Sumi stood still, with her arms spread and her posture unnaturally straight, while the tailor fixed details about the dress she was trying on. They wanted to make sure every centimeter of the fabric was in perfect place, and had found several things that needed to be altered.

She didn't know if it was knowing she was proposed to simply because of the circumstance, or not having even thought about getting married prior to this, but Sumi took notice of her lack of excitement. When Mego was about to marry Izuna, she was overjoyed, excited and made sure to be attentive to every little detail that was in her care. At the moment, she was just tired.

"What comes next?" She whispered to a young girl standing behind her – Toya. Toya usually worked in the kitchen, in Mego's parents' household, but was serving as her hand maiden for now. She needed one, and Mego couldn't leave the house without Madara as escort.

"Clan history, dance lesson and then… uh… Pleasuring lesson." The young hand maiden blushed, averting her gaze. Sumi rolled her eyes. How much more discomfort would she have to endure before this farce was over?

"Ow…" She looked down at the tailor's apprentice, who had just pricked her leg with a needle.

"Forgive me, my lady!" The poor girl backed off and bowed, holding her eyes tightly shut, presumably waiting for scolding.

Sumi sighed, and offered a small smile to try and calm the situation. Funnily enough, she always thought that if she could switch places with people above her, she'd enjoy looking down on servants, just because she could. As it turned out, she found this shift more uncomfortable than anything.

"Be careful!" The tailor yelled at the apprentice, about to hit the girl, and Sumi raised her hand.

"That won't be necessary. Let's just get this over with."

….

History lesson she survived. Her dance lesson didn't last even a full hour. There was no need for it anyway, as she had already told everyone – but who had ever paid her any mind? A change of status didn't warrant that, apparently. When Mego was younger and was being taught to dance, she, in turn, taught Sumi. But, as in all else, people completely disregarded her words, and insisted on doing everything according to their plan.

Walking to her next appointment, she was fairly positive it would be the worst one yet. A lesson in pleasuring… Just how bizarre did preparations for marriage have to be? She remembered being present for a few of those classes back when Mego's wedding was being prepared. They were truly wearisome. Especially since she—

Her thought process was interrupted when a gorgeous, richly dressed woman entered the room. She wasn't very young, appearing to be in her late forties at the very least, but that took nothing from her striking beauty.

Toya stood close by, while Sumi and her teacher sat around a table, facing each other. Bed loomed against the leftmost wall of the room, as she tried not to look at it, trying not to give away how anxious she felt.

The teacher – a former courtesan, which explained her good looks – talked and talked about what was expected of a wife in bedroom. And Sumi was committed to listening. It was her last lesson for the evening, she'd manage to do it right.

"Had anyone ever told you about love making? Your mother, or someone else?" The woman asked.

"Well… Actually, I have—" She paused to clear her throat. "I have done it before, it's not strange to me."

"Excuse me?!" The teacher suddenly gasped, narrowing her eyes at her. "You mean to tell me you're not a virgin?" She whispered.

Sumi shook her head.

"How did that happen?! And you're just saying that now?!"

Sumi leaned back in her seat, giving the woman her most unimpressed look. Since gaining her new status, she had spent some time practicing it. She would not have a courtesan lecture her about being virtuous.

"I was raised a servant. I never thought I'd be married at all, much less to anyone important." She was determined to stay unbothered about the matter, and hope for the best. Senju Tobirama couldn't expect things like that from her when he jumped her with his proposal without her even anticipating anything.

It took the woman a while to wipe the annoying, concerned look off her face. Approximately ten minutes of conversation was all it took for her to deem Sumi capable of pleasuring, noting there was no need for her to take any more of her lessons.

Thank gods, the girl thought. This, too, is over.

….

It was one of those nice spring mornings, when warmth of sun and chill of wind worked together to create probably the most magical weather of the year. Trees, bushes and flowers had begun to bloom again, and it was at last warm enough to spend time outside. Mego gathered up some silk, thread, and other material she would need, to go sit outside and work on some embroidery. Within the garden fence, at least, she had freedom, and with this wonderful weather, she could finally take advantage of it.

Pup – yes, Doro's pup, she wasn't very creative with names – was lying by her feet, as she was starting to slowly fill in the lines she had drawn on the fabric, while slowly rocking in her chair.

When she was only about half done with one floral motif, she heard steps approaching, and looked up to meet Sumi. The girl sat in a chair next to her own, and yawned lazily.

"Good morning, my lady." She greeted. Mego chuckled.

"You're quite a sleepyhead, Sumi. I never noticed."

"That is the one welcome change." She scooted her chair closer to Mego's. "May I see?"

They briefly discussed which colors would look better on the vibrant fabric, then Mego went back to work, and Sumi observed her peacefully, occasionally playing with Pup, when his pleas for attention got overbearing.

"What are you doing today?" Mego asked, not looking up from the pattern her fingers were skillfully needling onto the silk.

"Uhm… dress fitting again, and history. I'm done with pleasuring."

Mego burst out laughing at her disgusted expression, accidentally making a mistake in her embroidery. She put the framed fabric down on her lap to get her scissors.

"I know. It's the worst. How did that go yesterday?"

"Well… Not great. My virginity isn't as negligible as I thought." She exhaled a long breath of air. "I'm trying not to worry, but… Won't he get angry with me when he finds out?" Sumi whispered. She looked exhausted, now that Mego took a closer look at her.

"Maybe he won't notice? People don't always bleed on their first time." Mego tried to reassure her.

"He probably wouldn't notice on his own, but… Shouldn't I tell him?"

"Why would you do that?" Mego gasped.

"Well, what if he asks?"

Mego put down her work, sighing. "Then… I suppose it would be best to lie."

"How can I lie to my husband for our entire lives? This is such a horrible beginning and—"

"Shh!" Mego quickly interrupted her, when she heard a bat of steps coming their way. Both girls averted their gazes towards the porch behind them, soon being met by men of the house, carrying their weapons, off to the small training area they had set up in their backyard.

Tajima was lecturing Madara on speed, when they stopped, upon seeing her and Sumi were already there.

"Good morning, Mego, Sumi." Tajima greeted. They replied in unison, smiling at the man. Madara nodded their way, and proceeded to follow his father in silence.

Sumi gave her a look, but stayed silent until the two went far enough.

"Did you two have a fight?" She asked worriedly. Mego shook her head, and shrugged her shoulders.

"No… I have absolutely no idea what I've done. He's been like that since yesterday." She tried bending down from the chair to put her material away, since the mood for crafting had left her, but couldn't because of her stomach. Slowly, she got up and started to put the things away, motioning for Sumi to stay sitting down, as the girl was already about to jump and help her.

"Maybe something else bothers him?" Sumi suggested. "He wouldn't be like that without a reason, especially to you. He adores you!"

"I tried talking to him, but he keeps refusing to speak to me."

She had gone over every time they had spoken in the past week, and couldn't remember one instance where she might have been hurtful or disrespectful to Madara. The only conclusion she was left with was that she had become a nuisance.

"He's probably just tired of me." She tried sounding nonchalant, and failed miserably. "I've been clinging to him for everything since Izuna—" A sniff escaped her, and almost right away, she felt Sumi pull her into a hug.

She hugged her friend back, feeling almost pleasant pressure in her sinuses as tears collected in her eyes. They stood embraced in the blooming garden, and what started as a soft stream of tears soon turned into gut-wrenching sobs. Mego unintentionally squeezed her friends shoulder almost too hard, her tears wetting her face, lips, chin, Sumi's neck. Her entire body shook as if every part of her wanted to join and cry too.

"Mego, calm down. Shh…" Sumi whispered gently, patting her back, since she had gotten loud. But it was nearly impossible to stop. She couldn't even pinpoint one reason to weep over. There were so many, and they all came rushing towards her at once. Starting with Izuna's death. She was the luckiest girl in the clan to end up with such a gentle and good man, and he was now dead. And she was shunned and rejected because he died, as if it was her fault.

Or maybe it was? If everyone thought so, who was she to say it wasn't? Her Sumi was leaving. Her friend, and sister, and everything since they were little. She would be shipped off to live among strangers, and who knew when they'd see each other again. This… This baby was coming and she didn't even know if she wanted to have it, or if she was even ready, and she didn't even have a husband to raise it with!

And upon all else, the one person she had developed a habit of leaning on had started to push her away. She was overbearing, always tagged along and bothered him. That had to be it, there was no other reason.

"What is it?!" Suddenly, she heard Madara's voice. In only a couple of seconds he had made his way over and separated her from Sumi, gripping her shoulders tightly and looking at her. "Sumi, what's happening?! Is she alright?" He raised his voice impatiently upon receiving no answer. Mego wiped her tears, but to no avail. She had been holding everything in for far too long.

"Take her to lie down. Sumi, bring her some water." Tajima, as always, remained reliable. She heard him in the background telling a servant to prepare calming tea.

Her cries were diminished, but didn't stop, even when Madara picked her up and made way to her bedroom. Once he laid her down on bed, Sumi followed and had her drink some water. Her breathing still hasn't completely stabilized at that point, but she felt she had cried her fill, and was slowly calming down. Sobs escaped her chest, causing her body to contort without her control, but tears had stopped.

Soon, the servant arrived with her tea, and the room was filled with people. Madara and Sumi, the servant, Tajima by the door. She leaned her forehead on her knees, in a naïve attempt to hide from them. Now that she was a bit calmer, embarrassment was beginning to kick in.

"The three of you leave. Let's give her some space." Madara said over his shoulder. When the door closed, he slowly sat on the edge of her bed.

"Are you in pain? Is it the child?" He frowned, observing her.

"No, it's not the child." Her throat felt tight as she spoke. "I'm sorry for worrying you all. I'm fine now." She took a deep breath in and out, and was finally done crying. She was overwhelmed by that strange relief that tears brought.

She shifted uncomfortably, however, frowning at Madara, who still hadn't budged from his seat.

"I said I'm fine, brother in law."

"A person doesn't cry hysterically when they're fine. Tell me."

"There's nothing to tell. I was just sad." She shrugged, brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Why were you sad?"

"I really don't want to talk to you now, brother in law. Please—"

"But you will talk to me. Don't make me ask again, Mego. Speak."

She looked away, looking at nothing in particular, and remained quiet. So did Madara. He usually wasn't very talkative and seemed to have no issues with her reticence, and she… Well, she was. The air was thick with discomfort after only a few minutes, soon making her conform.

"I'm scared of being lonely." She began. "After Sumi leaves, I will be all by myself. That's why I'm sad." She had simplified it to the maximum, but really didn't feel like explaining every single thing that bothered her.

"Father and I are here." Madara said matter-of-factly, earning himself a scoff from her.

"Father in law and I share nothing but formalities. And you… I can take a hint, brother in law. You don't want me around anymore."

He sighed wearily, offering her his everlasting frown.

"For gods' sake, Mego, that's not true."

….

Madara knew he would have to face this conversation sooner or later, after the minimal communication between him and Mego the day prior. But he frankly didn't expect it to be this soon.

"You completely pushed me away, and I can't think of any other reason! You can tell me, what have I done?" She began gesturing wildly, and he couldn't help thinking how good it was to see her speak like her usual self.

"It isn't you, Mego. It's…" He took a moment to think. "It's everyone else."

"What do you mean, brother in law?" The girl almost pouted, clearly confused.

He shifted in his seat, clearing his throat, looking for a proper way to tell her what he knew. There was nothing proper about the whole situation, so in the end, he concluded, it mattered little how he breaks it to her.

"Others…" He gestured vaguely, "People of the clan… Seem to have misinterpreted our relationship."

"What? I don't understand…"

"Exactly, I didn't either. Some believe we're inappropriately close, as in…" He nodded, letting her conclude the rest on her own.

"As in?"

"You won't make this easy, will you? As in, they think we're fucking."

Mego gasped, covering her mouth. Her eyes suddenly became restless, never staying on him, but roaming around the room. She appeared to have something to say several times, but was, essentially, speechless.

"And not only that. There are rumors of your child being… well, mine."

Her eyes finally stopped on him, her gaze dead serious.

"They couldn't think that we… behind Izuna's back…"

"Yes. That's why I tried to put some distance between us, at least in public." He explained. "For your sake, and your child's."

"Why didn't you just tell me, brother in law?"

Madara shrugged.

"I don't know. I suppose I didn't want to upset you."

"So you ignored me and kicked me out of your room?" She attempted a joke, and he gave a small smile.

"We will have to be mindful in front of others, but I am here, as always."

She smiled, and gently brushed her fingers over his.

"Thank you, brother in law. That's all I need to know."

Despite all his loathing of anyone who dared spread that disgusting gossip, he could see it too. The two of them truly had the habit of treating each other like they were much closer than typical in-laws. The difference was he saw nothing wrong in it. Because, despite what they thought they could see, he didn't perceive Mego as a woman.

He looked at her, bathed in the sun shining through the window, her face still a little puffy, some of her hair hanging loose from her long braid, her lips reddish, gaze adoring, her warm hand gently resting atop his own.

Fuck.