This chapter has been reviewed for better quality purposes, happy reading! :)

The Adversity of The Warring States

It had been two weeks since the Uchiha elders had left Uzushiogakure. Ashina Uzumaki felt deeply plagued by his need to reinforce his daughter's unannounced actions which had caused him embarrassment in front of the Uchiha. If she so chose to carry on with her actions, she would further taint the Uzumaki title, and all those years of work put into forming the Uzumaki reputation, and to have it turned into a laughing stock upon the disposal of ones rival's mockery.

His broad jaw clenched, as his hands dug into the fabric of his knees. The humidity had died down as the cold chills of autumn had approached Uzushiogakure.

He sat in his training dojo, a place which was significant to him since his childhood days. It was in this wooden structure that he had trained his ken-jutsu with his master, and this place gave him a sense of solace as he sat in a meditative position.

Two weeks ago, the Uchiha's had come to him with a proposal. It was certainly an unexpected request on their part. Originally, he had asked for a few days, but those days had turned into two weeks in no time. Life in Uzushiogakure had returned to normal after the minor panic which caused him to release an evacuation order in the past. His decision to move citizens out had been out of caution at the time. However, the threat of the Uchiha had still not wavered as of yet. Their armies still lay hidden in the lands surrounding his plains.

At this point, the Uzumaki clan was already at a disadvantage to the Uchiha. He had just gotten news that on the battlefield, the Senju had retreated due to the Uchiha battle tactic which had forced everyone to retreat or die fighting, including the Uzumaki shinobi. The situation placed him in an awkward position with his current allies, as he had just lost a battle from the very people offering him solace now through a marriage alliance.

One thing had already been certain, the Uchiha would wreak havoc if they were to be declined. The Uzumaki elders had unanimously agreed to the decision of a union between Madara and Mirai during the initial consultation. The fruit of the union would be astounding, granting the Uzumaki immunity through two strong clans at the cost of his neutrality towards the Uchiha and an already in place alliance with the Senju.

He had not spoken to Mirai of the proposal, but the wind swirled in all directions, and even the walls had ears.

Uzumaki Stronghold

Mirai sat on the floor as she helped Mito pack her personal belongings. Three months had flown by but it had only felt like a few days had passed. During this time, they had lost the war along side the Senju to the Uchiha. Alongside that, she felt that something strange had been transpiring at the stronghold in the recent days. The cold shoulder from the elders and her father seemed to have driven her up an edge.

"I wish you could have come to the Senju Estates with me, but father for some reason, strictly forbade you from leaving the Uzushiogakure." Mito sighed regretfully. Mirai looked at Mito perplexedly, "It's so strange, I have never been denied access to leave the stronghold in the past. Something just does not feel right…"

"Mira… I feel like he is just trying to protecting you. Father has never compromised safety, and now I am sure that this has to do with the evacuation two weeks ago which has him on edge. Naturally, this would the appropriate course of action and besides, you'll be there when the little one comes, I will make sure of it," she reasoned.

Mirai smiled softly. She would be an aunt soon, and Tobirama, an uncle. She slowly got up from her sitting position by her futon and walked over to her dresser to grab a hold of an envelope, which she then handed over to Mito timidly. "Onee-san, will you take this letter to him on my behalf?" she asked. Mito's eyes lit up, "it depends though, can I have a peak?" she nudged Mirai with a grin.

"Why would you even want to read them? You already get a fair share of gossip from the servants here and at the Senju Estates." Chuckled Mirai. Mito had enjoyed her moments in Uzushiogakure to their full extent. She did not know when would be the next time she would get to travel after the birth of her child. She had agreed to safely deliver Mirai's letter to Tobirama upon her arrival to the Senju Estates.

In the last three months, Mito had grown big for her own clothes. A lot bigger than she had expected as she supported a hand on her swollen belly. She could feel frequent moving and nudges in her belly which would leave her feeling restless. Her breasts ached, and her back and her feet had become swollen as she switched to walking bare feet to ease her discomfort. She had finally approached the eighth month mark. So painfully close, and yet anxious to reach Hashirama before the little ones arrival. She had spent almost three months at Uzushiogakure, more than the planned two months due to the threat of the Uchiha while dearly missing her husband, but she was finally on her way back to where she felt that she belonged.

Mirai and Mito made their way to the main hall to greet their father as it was time for Mito to bid farewell. Caravans had rolled out and men carried out palanquins for Mito and her ladies in waiting. Mito respectfully bowed to their father, and hugged Mirai. She was helped into her palanquin. The palanquins were made of dark wood and with the Senju crest carved into all four sides of them. This was the second time Mirai had bid Mito Farewell. First, being after Mito's marriage.

She sighed inwardly. It was bound to get lonely at the stronghold again. She had gotten used to Mito's presence, but was forced to part once more. She hated feeling the consistent loss of something or someone, and currently, Mito and Tobirama ranked high on her list.

She gracefully turned to walk back into the stronghold beside her father.

Uchiha Stronghold

At the Uchiha stronghold, the elders sat facing Madara Uchiha intently.

Information from the meeting with the Uzumaki clan had just been relayed to him, and he did not look too pleased with the reported material. He sat on his mat cross legged as he clutched a scroll in his right hand. He was dressed in a navy hakama and haori supporting the Uchiha crest as his long mane ran loose over his shoulders and back. He supported a nonchalant expression.

The elders had sent an alliance proposal to the Uzumaki in favor of a union with the Uzumaki heiress. He recalled watching her at the occasion of Hashirama's wedding. She stood out like an eye sore amongst the crimson haired Uzumaki. He was aware that his late father had expressed his wish to approach the Uzumaki to propose an alliance that would secure the Uchiha in terms of man power and allies with chakra reserves, but that was before his untimely death.

The Uchiha elders had conspired to force the Uzumaki hand into submission. In front of him sat elders Kagami, Aki, Mikoto, and Hatori in a line.

"Madara-sama, Ashina Uzumaki is hesitant to agree to our proposal, but we have planted the seed well and he shall cave in soon enough." stated Kagami.

"It isn't a concern if he disagrees, a little show of power will intimidate him into the alliance," Hatori supported Kagami.

"Our current victory over the Senju has put him in a twist. He is probably weighing his options out as we speak," elder Aki chuckled. Madara stared past them as he continued to listen. No one had dared mention their discovery of the letters composed for Tobirama Senju by the Uzumaki Hime or the controversial affair between them. However, he was already well aware of the aspersion through a primary source who had reported this to him. As the elders kept to their discussion, there was a slight knock on the door.

After affirmation from Madara, in walked an Uchiha messenger with a scroll, "Madara-sama, this is an official letter presented to me by the Uzumaki clan leader, Ashina Uzumaki. He has asked me to convey the scroll to you personally," Madara nodded as he the messenger continued, "in the light of recent events, we write to the sole clan leader, Uchiha Madara. The Uzumaki clan welcomes your hospitality of an alliance in the form of a union with Uzumaki Mirai. We look forward to the blissful occasion in the coming months."

Mikoto shot Hatori a satisfied side glance, their mission had been accomplished and they would now secure power balance on the same level as the Senju.

The elders sat prepared to celebrate the favorable news.

Uzumaki Stronghold

An urgent summon had been sent for Mirai, which was an odd event for her. She walked hurriedly through the halls to reach the meeting hall in time. She was requested in her father's private meeting hall where the elder's procession and her father awaited her presence. At first, she had assumed that it was news of Mito, but that possibly could not have been the reason as she had just left during the early hours, and usually it would take approximately three days of travel to reach the Senju Estates.

She gently slid the shoji panels of the room as she stepped in to find her father and the elders already seated and watching her intently. The air seemed thick and the atmosphere was tense. She bowed to all entities in the room and proceeded to sit down opposite to them.

"Mirai, you have been called for a very significant reason tonight." Elder Kin spoke sternly, causing her to tense up. Their approach did not sound too welcoming and when things had been brought to her this way in the past, it was never pleasant news, "this is both an interrogation and a summons for you," She continued. Mirai uncomfortably eyed everyone in the room from left to right.

Elders Kin, Daisuke, Emiko, Eiji, and then her father. She could feel the adrenaline in her system, as she prayed to Kami that nothing serious had taken place.

"What is your affiliation to Tobirama Senju?" questioned elder Daisuke. The question had caught her off guard as the wind was knocked out of lungs. Her eyes widened a fraction as her pores secreted sweat through her temples, "should I rephrase the question? Or are you willing to not cooperate with us?" Daisuke continued.

At that very moment, she had felt as if her voice had left her larynx. Or the fact that she had forgotten for a second what was being asked. "I… we…" was all she could muster. up, thinking really hard on what to relay to them. "We had been informed that you and younger Senju have been in contact with each other. Have you harbored an illicit relationship with the Senju?" elder Kin questioned.

Taking a deep breath in, her brows creased as she finally found the courage to speak in a straight sentence, "Tobirama Senju and I … have made vows to each other for marriage," she admitted. She received a few raised eyebrows and a few head shakes. Her father cleared his throat as everyone settled down, "did you lack the integrity to protect yourself? Was there an absence of virtues in your education, grooming, or your privileges to have heard this news from a third party source? Had you not had trust in me to stand for your betterment?" his voice boomed in the meeting hall, echoing against the walls.

"Did you think it through once before allowing yourself to take a position on how harmful that can be for your honor along with the Uzumaki Clan in the Shinobi paradigm?" elder Eiji questioned. Mirai was indeed scared, as they stared at her furiously like vultures ready to pick apart her existence. Her own father had refused to acknowledge her weakness in that moment. She calmed her brisk heartbeat, clearing her throat, she stared at the panel before her, "I have not done anything that would compromise my honor father, Tobirama and I had promised ourselves to each other because we share the same sentiments to each other." She voiced with the little mustered courage she now held.

"Worry not my dear, for we will affirm our investigation of whether your honor is intact or not, but you are to know that you are not in charge of making such decisions on your own. If you were not already aware, we have an alliance in place to the Senju with Mito. There is no need for us to pursue an already completed alliance with them," elder Kin spoke sternly as she eyed Mirai.

"The most eligible contender under consideration for Tobirama Senju, who is most likely to win the waver and be his wife is Touka Senju. The Senju would never consider another Uzumaki alliance as they have already aligned Hashirama with Mito." Eiji sighed in pity for the girl. Hearing Touka's name instilled a strange fire in her chest. She did not feel contempt for her, but now it was starting to irk her. Mirai stared at her lap as her hands clenched around the wrinkled the fabric of her fuchsia kimono.

"And that is precisely why we have made a decision to secure your future into place." elder Eiji continued. Ashina was still in a state of distaste over his daughters foolishness. There was a buildup of tears in her eyes that threatened to fall over the ridge of her lower lids if she were to blink, but she did not, as she clenched her jaw instead. Elder Kin slowly voiced the consensual decision as it rang in her ears. Her narrowed eyes turned to face elder Kin square in the face as she explained, "you have been promised in union to the Uchiha clan. We are in favor of this union as this provides us political stability within the warring states. We have been threatened with war if we do not comply, and we lack the resources from our recent loss, and the Senju have exhausted their powers in the last battle. The few clans which were in support of us do not have prowess that can rival the Uchiha."

"Your duty is to uphold the remains of your integrity and gracefully assimilate yourself within the Uchiha clan." elder Emiko advised. Mirai could not believe her senses. They had promised her off like rotten meat to the very enemy which had threatened them for years. She had been nothing but loyal to her clan since her conscience came into being and to then to question her loyalty?

Ashina had finally spoken up after his long silence, "we have been invited to pay homage to the late Tajima Uchiha in a month time. It gives you enough time to settle your heart and mind into the direction you're heading, is that understood?" Her lips pursed tightly as her hands were still clenched into fists.

"You are dismissed," ordered elder Kin. She stood up from her seated position, bowing at the panel before her as she walked out of the meeting room as briskly as she had entered in.

A week later at the Senju Estates

The caravan had arrived safely with Mito two days ago, as she now lay peacefully in her bed with Hashirama beside her. He gently stroked her hair, unable to keep his hands off her since her arrival. Her naked form pressed into his side as they spoke to each other in low voices. However, their peace had been interrupted by a sharp knock at the entrance of their chambers.

Hashirama slid out of bed, wrapping his Kimono robe around him in a hurry in order to deal with the urgency. Mito got up and left for the bathroom, but upon her return, Hashirama had already left their chambers. Mito quickly got dressed and headed to follow Hashirama's tensed chakra. In Hashirama's office stood Tobirama with an Uzumaki messenger. As Mito entered the office, she could see a visibly upset Tobirama and Hashirama controlling his frustration. "Anija, you knew of this?!" Tobirama raised his voice.

"Calm down Tobi. You aren't in the right state of mind right now. I promise we will talk about this in detail, just let me figure this out first." He said to his little brother as he sent a summons for the Senju elders. "But you knew about this?" lowering his voice this time.

"Just a fraction of it from what the elders had discussed a few weeks ago, but that was outdated knowledge Tobi."

"I will take part in no such ridiculousness, and as for Mirai, this needs to be resolved before she is used a pawn." Tobirama immediately pushed past Hashirama and slammed the door behind him. Mito visibly concerned, walked up to Hashirama at the mention of her younger sisters name.

"Darling, what is the matter? Why is Tobirama so upset, and why is Mirai being mentioned here." she questioned. Hashirama handed her a scroll with the Uzumaki seal on it.

In neat calligraphic kanji, they had written:

Honorable Hashirama-Sama,
We hope this message finds you in good health.
We presume that you must be anticipating the arrival of your child as much as we are.
It has come to our attention that Tobirama and Mirai have concealed and played a little gambit, formed an illicit bond and deceived their clans in their respective ways.
We share an endearing bond with the Senju through our fruitful alliance.
However, as per the late Butsuma Senju's wishes, we are aware that Touka Senju has already been determined as a suitable partner for Tobirama Senju long before your father's demise. However, it was never declared openly as you may already be aware of the reasons.
To resolve this issue and gain political neutrality, we have formed a neighboring alliance with the Uchiha through the union of Mirai Uzumaki with Madara Uchiha.
Your role in the proceedings is integral as we strive to build peace and bestow the responsibility of ensuring that our alliance stays duly in place. We seek the blessing of the clan head and Senju elders. We hope to see you and Mito at the marital ceremony in three months' time.

Upon reading the letter twice, Mito placed her hand forehead. She was at a loss of words "Hashirama… you knew about Tobirama's arrangement with Touka?"

"Mito, it was a long time ago. It doesn't stand true anymore. They had done it in a way to secure the Senju lineage through Tobi since I was always thought to marry for an alliance outside of my own clan but it's irrelevant now as we've grown up and father has passed on," he tried to clarify. "They are going to force Mira into doing their bidding. I know their manipulative ways, I was supposed to protect her…" her eyes welled up with tears.

"Mito, I will not allow you to participate in this. I can't afford for you to be pulled into something which will harm your position or health at this point," he reasoned. "I do not know what to do," tears spilled down her cheeks as thought of how they must have cruelly forced her sisters hand. Hashirama stood in his study as he embraced Mito from behind. Both of them knew internally that it was beyond late to contest Tobirama's position with the Uzumaki's. If a letter had been sent to the Senju to confirm the union, then a message must have been sent to the Uchiha well before that. It would already complicate the matter because the Uzumaki had not asked for advice on the matter.

Hashirama could understand the political decision Ashina Uzumaki had taken to secure neutrality and to avoid another war, but he also knew the impact it would have on his brother's life. As Mirai would forever become the center of Tobirama's failure. This was not going to go well either way because of the sensitivity between the Senju and Uchiha clans. If he were to contest the union between Mirai and Madara, the Uchiha would retaliate against them out of enmity.

Tobirama who had brashly walked out of his brothers study now stood in his training grounds as seething anger raged through his veins. He felt betrayed by his own kin. He thought about the possible state Mirai could have been in and how the Uzumaki's may have forcefully coerced her into the arrangement after the revelation of their secret courtship to each other.

Her last letter to him had been about her wish to convey the truth to her father. By now, they would have silenced her claims and enforced their wishes. He had to rescue her somehow, but he knew it would jeopardize many other things in the process. With a flick of his wrist, the previously lush green grounds had now turned into a small lake, severing the trees around him.

Three weeks had traversed since the news of the arrangement. The Uzumaki clan had mostly kept to themselves as the Senju clan had declined to join the Uzumaki memorial visit to the Uchiha territories in order to commemorate the alliance. It was understood that an engagement was to take place during the memorial visit to bind Madara and Mirai in place. It wasn't a stance of hostility, but rather the fact that Mito was on the verge of giving birth and Hashirama could not leave her at such a critical period. When it came to Tobirama, the Senju elders had undoubtedly decided against letting him attend.

Hashirama acted as a medium in between the Senju elder council members and on behalf of Tobirama. So far, the argument had proceeded far enough. Tobirama had blatantly declined Touka's hand in marriage and closed himself up from the rest of the world. He even refused to confront Hashirama and Mito as they relentlessly tried to break through to him. The elders council had assigned him a mission at the border patrol to control the situation in case he desired to reconnect with the Uzumaki heiress.

Mirai on the other hand had become hostile to those around her. Throughout the month, she had begged Mito and Hashirama to intercede on her behalf through her letters, but they chose to keep the silent policy which was strictly put into place by the Senju Elders. After trying to reach Tobirama in more ways than one, she felt cast aside, bitter and volatile towards the whole situation. No one had defended her when she was subjected to humiliation, not Mito, Hashirama or even Tobirama had dared to step in against the Uchiha in the matter.

Apart from the sudden hostility, she took solace in the fact that she would wreak havoc on the very perpetrators who were responsible for her situation, if not today, then tomorrow. She silently held her sentiments in check, and vowed to face Tobirama one day and break his resolve. She planned to go against the very sister who had promised to protect her, and face the very shinobi no-Kami who had the audacity to waive off the matter so lightly when it come to his brother and her.

Mirai stood in her room facing her dresser, grimacing at her reflection in the mirror. She barely recognized her appearance as she had grown paler and thinner, with dark circles that laced the skin under eyes from the lack of sleep. Her frail form stood straight as her dark hair hung down in dishevelment. "Unforgivable" she whispered bitterly to herself as tears bled through her sunken eyes.

The Uchiha had invited the Uzumaki clan to pay homage to the late Tajima Uchiha, but she knew that it was an excuse to acquaint the Uzumaki with Uchiha territory and tie her to Madara Uchiha in a small engagement ceremony. She paused for a second and thought about Madara's involvement in this ordeal. She had met him briefly at Mito's wedding but hadn't exchanged a word in conversation. His nonchalant behavior had not gone unnoticed by her. Having met him, she sensed a very dark, cold and quiet aura radiating from his presence. Mirai shuddered and took a step back from the mirror. For now, she lacked the ability to feel anything but contempt and fear.

Anytime now, her ladies in waiting would come in and pick up her belongings and leave them to the carts, and she would be carried in a palanquin for the next few hours to their destination. It was time to leave for the Uchiha stronghold. Mirai had not spoken to her father since the decision and now completed refused to even look at him. Over the course of the month, elder Kin had made considerable effort to stabilize Mirai. She would occasionally drop by and accompany Mirai through her daily routine. Elder kin knew precisely what the young woman was undergoing, and she understood Mirai's nature since the day she was birthed, but She also knew that Uzumaki interests were to be absolute over her own. Elder kin wanted to serve as a support to her in case if she were to falter through the process of the alliance.

Perhaps a thread of motherly instinct had arisen in her conscience. Elder kin had supported the decision of Ashina's marriage to Mirai's mother many years ago. She had secretly protected Mirai even when seeming strict and taut to the eyes of many. However, in the last little while, she had tried to console the girl to eradicate the newly acquired bitterness in her nature so she could move on in her life. Elder Kin understood the pain of incomplete love all too well, but stood in loyalty to the Uzumaki interests before anything or anyone else.

Uchiha Territory

Cold autumn winds blew, making the Uzumaki banners flutter quickly with the wind.

A few hundred palanquins stood at the entrance of a what seemed like grand stone walls which seemed to stretch unlimitedly to the left and right, overlooking a grassy forest and terrain. On top of the walled fort, stood four Uchiha guards. Two of which jumped down and greeted the Uzumaki entourage. Mirai's palanquin swung as it had abruptly begun moving again as quickly as it had halted. The Uzumaki's were now on Uchiha territory and being led by the two Uchiha soldiers into the walled stronghold.

An hour or so into the trip within the stronghold, Mirai peaked through her sheer curtain panels, and could see a whole village with houses, people and market places. Her heart stammered in her chest as she placed her palm to her chest, her gold bracelets chimed as they slid on her arm and hit each other in the process. She wore a burgundy silk kimono to represent her clan's life force. On her head rested a small gold diadem from her late mother's collection; a round gold band carved with intricate leaf designs which rested on top of her transparent white veil.

Ashina and the elders climbed out of their palanquins only to be greeted by the Uchiha Elders, Izuna and Madara. Hundreds of people circled around the procession to sneak a peak at the Uzumaki Nobility and the rumored female who was chosen to be the future matriarch. To their disappointment, the Uzumaki heiress hadn't stepped out yet, and only a few old men and women officials stood out as they greeted the Uchiha elders. Izuna smiled cunningly as he greeted every Uzumaki official standing at the entrance.

Madara stood silently as he nodded to the Uzumaki greetings.

Izuna wore a dark blue high collared haori with trousers and Madara was dressed in a dark blue Kimono. Both brothers supported the Uchiha crests on their backs. A signal was given for the Uzumaki noblewomen, maids and Mirai's ladies in waiting to step out around Mirai's palanquin to grant her access to the outside world. Slowly but surely, Mirai stepped out of her palanquin. People witnessed a veil clad figure stepping out of the palanquin, surrounded by numerous Uzumaki females. Mirai cautiously walked towards the procession before her, having her hands tightly bound in front of her. Heat radiated from her usually cool body as cold sweat formed in her palms with the cold wind caressed her form.

Mirai walked up beside her father and slightly bowed her head and let out a small but subtle greeting to the Uchiha elders. For the first time in years, Elder Mikoto Uchiha let a slight genuine smile grace her hard features. She knew the significance of this very moment, and it reminded her of the time Madara's mother had taken her first steps into the stronghold as Tajima's bride.

Everyone now awaited the most significant moment. The first obligatory welcome bow of both soon to be promised beings. Madara swiftly made his way into Mirai's vision and stopped a meter away. They bowed to each other with Madara being a whole foot taller than her with his long silky hair gliding over his broad shoulders and down his back. His side bangs carefully framed his perfectly sculpted face, as his dark coal eyes stared past the transparency of her veil and straight into her blue hues from a distance.

'Ruthless as ever,' Mirai thought.

Elder Hatori's voice croaked and disrupted the atmosphere, "On behalf of the Uchiha Clan, we, the elders and Uchiha nobility, welcome the Uzumaki nobility to Uchiha hospitality. Please join us in the stronghold as our brethren and pay tribute to our late patriarch Tajima Uchiha." Mirai could feel multiple eyes on her which made her feel uneasy. She had never succumbed to public pressure but however, a particular pair of eyes had been intently studying her carefully for some time now.