced." Hashirama chuckled, wanting to end their conversation as soon as possible. For once, he wanted to be alone.

Reina and Shika were walking back to the tower after running errands when Shika gasped. "Oh, we forgot to go to the seamstress!"

Reina shook her head. "Please, Lady Shika. Don't worry."

"We must go, quickly! They'll be closing soon!" Shika was about to turn back around when Reina grabbed her arm.

"Lady Shika, I have an outfit already." Reina smiled reassuringly.

The two ladies hurried back to the tower. Reina was smiling the entire time while Shika looked perplexed. They entered the tower and walked upstairs to Reina's room. Reina walked into her closet and pulled out a sleek, black box.

Reina walked over to Shika and grinned. "Open the box."

Shika nodded and lifted the lid to the box. "Oh my…" She put a hand over her mouth and smiled. "This is beautiful."

Reina giggled. "Looks like we have my outfit."

Shika nodded. "All we have to do is wait about one week and that's all there is to it."

"Yes! How exciting." Reina looked down at the ground and then back up at Shika with a forced smile.

Night fell and the sky was completely black. The village was lit up with reds, oranges, and yellows as restaurants and bars bustled. Reina meandered through the crowd in a brown colored crop top, green jacket, and navy blue pants. Her hair was up in a messy bun and she wore a black mask to cover her nose and mouth. Reina perused through the crowd until she came across her favorite barbeque stall. She could feel her mouth watering as she drew closer. The smells of fried, greasy foods were drawing her in. Reina was only twenty feet, fifteen feet, ten feet away from her porky heaven. Reina grinned under her mask as she joined the line. Only five more people in front of her. She happily waited while trying not to look suspicious.

Reina focused on the shortening line in front of her when she heard a male voice behind her. "I knew I would find you here."

Reina's eyes widened. "Cover blown!" She slowly turned around to face Madara. "Listen, I know I'm supposed to be on a diet, but I'm dying for some salty, greasy, fatty deliciousness!"

Madara held his hands up in defense. "I won't stop you."

Reina giggled. "Well good! 'Cause I'd have to fight you otherwise!" She liked lax Madara. He was so much more amicable. One thing was for sure, she was glad she was able to make peace with him early on. "No one stands between me and my barbecue."

"Oh yeah?" Madara raised an eyebrow and cut in front of her. "Hi, I'd like three orders of your barbecue pork on a stick."

"Coming right up, sir!" The man at the counter said happily while grabbing him fresh skewers and loading them with meat.

Reina's eyes widened. If it wasn't for the mask covering her face her mouth would've been gaping wide open. "I can't believe you would hurt me like this!"

Madara took the skewers after paying the man. "Thank you. Have a good night, sir." He turned around and smirked down at Reina. "Now, don't assume everyone's out to get you." He said while handing her two skewers. "They're on me."

Reina stepped aside from the line and grabbed the skewers from him. "You got me two?"

"I thought you would appreciate it since you're ravenously hungry." Madara bit off a piece of meat from his skewer and his face lit up. "Wow, now I know why you like this so much."

Reina blushed. "Thank you for the food… you didn't have to."

Madara smiled. "Of course I did. You said no one would stand between you and your barbecue, so I had no choice but to test it."

Reina pointed one of her skewers at him in a cute way. "Yeah, but you didn't have to be so cruel about it."

"Which is why I apologized with buying you food." Madara looked down at her. "Extra food for that matter."

"Touché." Reina looked up at him and pouted underneath her mask. "I like your style."

Madara chuckled. "You like anything when food is involved."

"Very true." Reina looked up at Madara. "Um, so… I didn't think this disguise thing through. Do you think you can-" Madara leaned in and gently pulled her mask down to her neck. "Yeah, that."

Madara smirked and looked directly into her eyes. "It's a good disguise though."

Reina blushed and turned her head away. "Thanks." She began walking down the street as she anxiously bit her barbecue pork. "Why am I so flustered over him all of a sudden?"

Madara walked with her and looked at the other street stalls. "I know you have two skewers of meat, but is there anything else you want?" He looked down at Reina's barren skewers in shock. "I underestimated you."

"I'm really hungry." Reina grinned sheepishly and pulled her mask back up.

Madara pulled her mask back down with a playful yank and grinned. "There's no point, Reina."

"What if someone from home sees me?!" She giggled.

"Then we fight them, because no one stands between us and our food." Madara retorted playfully.

The two walked around and ate various foods until they came across a rowdy bunch of people congregating at a stall. Reina raised a brow. "I wonder what the fuss is all about."

Madara nudged Reina in the stall's direction. "Let's take a look, shall we?"

Reina grinned and nodded. "Yeah, let's see." The two of them walked through the crowd and made it to the front of the stall. There were giant stuffed animals dangling from the roof of the stall and a man dressed in flashy colors running the show. "Look at this!"

"Step up! Come one! Come all! Drink your fellow villagers under the stall! Win yourself a giant stuffed animal! Prove your manhood to your girl and win her a prize by entering for a small fee of ten dollars!" The man called cheerfully.

Reina looked up at Madara. "I'm so tempted."

"Do you need to prove your manhood to your dream girl?" Madara inquired while leaning in close so she could hear him.

Reina laughed. "I want that giant panda so badly."

Madara sighed. "Can you even hold your alcohol?"

Reina thought for a moment and shrugged. "I won't know until I find out!" She stepped up to the stall counter and handed the owner ten dollars. "I don't need a man to win me a stuffed animal. I am my own man!"

The ladies in the crowed clapped and the owner laughed. "Alright! Who will challenge this young lady?"

"I will!"

"Me too!" A bunch of men stepped forward, thinking of her as an easy target.

Reina watched as her competition piled in. Men of all shapes and sizes stood next to her on either side. "Oh no. I didn't think this through."

"Alright men!... And lady." The man said and the crowd laughed. He set numerous, full-sized glasses of sake in front of each contestant and grinned. "You have one minute to drink as much sake as you can. The winner takes the prize!"

Madara stepped forward and whispered in Reina's ear. "You better win."

Reina blushed and grinned at his encouragement. "You bet."

"Alright!" The owner raised his hand. "Ready! Set! Go!"

Madara was carrying Reina bridal style down the street to the tower. She was giggling as she squeezed her giant panda with rosy cheeks. "You really did it. I can't believe it."

Reina cackled. "Those men didn't even see it comin'!"

Madara grinned and looked down at the tipsy woman. "You Senju can drink. To be honest, I didn't even see it coming."

Reina smiled and looked up at him. "But the real question is if the Uchiha can keep up…"

"Is that a challenge?" Madara raised a brow and smirked.

Reina thought for a second and shook her head. "Not right now. Another time."

"Deal." Madara said and looked at the tower in front of him. "Think you can make it up the stairs?" He looked down at a perplexed Reina.

"Stairs? What stairs?" She inquired.

Madara sighed. "I'm taking you to your room. Where is it?"

Reina pointed to the left side of the building. "I jump out of there. Where the balcony is."

"You really don't take the stairs?" Madara chuckled and jumped up to her balcony. He carefully opened her balcony doors and stepped inside her room. "What a nice room."

"Thank you." Reina said while beginning to fall asleep in his arms.

Madara walked over to her dresser and gently set her down. He grabbed the panda, set it in the corner of her room, walked to her bed, and folded the sheets down. "Okay, ready for bed?" He asked and turned around to face the nearly passed out woman. Madara walked over to her and took her shoes off her feet. He scooped her up, walked over to her bed, and slowly lowered her onto the mattress. Madara felt embarrassed babysitting her, but knew he couldn't just let her be. He covered her up and watched as she fell asleep. "Goodnight, Reina." With that, the Uchiha clan leader stepped out onto her balcony, shut the doors, and disappeared into the night.