Chapter 5: Rainy Nights

The sun awoke the female from her slumber, well more like an obnoxious older brother opening her shades exposing said sun.

"Come now little sister it is time to wake up and ready yourself for this beautiful day!"

"Hashirama, please shut the shades it's too early yet, the festival is not even until tonight" complained the girl as she stretched her arms above her head knowing she had no other choice in the matter.

"Ah, yes I do know however we have a kimono fitting for you. Plus you will be seen with the Leader of the mighty Uchiha Clan, so you much look even more beautiful, STUN THE CROWD AND MAKE EVERYONE ENVIOUS OF THOSE WHO GET TO BE BESIDE YOU!" Now it was normal for Hashirama to be excited for celebrations, however this excited was quite unexpected since it was the first festival the village has seen. Amaya herself was more tense and worried something could possible go wrong before she was excited, that is until she recalled her previous memories of Madara agreeing to go to the festival with her.

Amaya sighed pushing herself off of the best and over to her mirror where she started brushing her hair, Hashirama walked over and noticed a particular hair charm, one he remembered from the old days. Back when Amaya would even sneak off to see the Uchiha alone, one day he gave her a beautiful hair charm with a crescent moon in the middle of glass while flowers, truly beautiful and it suited her.
"Hashirama, please wait for me out of the room so I can change," she said waving her hand in front of her brother who snapped out of the daydream he was having. Putting his hands in front of him in surrender he walked out of the room and into the common room.

Amaya sighed as she started putting on her normal yukata, simple white and purple; though it was simple it was elegant. She tied her hair loosely in a ponytail and let strands hang over her shoulder like a priestess. Agreeing with her look she took her leave from the room to join her brother.

Tobirama glared at his older brother, an Uchiha, that is what he thought was best for their little sister? Tobirama refused to let it go without a fight, but sadly he knew it was the word of his elder brother that was final. He sighed heavily when he noticed his delicate little sister come into the main room, she was very pretty, he knew any man in the village would be a proud husband for such beauty, yet Hashirama wishes to give it to the cursed Uchiha.

"Good morning Tobirama!" she smiled ever so lightly, something he would always smile back to.

"Good morning to you as well," he looked at the charm in her hair and caressed it, "where did you acquire this?"

"AH! This old thing?" she asked such an oblivious question as though acting as though it had always been in the open, "it's a special trinket from a dear friend of mine."

"What friend has the means of such things?" he knew all of her friends, yet none could possibly possess such talent to make such a find piece or even have the means to purchase it without it being a gift openly given.

"It…was a special gift from a very important person to me…" she continued to avoid the person's name, knowing it could easily set him off.

"And that person is?"

"FINALLY YOU'RE READY! YOU KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO KEEP THE KIMONO MAKERS PATIENT! Oh and Tobirama, you are needed in the clan room, uncle wishes to speak to you about the plan." Tobirama glared knowing full well his elder brother butted in the middle on purpose, but mostly hated the fact his uncle wanted to talk, probably to try to ease his head of his sister's upcoming engagement.

Amaya followed Hashirama to the kimono makers, walking with him made her think of the old times she would go with him to the river, the times he would sit with her and tell her of a dream that is now their reality. They walked through the finishing village; the people were setting up stands with trinkets, food, and many other things; while others were hanging beautiful arrangements around setting up what is to come tonight.

"Hashirama, it's so beautiful!" she smiled acknowledging some of the workers her bowed in respect to the Hokage and his beloved sister. Then a group of children ran out and a little girl fell, she must have been about five or six, the children stopped and looked at the small wound that was on the girls' knee. She tried to be strong not to let the tears fall, Amaya saw the other try to comfort her but sadly neither had any bandages or really anything with them, so Amaya turned to a woman and asked for bandages and some cleaning solution. Hashirama saw how his sister thanked the woman and knelt to the girls, "let's clean this up before you get an infection."

"AH! A-Amaya-sama! No you don't have to trouble yourself it's just a scratch I can go home to take care of it!" she stuttered revealing her little shy side, still keeping the tears in. It was there Amaya noticed the onyx eyes; her hair was black and tied back in a ponytail.

"Now, now, I have what is needed. I am not troubled at all, the most troubling part if for you not to get the help you need." Amaya said gracefully, and the girl nodded finally accepting the help of the woman. Amaya poured some of the solution onto a bandage and started wiping away the dirt and grunge, the girl winced covering her face.

"It is alright to let out tears, remember even ninja cry; it shows that we are still humans." Amaya said wrapping up the bandage and sealing it off with a little medial jutsu Hashirama and Madara taught her when they were younger.

"Thank you, Amaya-sama."

"You're welcome, say what is your name?"

"Uh, my name is Yukina Uchiha." She smiled, Amaya placed her hand on the girls head and smiled, and "nice to meet you, feel free to come to me whenever you feel I am needed." Yukina nodded and grabbed her friends hand and they left.

"I admire you Amaya-sama," the woman who Amaya returned the solution to said causing the girl to look at the elderly woman confused, "you care about everyone regardless of clan, regardless of parentage or anything, to you everything of equal and for than I believe this village will stand strong. I pray for a long life for you and for your family." She bowed Amaya herself returning on out of respect.

Hashirama and Amaya finally were able to reach the kimono hut where the makers had a beautiful kimono waiting for her, it was that for royalty. The silk was soft to her touch as she scanned it her mouth slowly gapped. The colors flowed together from the while silk to the sakura blossoms, the purple undertones, the lightly colored pedals, and a small crescent moon in the "V" of the neck area.

"Hashirama, this is remarkable yet I do not think I am the one to wear such a masterpiece. Mito-sama would be better suited to wear the elegant piece."

"Why do you say that Amaya, you are more than acceptable to wear this?"

"I should not top the soon to be wife of the Hokage."

"You are the sister of the Hokage, and you are also going to the festival with Madara, the head of the Uchiha clan." Hashirama reminded her causing a blush to cross her face. The ladies all giggled and one took Amaya's hand,

"This kimono was made for you my lady. None of us can think of anyone better. Also Mito-sama will be wearing this kimono" the girl said pointing to a stunning red, yellow and pink kimono. Amaya nodded giving in to the wished of the girls who were dyeing to beautify her in every way.

"Alright Amaya, I will see you in a little while I must take care of some business, Mito shall be here soon for their arrangements." Hashirama left only to be greeted by a certain Uchiha outside.

"Ah! Madara you have come, but I suggest you come with me I need to discuss some details about tonight to you." Madara nodded and walked with Hashirama to the top of the cliff where they made their first grand idea.

"What more do you have planned Hashirama?" Madara asked as Hashirama just stood overlooking the village quietly, and then turning to his friend.

"I feel as though you have been treated unfairly and wish to know if this is what you want. I had been given the seat of Hokage after wanting to give it to you, and it seems you have been over looked. Now you are being forced by me to marry my sister. Is this what you want, because she is like a delicate flower who will love unconditionally, and I want her to be protected."

"Hashirama, not only does she hold a spot in your heart but also in mine. After we met the first time she came to the river more than you, I find it funny that during that time would sometimes fall asleep on my shoulder, she would sing lullabies to me, and most of all she would ask about the future. I remember when she told me that your father said she was the greatest weapon of all, her use in marriage to a clan or her ability to stun high clansman in hopes of marriage, she told me how scared she was and that she did not want to be used for such, it was then… I… I told her she would never have to go through that, because I was going to be the one to marry her. I laugh now because I hated the Senju, and when I found out you were I felt my hated to you but then I thought of her, regularly, I remembered what I said to her and was scared for her because I wasn't there anymore. So does that help ease your mind Hashirama, does it help knowing I will never let anything happen to her?"

Hashirama nodded, "I know you never would, but I am happy to know I wasn't forcing you to do this." Madara nodded and stood next to Hashirama, both looked over the village, "So, what do you think you'll name your first child," Madara coughed causing Hashirama to let out a strong laugh. "Don't you think it's a little early to think about that?" "What you have never thought of any names for any of the children you'd have?" "No, because I never thought I would actually get married."

Back at the kimono shop Mito sat with Amaya, it was terribly quiet and the air was tense. Mito looked over at the raven haired woman and places a hand on hers.

"You are a fine suitable woman, I apologies for what I said. Madara will make a suitable husband for you."

"Please I understand most don't accept others the way I do so as long as those feelings do not disrupt the village everyone is entitle to their own opinion." Amaya stayed quiet for a little longer until Mito's words registered in her head "Wait, husband? Madara and I are just going to the festival together as close friends!" Amaya said waving her hands in front of her.

"I am sure that Hashirama had promised your hand to him, and that he would ask you tonight, since he did not want to force you into marriage."

"Marry Madara! I, um, well I… sorry ladies I must go!" Amaya said running, or attempting to run with the grand kimono on, and she rushed to wear she knew where her brother would be when he said he usually had business to attend to.

The wind was starting to pick up since she was going uphill, her kimono blowing in the wind. The time was starting tick faster it seemed, since the people were already starting the festivities and mingling. Amaya made it up to the cliff where Hashirama and Madara stood. Hashirama looked at his sister confused, as Madara looked on surprised to see her earlier than he was expecting. Stomping up to her brother she poked him in the chest and glared at him, "HOW COULD YOU JUST GO ON AND PLAN THIS WITHOUT EVEN ASKING ME?"

"EH, what are you talking about Maya-chan?"

"DON'T YOU 'MAYA-CHAN' ME MITO-SAMA TOLD ME WHAT YOU WERE PLANNING ON DOING AND…" she turned to Madara and walked up to him and grabbed him hand and loomed up at him in those onyx eyes of his, "on the condition that you will always stay by my brothers side and protect this village, and... you'll never leave me alone." Madara's eye widened, she was accepting the proposal even before he would even ask her, he closed his eyes and chuckled a bit, then turning his hands to grab hers. "I will never leave you alone," he said then kissing her forehead.

If Hashirama could squeal he probably would have, his little sister and his best friend were going to be happy together, the village clans would be a family now.

"Well now that we have set this all aside, how about we join everyone at the festival and reveal the big news, this is truly a day to celebrate!" Hashirama yelled and they made their way to the festival. Everyone was celebrating and having a good time; Hashirama had Tobirama, the Senju Head house, and the high standing Uchiha up onto the grand stand and yelled out for everyone's attention.

"Today we are not just celebrating the village and our new home but a new equality and peace, the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan together in matrimony. Madara-sama and my beloved sister Amaya are engaged to be wed!" Many of the people rejoiced some looked on rather annoyed yet, most were happy.

Amaya and Madara spent much needed time together, they ate together and laughed. Many of the Uchiha who she met were surprised to see this side of Madara since his brothers passing. Then one little girl tugged on Amaya's kimono, her hair was now down, but she had a flower in hand.

"Yukina-chan, I am so happy to see you here!" Amaya smiled kneeling down to the girls' level as Madara watched.

"I-I wanted to give this to you for helping me today. A-and when I grow up I want to be j-just like you!"

"Like me?"

"Yes, you're kind and smart, you're beautiful and you are going to be the wife of the head of the Uchiha clan. One day I want an important role like that!"

"I bet you one day you will, you're a smart girl Yukina-chan!" The girl smiled and Amaya took the flower and bowed in respect.

"OH! Amaya-sama, Madara-sama I apologies if Yukina bothered you at all!" A woman said running up behind the girl, clearly it was her mother the resemblance was striking.

"It was no problem, today is a festival so talking and meeting with people is more than alright." Amaya assured the woman and put her hand on Yukina's head.

"Your daughter is a special girl; she will one day be a splendid ninja."

"Thank you, Amaya-sama, after meeting you today she seemed to brighten up. You see her father died in battle when she was now much younger than she is now, and she was always worried she would never be what he expected, she making an impression on you had really turned her around today."

"I am glad to hear that. When we have the training day I will be there to surely cheer her on!" The two left, well not without a hug from Yukina, and they made their way to the garden area where the river was.

Madara and Amaya sat and she leaned on his shoulder, like they use to do, and watched the moon light up the lake. The wind started picking up more little by little, causing her to shiver.

"Come let's get you back, I think a storm maybe on its way." Madara said standing up extending his hand to her. Taking it she started walking with him but then stopped a pulled his sleeve making him turn to her.

"Is there something wrong?"

"After all of this excitement I guess I never actually got to say this to you…"

"Say what?"

"I…I…."

"Yes?"

"I…." she took a breath in then the rain started pouring down, causing the two to seek shelter, they were in the Senju garden making it easy to reach the area of shelter under the outside pass. Once covered Amaya stayed quiet and shiver a bit, Madara grabbed her arm and pulled her to him holding her close to him. She could hear his heart beat, it was so steady, and he was so warm, regardless of the cold wet clothing they both were stuck in.

"I guess it's time to call it a night, I will see you tomorrow." Madara said holding her a bit closer than letting her go. Amaya grabbed him once again, he smiled at her.

"I love you!" She practically yelled at him, his eyes widened and she embraced him suddenly, "stay with me" she whispered to him.

"I don't think your brother would want that, after we are married we will be together."

"But it's raining"

"I am a lot stronger than the rain Amaya." Amaya chuckled then he lightly pushed her chin up to look at him in the eyes, "I can leave you with this," he whispered giving her a light kiss. The kiss was soft, it was the openings for her to either stop of continue but she wasn't letting him stop there so she put her arms around his neck and kissed him, it was passionate and loving. Once parting, due to lack of oxygen, he bid her goodnight and walked into the rain and she returned inside, where uncle Senju, Hashirama, Tobirama and Mito all sat. She smiled and bid them all goodnight taking a leave to her room.

Hashirama looked at Tobirama an put his hand out "you owe me, told you they loved each other, now pay up!"

"You have a gambling problem."

"At least I win at it."

Mito sighed and walked to Amaya room where Amaya was undressing the wet kimono and putting on something to sleep in.

"You two are going to be very happy together."

"I hope we will be thank you Mito-sama."

"For what"

"For telling me, because it may not have ended up the same way."

"Good night Amaya, rest up your brother is already planning the wedding for you, sadly I think he already set everything up for a week from now."

"As long as he doesn't go shopping for cake without me" Mito chuckled and left the room, there she saw Tobirama looking out from the balcony and went up to him.

"Tobirama-sama, is something troubling you?"

"She is the only younger sibling I have… I let my own rage against the clan cloud the fact that she will be happy with him, I just feel something is going to go wrong and I don't want her hurt."

"She is a strong capable woman, and Madara-sama will not let anything happy to her." Tobirama smirked and closed his eyes "I know, I guess Hashirama is right, to look at this with an open mind."

Inside of her room Amaya set down the hair trinket and lay in bed listening to the rain, her heart still pounding. She turned on her pack and giggled, she was happy, for the first time in a long time she was truly happy.