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Morning rays peaked through the gap of the long and heavy velvet curtains behind the elevated futon, reflecting golden flecks of sunrays down her side and shoulder. Her sapphire hues opened to a painfully brighter atmosphere than what she had remembered from the previous night. Her peaking eyes were met with the tresses of the transparent chiffon canopy that hung from the ceiling.
It was all so serene.
The walls of her new room sparkled like stars with the engraved reflective glass work. It almost hurt her eyes to look around, but all of it still intrigued her because she had not noticed them the previous night. She cautiously changed her posture and rested on her elbows behind her, now slightly elevated to see the glass vanity and the large mirror beside it. The setting seemed too perfect to be put together by an ordinary person, it must have been a person with great taste. Long before she could enjoy the serenity of it all, the sudden realization crossed her mind, causing her to sit up a bit too quickly.
Last night, she had been wed to Uchiha Madara.
She winced at the cold winter air which greeted her exposed shoulders, making the sensations over her body more noticeable. Her kimono hung loosely around her shoulders, threatening to slide further down.
She looked to her blanketed lap and slightly bruised palms, feeling adrift; the affairs of the previous night rushed through her memory.
Previous Night at the Reception
Mirai sauntered beside Madara through the main gates which opened to the reception grounds. They walked down the grand steps leading to the head dining table as they were greeted by loud cheers. Many people stood by the entrance with already sparkling fireworks to inaugurate the arrival of the couple. The cool evening winds rocked the golden lanterns hanging from the transparent tent ceiling. It was a clear night, and they could see the endless body of constellations in the cool winter sky.
Mirai's mind kept rushing through all possible outcomes if matters went smoothly tonight. She knew if she played her cards right with the Uchiha elders, she would succeed in creating the foundations of her governance for the future. Her goal now was to keep up with every person there, and then partake in the clan's decisions when the time was right.
Madara halted beside her, cuing for her to stop as well.
They had arrived at their reception table, however, Mirai's stomach lurched at the vision set in front of her. It was obvious that the seating arrangements were pre-decided to accommodate their guests, but now, she was sure that someone was trying to make a mockery of her.
Madara assumed his position at the head of the rectangular table and Mirai settled to his right side which was followed by Hashirama whose name was carved in Kanji at the spot located towards Madara's left. Hashirama assumed his position confusedly, as Tobirama sat beside him, placing him in her line of vision. Had it not been for Hashirama, Mirai would have been sitting directly opposite to Tobirama.
'Is this a taunt? The audacity of it all,' she thought as she tried to mask her facial expressions.
She could feel the urge to rub her temples, just dreading a scenario that could have placed Madara or Tobirama head-to-head. Izuna took his seat beside Mirai, placing him opposite to Tobirama. She almost sunk into her chair as the dinner arrangements were being set on the grand table. Mirai did not fail to notice that the Senju elders had been placed at the other end of the same table along with the Uchiha elders while other noble guests and shinobi were scattered randomly at surrounding tables. Her father was seated at a table near by, but not close enough to be a privy to their interactions.
This to her was suspicious, it almost felt as if it was all on purpose. She looked to Madara's stoic expression, trying to make out the situation. Hashirama tried to make small talk as Tobirama quietly ate his meal without making any eye contact with anyone. Izuna silently focused on his plate of select preserved meats as well, sensing the air tense around him.
Everyone looked towards Madara when they finally heard him return Hashirama's gesture of small talk.
Hashirama randomly chattering about both men being involved in a treaty with the Uzumaki clan which now promoted a bond of brotherhood and loyalty between the Uchiha and Senju clans. Although, Hashirama came off as a fool and too engrossed in his animated gestures, little did anyone know, he always had his motives for such acts. "Who would have thought that our clans would be tied in brotherhood to the Uzumaki clan? Had there been a third sister, it would have been Izuna's turn," Hashirama gave out a hearty laugh as he winked at Izuna.
"Or perhaps a little closer to home Hashirama." Madara replied a bit too calmly as he secured eye contact with his rival. Hashirama's laughter died down, as he realized the severity of Madara's reply. Izuna almost snickered at the response, but Tobirama on the other hand, clenched his jaw as his hold tightened around his chopsticks.
Mirai paled at the interaction. The ceremonial tea in her empty stomach threatened to heave out at the scene.
Hashirama looked across and could sense Mirai's discomfort. She stared at her plate concentratedly and was picking at her food. He instantly asserted his attention towards Izuna to turn down the intensity. It was all about keeping the situation dimmed.
"Come now Madara, I really believe that Izuna would have been a handsome catch, and had we a younger sister, we would have not even needed the Uzumaki to be tied in brotherhood whatsoever!" He laughed out once again, looking for Madara's reaction. Izuna took the bait this time and snorted at Hashirama's proposition.
Madara's eyes met Izuna's, causing him to hush immediately.
'Could someone please come and extinguish this batter of flames here,' Her mind screamed for help as she looked around.
Madara turned his attention to Hashirama, and in a low voice, conveyed things unknown to the Senju which caused him to turn serious in an instant. The bustle of the celebration covered their voices well. However, those sitting an arms length could make out the low-pitched exchange.
"I am sure this talk of alliances and loyalty rouses your spirit Hashirama, but loyalty is shown through intentions, and that brotherhood is not suited well for you, not after what I have witnessed from your end. We may have fought on the battlefield due to our contracts or competition, but the Uchiha never uttered false against your clan or undermined it."
Hashirama stared at Madara in confusion, "I do not understand what you speak of, we are of the same loyalty and brotherhood Madara..."
"Your game of berating the Uchiha's trust by orchestrating an attack on my wife and I in collaboration with the Kurama clan severed that brotherhood some time ago. This façade does not suit your intentions Hashirama." His eyes turning from the usual coal grey to crimson as he searched for answers in Hashirama's brown hues. This was the first time she had the witnessed the Sharingan come to life in front of her eyes, and it scared her. Those sinister eyes looked on analytically.
Mirai looked between Madara and Hashirama confusedly, vaguely remembering the night of her engagement to Madara. There had been a security concern where she had been standing by her window. She was put under a strange jutsu which had stopped her lungs from drawing in air for a while before mysteriously being released from it. Being a medic-nin, she had figured out that much, but no one had spoken about it afterwards, causing her to refrain from asking any questions.
The realization hit her hard, 'so the Senju had sent an assassin to dispose of me that night…?' Her having grown up with the Senju at an arms length, she felt astonished at the revelation, and most of all, she felt deceived by them.
Tobirama put his chopsticks down. "We would never do such a thing," he replied coercively, challenging Madara's claim. Madara turned to the younger Senju apathetically, and Instantly, there was visible friction between the individuals.
As if on cue, Hikaru Uchiha walked into the reception followed by a strange guest with the Kurama clan crest embroidered on his chest. He had been healed of his external wounds as promised, but there was a last task left for him to carry out before he would be released out as an Uchiha spy.
Hikaru led the Kurama shinobi to the main table without catching much attention from the neighboring tables. However, the action was well observed by the Senju elder's council present at their table. They knew this shinobi; he was one of the four hired to erase the younger Uzumaki Hime without Hashirama's knowledge.
Izuna stood up and walked over to Madara.
Hashirama suddenly felt beyond alert in his exchange with Madara. To his knowledge, he would have never commissioned anyone to carry out such a task, knowing the disparity between their clans already. He looked over to Tobirama only to notice the younger Senju alert as well.
Tobirama being a sensory ninja, could already feel the flares of chakra rising around him.
The Senju had been placed on their reception table for a reason, and that reason entailed a confrontation to teach them a lesson for the future.
Madara sat back in his chair amusedly, as Hikaru approached him with the enslaved Kurama.
"And who might this be…?" Izuna pretended.
Hashirama already knew by the crest that it was a Kurama shinobi used for covert operations. He now hoped that this auspicious occasion would not end in a blood bath.
The Kurama shinobi bowed to Hashirama and Madara, with Hikaru standing right behind him.
"And what might a Kurama Shinobi be doing at such an auspicious event, lets hear it from the source, shall we?" Izuna mocked.
The Kurama shinobi groveled at Madara's feet as he blamed the Senju as culprits for his contract of annihilating the Uzumaki Heiress. The Senju elders at the end of the table could see the exchange from a distance, and as if on cue, got up and left the table one by one.
Hashirama, who was ready to leap out of his seat, could not believe the words coming from the Kurama Shinobi. He also did not fail to notice the Senju elders leaving.
"Madara, this is a manipulation of the truth. We have nothing to do with this, and we would never breach the peace treaty we now have with the Uchiha." Hashirama reasoned.
"Hashirama-san, what is your explanation for this then?" Izuna pushed.
"For a covert operation, does it not require the clan head's seal?" Madara questioned openly.
Before Hashirama or Tobirama could clarify, the Kurama shinobi summoned a letter with the Senju clan head's wax seal which could have only been accessed through Hashirama.
Tobirama, knowing full well that the Uchiha brothers would not let this go without a confrontation, weaved signs under the table to erect a barrier around them to prevent any damage to the neighboring tables. However, the move proved to be detrimental to the outcome.
Tobirama's chakra was detectable now.
Hikaru Uchiha who had been exposed to Tobirama's chakra for a brief second by Mirai's guest quarters earlier was finally able to piece together things. He looked to Tobirama's direction with tightened brows.
"It was you who breached the Uchiha barrier earlier…" He said under his breath while his eyes bore into Tobirama.
Mirai's heart nearly leaped out, almost thanking Kami for the lack of other details in his accusation.
Izuna's brows creased as he looked towards the direction of Tobirama, trying to understand the context of Hikaru's accusation.
In an instant, the dinner table flipped over knocking Mirai over onto the cold grass floor a few meters away.
"Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"
"Suiton: Suijinheki!"
With crushing speeds, Hikaru weaved signs to burn Tobirama to ashes, as Tobirama summoned his water wall release technique, causing a collusion of waves to counter Hikaru's bursts of flames.
Massive steam clouds arose, blocking visibility around them. Nobles at the surrounding tables could barely be seen running away and fearing for their lives in the most unpredictable of conflicts. The Uchiha elders, just as confused as anyone else, immediately turned to evacuating the noble civilians away from the site of conflict before the barrier corps were summoned to form a nine-layer barrier around the stronghold as a safety measure.
Ashina Uzumaki stared at the conflict before him in confusion before being dragged to safety. The effort he had put to secure peace through this alliance was all jeopardized. His daughter's position was in danger of denunciation instead of turning her into a matriarch.
On the other hand, Rei Uchiha, startled with the violence at the auspicious occasion of her grandson, immediately sprung into action. It had been a while since she had been in such a situation, but it was her duty to subdue the conflict. She instructed for the safety of all her guests within the stronghold but when calling on the Senju elders to step in to suppress the situation with her, she noticed empty seats devoid of any Senju council.
Meanwhile on the reception grounds, which were unrecognizable now, Mirai could not move an inch as she stared at the horror before her eyes. She could see Madara and Hashirama moving further away at inhuman speeds towards the Uchiha forest before they collided in the air with their monstrous strengths. Meanwhile, Hikaru went after Tobirama with the intent to kill.
Balls of inferno dropped from the heavens, indicative of an apocalypse; a courtesy of Madara's fire style.
Mirai's eyes were glued to Tobirama's receding figure in the distance. Horrified, when only moments before, the ground before her was levelled and lavish.
Chaos ensued as Izuna rushed towards Mirai.
He could see her figure perched on her side, her hair bun slightly disheveled and the diadem hanging loosely on her head. Her beautiful wedding Kimono was marred by the surrounding dirt. He immediately picked her up and rushed her to the entrance of the stronghold where the barrier had been intact.
Without a word, she was slowly propped on her two feet on the grand stairs of the stronghold.
Rei Uchiha rushed to the disheveled bride, ushering her towards herself.
Special Uchiha squadron were deployed to neutralize the battle and its effects. However, the Uchiha elders and Rei Uchiha already knew that it would be difficult to stop them because of the differences in their strengths. The only person who could have stopped or reasoned with Hikaru and Madara was Izuna.
Izuna had already realized that he needed to stop the conflict between Hikaru and Tobirama before getting to Madara and Hashirama.
At the Stronghold
Upon walking into the stronghold, Mirai was greeted with panic and concerned faces everywhere she turned. People bustled through the main hall, mostly servants who tended to guest needs. Rei Uchiha, took her by the hand, leading her up the grand staircase. As she guided the heiress to Madara's private study, signaling a few handmaidens to follow with her sharp eyes.
Meanwhile, at the Uchiha stronghold, the personnel came into play as they arranged accommodations for the large body of nobles until they could safely make an exit from the Uchiha stronghold. However, the Senju clan had already made a sneaky exit to avoid a confrontation with the Uchiha Clan as soon the fighting had broken out.
On the second level of the stronghold, Uchiha kunoichi were stationed outside the study as the two women passed them to enter the closed space. Mirai was familiar with the area when she had first met Madara unchaperoned.
Rei Uchiha ushered the young girl onto a comfortable floor mat before covering her up with a light blanket.
Mirai eyed her with concern and questions.
The elderly woman looked to the terror-stricken female in front of her, "You are safe here child… I will not have you stay downstairs and become a site for those sore and curious eyes. No one else besides Madara, Izuna or I have access to this study, so you must not panic with your stay here. There are only strictly authorized personnel who can tend to this room."
Mirai looked away defeated, "and what of everyone else's safety?" her tiny voice questioned.
Rei Uchiha looked away momentarily, "for now, we have this stronghold covered in a nine-layer barrier, and I can assure you that nothing will come to harm us. Izuna will take care of Hashirama and Tobirama along with some other deployed forces." She paused, eyeing the young woman critically, knowing full well that the girl had an affinity to the younger Senju just by sensing her uneasiness. "It would be wise to move forward and keep your personal sentiments in check. Some past matters could haunt you or harm your reputation in the days to come, especially with Madara." she concluded firmly while observing the younger woman's features.
There was a reasoning behind her firmness. If she did not condemn this now, it would come to bite them later.
Little did Rei Uchiha know, Mirai had already dealt a blow from the confrontation with Madara about the matter in the same room, resulting in the animosity between them.
Uchiha Grounds
Izuna spotted Hikaru and Tobirama engaged in close combat.
He rushed towards Hikaru, pushing him out of the way from Tobirama's agile attacks, "Hikaru, stop this. Nee-san will rip this whole place apart if he is not stopped now!" he shouted.
Tobirama stopped in his tracks.
"Izuna-sama, you do not understand the act this filthy animal has committed."
Despite Hikaru being a man of a few words, he made sure he conveyed his point.
"He snuck into the Hime's chambers earlier, alone."
Izuna rarely ever startled, looked over at Tobirama as if he were a crazy rabid animal. 'The Senju brat would have to be crazy to breach Uchiha security to enter Mirai's chambers.' Izuna felt disgusted by the possibilities of Tobirama's visit.
"You had best scram from here Senju, if my brother were to know of this, he would skin you alive." He stated in a low tone, forcing his mind out of the abyss of scenarios.
Not wasting a second, Tobirama using his monstrous speed, headed towards his elder brother.
Hikaru, who despite opposing Izuna's actions, gave a slight grunt as Izuna blocked his way.
"Nee-san will not hear of this. Is that Understood?"
Hikaru looked to Izuna and bowed to his order.
"Now, cover me while I intercept them." Izuna requested.
On the battleground, it could be seen that Hashirama was on the defensive while Madara unleashed aggression without remorse. His white ceremonial haori marred with splatters of blood had nearly become undone as his long mane swayed in cool winter air.
Both Shinobi stood on mountainous terrain which was a part of the Uchiha forest only minutes before. They pulled chakra for their next attacks, however, before anything could be hurled at each other, Izuna appeared in Madara's way with Hikaru close behind him. On the other side, Tobirama appeared behind his brother, holding his shoulders in place.
Hashirama immediately took a few steps back to indicate his unwillingness for conflict, as Izuna now fully blocked Madara's view. "Nee-san, we need to stop this for the sake of everyone's safety."
Madara, clearly infuriated with the Senju's plot of dishonesty, narrowed his eyes.
He paused before letting his bare hands fall to his sides, he then called out a declaration of war with the Senju.
"As of now, the Uchiha and Senju treaty of peace through the Uzumaki union is void." His voice boomed as he pulled back.
"Madara, you are making a mistake… I know it seems the other way, but we can resolve this." Hashirama called out regretfully.
"You committed the act; so, now you reap what you sow." And with that, Madara walked away from the uneven terrains caused by their strengths, only to make his way back to the stronghold. Izuna turned to face the Senju Brothers with distaste. "You really outdid yourselves this time with the plot to kill the Uchiha matriarch and then lying. But let me tell you this, an attack on her, is an attack on the Uchiha. Now, Get off Uchiha territory you filthy Senju." He called out bitterly.
As much as he had previously favored the truce between their clans, Izuna felt disturbed at his recent findings. He followed Hikaru back to the stronghold, trying not to give a second thought to what he had just discovered. 'How could Tobirama be linked to Mirai? They grew up together, and her sister is obviously married off to the Senju, so why not?'
There was a moment of pure silence in the evening as Hashirama registered what had happened. Tobirama regretfully looked to the ground, this was not how this was supposed to be.
Uchiha Stronghold
The barrier corps were finally able to undo the 9-layer barrier used to protect the stronghold. The large doors to the stronghold swung open to reveal Madara, shortly followed by Izuna and Hikaru.
Rei Uchiha was informed of the safe arrival of both Izuna and Madara, and left Mirai's side to tend to her only two grandchildren.
Upon rushing to the great hall, she could see Madara slowly making his way towards her.
She looked worriedly at his disheveled state and the unreadable expression he carried on his face. He seemed conflicted at the events of the day, as anyone would be. She ushered him to a private room on the second level of the stronghold. She had figured that she would need to tend to him before she could let him go to his chambers.
Despite the oddity of Madara seated in a bloodied state with his grandmother in a private audience, it was not odd for them at all. During days on the battlefield, he would be covered with filth and blood, yet he would still sit through a briefing with his father, and the council before resuming his activities.
He looked to the enigma, which was his grandmother.
She sighed, "My child, what has become of this auspicious evening today. The nobles and the council will ask questions about your actions, we -."
"They deserved every action taken against them today." He interrupted her.
"So, what is your decision then?" she inquired.
"The Senju will no longer serve as our allies."
"But … this marital alliance was also formed to end the fighting between us and them, amongst other reasons," She tried to reason.
"They made it clear when they sent Kurama shinobi into our lands to attack me and the Uzumaki heiress. It is treason no matter how they play it." He explained.
She looked to his stoic appearance, and how he had grown.
Taking a deep sigh under her breath once again, she agreed to his explanation, but that did not mean that the council would accept it as easily as her. War was costly, and in the past, it had cost them the lives of countless brethren, and had there not been a state of tension, her son; Tajima would have still been alive.
She came out of her musings, to address Madara on the proceedings for the rest of the evening.
"Our guests will be escorted off Uchiha territory as of immediately as they are no longer in danger. However, the occasion has been soured due to the events, but I suppose we will make up for that later… and as for the Uzumaki, I will speak to Ashina-sama and let him know of the recent revelations."
"I suppose," he replied, contemplating the decision.
"You may go to your chambers and freshen up, I will meet you in the meeting room downstairs with Ashina-sama, we need to clarify this before we proceed further with the evening." She instructed.
She was swift and wise beyond anyone, which was why she was Madara's most trusted counsel. His grandmother had been the one prominent figure in his life who had never led him astray, and so his respect for her personality never swayed.
Madara walked over to the shoji panel before he heard her voice speak up again.
"She is in the private study for now, I'll have her say farewell to her father and sent to the chambers shortly," She smiled knowingly.
He turned his head slightly to acknowledge what she had said before exiting the room.
The Private Study
Mirai sat in the study, patiently waiting for updates on the situation or anything which could have put a pause to the palpitating heartbeat in her ears. Earlier, she had felt the presence of large bursts of chakras, but it had stopped altogether. She could feel the pressure around her temples, and the adrenaline coursing through her veins. Despite her confrontation with Tobirama, she knew that she could still not handle seeing him physically injured in any scenario.
She saw the double door to the study opening to reveal her father and Rei Uchiha, causing her to stand up suddenly in response. Ofcourse he was the last person she had wanted to see. Her inner conscience had not permitted her to forgive him for his decisions nor would she plan to.
She stared at her father bitterly, waiting for him to say goodbye to her. Yet, he seemed like he had something to say. Meanwhile, Rei Uchiha stepped out to give them privacy in their matters.
"You are still angry I presume."
Silence.
"The dishonor and disappointment caused by you in the past are the reasons which forced my hand to take the decisions that I did to secure your future. You will learn to honor these relations," he conveyed sternly.
She looked from him to the side, still aching from the pressure, anger, and adrenaline.
"I have secured your future with one of the most affluent clans, along with the strongest shinobi who could contend for the title of Shinobi no Kami, and you will learn respect him the same way Mito had learnt to respect Hashirama." He continued.
'He is wrong,' she reasoned in her head. 'Mito had fallen in love with Hashirama before they were promised.'
She observed his aged and stern features before answering his preposition for being grateful.
"The last I remember; I did not ask for anyone to piety me father. If it is a lesson you intended to teach me, then perhaps you will have to wait to see the adversity your decision has caused me."
"You have not known adversity like the plight of those lesser than you, but you will understand in due time." He bit out harshly as he turned to leave his daughter, but before leaving through the double doors of the private study, he revealed the much-anticipated news for her which would set off the competitiveness.
"Your sister has given birth to a daughter and son, if that still holds importance to you," and with that, Ashina Uzumaki closed the doors to the study.
Mirai digested the news which was just given to her. Her sister had given birth to not one but two offspring. She would have felt delighted under regular circumstances, but her hate had swallowed her anticipated sentiments that she had hoped to feel on the occasion of becoming an aunt. She would now be pestered to match Mito's accomplishments.
Lower level of the Stronghold
On the lower level of the stronghold, Madara stepped into the room with his Oba-san and his now father-in-law. He had briefly gone and freshened up in his old chambers, coming out with his standard white haori and navy hakama.
They sat in the private room, going over what the new Uzumaki and Uchiha policy would be, and what would be conveyed to the Uzumaki and Uchiha elder's council the very next day. It was obvious now that the Senju would not be a part of the peace that Ashina Uzumaki had envisioned during his lifetime.
He bore the burden of failure now but felt that both of his daughters were now in positions to argue his wish for peace.
Madara strongly conveyed his lack of motivation when it came to peace with the Senju. Their betrayal had destroyed his remaining trust in Hashirama.
"Ashina-san, it is understood that you will be returning to Uzushiogakure as of now, so we will convey any changes in our decisions to you through our elder's council here. It is late and everyone has retired early after the fiasco earlier, so I am sure the council will meet tomorrow morning." Rei Uchiha stated as Ashina Uzumaki nodded his head.
Their discussion had gone on for some time before they emerged from the chamber. Ashina Uzumaki bid them farewell as the Uzumaki patriarch finally left the Uchiha stronghold with his entourage.
The stark woman stood with her grown grandchild, watching the head of the Uzumaki leave the premises. "This will turn into a complicated matter with the elders, but you should retire to bed early my child. We will have to meet them early morning in council. I will see you then." She gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before leaving.
She knew that the conflict would never end in her lifetime. It was all wishful thinking, but she had felt content that at the least, her grandchild had agreed to the marriage and that she was successful in her motive of carrying on the lineage through Madara.
Despite his hostile behavior now, she knew it would be a long night for him.
Madara's Private Chambers
On the upper levels of the stronghold, Mirai had been escorted to her new private chambers as soon her father had left. She was not too content with her last few moments with her father, and her bitterness easily transitioned to hate. From what Madara's grandmother had told her, the Senju were no longer on Uchiha grounds. She could feel the absence of Hashirama and Tobirama's chakra natures, unlike before.
She only hoped that they escaped the situation without casualty. That is all of what she could have wanted for now. Turning to look at the encompassing room, she could see a beautiful canopy surrounding an elevated futon with a wooden frame. Long curtains ranged from the ceiling to the floor behind the bed with long glass windows spanning the back wall. She could see the Uchiha forest through the long slit of the curtains.
The room was dimly lit with candles in all four corners of the square room. She turned to look at the outline of the vanity in the darkness, connected with a large body mirror. The room was standard for her, except for a few unique features like the bed and the canopy. She turned to stare into the full body mirror to see her disheveled state. She was a mess with her beautiful wedding kimono marred with mud and dirt. Her diadem hung loosely to her head and her hair sticking out from her once elaborate bun. Her palms hurt from the impact of falling hands first when the initial conflict began. She slowly rubbed them together to rid the feeling of pain, but it did not help much.
It was a sad state to be on the day of your wedding.
Before she could call on anyone, a few women announced their arrival at the shoji paneled entrance of the room. With her approval, they stepped in to help her out with the undressing and cleaning process. She was sponged from head to toe with water and musk. Her diadem was raked out of her hair along with a few jewelry pieces that she wore. Her hair was let down, and they wrapped her in an underlayer of red with an outer white transparent kimono. Save for everything, the only accessory she kept on was the matriarchal necklace that Madara had given her during their engagement.
She turned to the mirror, and could see the pervasiveness of the outfit, feeling ridiculous and embarrassed in it.
Unlike the layered kimono she donned on a regular basis, this one was without the layers and revealed her womanly form. She could see the curve of her hips, and the shape of her breasts through the fabric, hating the vulnerability.
She was not a docile individual towards things but had a slight idea of what may have been coming her way. Elder Kin had spoken to her of "her duty to Madara" but she may have left out a few "key" details. Upon questioning the old hag further, she had replied with a simple "He will already know." She sighed in frustration a bit too loud, causing the hand maidens around her to giggle.
She was a medic ninja herself but did not know about the apparent tight lipped "duties of a wife to her husband." What she did know was the study and anatomy of battle wounds, chakra networks, and healing. Apparently, through her education and upbringing, it was totally eradicated, but then again what she and Tobirama did also leave questions in her mind. Is that what it was…? that feeling of arousal?
Dismissing her handmaidens, she paced lightly through the room, consistently calming her anxious mind.
She turned to face the mirror as she heard the shoji panel slide open and close quietly.
Madara took his first steps into the room, alerting her of his presence.
She froze in her actions, looking into the large mirror, she could see his form.
His damp hair hung around his broad shoulders and over his loose white haori.
The atmosphere was tense. He was expected to bed her.
Ofcourse, he knew what to do with a woman from a young age. They would be flung into his tent during and after battles to keep his interests entertained. He was not a womanizer but complied to the traditions set before him, but to imagine this woman as his, it gave him a particular nostalgia. She had been on his mind for some time now, since their first encounter. She packed a nice bite as no one had denied him before.
He was cordial towards her, more so than he had preferred, but under his skin, he hid his animosity. The animosity that crawled and threatened to tear her ideals apart and make her forget her entangled past with a particular Senju.
He took a step forward towards her, his shadow encompassing the candle lit room.
As if a replay of her memory, she turned to face him as she took a step back. Reminded of the last time she met him alone in a room. She looked away from his penetrating gaze.
For the first time, he noticed the curves of her figure protruding from the thin robe.
Before she rushed to take another step back to steady herself, he appeared in front of her with his inhuman speed. She could feel the heat from the closeness of his firm body pressed against her front as the air gave way to his musky scent.
His hand snaked around her slender throat, feeling her jugular go off against his dexterous fingers. Bending his head forward, and pulling her closer against his cold cheek, "Who will save you now," he whispered hoarsely into her ear.