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

The Adversity of The Warring States

In Madara's Private Study

Time seemed to have stagnated a bit as Izuna attempted to bridge the gap with Mirai in hopes of extracting information. However, she was not as responsive as he had assumed in the beginning. She stared into his dark eyes as he explained the history of the Uchiha estate and clan, and the council's motives. 'His smooth face,' she thought. 'He seems so pale and fragile…'

But the reality of it was far from his physical appearance; he was a destructive force altogether. Mirai absorbed information like a sponge and observed Izuna's secretive personality. He was definitely a troublesome individual, if she was to deal with him on par as an opponent. She pondered off into the distance, still listening him and nodding her head in response.

Despite her distaste in regards to her marriage arrangement, the gears in her mind had been turning for some time now. She even contemplated facilitating the Uchiha motive to defeat the threat of the Senju. Her vengeance seemed to have been consuming her as of recently. Her blood boiled at the thought of Mito, and most of all, Tobirama.

"Mirai-san?"

She snapped back.

Izuna had asked her a question that she could no longer recall.

"Gomen Izuna-sama, I seem to have been too engrossed in the toils of the village itself, but I have enjoyed the brief introduction. I believe I am expected for dinner with Rei-sama in sometime, so it should be reasonable to call an end to this meeting ne? You need not stay here for my sake, as I am sure you are a busy individual." She looked to him, perhaps the sake had done more damage to her personality than she would have liked to admit.

Izuna nodded slowly in affirmation at her request, whilst staring at her like a hawk. 'Shrewd woman' He thought.

He could have sworn seeing her smirk slightly as her eyes deceptively stared into his own. He knew from the contemplative look in her eyes, she was going to be precarious in many ways as she briefly stood up and bowed towards him.

"Mirai-san, my offer of allegiance still stands, that is if you are still interested in flourishing within this stronghold." His tone of voice informed amusedly.

Both Uchiha siblings had endured atrocities, and horrendous acts of battle during their short lifetimes. She almost felt sympathetic towards Izuna and Madara for having lost all that they had loved as children, including their siblings, and mother who would have taught them to keep tenderness in their demeanors. She herself had grown up without a mother throughout most of her life, but Mito had served as a guardian to her.

She had felt dread at the ordeal between her and Mito. Vengeance had replaced the blind trust she had once held. Before exiting the premises, she turned to address him one last time, "and Izuna-sama, I did not think that I would need to swear an allegiance to you. You are my prospective brother in-law after all, and it will be such that my loyalties will habitually lay with that of my marital clan now." She assured him politely.

Izuna stared at her questioningly. A few minutes ago, her aura had felt non-receptive and blunt, yet it seemed different now. She had successfully deflected his attempts at discussing her and Madara's first impressions over their first encounters. She had initially looked upset when he had entered in the room. He could read her energy, and he was sure that an episode of emotional brutality may have been the case, knowing his brother's ruthless behavior.

'She was stubborn in a subtle and polite way, and she managed to conceal everything quite well', he mused. Izuna nodded once again in affirmation towards her as she slid past the double doors of Madara's private study. Izuna sat there, feeling entertained as he drank the left over sake. 'She would definitely test the patience of many members of this clan at the very least,' he thought.

At the Senju Estates

Mito walked through the corridors supporting her bulging stomach with one hand. The baby had been restless ever since she had arrived at the Estates. She could feel consistent tugs and contractions more than ever. The midwives had told her to expect birthing pains soon, but the fetus had been emitting massive chakra bursts every now and then causing her vitals stress. Another reason for her apparent stress was the news of Mirai's betrothal to the Uchiha.

She was divided between Tobirama's feelings and her clans decision of neutrality with the Uchiha alliance. 'They would devourer her sister whole,' she worried.

By the order of the Uzumaki council elders, Mito was not permitted to speak on the matter in support of Tobirama or Mirai. She was to maintain an impartial stance because if she showed support to Mirai, there was a high chance that Mirai would back out of the alliance given that she had Hashirama and Mito's support.

Mito felt restricted in her own rights with the Uzumaki elder's council in tow of their own decisions, and she knew that Mirai would never forgive her for not interceding on her behalf. When Mito had learnt of Tobirama and Touka's arrangement, it had been too late to convince the Senju elders as the two had been betrothed at a young age without their knowledge. It was Butsuma Senju's last commitment for the sake of the loyalty to his clan because Hashirama was expected to lead the clan to greatness through his union, and alliance to the Uzumaki. Meanwhile, Tobirama was there to assure loyalty within the ranks of the Senju.

In the recent days, Hashirama had taken a leave from his clan-leading duties to focus on Mito's needs for the last little while, and Tobirama had been completely absent from the estates since the revelation of Mirai's engagement to Madara.

Mito cautiously walked into Hashirama's library, expecting him to be busy with the recent clan propositions. Regardless of Hashirama taking time off from his duties, the Senju still required his prowess in some urgent matters. She found him pacing the floor, as she entered the room.

Hashirama noticed his wife looking pale looking pale and worried. "Did you hear back from father?" she questioned.

He sighed in response to her inquiry. He did not know how to break it to her. "Mirai will be married to Madara in three weeks' time, and Ashina-sama has taken offense to Tobirama's intrusion and course of actions with Mirai." Mito walked to the window, and stared at the courtyard, "I do not understand what father is thinking, unless he really wants to pit Mirai and I at odds with each other."

"I think he's trying to secure both ends of the rope Mito. He knows that out of principle, we will not attack the allies of our allies. He is rightful to believe that the Uchiha will uphold their bargain for peace if he requests it through Mirai's matriarchal position at the Uchiha Estate." Hashirama walked behind Mito and cradled her shoulders.

"And what of Tobirama…?" Mito pressed worriedly.

"He will need to learn to live with his decisions Mito. He should have not made such an error in his judgement to begin with, as critical as he is right now. I know his heart and he will be upset, and may not even let this go easily, but his hearts in the right place. He knows what is right, and he now knows that Touka is for him. He will not jeopardize Mirai's future at this point if he knows the motive behind Ashina-sama's alliance. For once, we could use a permanent solution to our clan rivalries." Hashirama held steadfast to faith and optimism without thinking of his sibling's contempt towards the Uchiha clan after such a decision.

Tobirama had a mind of his own where he had intended to at least face Mirai once more. His loyalties were with his brother, but he was not going to cap the situation easily until he knew she would be okay.

Mito pressed a little too hard on her swollen belly to stop another chakra flare. 'The baby sure is restless today,' she thought.

"I have not spoken to Mirai since the arrangement as per father's orders. He had strictly ordered that I not say a word, or she'll defect from the decision, but I do not understand… why Madara? He's in our year of birth. Why did they not pursue Izuna to bridge the gap in their ages? Either way, she would have still held an influential position. We always knew that Madara would not marry for the sake of just continuing his bloodline. He has other motives if he has agreed to all this, doesn't he?" she questioned knowingly.

"Madara…" Hashirama sighed deeply as the name rolled off his tongue. "This is difficult. He is a difficult person to understand, and that is coming from someone who has known him since a young boy. I truly do not know him at the same time. Sometimes he is a formidable foe, yet a friend in other moments. His hardline principles, his stoic nature, and personality are quite concealed, and it has always been that way from the beginning."

"He will devourer her," she stressed, rubbing her temples. "But you forget my love, if Madara is a warlord, your sister is a chameleon. She changes according to her surroundings, and she has been that way since a young age. We both know that at this point, she will not hesitate to take action against us if this goes through," he replied coolly.

He had realized that Mirai would serve as a dangerous rival who carried information of both the Senju and Uzumaki. 'Surely, she holds her blood relations responsible for her predicament,' he contemplated.

His brother's life was equally in danger, and he was sure that Madara would have already found out about Tobirama, and was most likely dealing with it tactfully. The ordeal was risky as Mirai knew secrets of both clans because the Senju elders had discussed with him the risks of the Uchiha-Uzumaki alliance prior to his time off. Little did Hashirama know, during the time he had taken off, the Senju elders had conspired in secrecy and tried their hardest to prevent the union between Mirai and Madara. They had commissioned the Kurama Clan to do their dirty work; the shinobi who were immune to Uchiha genjutsu.

The Kurama mission assignment was to identify and assassinate Mirai Uzumaki before she would wed to the warlord. It would assure no union, and the Senju would not be bound to make an alliance with the blood thirsty Uchiha's through the Uzumaki Alliance. It would also assure that their clan information would avoid a breach of secrecy through Mirai. However, unfortunately for the elders, the Kurama had failed the mission because Madara had intercepted them before they could reach Mirai on the night of the engagement.

Mito turned to Hashirama and asked him to join her for tea in their chambers whilst they waited on Intel from the Uzumaki on the next course of their agreements with the Uchiha. Her sister had just gotten engaged two days ago, but time would keep moving, and so will these circumstances, she sighed. For now, she could only wait and anticipate what the future held for her sister.

Uchiha stronghold.

Madara had returned from the dungeons and to his disappointment, the second Kurama was burnt to a crisp in reaction to Izuna's Sharingan earlier. He scowled at the foolishness of his younger sibling. The Kurama were kept for Intel and bargain, but they were fortunate to have the first one still alive.

He knew that the Kurama would never butt heads with the Uchiha unless they had been pushed to do so. His mind raced to connect the dots of the invasion. To have attacked right on the day of the alliance between them and the Uzumaki, they had made it obvious that someone was dissatisfied with the alliance.

His clan had never been attacked in such a covert manner unless others had a death wish. For the Kurama to have breached the walls of the Uchiha estates meant that whomever had commissioned the attack knew the map of the stronghold with accuracy. The Uchiha had never dealt with the Kurama clan personally, but several of their lands had been caught in the crossfire of war where the Uchiha's were the victors. The Kurama generally served as a mercenary clan, and only took contracts from higher clans.

He made his way back to his study where he found Izuna sitting beside a vacant cushion. "Your wife is as stubborn as you."

"Oops, I meant your future wife to be." Izuna corrected teasingly.

Madara raised his brow, "Your orders were to extract information. Not kill him." Izuna looked away and shrugged, "He was over stressed. His Jutsu activated at the blink of my Sharingan. I did not expect for his jutsu to activate so fast. What do you think of the first one, will he break soon?"

"This was an assassination attempt by someone who knew the location of our stronghold beyond our walls" Madara replied.

"The target could be a narrowed number of people. We have never had an encounter of war with the Kurama Clan prior to this. Although, we did destroy portions of their lands in the past, but that was a long time ago. Do you think there was a traitor among us?" Izuna questioned.

"Someone else may have been the target, it was specific to the day of the Uchiha Uzumaki alliance, and we may have just been in the way of crossfire," Madara relayed.

"The bastard spoke about mother." Izuna said regretted. He lacked control when it came to their deceased mother.

"He wanted to castrate me and make slaves out of my non-existent progeny." Madara responded sarcastically in a half attempt to console Izuna. For a moment, Madara paused, remembering that the Kurama had specifically made remarks about his future wife and not anyone else. For the attack to be on the day of the alliance, and followed by the Kurama's comments, it could have only meant one thing.

He stared at the vacant cushion beside Izuna again as silence ensued.

"The target, it is her, isn't it?" Izuna paused.

"Hn"

Izuna had always been linked to Madara in a strange way through their thought processes. If he would make a point, Madara would immediately meet him with the corresponding idea, as if connecting two bridges together. They now understood the threat surrounding the woman.

Uchiha Guest Quarters.

After exiting the private study, Mirai hastily walked into her quarters and closed the doors behind her. Walking into the middle of the room, she dropped onto the futon as she clenched her eyes shut and screamed into her pillow in frustration. She felt stuck between an angry lover, her cunning younger sister, a few angry elder council women, a warlord, and his manipulative younger brother.

She turned around and to lay on her back. The dark ceilings were high and covered with carvings. Her hand rested on her forehead as she thought back to the first meeting with Madara. It was a strange encounter where she had felt humiliated and harassed by him, but at the same time, she felt an unusual satisfaction to have levelled him to make him feel equally responsible for the current predicament. However, one thing kept bothering her, how did he know about Tobirama? Her father would have never revealed the affair because of his cautious nature to dishonor the Uzumaki name. This got her thinking on who would have relayed such information to Madara, and if anyone else knew?

There was a sharp knock on Mirai's door, and the door slid open as Mirai scurried to sit up and face the direction of the intrusion. Elder Kin had stepped in and closed the door behind her discreetly. "The elders were informed of a breech in security last night. Thankfully the intruders were caught" Elder kin relayed worriedly. Mirai's face contorted in confusion, "I had felt something strange last night." She responded.

"They have not informed anyone of the breach besides the elder's council and the high personnel here. I want you to stay alert Mirai, anything can happen if the Uchiha walls were penetrated the other night." She conveyed cautiously. "Kin-sama, I feel that there is someone trying to plot against me" Mirai sighed worriedly.

"That is preposterous, whomst do you speak of child?" she questioned.

"It's Takara... she is blindly in love with Madara. They have a history, and I feel that it is still very much in the present. The other night, she left the banquet early, and I feel caught in between a lovers quarrel. And also, last night after the banquet, I felt attacked by something strange, it is difficult to explain... but I feel that Takara is resorting to tactics which can get one of us killed," Mirai tried to reason.

Elder Kin proceeded to sit on the futon by Mirai, "It is true that Takara was promised to wed Madara before the Uzumaki alliance, but she knows it is not her place to question or defy Rei-sama. She may be bitter about it, but she would not resort to defying the current loyalty to her clan," Elder kin looked away as she continued in her reasoning, "there is no going away from this. In three weeks' time, you will exchange vows with Madara, and Takara would easily be sidelined through the process, and you will naturally take the reins of power beside Madara as his rightful match."

Mirai nodded hesitantly, still unable to shake off the feeling of endangerment.

It was no longer in the question if she were to back out and run away from the ordeal. It had been almost 4 months since her rift with Tobirama.

It was true that she still held sentiments for him which were buried deep inside her, but she was also in a state of vengeance with him at the same time. She was close to a new position, a much stronger position. A position which would allow her to sabotage the very foundations which others stood on. She blamed everyone for the chaos in her life.

"Now, you must get ready for dinner with Rei-sama child."

Mirai was already exhausted, but that did not matter. If Rei-sama needed to see her, then she would have to be prepared. Her hand maidens were sent in to ready her for her evening with Madara's grandmother. She was changed out of her old kimono and fashioned in a lighter lavender kimono with a deep blue Obi. The bruise on her arm was clearly visible to those who had assisted her. The maidens had exchanged questioning glances with each other upon the revelation of it. A salve was applied to lower the discoloration, but it was still relatively visible. Her hair long hair was quickly whisked into a loose bun on top of her head, and her lips were covered with a pink tint, giving her a lighter evening glow.

She walked down the same corridors as earlier when she had been led to Madara's chambers. However, this time, she was led to a new chamber on the same floor. A shoji panel slid open and she was left to enter at her will. Upon stepping in, she spotted Rei Uchiha, who sat under a kotatsu, patiently waiting for her. The kotatsu was covered in a burgundy blanket which looked warm. November had brought in the chilly winter winds after all.

The room was fairly simple, with lots of decorated tea sets which were set in glass shelves, a few hanging swords on the wall, and the famous glass windows, which were now fogged from the cool moisture on the outside. Mirai walked over to the Kotatsu and bowed towards Rei-sama in respect.

"Sit, sit child, it has gotten cold so suddenly this evening!" She waved with a simple gesture.

"Hai." Mirai mumbled. She observed the older female in front of her, who was dressed in a dark blue kimono and sat elegantly under the kotatsu. Her small frame held a medium build, and Her dark arched brows stood out against her symmetrical forehead. Her high cheekbones resembled those of the Uchiha's common traits.

Mirai lowered her gaze to her lap. 'How could she sit here knowing that this elderly woman's grandson had insulted and abused her earlier in the day? What was wrong with her, and why was everyone rushing this whole process?' Rei Uchiha sensed the uneasiness of the girl upon her arrival. She seemed cautious as if she had been harassed by the very stronghold she sat in.

Rei-Uchiha understood Madara's tough nature, and also understood that their meeting may have involved some tactic of physical display. She felt it the moment she heard about the girl's chaperones that were reportedly sent out.

"Child, you need not fear anything anymore." Mirai raised her eyes to meet Rei-sama's and then looked away uneasily. "As long as I am here, you will never need anyone else's affirmation. You are safe here with me," Rei-sama tried to comfort her.

Mirai shifted in her position, to look at Rei-sama carefully. "I have been informed of your unattended meeting this afternoon. Madara will be re-informed of the protocols in such situations," She reassured the younger female.

Mirai, too overwhelmed with the situation, exhaled slowly. She could feel the energy in stronghold pitted against her. She as an outsider, and not comparable to Uchiha standards, but Rei-sama's deep maternal voice cooed her. She felt that she may have had a well-wisher who was truly interested in her wellbeing. They had made small talk during the time she sat there, as they waited for dinner to be served. Every now and then, a servant would walk in to fix the setting of the china or glassware on the kotatsu.

Dinner had eventually been served, and after finishing, Rei-sama called for tea As they waited for the tea, Rei-sama shared some interesting details with her.

"Did you know child, the oracle had predicted that your stars were destined to be aligned with ours?" Rei-sama chimed.

"I would not have assumed so previously." Mirai replied confusedly.

"The high priest had informed us of your birth chart and how the horoscopes aligned perfectly, as created by the divine Kami. The high priest bore such favorable news when we suggested an Uzumaki alliance. We found out that you were aspiring to govern the Uzumaki, and be a part of the council as a young medic. We knew you would do well for the Uchiha clan." Rei Uchiha remarked proudly.

With Madara's birth in the winter month of December, and hers in the cool November, the two strong personalities would eventually come together one after the other.

"I am so honored to have been picked for the skills, for as far as I was told, Mito-san was the initial choice ne?" Mirai questioned uneasily. "Whoever told you that? You should know better… your onee-san had been betrothed to the Senju a long while back. Tajima had met you at your elder sister's wedding for the first time, and he was smitten by the rarity of the Uzumaki!" Rei-sama exclaimed. She now understood that Madara had been toying with the girl too much.

"Oh..." she did recall greeting Tajima Uchiha and Madara at Mito's reception.

She felt that Madara had played with her mind earlier when he had pointed to Mito serving a better purpose than her.

Rei-Uchiha saw the girl still feeling uneasy, but she proceeded to explain another key matter to her. "You must not fear Takara." she voiced knowingly. Mirai froze and slowly made eye contact with the matriarch, fully alarmed at what had been mentioned. "She is a sworn-in loyal Uchiha citizen. She will abide by her duties, and as will you." Rei-sama emphasized the last part.

"I am appalled that even the walls have ears Rei-sama. You know everything about this stronghold, do you not?" Mirai claimed, impressed.

"If I did not, then I would not be the matriarch now, would I? It will take a lot for you to adapt here, as the system runs differently in the stronghold. Madara, as the clan leader holds utmost power, but I, as his grandmother, can influence him to a certain extent. Out of my two grandsons, he has always been the mysterious one, especially after his mother passed on." her eyes became unfocused as she began to tell Mirai little facts about Madara.

"His mother was quiet young when he was born, and by Kami! The most difficult of births I had ever witnessed in my time. He just took his sweet time to arrive. They had to bring him about through cutting of the womb because he was such a large one. The spiritual oracles had predicted his birth for years, and that he would rule the Uchiha to greatness," She smiled. To Mirai, Rei-sama was someone who was in-tune with her spiritual side, and all knowing.

"I heard about Madara-sama's other siblings. I can only imagine the grief everyone must have endured." Mirai spoke sincerely.

"The Senju killed most of my grandchildren and clans people." Rei-sama replied emptily.

"I apologize for delving Rei-sama. I did not know that it was the Senju. My older sibling is married to the Senju, and even before that, we grew up with the Senju at arms length, so I was only ever aware of the one perspective..."

"From what I know, you will be an aunt to Mito's child soon, but sadly, you must not glorify the Senju here because here, the mention of the Senju clan sets fire to the Uchiha flame. Contempt runs deep in our veins, and we love and hate deeply." Rei-sama pulled the tea cup to her lips and blew on the hot liquid before she continued, "Mirai, you will be handed the reigns of this clan in three weeks' time. I will finally be given an official leave from my extended duties. In the past, when the little ones mother had passed away, I had to encompass everyone and everything under my wings to protect them all from the vulnerability of war and conflict. Perhaps you may be lucky to not see as much war, or death in this era, but it does not exempt you from your duties and loyalties to the Uchiha for this life." She stated with a firmness resonating from her voice. "But I will be there to help you every step of the way." She added.

Something stirred inside Mirai and she extended the gesture back to Rei-sama, "I will not let your trust be in vain, my mind and heart have confided in the fact that my loyalties lie with the Uchiha now." her tone hardening towards the end.

It reminded her consistently of what had pushed her to side with the Uchiha in the first place. 'Senju'; the vibrant, earthy, resilient individuals who drew most people in with their charisma and enigmatic personality.' She thought. 'Who would've known that I would be with the enemy, people whom I had criticized without knowing the other side of the story...'

The truth was, the Uchiha had suffered just as much as the Senju.