5.
A small smirk appeared on Izuna's lips. He straightened up and wiped off the sweat drops on his forehead, a clear sign that something more interesting had caught his sight.
Madara's eyes narrowed, at this very moment; there was only one thing that might interest Izuna more than the chance of his face being punched in.
Yuna was leaning against the tree with a small mocking smirk on her lips, arms crossed on her chest casually.
Madara turned around sharply and walked to Yuna who stood there with no visible signs of fear, but as Madara came nearer, her heartbeat skyrocketed and she was once more forced to remind herself that Madara would not act like a dirty brute in public.
Saia was a few feet away from Yuna, a notion Madara understood too well.
"Don't you have anything else better to do?" he snapped at the woman. Yuna raised an eyebrow and looked at him, blue eyes glinting with the utmost innocence of a young child. Oh that gorgeous face in front of her, so untouchable.
He hadn't struck her ever since and the bruise on her face was nearly gone, she probably used healing ninjutsu on it while he was away.
"I just wanted to witness the skills of my dearest husband personally, a strong man standing beside me could only be considered beneficial," she retorted, still maintaining the mask of purity.
Saia's eyes flickered between the pair cautiously, ready to leave at any sign of dismissal.
Her silly statement only managed to draw a snort from Madara. He did his research after he found out her identity. She was skilful, indeed, with a variety of skills, but with no specific specialisation. While there was nothing to complain about her abilities, he couldn't find it in him to pay his respect to her abilities. There were only a few shinobi in the world that commanded such compliments from him.
The discovery of her skills stirred mixed emotions in Madara. True, she will always be weaker than him, but there can be situations where she has to be able to stand up for herself. Then again, who would dare to strike her when, in the public eye at the very least, she was under the wing of the great Uchiha Madara.
Madara, for a short moment, thought of sparring with Yuna. It would be the easiest way to put her in the right place. The match wouldn't even last a minute.
"Very well, I'm sure that boredom will prove to be the least of your concerns," Madara pressed through his teeth and walked back to the field where Izuna stood with a pleasant smile on his lips, waving at Yuna who returned the gesture with a forced smile.
Madara sat down and so did Izuna. Both of them relaxed and closed their eyes to...
...Meditate?
Yuna nearly threw a rock at the pair just to draw a reaction, but throwing a tantrum would mean that Madara wins this round and she couldn't allow it. She snorted in distaste, but remained rooted to the ground.
Izuna didn't open his eyes but the smirk from his lips was gone.
"You should treat your wife better. People are going to notice it sooner or later," he warned Madara briefly, as a gesture of brotherly love. It wasn't meant as a scolding, but as a recommendation. Despite his habit to annoy the hell out of Madara, it was still Izuna's main concern that Madara's ascent to power would be seamless.
The brother felt a twitch of amusement.
"She's not my wife yet. If she chooses to behave like an animal, then that's how I'm going to treat her," said Madara lightly yet Izuna could feel the rage behind his words.
Madara hadn't changed at all through the years, as stubborn as always. Izuna didn't think or wish for Madara to change his ways, but one can always hope…
"Well, imagine the marriage has already happen, hooray. What then?" Izuna questioned.
Madara still felt her chakra near the tree. She hadn't moved an inch from her spot, much to his displeasure.
"Is she even a woman? Someone who acts like that can't be considered a representative of the gentle gender," Madara snarled. He almost opened his eyes to spare a hateful glance at her direction.
Izuna sighed, holding back the urge to smack his brother for his blatant disregard of basic psychology.
"I find her actions fairly logical for someone in this situation. Perhaps you two should trade places to learn about this strange notion called empathy!" There was a slight hint of amusement in Izuna's blatant sarcasm. He tried to hide it but Madara knew that tone well enough.
"Are you saying that I should respect her?" he pressed through gritted teeth. He felt quite irritated already, and if it were anyone else besides Izuna then that persons head would be slammed against the hard ground. The brother sighed once more, this time it sounded more like a groan.
"You haven't shown her any kindness. Only thing you did was hit her and then show her that you aren't a man loyal to his wife," Izuna paused for a moment, "The only logical response would be defence, and from the bruising I can see that she is wonderful at that. Truthfully, her disobedience makes her a good match for you."
The last comment was just too much and Madara's patience snapped. Izuna's insults and assessments were a big hit against his pride. The brother felt the change of attitude, his senses well-trained throughout the years.
Yuna's eyes never caught the motion, but it only took one blink of an eye to see Izuna was 10 feet away and where he once sat was Madara's fist. Izuna had a pleasant smile on his face, that seemed permanent, contradicting Madara's murderous glare.
His fist had left a large hole with multiple cracks stemming from it. Madara removed his hand and brushed off the dirt absentmindedly, a sign that he had regained his senses again.
"I think that this training is over. Perhaps Yuna-chan would consider joining me for dinner? Izuna's voice trailed off.
Yuna snorted and rolled her eyes, "I refuse." she said blankly.
Izuna chuckled softly. What a silly girl. Did she really believe that Izuna would invite her seriously?
Madara was like a dog, when you give him a bone he would sink his teeth in and hold on.
Even if he holds a strong dislike towards the woman, Madara would still keep her to himself as a matter of principle.
Izuna decided to finish training and left the grounds to take a bath, "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone!" he yelled over his shoulder and disappearing hastily to avoid anything else hurled at his direction.
Madara's jaw was clenched tight, but something in his expression made Yuna hold back her innate arrogance and sarcasm. He left silently, leaving Yuna alone on the field. Well, not completely alone, Saia was still there.
The bride threw up her hands and groaned, "Silly, arrogant men! Are they always quarrelling like this?" she asked, sparing a glance to the maid who smiled for the first time that day.
"Ever since they were kids. Izuna's agility has saved him numerous broken limbs."
Yuna nearly felt sentimental. Imagining Madara as a child proved impossible though. All that she could muster was a miniature version of the man with a high-pitched voice, completely out of character compared to the low husky voice he possessed now.
"Yuna-san...may I make a suggestion to ward off the boredom?" asked Saia, who continued after an affirmative nod from Yuna, "I'm sure there are people who wish to get to know you better. Perhaps visit the children?" suggested the maid.
She was well aware of Yuna's absolute boredom, and found it beneficial to steer Yuna in a general course of action.
"Fair enough," she agreed and they left the training grounds to the solitary state.
Together they walked back inside, hiding from the midday sun.
Yuna found it surprising that the constant companionship didn't put her off. Despite her blatant dislike of Madara, she found that Saia was alright. Back at home she didn't mind being alone without a maid, but here, in a foreign family with no ties it served as an emotional crutch.
Deep down, she knew that Saia wasn't completely trustworthy, but luckily Yuna had no plans of confining the woman with her deepest desires.
It took only a second for Saia to take on the role of a guide, smoothly explaining the dynamics of the Uchiha family. Who to know, who to suck up to and who to ignore. The advisors were the first choice, logically, but Saia took it upon her to remind Yuna that the support of the people could help her long way.
Now if only the bride could get on Madara's good graces, then her worries would be solved.
It all sounded fine and dandy, but Yuna had no idea of getting mixed up with the political affairs of this family because keeping her distance would become her way out of this predicament. If she knew nothing, they had no reason to keep her tied down to Madara.
Saia introduced Yuna the libraries, much to her pleasure, healing centres and even meeting rooms. Saia sometimes talked about the short history the clan had while leading Yuna to the training grounds, were young boys ranging from age five up to ten were participating in a group practice session.
Yuna felt a smile appear on her lips, a sign of sentiment. It didn't feel so long ago when she was as young as they are now, so eager to learn and hungry for power, completely unaware that only a few of them would prove to be valuable while the rest are all expendable.
She leaned against the wall behind her and watched the graceful movements those boys made. It seemed like her previous assessment of their success rate might need to be revaluated.
Their teacher was a man not over thirty years old with short black hair and eyes. Like most of the Uchiha men he looked fairly handsome with sharp features and what seemed to be a permanently serious expression. His eyes noticed Yuna standing there. The man assigned the boys to spar in pairs before he left the fields for a moment to come to Yuna for a polite welcome.
"It's an honour that Yuna-sama found time to visit us. Uchiha Tatsui, at your service."
He bowed politely with a soft smile on his lips. Yuna smiled and removed her eyes from the boys' violent confrontations to accept the act of courtesy.
"It's a pleasure to meet you. The Uchiha is graced with talent," she complimented, drawing a smile from Tatsui.
"Yuna-sama is very kind. The boys have been very curious about Yuna-sama, as we all. I'm sure that they will be joyous to find out that you took the time and patience to attend this session."
Yuna couldn't help it but to feel warm inside. Even if this was merely an act of common courtesy, she felt for once that everyone in this complex weren't disgusted with her presence.
Tatsui sounded sincere to her. It sounded like he thought of the boys as if they were his own children.
"Oh time is something I have. I'd love to come see them again sometimes. You seem to care about them very much."
Tatsui smiled politely and bowed once more, growing obviously uncomfortable at the mention, "I apologize, Yuna-sama, but I must leave now."
He excused himself and returned to the boys. Every now and then she would see dark pair of eyes flicker in her direction, some curious, other apprehensive.
Yuna spun around and walked to another direction with Saia on her side.
"This was a lot better, though acting as familiar with Tatsui-san is uncommon," Saia noted.
Yuna sighed and shook her head, "Well, I guess I can't please everyone…"
"Probably not, you're right about that."
"What is your opinion on Madara?" Yuna asked delicately, keeping her gaze fixed in front of her. Saia didn't expect a question like that and was once again caught between her mistress and her master.
"I find Madara-sama magnificent. He's a strong leader with widespread influence that draws both awe and amazement from the enemy."
The corner of Yuna's mouth twitched, a movement that didn't escape Saia.
"I wonder do people outside the Uchiha see him like that too. He's a great man but has proven to be a lousy person."
Saia's eyes widened. Never before had an Uchiha heard something so insulting uttered about their leader. No one would ever dare nor see the reason to.
The women had admitted that Madara frightened them on occasion, but he cared very dearly for his clan, but no one had ever called him 'lousy' out loud. It took her a moment to gather herself again.
"Do you think that anyone outside the Uchiha even has the right to judge him? They haven't met him and don't know what kind of a person he is, his care is rarely extended to outsiders. I believe that Izuna-sama is one of the rare few who has the right to pass any judgement on the matters of Uchiha Madara."
Yuna held back the urge to retort that Uchiha Izuna was also the only one who wouldn't be murdered if his opinion were unwarranted.
"They don't know him, I agree with that, but if his kindness can only extend to a limited group of people, then the fact already puts his heart in a strange light."
Yuna was stubborn and she knew it, but her nature wouldn't allow her to back down. How could people be so blind and follow without question, never offering any critique?
"Do you care about the people whose existence you don't know about? What about the old man that just died somewhere? The child that just fell in a river and drowned somewhere in the world?" asked the maid bravely. It went against her every teaching to speak so freely, but the Uchiha pride was rooted to her nature and she felt the need to protect her clan master.
Yuna stopped for a moment. It was a fair question, but a little bit wide. The moment of silence allowed Saia to regain her usual composure, waiting for a punishment for her outspoken behaviour.
"If I meet a stranger then I won't think of them as trash until they've proven me otherwise. That's the difference between me and Mr Superiority."
It was only hours later when Yuna's minutes of boredom were interrupted, a change of pace which she gladly accepted.
Rapping behind the door was a young Uchiha guard with their typical stoic politeness.
"Yuna-sama," he said respectfully, "a young lady claiming to be your sister has arrived. Shall I bring her here?"
Pleasant surprise wavered over the woman's face and her response came out almost too eager.
"Oh bless the gods, yes!"
The guard accepted her enthusiasm with a nod.
"Refreshments will be sent up as well," he informed her before leaving.
As promised, the man returned with a beaming Eiko whose happiness was rivalled by her sister's.
"Eiko, long time no see!"
Seeing a familiar face again felt like a huge relief for Yuna who pulled her short sister into a tight hug, inhaling the faint scent of home that lingered in the girl's clothes.
"I wanted to see how the fancy mistress lives here," said Eiko while looking at the expensive furnishings of the bedroom, whistling quietly.
"Hey, if every arranged marriage comes with merits like this then sign me up!"
Yuna snorted and poked her forehead, drawing another giggle from the sister.
"No, mother is not going to marry you off to Yasu, no matter how much you plead." Eiko blushed and pouted. The childishly innocent expression on her face caused Yuna to laugh, making the red in Eiko's cheeks transform into a more potent shade.
"Come in," she invited, gently guiding Eiko to the bedroom balcony she and Madara often used for dining, "Saia should bring us something to eat and drink soon enough."
When they seated down Yuna realised a tiny detail that had slipped her mind earlier, "Shouldn't you be at school at this very moment?"
Eiko had a surprised look on her face and she then placed two fingers on her lips. In reality the younger sibling hoped that Yuna would pretend to ignore this minor detail.
"Please don't tell mother. I escaped for one lesson to come visit you. Mom said that it might not be polite of me to come here, but I haven't seen you out of this place so I just came here to verify that you haven't been fed to the pigs or anything morbid like that."
Yuna sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, "You know if you keep that up you'll be dumb…"
Her eyes snapped open when Eiko was about to protest, silencing her to reach the point of her rant.
"I occasionally skipped class as well and even though you'll be stupid as a potato in the near future, I'm still gladdened beyond words about your visit. Are you going back for the rest of the day later, or are you skipping the entire day?"
Eiko hesitated, the possibility of taking a day off looming in Yuna's hint. The youngster was quite interested to see the inside of the compound, but couldn't devalue education.
Yuna ruffled her hair, ending this dilemma for Eiko.
"Stop thinking so hard, you look as if your brains hurt!"
"Oh don't be a turd Yuna! I came all the way to see you after all!"
"You did indeed. You do know that you can come back some other day when you have time so I can give you a tour of the place? If you still have time before your next lesson I'd be really happy if you stayed here with me and ate some lunch." Eiko smiled and nodded and scurried to her sister's side.
As promised, Saia arrived with an early lunch. The pair of sisters engaged in polite conversation with the older maid who dutifully set everything ready before excusing herself in order not to intrude in the intimate moment.
"She seems grim…" noted Eiko as soon as the door closed.
Yuna merely shrugged, "Nah, she's just being polite. Trust me, she's a real softie in the inside."
They piled up food on their plates and ate in silence. It was only during dessert when Yuna struck up conversation again.
"So...how is life without an older sister treating you?" She asked. Eiko looked up to the sky and shrugged.
"It's almost boring, no rivalry or anything. I don't even have to plot your murder! Mom talks a lot about the Uchiha so I'm already starting to think that she's going to marry me off to someone as well. If it were Yasu then I probably wouldn't mind..." Eiko's voice trailed off.
Yuna's eyes softened and she smiled. Oh if the little sister of hers only knew what it took to stay in this hostile environment.
"I wouldn't let her marry you off and besides, I highly doubt that the Uchiha will let more outsiders in like that, with their obsession about pure blood and all that. But if they do then have you thought that perhaps the Yasu you see differs immensely from the man he is inside?"
Eiko had a slightly hesitant expression on her face.
"If he treats me nicely then I'm ready to get over his flaws. It's a wife's job to keep everyone happy, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness."
Yuna sighed at the old-fashioned point of view her sister inhabited, probably implanted there by some vicious relative with no personality of their own. It hurt her that her sister viewed marriage in such masochistic light.
A smirk appeared on her lips, "If Yasu ever cheats on you then I will kick his ass. A good wife can put her foot down and say no as well." Eiko giggled. Yuna hadn't changed, that much was comforting, but even Eiko could see how the older sibling lit up as soon as her eyes caught sight of her little sister.
Eiko didn't want to leave, just so she could keep Yuna happier for a little while longer. While a wife was meant to keep the husband happy, they had sisters and brothers to keep them happy.
Their afternoon was spent with idle gossip and simple laughter. Time passed, and even though it was about time for Eiko to leave she simply couldn't. It seemed like a blink of an eye but suddenly the sun that was high up the sky just mere minutes ago was setting behind the horizon.
Yuna never noticed a pair of dark eyes looking at her and Eiko calmly in the shadows, spying this display of intimacy with no boundaries.
Yuna suddenly stopped laughing and looked up to the sky.
"Oh my I'm so sorry for keeping you here so long. I hope that mom won't be too hard on you. Blame it all on me since she can't yell on me anymore." Eiko bit her lower lip before smiling and shaking her head.
"It was my decision. I won't tell her that I came here because then she'll explode or something. I'll think of some excuse." Eiko got up and so did Yuna.
She sent Eiko all the way to the front door where the girl put on her shoes before they exchanged their pleasant farewells, extending the departure as long as possible.
"Just look at us...Saying good bye like we won't see each other again."
Eiko smiled and gave a last wave, "I'll see you at the wedding, if not sooner."
She didn't want to leave, but Eiko knew that the cheerful glow around Yuna won't last forever. She left the compound, leaving Yuna standing alone in the dim entry.
"Was that your little sister?"
Yuna jumped when she heard the familiar voice and turned around sharply. Izuna was leaning against the wall with his trademark smile on his lips. Yuna frowned and crossed her hands on her chest almost in a defensive manner.
"What's it for you? More blackmail material? Going to run to Madara to report?"
The man playfully flinched at the sharp tone, only infuriating Yuna even more.
"I'm simply asking because the two of you look fairly similar." he said innocently in a weak attempt to ease the woman's doubts.
"Yeah, she's my little sister, but I'm sure you already knew." Yuna said calmly.
Izuna smirked and tilted her head in a way that it almost looked benevolent, but Yuna had already learnt that there was nothing innocent about that man.
"Perhaps I did...I heard that you saw the little ones train today?" Izuna inquired further causing Yuna to sigh and frown.
"Why are you pestering me with questions about my day? Is it for your evil plan or for Madara's?" Izuna chuckled and leaned in towards Yuna's face and brushed a strand of her hair away from her face, his sweet breath touching her lips.
"Madara doesn't need to scheme against you. I believe you know it from first-hand experience what happens when he holds a high dislike for something." Yuna took a step away from him with a stern look on her face.
"Tell me something I don't know," she snapped at Izuna before walking away.
Izuna smirked, looking after Yuna whose every step oozed of irritation.
I guess I got caught this time...
2014 version!