Hi everyone!
Sorry for the extremely late update.
I had a lot of things going on in my personal life that I had to deal with.
But anyway, this is the next installment and it is significantly longer than the previous chapters – so I do hope you will accept this as a form of compensation lol
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~wicked ashes
Madara watched as the heiress of one of the most renowned shinobi clans, entered the hall.
Dressed in a bridal kimono and headdress of the purest white, Mito Uzumaki radiated regal grace as she made her way to the altar.
He smirked in contemplation. The last time they met was during a meeting of clans in the Fire country. He had disliked her then – an awkward young girl who was incredibly timid and naïve. He distinctly remembered her stumbling with her words and fidgeting with her clothes when questioned – a trait he found extremely irritating and weak.
But today, she stood before everyone a woman.
Madara noted how gracefully she had developed.
The bold Uzumaki features that had once made her look ungainly now worked in her favour. And, she filled the gown she was wearing quite well too.
Looks like Hashirama was a lucky man – no doubt he was going to enjoy building his clan.
It made sense, he supposed – a marriage between two heirs of the oldest shinobi clans in order to solidify the long-standing Senju-Uzumaki alliance.
Izuna had been trying to match him up for years.
He tried every trick in the book, and then some...
Once, Izuna had blatantly sent a noble woman from a neighbouring clan directly to his room with a sealed scroll that said:
'Dearest Brother, when will you learn that I will not leave you alone until you give me a nephew… (Or better yet, three for insurance purposes). I'm starting to wonder where your attractions lie – and soon, if you fail to produce an heir – so will clan. Therefore, in order to prevent this from happening, I suggest you do the needful with this wonderful candidate I have picked out for you. Good night!"
Thoroughly annoyed, Madara promptly threw her out with a note of his own.
'Izuna. It appears that you have the mental capacity of a fish. I have no desire to procreate as I have mentioned to you on several occasions. And, she's far too scrawny and ugly for my liking – but feel free to indulge in her yourself. Thereafter, I recommend you see a physician for both your eyes and your privates. Regards, Madara."
Although to be completely honest, many of the women offered to him were in fact very desirable and capable of seducing the most honourable of men. He preferred abstinence but sometimes it was unavoidable since he wasn't interested in commitment. Love and lust – he felt none of those for any of them and kept his indiscretions to an absolute minimum. To him, it was just an itch that needed to be scratched but most people (i.e. clans and noblemen) didn't take well to his 'no woman' policy.
But now as he gazed to his side, his heart quickened as he deliberated over how quickly the woman next to him was challenging his ahem, preferences…
Aria could barely contain her excitement as the bride entered the main hall followed by musicians playing a wedding symphony.
She marveled at her beauty – the bride was like a princess from one of her storybooks with her long magenta coloured hair, flawlessly pale skin and soul-full eyes of the darkest charcoal.
She sighed dreamily.
Oh, what it would be like to be dressed as a princess and married to a dashing prince!
But unfortunately for her, it didn't escape her companion's notice.
"If you keep smiling like that, one might begin to wonder which world you are currently in." He said tartly.
Aria frowned at his tone. What the hell was his problem now?
"The same one as you, except mine is a lot nicer." She countered. "And, I'm its queen."
"Is that so?" he sneered. "Well then, it's a place I must visit."
"Well, I'm afraid you can't." she retorted. "My king will not take kindly to your presence."
A faint smile ghosted over his the dark mans lips. "Well then, in that case you give me no choice but to dispose of him."
Aria stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief. "Are you kidding me? You can't just go and usurp any throne you please!"
"I can, and I will."
"But it's imaginary!"
Madara crossed his arms. "I don't care. I will make any realm will bow to me."
Suddenly, an alarm bell rang in her head.'Tread carefully,' it warned. 'His words speak volumes about his character and actions. Clearly, this man has no qualms taking what does not belong to him.
She crossed her arms across her chest. "You know, I didn't think it was possible for someone to be a jerk in both reality and fantasy realms but congratulations – you've somehow managed to accomplish both."
He seemed unfazed by the insult. "Hn. Are you done yet? You still haven't answered the real question."
She sighed. Really?!
"I was just thinking that weddings are so beautiful and romantic. I'm so lucky to be able to witness a grand one such as this."
Madara scoffed. "You believe that weddings are joyous events. I assure you they're not."
She shot him incredulous glance. "A man and woman pledging their eternal love for each other – how is that not romantic?"
He laughed dryly. "Romance and love are two things that only occur in poems and fiction novels. They have no place in the shinobi world."
She was confused. "What do you mean?"
He nodded to the bride. "Does she look 'happy' to you?"
Aria wondered if this was a trick question, but directed her attention towards the bride none the less.
The bride's face was a mask of controlled calm as she gracefully climbed the altar to stand next to her groom. It didn't take a genius to figure out that not even the extravagant gown, music and lively atmosphere could hide the sadness and apprehension that lingered in her eyes.
Suddenly, the beautiful scene in front of her was not so beautiful.
"She… looks like she's about to cry any minute. Like she would be rather be anywhere in the world but here…" She remarked sadly.
"Hn. These marriages are not made for love." He replied icily. "Their purpose is to forge alliances with other clans in order strengthen the political power, ties, and military reserve."
On the surface, Hashirama's chakra appeared calm but the tiny spikes and dips in his chakra pattern gave away his tension and hesitance. Aristocratic shinobi marriages were never made for love. They only served to unite two families and the interests of the couple were generally ignored.
It was one of the many reasons Madara shot down the multitudes of prospective marriages offered to him.
He wouldn't go to war with an ally he knew nothing about, so how did they expect him to bed and produce heirs with a woman of the same?
Aria was disheartened. "Did she have a choice? You know… to marry him or not?" She asked slowly.
"No."
She swallowed an uncomfortable lump in her throat. "Okay, but what if she ran away? So she wouldn't have to marry him?!"
Madara let out a bitter laugh.
"And go where exactly? There's not a single place in the shinobi realm that would be able to shield her from the clans that seek her out. And, once she was found – she would be killed."
"What? That's barbaric!" She said, voice rising in anger. "They can't do that!"
"To act against the clan is treason, the penalty of which is death."
"Then what about her parents? – Surely, they wouldn't force their daughter to do anything she didn't want to do!"
He gave her a wry smile. "Who do you think set it all up?"
"No way!"
"Way."
Aria seethed in anger – clearly, this was new concept to her. However, it was strangely endearing to see her feel strongly for someone she didn't know.
He decided to placate her.
"Look, the Senju and Uzumaki have been allies for years. They probably know more about each other than you think. And even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter because Hashirama is a good man. There is no doubt be will treat her well and be good father to her children. If she's smart, she'll count her blessings."
Mito's heart thundered in her ears.
She couldn't hear the music behind her or people talking excitedly amongst themselves. She scoffed – everyone was thrilled about this wedding except for her. Hashirama was said to be one of the best fighters the shinobi world had ever seen but she couldn't care less. She wanted a man who loved her – not someone who was good at fighting wars.
All her life, she knew this day would come, and yet, it still caught her off guard.
She tried to get quick glimpse at his face as she climbed the steps to the altar.
Rumours were that the Senju leader was very handsome but she found his looks to be rather plain. But to her, he looked like every other soldier in her father's army – dark hair, dark eyes pale skin.
In other words: average.
Oh, why couldn't he look like the Uchiha she had seen in the crowds?
Although to be completely honest, the Uchiha's generally looked the same. All of them had characteristic dark hair, dark eyes, flawless pale skin, slim athletic build, and of course, their infamous trademark: the sharingan. But somehow, Madara Uchiha stood leagues above the rest of them. He was still cut from the cloth, but instead of being simply being sewed and upholstered like the rest of them - Madara was impeccably designed and tailored with precision.
It was therefore strange that, he showed no interest in the multitudes of women (noble and commoners alike) that threw themselves at him. He had made it quite clear that he wasn't interested in marriage or producing heirs - something highly disadvantageous for someone in his position. Compared to him, Hashirama was the safer bet and a rational choice.
Oh, why was it so hard to find Mr Right?
Did he purposely go out of his way to hide from the women that sought him?
The Uzumaki and Senju clans were allies for several years and while Hashirama agreed to the match, Mito had no say in the matter. Her father had made the decision for her, just like he had made every other decision in her life.
The Uzumaki had been living under economic depression and demographic isolation. Clans, traders and merchants wanted little to do with the Uzumaki – thinking them too poor to be able re-pay loans and purchase of wares. The Senju, who were in power at the time, recognized the potential of the Uzumaki clan's enormous chakra reserves and sealing jutsus. An allegiance with the Senju clan secured their safety, protected their trading shores, and provided the necessary funds to feed, clothe and train the next generation of Uzumaki shinobi. In return, they asked for unconditional allegiance and a merging of bloodlines when the time was right.
Mito felt her bottom lip tremble.
Her clan could not have prospered (or survived) without the help of Senju clan. Her life was an incredibly small price to pay for the gratitude the Uzumaki owed towards the Senju.
Still, she could not help but feel like a living doll - traded like any other commodity in the shinobi realm...
Hashirama tensed as his bride-to-be came to stand next to him and gulped uncertainly.
Mito Uzumaki, whom he had only seen from afar and considered 'reasonably' pretty was now standing next to him.
'She's beautiful,' he corrected himself. 'Perhaps, I will survive this marriage after all...'
He was about to offer her a small smile when the priest cleared his throat. The crowd quietened. Then, the priest introduced the couple, uttered a few words about their families and lineages, and began the prayers. Thereafter, the couple were offered sake to be taken in three sips on three times to seal the marriage. Hashirama then read out the commitment scroll and gave offerings of sacred branches to the gods; thus finalizing the marriage contract.
The crowd cheered.
After the ceremony, Madara hung back from the crowd.
One glance at the guests made his mouth curl in distaste. There weren't many people on the guest list he wanted to associate with and it wasn't his style to make small talk with narrow-minded idiots. The couple had taken their seats at the front of the main hall once the formal ceremony was finished and the guests had started lining up to give their best wishes to the new couple. Since the wedding banquet was to be served much later - attendants had started to serve refreshments and appetizers while everyone mingled.
Aria, on the other hand, marveled at the lively sounds and atmosphere of a nobility wedding – her worries soon forgotten after Madara's words.
He accepted two glasses of wine from one of the attendants and passed one to his pretty escort. He took a sip, and appreciated the deep earthy tones of the Senju woodland wine. Aria took one sip and scrunched up her face.
It took everything he had not to laugh.
"Just swallow it," he instructed. "You look constipated."
Aria winced as the harsh liquid burned down her throat.
She thrust the glass at angrily his chest. "That was a dick move."
A sly grin appeared on his face. "I can't deny what's true - but isn't it unladylike of you to say such things?"
"I call them like I see them."
"Perhaps... But who would want to marry someone with a foul mouth like that?"
She laughed. "I don't care what they want because I'm not the marrying kind. I have no desire to be tied down to an overgrown man-child with a husband-complex who thinks he can order me around."
A brief look of shock raced across his face.
What did she just say?!
His face was a mask of controlled calm, but his heart rate thundered.
Not the marrying kind?! Then, what the hell were her intentions with him?
He felt bile build up at the back of his throat and taste it on his tongue.
He refused to be like most clan leaders – He refused to be like his father.
True – he may not like some of the downsides that came with marriage, but he wasn't opposed to it. Madara may not have ever been in a committed relationship, but unlike most men, he didn't hate it and he wasn't afraid of it. And as for his indiscretions, he made sure to take the necessary precautions to ensure that none of them resulted in a child. The only woman that he would ever allow to conceive his child would be his wife.
A title that he hoped would belong to Aria...
Tobirama took up a post away from the guests but at a place he could maintain watchful eye over them. Many clans here today were invited out of courtesy and he didn't trust them at all. He took a sip of his clan's famous wine and watched as the people in dressed elegant robes mingled with each other.
One in particular caught his eye.
A young woman in emerald robes with soft, exquisite features. The style of kimono she wore was the style of the Senju women, and yet, he had never seen her before. She was busy at the refreshments table, delicately picking at the food. Curiosity sufficiently sparked, he made his way over to her.
He found himself smiling as he watched her pick up a sweetmeat, pop it in her mouth, chew it contemplatively – and then promptly repeat the process with three more
"Careful," he warned, "Those things are worse than opium."
The young lady turned to him, looking at him with the eyes of child caught caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
"Oh, I know. But I'm afraid it's too late now seeing as I'm already an addict."
"Try some of the wine, it will sober you right up."
Tobirama laughed at the look of horror on her face. "Um… I think I'll stick to the fruit juice."
"Senju wine is somewhat of an acquired taste. It takes some time to get use to the strong taste."
"No kidding." She said relieved, and reached for another sweetmeat.
But just as she was about to put it in her mouth, he stopped her.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Your stomach is really going to hate you tomorrow."
A mischievous smile danced on her pink lips. "Thank you for your concern, but I assure you that my stomach knows who's the boss."
He smirked. "Hn. Interesting theory... but isn't this your forth?"
"Sixth actually."
"Quite the daredevil aren't you?"
She smiled proudly. "I like to think so."
Tobriama laughed again, for the second time this evening. "Well then, I'll be sure to never cross you. But, I didn't quite catch your name."
"Oh, pardon me! I'm Aria. And you are?"
His eyes widened. Seriously – she didn't know who he was?
"I am Tobirama Senju. Younger brother of Hashirama and second in command of the Senju clan."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." She said, genuinely. "This wedding is wonderful. Thank you so much for having us."
Us?! Did she come with someone…?
"Ah, but pleasure is mine. But, how is it that I've never seen you before –"
But before he could finish his question, someone appeared behind her.
"Uchiha." He sneered. "I don't remember putting your name on the guest list."
The Uchiha grinned. "Well then, blame your brother. You Senju aren't exactly easy on the eyes."
Tobirama's eyebrow twitched as Aria's eyes widened in shock.
She had made a nice new acquaintance and didn't to lose him simply because Madara wasn't capable of being civil!
"He didn't mean that –," She said nervously, nudging Madara rather harshly with her elbow. "We are very happy to be here for Hashirama-sama's wedding."
"And now that it's over and done with, we'll be leaving -"
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Came from a voice behind them.
It was Hashirama Senju – and he was NOT pleased. Mito was beside him.
Tobirama shifted feet angrily and uneasily.
Damn it, he really wanted a go at the Uchiha leader.
A row he hoped would result in spar. He was a much better opponent than Izuna and Hashirama.
But as always, his peace-and-friendship loving brother had a knack for showing up at the wrong time. No thanks to him, what would have been the highlight of his evening was now shattered to pieces.
"Tobirama. I grow tired of your unnecessary attempts at hostility under my roof, especially now of all times. Go now, before I loose my patience."
The younger brother nodded, muttering under his breath as he left.
Madara narrowed his eyes at the retreating Senju youngster. "Our younger brothers need to be put on a leash."
Hashirama shot him a look of agreement. "Yes – extremely short ones that prevent them from needless acts of stupidity."
"We will be old and grey by the time they learn the concept of diplomacy."
Hashirama sighed. "Perhaps, if we are lucky… It's far more likely we'll be six-feet underground."
The friends laughed.
They stopped as soon as Mito cleared her throat, signalling her presence.
Hashirama tensed and the air suddenly became thick.
"Madara, Aria – I would like to introduce my wife, Mito Uzumaki." He said nervously.
Mito smiled and bowed politely. "It is an honor. Uchiha-san, I've heard many great things about you."
Madara simply nodded. "Ah, and the same can be said of you, Mito-san. It's not everyday a woman of noble birth can excel as both an heir and a shinobi."
She blushed. "Thank you."
"Hn. I look forward to working with the Uzumaki now that we have become allies."
Mito's eyes widened in surprise.
The great Madara Uchiha was not known to extend his hand of allegiance so easily, if at all. No doubt, he did it because of her husband, but it was the best wedding gift he could have given her. Before their union, the Uchiha were neither with or against them. But now, the Uzumaki had gained another powerful ally and her father would be pleased indeed.
She bowed again. "You honor me and my clan Uchiha-san."
Hashirama sent him a 'thank you' nod.
Contrary to popular belief - Madara wasn't a complete jerk. Hashirama was his first friend (although he would never admit it) and he wanted his marriage to Mito to succeed. It wasn't going to get anywhere if they were skirting around each other.
So he raised his glass for a light toast. "Hashirama. I do believe congratulations are in order. It's not easy to find someone who is willing to tolerate you for the rest of their life."
"Hey – that's not a toast!" Protested Hashirama.
Mito smiled faintly. And suddenly, the tension in the air lessened greatly.
Madara smirked. "You're right. Mito-san - you have my deepest condolences."
This time, Mito's face lit up and she actually giggled.
Upon seeing her laugh, so did Hashirama.
Aria smiled wistfully as she watched the three heirs interact.
She felt like such an outsider as they bantered with each other. They spoke about subjects that were foreign to her and debated on topics outside her knowledge. Aria was intelligent but she couldn't discuss or hold an opinion about something she didn't know. She felt so inferior to Mito, who was so beautiful and elegant, and Madara's compliment to her earlier keep ringing in her ears. Aria couldn't help but feel a stab of jealously rip through her. It would have been different if he had complimented her beauty or grace – that would have hurt less, but no, he had complimented her achievements and status. The two things Aria lacked and desired more than anything.
And judging by the way he addressed her – she could tell that he considered Mito as an equal. That hurt more than it should have.
Sufficiently dejected, she decided to excuse herself from their little gathering. As she took a step backwards, Madara stopped her with a questioning glance.
"Sorry, I just need to use the restroom." She lied, giving him a smile that didn't meet her eyes. "Excuse me."
He had been watching her since the ceremony began – the beautiful young woman who had arrived on the arm of Madara Uchiha.
He had come for the Senju-Uzumaki wedding – both allies of his clan, but instead, found himself bewildered with another objective. Her resemblance was uncanny, and while his eyes were growing tired with age – he swore on his life that he wasn't mistaken. Those bright eyes, the same enchanting smile, delicate fairy-like features and musical laugh – there was no chance it was a coincidence.
He had been looking for an opportunity to speak with her all evening and as soon as he saw her walk away from the group - he knew that was his chance.
He placed his hand on his young charge. "Seiko. I'm going to greet someone I've waited a long time to see. I will rejoin you at dinner."
The young man nodded, confused.
Since when did his grandfather go meet someone? Normally, everyone came to him….
As Aria made her way to the back of the hall, she could feel Madara's eyes on her.
How lively this place was! She wished she felt as happy as the music that played. How is it that even in a room full of people, she was lonely?
Women gathered in groups and giggled amongst themselves, while the men discussed politics or business. Oh, how she wished she could fit into one of the groups of women or flirt with the fine young men but alas, she couldn't. Walking slowly, she felt like a small fish in a big pond – the only one of its kind. She desperately wanted to tour the ballroom and Senju castle, meet new people and mingle – but with who? Madara was the only one she knew and she wasn't exactly happy with him at the moment.
Then, she happened to pass by a set of large glass doors. A smile danced on her lips as she wondered what was on the other side...
Mito was certain she should've gone with her.
Mito's friends were back home and it would be nice to have at least one friend in a new country. To her dismay, she found the restroom empty. Sighing at her lost opportunity to make a friend, Mito contemplated what to do next. She didn't actually need to use the lavatory but decided it would be unseemly to go during the wedding feast. So, she opened one of the stalls and got in just as couple of women enter the bathroom, talking loudly and mindlessly.
Mito's first instinct was to ignore them, but then something of interest caught her attention. So she pushed the in door slightly and peered through the gap.
"Did you see her?" One asked, fixing her overly done up hair. "The woman Madara Uchiha bought with him?"
"Of course I did." Snapped the other. "Since when does the infamous Madara Uchiha ever an escort?"
"Now apparently." Replied the first tersely, touching up her lipstick. "But it doesn't matter."
The other looked at her speculatively. "And why is that? He's been parading her around all evening."
"He won't marry her."
"Are you blind? Anyone with half a brain could see that he was making a statement."
"A statement saying what, exactly? She could be just his bed mate for all you know. He's not the first clan leader bring his whore to formal event and he certainly wont be the last."
"When was the last time you saw him interacting willingly with a female? That's right, never. And they practically throw themselves at him! In fact, since she left – I saw at least five women approach him – all of whom, he's brushed off."
"Well, she may be pretty and dainty but she's no noble. She may be wearing Senju robes but it doesn't take a genius to see that she doesn't have the disciplined mannerisms that a woman of noble birth would. I say let her have her five seconds of fame because she'll done and dusted by the time the winds change."
Mito decided she'd heard just about enough and walked up to the sink with her head held high.
The two women looked at her in shock as the bride herself washed and dried her hands. Was she listening this whole time?
It took one look for Mito to discover who they were – branch members of a lesser clan.
"Jealously is such an ugly trait in a woman." She said, drying her hands. "You would do well to remember that."
Aria pushed open the large doors that lead to a balcony which overlooked the Senju compound.
She put her hands on the railing breathed a sigh of wonder.
Lit up with vibrant lamps, the Senju compound was woodland in itself.
Beautiful wooden houses integrated perfectly with the forest that surrounded it, cobblestone paths, quaint gardens and a small creek that snaked its way through compound.
She smiled as she traced the trajectory of a thick vine that intertwined with balcony railing with her finger. It curled marvellously under her touch. Desperate to see more, she wondered if there was a way to get to the garden and almost as if reading her mind, lush shrubbery at the far end recoiled to reveal an old hidden staircase made of stone. Excited, she lifted her kimono and carefully made her way down, using the moonlight and the fireflies as a light source.
She giggled in delight as her heels made a soft tapping sound against the cobblestone floor which lead her to a magnificent sculpted fountain.
She paused in front of it to admire it. The moonlight bounced off the marble fountain, giving it an ethereal glow in the darkness of night. She breathed in the crisp night air and listened to the song of the crickets as they chirped. The garden was full of fragrance of the flowers, wood and herbs that grew within it.
One in particular caught her attention. On the base of the fountain grew a magnificent flower – one that was in full bloom in the night.
She moved to touch it and found its petals were extremely delicate and remarkably soft. As an avid plant grower, Aria loved flowers and herbs. She had read so many books and knew the uses, characteristics and how to grow them off by heart… but this one – she'd never seen it before in any of the texts and found herself wondering what it was.
"Queen of the night." A kindly voice offered.
Aria jumped at the sound.
She turned around to face an elderly gentleman smiling down at her.
She gulped uneasily. "I'm sorry?"
The old man laughed. "The flower in your hand – it is known as the queen of the night. Unlike other flowers, it rests during the day and blooms during the night." He replied, taking a seat on the base of the fountain.
"It's beautiful..."
"Ah, yes." He agreed, smiling. "An odd but stunning creature." He gestured to the empty seat beside her. "Would you like to learn of it, my dear?"
Madara kept glancing at the clock.
Almost two hours had passed and since Aria left and there was no sign of her in the ballroom or refreshment tables. Hashirama and Mito had left to mingle with their other guests as soon as they had left him, he was bombarded by a herd of no less than ten women. And if that wasn't bad enough, he was ambushed by several men of high ranking standing who he couldn't exactly rebuff or get away from.
Dread filled him as he impatiently paced about the palace, checking the hallways and rooms for any sign of her.
Anger and worry grew as his attempts fell short each time.
WHERE THE HELL WAS SHE?!
Authors note:
Yay! another chapter done and dusted. What did you all think?
A few comments and disclaimers:
- I know that traditional Japanese wedding are solemn events but I had to liven it a little ;) hehe
- What did you think of Tobirama? and Mito? Comments please! :)
- Hm, so there's a story behind Tajima Uchiha... I wonder what happened with Madara's father... Thoughts, anyone?
Thank you so much for reading this chapter.
Please message and review. I know I say this every chapter, but I love hearing from you.
Some of your feedback has even influenced the storyline! So, you never know - you just might find your idea in the incoming chapters! :)