33.
The months dragged by slowly for Yuna.
The Senju, much more loved around the world for their smiles and peaceful attitude did most of the negotiating when it came to borders of Konoha.
That's what they decided to call this hidden village. She found the name, at first, strange and unsuitable, but the more she repeated that name "Konoha" to herself the more familiar it became. It's the same with lies, if you keep repeating it in your head and to everyone else it slowly becomes the truth, the only truth that exists. Everything else will be turned to dust.
She rarely saw Chinatsu anymore.
The woman locked herself into her lonely room when she stayed in the Uchiha residence.
The first time Chinatsu told her brother that she wants to divorce, he didn't say anything. The day after Chinatsu disappeared to somewhere without a word, and when she returned it looked as if she was broken, like a mangled doll.
Madara didn't say anything about what had happened, so Yuna didn't press the matter.
To be honest Madara didn't even talk to his wife anymore. Yuna wasn't sure if Chinatsu was ignoring Madara or the opposite. Either way she thought that it would be better to stay quiet and stay out of their affairs.
This year was the first time that the Uchiha celebrated along with the Senju, and it wasn't a quiet party. Both sides had prepared some amazing performances by dancers, musicians and as a grand finale; the Uchiha had prepared an almost dangerous firework show.
When they were still developing it someone accidentally set the roof on fire. Luckily, a water type shinobi was close by and thanks to his quick reactions, no one got hurt.
Madara was not happy with the current situation, and he didn't like the idea of the future as well.
The concept of cooperating with the Senju was not acceptable in any form for him, but under the great pressure of the elders and the rest of the clan, he had to grit his teeth and bear with it if he wanted to stay as a leader.
A disgrace, that's what Madara called it. He had promised Izuna to take over the world, not settle down with the Senju to play house.
Yuna, who never really cared for power, just listened to him solemnly, without making any comments. Madara preferred it that way. It was easier to handle this way.
Slowly…his ideals were starting to clash with the clan.
"You wouldn't love me if I weren't who I am." Madara stated once to Yuna. She just gave him a long, gloomy look before sighing.
"Yes, because then you would be a lowlife commoner with a bad attitude and no real strengths. They die early because of their mouths. Now I know that there are wounds and pain behind that façade that you put up." Madara snorted.
He never openly agreed with the "mushy pointless words" of a woman.
"It's no façade." He remarked. Yuna only gave him a knowing smile.
"That's because you have repeated this lie long enough. Now the façade has turned to reality and replaced your true self. Or you could just admit that you're a big bad jerk." Madara wasn't pleased with the last comment by her.
It occasionally bothered him that he allowed Yuna to talk so freely around him, but it gave him a rare opportunity to actually understand someone.
He never really cared for anyone else's motives as long as they played their part, but Yuna…she wasn't playing a role in his schemes, she was free from that responsibility.
She was just there; ready to accept Madara with his blood-stained history and mistakes.
"You talk too much."
"Are you mad because I annoy you or because I'm right?"
Madara stopped for a second before poking her forehead playfully.
"Maybe a bit of both, only you know the answer," he said mockingly.
The divorce was moving slowly. Izuna's healing was slow. Everything was dragging like a snail stuck in glue, until the day when the Uchiha called Yuna to his office. This time it wasn't for a casual chat, he had a mission for her, and a tough one.
He openly and loudly protested when it was suggested that Yuna will be the one who'll be sacrificed for the sake of other people, but after being pressured by the elders and other higher ranking clan members he was forced to agree.
She sat in front of him innocently, completely unaware of the dangers awaiting her. Madara sighed, the frown on his forehead gave Yuna an early indication that he wasn't pleased with the situation…then again was Madara ever completely pleased?
"I prohibit you to die on this mission," the seriousness in his voice started to scare Yuna. Usually he would get straight to the point, but now it seemed as if he was hesitating, as if he was scared as well.
"Way up north in the fire country is a fortress, surrounded with thick brick walls. There are rumours going around that the leader drinks the blood of young women, believing that it will prolong his lifespan. Every week he recruits new young females in his ranks of maids and servers.
What exactly happens there is unknown because none of the servers ever leave.
You might've figured out already that his health is very poor, he's a very paranoid man, which is why I have spread the rumour that you, Kuroki Hikari, are very good with muscle stretching and chakra readings.
This man's name is Uematsu Hideto and you will enter his mansion and kill him. This is one of the first missions where we work together with the Senju. You see, they are concerned for the wellbeing of the women, but they are far too familiar for Uematsu. He wouldn't hesitate to kill them. Word about Senju and Uchiha working together has gotten out as well so sending and Uchiha would be idiotic.
But you, you don't resemble anyone from Senju or Uchiha.
Killing this frail man won't be difficult, but getting back out is. Before entering Uematsu's residence examine the city, the guards' shifts, figure out an escape route for yourself and only then can you go in.
We will have a medic train you about the basics, I'm sure you can improvise as well if there is a need. Do you have any questions?"
There was a long moment of silence between them. Yuna used that time to let the message sink in, and took a moment to examine Madara. His ego was hurt for sure.
"What kind of people are Kuroki Hikari and Uematsu Hideto?"
Madara paused for a moment.
"Kuroki Hikari is a woman from a small village in earth. She lived with her parents until her altruistic nature drove her to help people and along with her master began to travel and learn about the human body. She is single, no kids and also no other siblings beside her parents. Hikari is a gentle person, sometimes a bit impatient…now Uematsu Hideto is a different story.
That man is harsh, paranoid, ruthless and sadly very intelligent. He's a man you can't fool easily and he won't hesitate to order your execution. Sadly, you are young so he might choose to drain your blood and drink it, if the rumours are to believe
This man is beyond paranoid so I can't stress it enough how important it is for you to live in your role. We don't know how well trained are his allies, we don't know how to get in or out of that mansion, but you will have to figure it out.
You have to become Kuroki Hikari in the next few days. Also, we'll dye your hair red."
Yuna stared at him blankly before she started to giggle. The thought of her as a ginger seemed too unnatural to actually believe.
"Are you kidding me? I will look horrible! You said that he's paranoid. What if the colour bleeds?"
"Well you can't use a jutsu. Like I said, he's paranoid so he probably has some way of dispelling all jutsus that disguise your true appearance, so our only hope is to use something more natural."
Madara kept watching Yuna's face, she was always very easy to read, and whenever she was quiet Madara would carefully look at her face to make sure that she wasn't uncomfortable.
When he stated that Yuna's hair will be red, she first looked startled, then angry and after that amused. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but Yuna certainly wasn't happy.
"How long will you wait before you assume I'm dead?"
He didn't want to acknowledge that things could go wrong, Madara wanted to be like a little kid and stuff his fingers into his ears and sing very loudly, but he couldn't. It was his job to be neutral when it came to Yuna's duties. If it were up to him, he'd let her do what she wants every day without serving the Uchiha.
"Two months, that is the standard time,"
She nodded. It was pointless to tarry any longer.
Madara leaned forward, "but I will always wait for you," he said with a knowing smirk.
Her chest tightened and Yuna closed her eyes.
For her, those words hurt like knives. She barely registered Madara's soft touch; Yuna didn't even notice his lips touching hers.
All that she could register was the pain in her chest, the pain stayed until the next day and the scene kept replaying in her head like a broken record, and each time sent the same wave of emotions over her.
First of all, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LETTERS, REVIEWS, FAVORITES AND ALERTS! I know it has been a long time but I never forgot about this story, and when I logged in after months and saw that this story has more than 50 000 hits I wanted to cry out of joy because I felt so touched. All of your reviews and letters have encouraged me a lot to keep on going…I can promise you one thing; I will never give up this story until it is finished!
Honestly, for a while I lost all of my desire to write this story because the new developments in Naruto have completely messed up my vision of the finale so I was left disappointed and angry like a child. So I allowed the story and the ideas to sit and…grow... so to say.