background madahashi, fem!hashi. asoiaf!naruto. companion to chapter 14 of a dance of flame and forest.
#AksaraAgustus2017; saravon; n. Asmat - a show of power to reassure the guests' safety and to warn those who want to attack
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dulled swords. polished floor. glamorous coats hidden in the shadows. nobles making a circle under the gleaming chandelier. she had traded her gown for a pair of breeches.
crown princess, commander general.
high lord of the forest, rainmaker.
right hands to the rulers of the realm.
she charged the moment the gong sang. her opponent dodged to the left; she threw her sword to her free hand, changing her grip. he dodged it again by a hair's breadth, teeth gritting. she nearly laughed. he wasn't used to fight with swordsmanship alone.
izuna preferred they did this with actual swords, sharp and deadly, forged to kill. she wouldn't mind spectators, but she would trade these opulent watchers to foot soldiers. hers and her brother's. that b–the empress should watch too, so she could see her brother die in her hands.
her opponent finally attacked. she let a soft laugh escaped her lips; oh she knew him well! he would throw his weight to the left, pivoting, so he could take her by surprise. the crowd's gasps pumped her adrenaline. her feet traced the familiar footwork; swift and nimble. dull blades clashing, showing their strengths. sweat rolled past the red marks on his cheeks. the dragon taunted.
"don't you dare holding back."
it wasn't the first time princess-general uchiha izuna clashed blades with lord senju tobirama. she beat everyone in her age group as a girl, until the two senju were brought to study in the palace. he's a quick learner and a better tactician than her. but izuna didn't miss him when he fled north, no. she just missed making him squirm with her dance.
red eyes narrowing, he charged. parry, parry, deflect. it was her turn to grit her teeth. tobirama was gaining the upper hand, but he was too late. the gong sang for the second time. their blades ceased to move.
"a draw," an elderly sage announced, "the balance has been restored." his voice boomed over the wonder-stricken guests. murmurs rose all over the room, praises and claps poured for the pair.
they knelt before the bride and groom, offering their services for the realm. nothing but rehearsed words. izuna had been offering hers since she was old enough to sit upright. ceremonies upon ceremonies, and she couldn't draw his blood.
she was thirsty.
as madara accepted her ceremonial sword, izuna recalled his words days ago.
"let them know that they're mere guests in the dragons' den."
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they both were sent away to change their clothes. tobirama had been walking ahead of her in the hallway, but izuna made her presence known, forcing him to adhere to courtesy.
"your highness," he dipped his head.
"my lord." izuna smiled, perhaps too wide. "i hope i didn't make you too tired to join the feast."
"it is alright."
not as sociable as his sister, it seems. izuna matched her steps with his long strides, unwilling to let him go so easily. "do you think we'll get a nephew or a niece first?"
"isn't it too soon to guess? our siblings are just married."
she looked at him straight into his eyes. "not that soon. your sister will give birth on this year's winter."
"…what are you suggesting?" tobirama had stopped walking.
izuna turned, blinking innocently. "so your sister hasn't told you?" she put a hand over her mouth. "she did more than just healing me when she stayed here, you know. my maids said they saw her slipping into my brother's bedroom late night…"
he turned away, jumping over the hedges before the princess finished talking. she watched his tall form ran across the garden, taking a shortcut to his chamber.
the dragon grinned in triumph. she had drawn the first blood in this war.
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how do i sword fight