Hi Everyone!

Long time eh?

Firstly, I must apologize for the extremely long wait for the update - but I suppose life just happens sometimes, eh?

Anyway, I don't know any of my readers are still out there but I really hope you all like this installment, and desperately hope that I haven't lost you all.

Huge shout out to:

10ShizukaYuukiMistress10, Kairi-tenshii-x, crazyuser, xGuiltyXGigglesx03, JigokuShoujosRevenge, Guest, SKYSPRITE, SilverShadow123, OperaGhost11235, Guest, Denaaaa, AnNa, TvonUchiha, Guest, ChewingGumJenni, Dina Sana, Sarahpeachy97, DulcetOwl, Ola

Thanks for reading, and as always; please review and message! :)

~wicked ashes xoxo

Madara fixated on the clock.

He probably looked like a crazy man but he didn't care. More than two hours had passed since Aria left and he was growing increasingly worried with each minute.

What the hell was taking so long? Surely, females don't take this long in the lavatory!

Madara decided to get another drink while he waited for Aria to return, and Hashirama and Mito had left to mingle with their other wedding guests.

Stupid move.

He hadn't got in one sip before he was ambushed by a herd of women. If it weren't for his several years of shinobi training, there was no doubt he would not be able to fight the grimace off his face at the make-up clad she-vampires. And later, he was herded by several old men. Madara couldn't decide who was worse: the crazy, screeching sirens or the monotonous old crones.

Madara sighed. The women he could get away from (however difficult), but he couldn't rebuff the men. They owned land, merchandise, rations and trading posts – which meant that if he wasn't careful, Madara could very well find himself without food and weapons in an upcoming battle. Izuna's past experiences were a perfect example of how one snide remark had the power to flip a boring but perfectly tolerable old man into a horrible senile bastard.

Therefore, Madara fidgeted impatiently as he waited for an older clan leader to finish his ramble about something he rdidn't give a shit about.

But just when he thought it was over...

"Madara, you have become an established young man," piped up a short, stubby old man, "Surely, it must be time to marry and settle down?"

The other men in the crowd looked at him expectantly.

Madara's eye twitched uncontrollably.

He coughed loudly. "Hiroki-sama, gentlemen – if you will excuse me, I do believe I need to use the rest room."

Not waiting for an answer, he made his way to the back of the hall.

Close call.

Aria's chakra was not detectable from the women's designated bathrooms - which meant she wasn't there.

Frustrated, he scoured the halls and the rooms to see but she wasn't. He even checked the library but it was locked.

Frustrated even further, he was about to make his way back to the ballroom when a sudden, chilly breeze assaulted him.

Panic raced through him as his eyes came upon set of large oak doors that were left wide open, its curtains billowing gently.

Dread filled his stomach.

For certain, Aria had passed through them.

Aria smiled widely at the old man. "Yes, please do tell. I love flowers."

The old man's eyes twinkled as he picked up one of the delicate flowers. "Even though my eyes are failing me, I am amazed every time I gaze at this exquisite little creature. So delicate, yet so strong... And daring."

Aria shot him a puzzled look, making him chuckle. "My late wife grew these in her garden as a tribute to the daughter we both lost. We never found her..., but a father never gives up hope."

Aria's heart sank and she mentally face-palmed herself. Nice going motormouth. "Oh… I'm so sorry for your loss."

But the old man didn't notice. "My Asuka was a dreamer with a kind heart but easily trusting nature. She was my only heir, born after 10 years of marriage." He smiled woefully. "She came long after we had given up hope for a child."

The young woman's eyes were tender. "Oh… what happened to her?"

His gaze steeled. "She fell in love with a man far beneath her station - a general in my army with an unruly past. He was talented, certainly, but her mother and I did not approve of him. Then one day, they both disappeared. We searched far and wide but never found them."

The young woman's brimmed with sadness and empathy. "I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you… Wherever she is, I hope that she is safe and well, and that she will one day return to you."

The old man smiled. "Thank you for your kind words dear. I hope so too... Tell me, what is your name?"

"My name is Aria. It's a pleasure to meet you sir."

"Aria…" He repeated, his eyes twinkled as if something suddenly just made sense. "A beautiful name for a beautiful girl…"

"Thank you. And you are…?"

The old man laughed heartily. "Oh, dear me! I really am getting old! My name is –"

"Masayuki Sanada."

A cold voice offered from behind.

The old man smirked. "Ah, Madara Uchiha… To what do I owe the honour?"

Madara strode over and pulled Aria from the bench. "Come Aria. We're leaving."

"Not quite." Masayuki also stood up, offended by the way the young man handled her. "We were in the middle of something."

Madara scoffed. "I'm afraid she's not interested in old men."

The old man scoffed in return. "I see you have inherited the same annoying traits as your father. Treating women as if they are property."

Madara immediately let go of Aria's arm. "I'm nothing like him." he spat out venomously.

Masayuki narrowed his world-weary eyes. "Hn. That is yet to be seen - the apple never falls too far from the tree."

The Uchiha leader's charcoal eyes bled into a deep crimson.

This old man could potentially ruin everything with Aria. Every shinobi had their fair share of skeletons in closets but Madara wanted to keep his father in a triple-bolted iron safe. There weren't many things he was ashamed of, but his old man was definitely one of them. There was still a lot of ground to be covered - and there was no way he wanted anything leaked prematurely to Aria that could negatively influence her future decisions.

So he forced himself to breathe. "What do you want?"

"Certainly nothing you could give me. I simply wished to keep the company of a beautiful woman."

Madara's fingers ghosted over his blade, itching to use it. "There are plenty of fish in the sea. Go cast your net elsewhere."

Masayuki sniggered. "Net? Well, I suppose it is better at catching fish than a fishing rod."

Madara flashed him a smirk of his own. "Then its a good thing I'm only interested in catching one."

Masayuki Sanada watched as the young Uchiha leader placed a hand on the small of Aria's back and steered her back towards the Senju palace. Then, he resumed his place on the bench and pulled out an old scroll.

He read it for the millionth time.

'Dearest Father,

I'm deeply sorry for the way I left you and mother and how it must have hurt you. I know it has been many years since you have heard from me but rest assured, I am very well and happy.

I know I am risking being found by sending this letter but I simply cannot contain the joy I feel at this moment.

My dear mother and father – you have become the grandparents to the most beautiful little girl.

Her name is Aria.

She has mother's eyes, her father's hair, my nose and your ears.

She has features that belong only to her, and it surprised me that she doesn't look like no one in our family. Her voice is musical and she small birthmark on the back of her neck. She is rather petit, with dainty limbs, pianist fingers and dancers feet. And like mother, I believe she posses great strength behind her fragile appearance.

Oh, how I love her father! She completes me.

When the time is right, I will send her to you.

Until then, I beg of you not to search for me.

I wish to hold her in my arms for a while longer…"

Masayuki Sanada smiled and wiped a stray tear from his eye.

At last.

He had found her.

Madara speculated on Masayuki's words.

A master strategist, clan leader and wise shinobi; his moves were calculated and efficient. Seeking her Aria out and isolating her from unwanted eyes or ears was deliberately a move of some kind. In the shinobi realm, knowledge was power and Masayuki understood that better than anyone. The Sanada clan resided in the north, close to the Senju and although Madara personally had little to do with Sanada clan, he was surprised with the amount of detail Masayuki knew about his father.

It's been years since someone had the balls to confront him about his father and only a handful of people knew about it.

Even Izuna didn't know.

There was no doubt he was up to something.

And, it did not escape Madara's notice that he had not yet named an heir.

Aria had watched the entire exchange between Madara and Masayuki sama with a mixture of shock and confusion.

Who was Masayuki really?

What did he want with her?

And why was Madara so hostile about his father?

Madara didn't speak to her as he guided her towards the Senju Palace. A deeply contemplative look was plastered on his face and his jaw was tight. Whatever past he had with his man or his father was obviously something that he didn't want to discuss.

Aria's curiosity sky-rocketed.

But when she opened her mouth to speak, she thought better of it.

Aria's mother had always told her she had a bad habit of poking her nose in places that it did not belong and that it was an unattractive trait in a young lady. Aria argued that she was simply an inquisitive person by nature but her mother wasn't convinced. And, it certainly didn't save her from a scolding.

But years later, she realised her mother had a point - She certainly didn't want Madara thinking she was nosy.

As they neared the large doors, Madara paused abruptly and turned to her with feral eyes.

"What the hell were you thinking?! Walking out like that?!"

Aria couldn't understand why that was a problem. "I-I'm s-sorry, I just wanted to get some fresh air."

"AIR?!" He hissed, grabbing her arm and pulling her to him none too gently. "You could have been killed, kidnapped or ... worse!"

Aria gulped. She hadn't thought of it like that...

"Do you have ANY idea who is present tonight?! Who could be lurking in the shadows?"

She shook her head nervously as she tried to free herself from his vice like grip.

His hold on her tightened. "NINJA, Aria. Ninja who look for any opportunity to get ahead by any means necessary. Do I have to explain to you what that means?!"

She squeezed her eyes shut out the pain. "OK, I'm sorry! I wont do it again. But stop it, you're hurting me!"

Madara let go instantaneously. Fuck! This was the second time tonight!

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Look, Aria. Just remember that you are a… a..."

Aria gazed on him quizzically.

Madara felt a surge of blood rush to his cheeks. "Someone could easily take advantage of you ok?! That is what I am trying to say. And we should get going - Dinner will be starting soon."

The wedding banquet was an extravagant, lively affair. As expected from a Senju wedding.

Seated to his Hashirama's left, Madara felt the lecherous eyes of at least a dozen women scour over him and shuddered uncomfortably. Next to him, Aria picked at her food contently, completely oblivious to the simultaneous eye-rapes that were happening to him.

So he shot her an angry glare.

She responded with an perplexed look.

Madara sighed in exasperation. What good was a woman if she couldn't shield him against other females? Surely, it had to be in the relationship/marriage clause somewhere.

"Are you okay?"

"Just peachy."

"Are you sure? You look kind of pale…"

Madara let the chopsticks drop from his fingers. "Do you not see them?!"

Aria wondered at the what could have brought out the nasty throbbing vein on Madara's forehead. "See who?"

A low hiss escaped from his lips. "Those female leeches for kami's sake. Keep up woman!"

She raised a pretty eyebrow incredulously, paused for a moment, and then went back to her food.

That earned her another glare.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh relax. They're not going to eat you."

He snorted. "How would you know? From where I stand it seems very likely."

Aria didn't need him to tell her of the countless, hopeful young women with their eyes on the Uchiha leader and couldn't decide which was worse: the envy and anger she felt for the women, or the fact that they actually had a better chance with him than she did.

"You're such a drama king."

"I assure you I am most certainly not." He replied seriously, "They are monsters dressed in kimonos. The kind from one's nightmares."

Aria had to laugh. "That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"

But his expression was stony, serious. "Do you have any idea as to what those sirens are capable of?"

She rolled her eyes again. "No. Please…, do enlighten me."

"They are monsters with hideous faces hiding behind masks of porcelain. They confuse men with their perfume and false charms, ensnaring them to a lifetime of servitude, draining them of their youth and money… Then, if that's not bad enough, they go on to give birth to little demonlings who go on and repeat the cycle."

Aria placed a her hand over her mouth, in a desperate effort to muffle the laugh that threatened to escape.

Madara patiently waited for her to finish, wondering how she could find something this serious, humorous.

"Ok, ok," She choked out. "Then how do you know I'm not one of these 'monsters'?"

"Because we've been alone several times and you have yet to make a move." Madara smirked. "Another woman in your place would have already made several by now."

Aria blushed, remembering Akane. "Um… You know I'm not that kind of girl…"

"Hn." But I wouldn't have objected if you did - In fact, I'm disappointed you haven't.

Mito ate slowly, digesting the lively environment around her.

Having grown bored of her new husband's antics, she was now very interested in what the extremely stoic and serious Madara Uchiha could have said to send the young woman next to him in a fit of giggles.

Who would have thought that the Uchiha had a sense of humour?

Then again, he didn't look like he was joking…

Mito chewed her morsel of fish delicately, noting the differences in taste from the ones back home.

Her village was situated next to a prominent trading shore. The fish she had back home were salt water fish, and the ones served in the north were all freshwater fish. She immediately decided that she liked the ones back home. Even if they were small, hard to catch and extremely bony – they were full of flavor. The ones served here were larger and tender, but they lacked in favour, explaining the amount of herbs and spices needed to flavour the dish.

When she was young, Mito loved sneaking out of the compound to the shoreline. The high tide brought in numerous fish and when the tide pulled out, the delicious fish would be trapped in the little rock pools. She loved the way they felt in her hands – slippery, nimble and lively before she took them out of the rock pool. She threw the little ones back in the water and took the big adult ones home.

Her nanny, an old widowed fisherman's wife taught her several ways to cook, grill and smoke a fish. Her parents disapproved of her being in the kitchen with the rest of the staff, but wholeheartedly ate the meals she had prepared for them.

Looking around the crowd, she really missed her old nanny. She was the only real friend Mito had. Most of her other so-called 'friends' were always conveniently unavailable when she needed them, but always the first to arrive whenever they wanted something.

But she sensed something different about Aria…

After the banquet, there was entertainment.

A traditional play followed by music and dancing for those that wished. Madara wanted to go his room and sleep. Preferably with Aria… But this time, Aria was seated next to Mito.

Aria, thrilled, could hardly wait for the show to start.

Mito smiled knowingly. "Your first play, I presume?"

Aria turned to the beautiful bride, and was suddenly bashful... "Yes... Is it that obvious?"

Mito smiled. "Don't worry, I was the same the first time my father took me to see one."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?! How was it?"

"Horrible." Mito laughed at the bewildered look on Aria's face. "It was about old men waging wars. Definitely not something that a girl of 15 would be interested in."

"Oh dear..." Aria giggled. "Well, if its any conciliation, the closest I've ever gotten to live entertainment was when my father broke up a fight between two young soldiers outside our house… Am I terrible if I say I didn't want them to stop?"

Mito laughed again. "No, of course not. Especially if they were good looking." She said, whispering the last part.

Both of the women giggled.

Both of the men became suspicious.

But before any of them could say something, the narrator cleared his throat as the actors took their positions on stage.

Luckily for Aria, the play was a comedic love story between two heirs betrothed at birth by their parents. They both refused to marry a person of their parents choosing, despite having never seen or communicating with the other.

One day, the young woman goes for a ride on her horse in the forest, unaccompanied, and without anyone's knowledge. Spooked by a noise in the bushes, she falls off the horse and twists her leg. Night falls and she is all alone and scared. Tired, she eventually falls asleep.

The young man passing though the forest sees a lone horse and a fallen rider. When he gets closer, he finds a beautiful young woman asleep. As he approaches, his foot steps on a branch and she churns awake, and suddenly has a kunai to his neck. Impressed, he offers to help her.

She accepts on the condition that he close his eyes and ears when she leaves so that he will not be able to follow her. As he bandages her leg with his obi, they learn about each other and fall madly in love but do not declare their feelings for each other. In the morning, they part for their separate ways.

Much later, both of their parents are pressuring them into marriage, the young woman declares that she will only marry the handsome young man who had rescued her in the forest. Several false men arrived claiming to be him, but none could describe the obi the used to bandage her leg.

Meanwhile, the young man returns to the forest several times for the chance to meet her again and makes every effort to find her but has no success. Finally, they both give in to their parents demand and agree to marry with the betrothed party with heavy hearts.

And in a fortunate twist of fate, they find out that the very person they had been avoiding was the one they had been searching for all along.

Aria thoroughly enjoyed the play and Mito was excellent company.

She laughed in all the right places, made intelligent observation and witty comments throughout the play.

The distance they sat gradually reduced to nothing, moving away from their respective partners until they were sitting shoulder-to-shoulder and whispering in hushed voices. When the play ended, they got up to get refreshments without a single word to either of their partners.

Madara felt stood up. "Doesn't it disturb you that your wife is spending more time with Aria than with you?"

But Hashirama shrugged it off. "Nah. She'll be spending the rest of her life with me anyway, so I don't see the harm in letting her make a new friend."

'Hn."

Madara clutched his head, rubbing his temple as he felt a headache coming on. He didn't want to stop Aria from having a good time, and she would probably enjoy the music and dancing. He hated it and had no desire to participate so he got up. "It's late and I'm going to rest. Keep an eye on Aria and see to it that she gets to her room safely. I don't care if it's your wedding night – escort her personally if you have to."

Hashirama nodded, knowing how long these weddings could drag out and how much Madara hated mingling. "No problem."

It was almost midnight when Izuna had reached the Senju compound and it bursting with people, music and dancing.

Shit. It was a wedding.

A Senju wedding.

And he was not dressed for the occasion.

Hiding in the tall trees, he spied a group of young men drinking outside in the garden.

A quick scan using the sharingan revealed that they were aristocrats, and not shinobi.

Izuna smirked. Easy picking. Like taking candy from a baby.

With lighting fast reflexes, all the drunken idiots were knocked out on the grass, not knowing what had hit them.

Picking the best dressed, he quickly removed the robes and wore it over his shinobi gear. Poor fool.

He washed his face and hands in the nearby fountain, and used the moon's reflection in the water to tidy up his appearance.

Sensing his brother's chakra, he made his way into the palace.

It was going to be a long night.

Authors note:

Yay! Chapter 9 completed! I hope you all liked that chappie!

What did you all think? (Forgive me if I'm a little rusty, lol)

- So, have we finally got an insight into Aria's lineage? Will she find out?

- Madara is reclusive about his father. Any ideas why? What could possibly have happened between them?

- Aria and Mito seem to have hit it off. Wonder what's in store for them?

- And finally, Izuna has arrived. What going to happen now?! and what will he think/do?!

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.

~wicked ashes