Hiya!
How's everyone doing? Somehow managed to find myself back here... After so long...
Not sure if anyone is still reading this, but here you go - a new instalment!
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, messaged, followed and favorited! It means so much to me.
As always, please review and message!
She hadn't slept a wink. All she could think about was her exchange with Madara last night.
How do you tell your favourite person you can't see them anymore?
With eyes bloodshot red and sore, she groaned at the first hint of dawn. She was grumpy, emotionally drained and completely unready. She needed to leave before everyone woke up. Especially Madara (actually, she wasn't sure he 'slept' at all but that was a different issue entirely).
Undressing quickly, she headed in for good wash before setting out. Who knew when she would be able to bathe again?
Letting her hair loose, she marvelled at how many shinobi men wore their hair long. Was it not considered an occupational hazard in their line of work? More importantly, how did they keep it in order? She had never seen Madara run a comb through his hair in all their time together, and yet it was flowy, in-place and perfectly fine. Aria's hair was so stubborn and non-compliant that it was out of place within the first hour. On most occasions, it just didn't cooperate because it was long, thick, and very fine. Tangles were the bane of her existence even when tied in a braid, bun or ponytail and she put up with it mostly for the sake of vanity. She supposed her caramel hair may be considered beautiful, especially the way it cascaded down her shoulders and onto her back like a smooth waterfall, just like her mother's once did. Maybe that's why she still wore it loose, in memory of her mother.
A bittersweet smile flitted across her face.
Did he find it beautiful...?
But she quickly shook off the thought, as quick as it had entered her mind. No, she wouldn't allow herself to think that way, or entertain any notion of them being together romantically.
"As you wish..." They were the last words he said to her, before he storming out of her room (and her life) forever.
She thought she witnessed a glimpse hurt flitter across his face, before it became stony and cold. It was an expression she had never seen on him, and it scared her. She wanted him to resist and push back, but he hadn't. Somehow, that left her even more upset. Deep down, she wanted him to fight for them, but maybe he too realised that it wouldn't work out.
'Oh well...,' Aria thought sourly. 'Better sooner than later'.
Wiping yet another tear from her eye, she strengthened in her resolve. She would get dressed, pack her things and leave quietly. That would be the best course of action for everyone. Madara would go home with his brother and move on with their elitist shinobi lives.
She tidied the room and carefully folded the beautiful gown she had worn last night on the bed. She would never forget tonight, she thought sadly, with the faintest smile. With one last look at the room, she closed the door and tiptoed out of the sleeping quarters and into the garden where the crisp and fragrant morning air hit her at once, promising new opportunities and horizons.
She passed by the fountain where she had met Masayuki Sanada. She picked up the flower as a keepsake of their conversation that night and tucked it into her hair. Strange... there was just something about him that she couldn't quite put her finger on... but she hoped to see him again if possible. Sighing, she took a deep breath and looked up at the looming forest up ahead. She would need to get through the Senju woods on her own.
If it didn't kill her first, that is.
Madara wasn't prepared for the rush of emotions that coursed through him.
Outrage.
Disbelief.
Rejection.
Fury.
And those were just to name a few...
Aria had declined to go to the Uchiha compound with him and effectively told him that she didn't see a future of them together.
Was she fucking insane?!
Clearly, she must have forgotten who he was, and what he had to offer her. Women were lining up for the opportunity, and yet here she was point blank refusing him. But that was beside the point.
What exactly did she think she was going to do?
Where was she going to go, if not with him?
He massaged his temples. This tiny, infuriating woman was giving him a him colossal migraine.
Perhaps she needed more time to come to her senses... Yes, this seemed plausible.
She wasn't thinking properly.
After all, women are such emotional creatures and it had been quite a day. Izuna showing up unannounced certainly didn't help much either.
He gazed over to the other side of the room. Izuna lay on the other bed, snoozing away like nothing was awry. He was fast asleep by the time Madara returned and he wasn't about to tell him what had transpired between him and Aria.
Izuna had a way of over-reacting and was fiercely overprotective of Madara, strange as that sounded. Since he was little, Madara was the one constant in his life and his only link to his mother and deceased brothers, so he held on, as tight as he could to the one person who meant everything to him. Izuna also had a tendency to hold grudges and he didn't want him to hold one over Aria. If she decided not to go with him, it would only complicate things between them and lead to mistrust.
Izuna could be suffocating and smothering at times, but it's just who he was. His need to control things, situations and people were just a way for him to protect himself and the very few good things he had left in his life.
He was deeply devoted to the Uchiha, and took offence easily, especially when directed at his clan. It didn't escape his notice that he and Tobirama had not spoken a word to each other... and perhaps that was for the best. Couldn't have those two brats running their mouths off at each other, causing an unnecessary scene at Hashirama's wedding.
In any case, the need to introduce Aria and Izuna to each other on good terms was imperative. As long as she and Izuna got along and there was trust and mutual understanding between them, Izuna would take care of her as one of his own. The rumours had complicated matters by putting her at an unfair disadvantage, but they were untrue. So, the first step was for them to get to know each other.
In all honesty and practicality, it mattered not what Aria's background was as long she bore him male heirs once they were married. He didn't need her to go and fight in any war. All she needed to do was to be faithful good wife and mother, perform the duties of her position and that would be sufficient. With some education and training on Uchiha customs and she would be fit to be matriarch.
Aria was very likeable, honest and caring. Izuna would soon see that too, and that she was indeed worthy. The rest would fall into place.
But right now, he needed to get some rest.
Aria sighed deeply and cautiously walked into the forest.
Last night, after the 'altercation' she had gone to the Senju Library to see what she could find out about the forest.
True, she was no shinobi but she was an avid and extremely fast reader. She scoured through the archives, finding and deciphering the directories within moments, easily discovering what she was looking for. Pen at the ready, she busied herself making notes from the books in front of her. The Senju forest was an incredibly effective offensive and defensive mechanism that was self-regulated. It was a living breathing creature, and although formidable, it was not unbeatable. There were reoccurring themes and patterns, that if she looked close enough, she should able to decipher. The forest could determine intent of the person entering it, and if it determined the intent to be sinister in nature, it would go into 'protective mode'. If the intent was simply to traverse the forest, it would go into its 'normal mode'. If the intent was good natured, the forest would go into 'friend mode' but this was rare for anyone who was not a Senju. The modes could change at any order to send the forest into 'friend mode', she had to display extreme care with its inhabitants. What that meant, she had no idea. So her best bet was 'normal mode'.
Any direction would have to do, she supposed. As she headed for the middle, there was a rustle in the foliage in one of the bushes. Out popped a lively little brown squirrel. It scurried from the left to the right, picked up an acorn and climbed up the tree. And then she saw it! The little squirrel's shadow disappeared from the middle and left hand and only appeared on the right. The acorn sitting on the ground had a shadow. However, there were plenty of acorns on the right side from which he emerged. Why go all the way to the other side for just one acorn?
Then it clicked!
That had to be real track! The other two were an illusion!
Pleased with herself, she trodded off in the direction, hoping it was the right one.
Tobirama had gotten up unusually early to get in some training, before the day's events. He needed to get in the right frame of mind if he was going to survive another day of entertaining and overly polite behaviour. It was going to be exhausting and frustrating. Parties were really not his thing, and he wasn't good at making small talk. His brother on the other hand loved to meet people, form new bonds and was adored for his kind and jovial personality. Everything seemed to come so easily to him, leadership, partnership, collaboration. And now, marriage.
But he wasn't so good at the books and paperwork side of things. Daily operations and financial decisions were mostly made by Tobirama, with Hashirama simply approving them. Tobirama was exceptionally good at research, studying, and observation. He spent a lot of his time either in the library, training and developing new techniques. It was quiet, peaceful and no one disturbed him, and he was one of the the only people that frequented the place. So he was naturally intrigued when he heard footsteps enter last night. Stealthily, he watched as the hushed (but hurried) footsteps moved about the library... Somewhat dainty and feminine. As she came into view, Tobirama let out a surprised gasp. She turned around fast like an alerted rabbit and went to investigate. She turned the corner, but he slipped to hide behind the bookshelf. She looked through a few more galleys, and dismissed her original concern.
Settling down at a desk, and pulled out a notebook out of her bag. She went to the directory, clearly after something in particular. She scoured bookshelf after bookshelf, fingers delicately caressing the spines of many leather bound books and let out a squeal of delight, once she had found whatever it was she was after. Her unexpected laugh resonated out through the vast and empty library that she quickly put her hand over her mouth, embarrassed by her sudden outburst. 'Cute', he thought, deciding he liked her laugh.
She retrieved a few books, and took them back to her desk and turned on the lamp. Systematically, she went through one book after the another, her eyes focused in on the text, darting from page to page and row to row within mere moments, only occasionally stopping to write something down. Tobirama had to say he was impressed. She read fast. It was like she only had to scan it to understand. She was there for barely half an hour, before she packed her bag, put the books back on the bookshelf and left.
Once she was out of sight, he went to see what books she had looked at.
They were all pertaining the Senju forest.
His eyes widened in realisation of what she was about to do.
There was no way she would make it out alive!
He had to stop her!
By the time he had woken, the sun had already risen and the other guests were making their way down to the banquet hall for breakfast.
Looking over, he saw Izuna was dozing peacefully. "Izuna." No response.
"Izuna, get up." A pillow was thrown on on him. "We should head out after breakfast."
The younger brother mumbled something back, but didn't get up. The elder sighed, Izuna really wasn't a morning person. He sighed and decided to wake Aria instead although he had a sneaking feeling she probably fit in the same boat as Izuna.
Although, there was no doubt she'd perk up like an excited rabbit at mention of 'breakfast'. Heh.
But when he got there, he found the room empty with no trace of her insight.
He couldn't sense her lovely chakra anywhere either.
His heart sank and sense of dread and panic enveloped him.
Where the hell was she?!
And why the fuck did she keep disappearing on him?!
Tobirama hissed in frustration, as he flew through the treetops, on the lookout for the rouge young lady. She could be anywhere! He has sent a clone to his brother, hoping he could catch on her before then.
When the visitors came, Hashirama had used a justu to send the forest into friend mode so that guests could traverse the forest with ease, but that had long since worn off. Tobirama hadn't mastered that jutsu and the forest could very well go the opposite way if he tried it now. His only hope was to keep looking and bring her back.
Flying through the treetops, he hissed at how she could've even entertained the notion of making it through the forest unassisted and unaccompanied. Foolish girl! It was hard to find anything or anyone within this damningly temperamental forest. Hundreds of adults and children have died from going missing only for their chakra drained bodies to be spat out weeks later.
He couldn't find any traces of her, and most likely wouldn't due to the genjutsu attribute of the forest. He didn't know her chakra signature either, which meant he had to rely on simply spotting her. Not exactly the most effective method, but his only option. Had he waited and called for back up, they would have most likely be reunited with her corpse.
Aria was exhausted.
She had nearly drank all of her water, and end was no where in sight. The forest floor started off easy enough, but soon, it was littered with ferns, fallen tree trunks and exploring vines. She wished she could fly through the trees like Madara did. Climbing over them was hard; the surface was wet and moist from the fungi that grew on them. It was hard to see the sun now, as the trees had gotten bigger and taller. The air had become thick and dense, making it hard to breathe.
She desperately needed to regain some energy.
In the distance, she spied a tree trunk with a decent sized hole at its base, and decided to take a rest before carrying on.
Nestled within, she laid large leaves on the bottom, and a few on the front so as to hide her from view.
Eyelids drooping, she thought to simply rest her eyes before carrying on any further, but soon found herself drifting off into a deep slumber.
Madara strode out of her room, long strides back to his own that he shared with Izuna and practically shook him awake. "She's gone. I'm going after her."
Izuna jolted awake. "Huh?!" He replied, bewildered.
The elder chose not to respond as he put on his armour and gathered his things. "I'm going to talk to Hashirama. Get ready."
Just as he headed down the corridor, the person he was after was headed straight for him.
"She's gone-" He started,
"I know. She's in the forest". Finished Hashirama. "Tobirama sent me a clone."
Madara hissed through his teeth, running a hand through his hair in frustration. Was she that desperate to get away from him?!
Foolish girl! She was going to get herself killed.
"I'm going after her, tame that forest of yours will you?"
The long haired shinobi nodded. "I'll send in some clones too."
"Hn." Sharingan ablaze, then regarded his friend sternly. "Word of this should not get out. I'll return shortly."
"Go. She can't have got far-"
"Who cant' have gone far?"
Standing in front of them was none other than Masayuki Sanada. Madara sighed in exhasperation. All of the times to show up, it had to be now.
The pair of shinobi friends exchanged glances but said nothing.
Masayuki weary eyes narrowed as he received no response. "I certainly hope you are not talking about the delightful young lady I met last night." He offered.
Damn it! He was on to them.
"What's it to you?" Madara spat. "Mind your own business."
Sanada's beady old eyes betrayed no emotion as he regarded the disrespectful young Uchiha in front of him. Too much power, sharp-tongued and not nearly enough restraint on that one. But no matter, he would teach him a lesson later. "She intrigues me." He replied simply, to which Madara scoffed, loudly.
Hashirama watched the two in bewilderment. What was the nature of the relationship between his childhood friend and his ally? The Uchiha had nothing to do with the Sanada and vice versa. So why? And what did it have to do with Aria? "Masayuki-sama, may I ask-"
But Madara cut him off. "I told you she's not interested in old men. Leave her alone. This will be your last warning."
"Ah, well I'm afraid I have to disagree. I think she rather enjoyed my company that night, before you so rudely interrupted us. I was hoping to continue the conversation we were having at breakfast but it seems you have scared her off." He sneered. "I'm not surprised in the least of course, but now the issue remains of her whereabouts. And since you dropped the ball, I would like to offer my assistance in finding her."
"Hn. I don't need your help. Get out of my way." He snarled back, brushing past the elder rather harshly.
Masayuki didn't appreciate that.
Quick as a flash, a blade touched the base of his neck, a dangerous warning of what was to come.
The Uchiha Leader smirked, looked like the old man still had some dance left in him. He was impressed though, Sanada didn't make any hand signs, had the blade materialise out of thin air, and placed on his neck in a matter of seconds.
His sharingan activated, whirling excitedly. He loved battle. And this was foreplay.
"Ah, the devil eyes of the Uchiha, the infamous sharingan." Masayuki remarked casually, unperturbed. He looked daringly straight into them (and against well known shinobi protocol). Blood red, hypnotic, and deadly as its reputation - the Uchiha's prized sharingan came at a steep price drenched in a gruesome history of bloodshed and devastating loss. Some of them even embraced it, just like the young man before him, in order to achieve power they desired. He was even rumoured to have the mangekyou sharingan, a rarity among their own.
Masayuki narrowed his eyes in utter contempt, "...How ugly they are." He taunted.
Madara raised an elegant eyebrow in dark amusement. This old fool will die now, and these 'eyes' will be the last thing he sees.
The Sanada shinobi inched forward but instead felt a cold metal, a kunai, on the nape of his neck. He didn't need to turn around to know there was another pair of those revolting red eyes behind him. "Hn. So you are here too..."
Izuna Uchiha.
"Drop it, or taste death here and now."
Those damn Uchiha brothers were joined by the hip, notorious, and thick as a pair of thieves.
Hashirama had enough. "Stop now, all of you! Now is not the time to be fighting amongst ourselves. We need to find her before she is lost forever."
"Hn." Madara replied, heading off with Izuna in tow.
But Hashirama grabbed his arm in a vice like grip, eyes narrowed in anger. "We are going to talk about this later. I won't allow you to stir up hatred under my roof."
Madara shrugged his arm off, rather harshly in return. "We'll see."
The brothers had barely gotten into the forest, when all of a sudden, it grew dark. Shadows formed and visibility reduced considerably. Trees and branches began to move on their own and a haunted presence began to take over. The forest had taken on a new, sinister form.
"Someone has triggered the forest to change into its final form." Remarked Izuna. "Not to mention it signifies the entry of a potentially dangerous unknown enemy. It will be much harder to find her now. What should we do?"
"Let's split up and pair up our clones. Be on the lookout for others too."
Izuna nodded. "Good idea." Madara was the only one who was actually familiar with her chakra signature, and pairing their clones would allow them to stay in touch and find her faster. Hand signs were made, and a horde of clones appeared. "I'll take the right."
"Be careful." Warned the elder brother. "Now is not the time to be reckless."
Izuna flashed him a cheeky smile. "But that's what makes it fun!" He yelled, taking off in the opposite direction, not waiting for a response.
Madara resisted the urge to berate Izuna; his younger sibling really enjoyed pushing his buttons. The bloody forest was a formidable enemy on a good day, can't imagine what it would be like now especially with an unknown dangerous presence lurking...
Aria had woken from a slumber to find herself in the dark, out in the open, and not under the tree trunk she originally fell asleep under.
Fear overtook her.
The forest didn't look like this before!
She gulped uneasily and got to her feet, drawing her arms around herself. When did it get so cold? Retrieving her backpack, she opened it to look for something, anything, that could help her see in this near impossible darkness, but found nothing. Should she try make a fire? The branches on the forest floor were too damp, they wouldn't light. There was also a chance someone would find her - and they could very well be the foe that triggered the change in the first place.
Best to keep moving.
As she started to walk, she heard a scuttle behind her.
She increased her walking pace.
It did too.
When she stopped, it stopped.
Panicked, she began to sprint, then turned around abruptly to catch who or what was chasing her.
...
It was the squirrel she was following earlier.
She breathed a sigh of relief, and beaconed the little furball with her hand. "Are you scared little one?"
The squirrel jumped towards her and ran up into her arms. "I'm scared too, buddy," she said, stroking its fur lovingly. "Lets get out of here."
They had walked only a few paces when she heard another rustle, this time in the bushes. Aria quickened her pace. A shuffling sound could be heard, fast approaching. She couldn't see where it was coming from. The squirrel flitted around restlessly, frightened. Aria began to run, but the sound got louder and faster. When she turned around to look, her heart stopped.
Demonic yellow eyes, long flickering tongue, and standing at least twice her height, was the biggest snake she had seen in her life.
It took her a moment to register the sight before her.
Then, a blood-curling scream escaped her lips, filling the bog-like air.
The serpent lunged, and Aria felt her legs freeze. She willed them to move, but only just managed to roll to the side in time, barely escaping the attack. Aria back pedalled and got to her feet, making a dash for her life. The force of the attack had created a hole in the ground, where her body has once been, leaving the snake disoriented.
The serpent recovered, a small lag time creating a window of opportunity to get away. Adrenaline pumping, she scanned her surroundings. There was no way she could out-run or defeat this beast. Her only option was to find a place to hide.
What had she read about snakes? A snake's visual perception allowed it to predominantly track movements, and vision varied greatly between species. They could also detect vibrations on the ground. The low light meant that it may actually not be able to see her well at all, relying on other sensory abilities.
She spied a tree up ahead, low laying branches and began to climb on top. She situated herself inside a nook and waited. The serpent flicked its tongue fervently, analysing the particles in the air providing it with a directional sense of smell and taste simultaneously.
Heart thumping and breathing heavily, she needed to calm down and focus on her breathing. In and out, deep and slow, the air filling her lungs and increasing their capacity. The snake progressively got closer. Aria grabbed some pebbles from the ground. As the snake approached the tree, she flung them as far as she could behind it's back. The serpent, confused, turned around to go investigate. She would use the time it was distracted to escape to another spot. But just as she tried to jump down onto the ground, the tree branch moved on its own until she was practically danging from it. Desperately hanging on, it was a long way down. She had to hold on, but her grip was failing. She was going to fall! The squirrel was restless, digging its claws into her skin and drawing blood. Her left hand faltered and fell to her to her side. She tried not to look down. There was too much weight, and the rough bark was hard to grip. And then her hand slipped. Aria gasped in horror, shutting her eyes as she braced herself for the hard impact with the ground.
But it never came...
A firm, strong hold enclosed her thighs and waist in the last moment, and when she looked down, she saw that it was him. Her heart leaped out of her chest, and huge sigh of relief escaped her lips. Never had she been more glad to see him in her life! And he had just rescued her... which meant he had to have chased after her! Butterflies filled her stomach. Heart pounding loudly, her face flushed when she realised his face was literally under her chest. But it looked like he hadn't noticed.
Instead, he stared at her pointedly; a mixture of accusation, admonition and anger brimming within crimson depths.
She opened her mouth to apologise, but found herself mesmerised by his eyes. It was the first time she'd seen them up close. Tilting her head slightly, she moved in closer, mere inches away from his face.
They were... beautiful.
Blood red, with three little black commas connected in a circle. Not his typical onyx. Was this his family's bloodline? She heard a lot of people make references to it at the Senju wedding although he hadn't mentioned it himself. Was this the famous sharingan that everyone feared and coveted at the same time?
Her eyes lit up, smiling in fascination as she unconsciously reached out to cup one side of his face in the most featheriest of touches.
''Wow..." she whispered, returning his intent gaze with a soft, hypnotic one of her own.
After what seemed like an eternity, he coughed abruptly, breaking off eye contact.
He was the first one to avert their gaze. How uncharacteristic for him.
What the hell just happened?!
Wait...? Was he blushing?!
His face burned, tingling at the places her fingers had caressed. No one had ever touched him like that. His heart thundered inside his ribcage.
He quickly lowered her feet to the ground and he turned away from her hastily... slightly disoriented... His anger towards her forgotten, only to be replaced by something else...
He tried to shake it off, only to be alerted to a low, menacing hiss.
Yellow serpentine eyes met ruby red, as he came to face to face with a huge Viper.
How had he missed detecting its' presence?!
The viper lunged.
Madara prepared to attack, but was deprived of the opportunity when a blur of blue and black overtook him; the quick flash of a blade was seen before it connected with reptilian flesh, slicing it in half right down the middle.
Blood splattered absolutely everywhere.
The elder Uchiha sighed. "Why must you always make such a mess, ototou?"
So Aria and Madara had a 'moment' *giggles*
And what of the hostility between Madara and Masayuki?
Can't they just cooperate for the person they are currently fighting over?
Love to hear what you think, please review and message!
Oh, how I have missed you all.
Authors note:
I'm a tad disappointed at the release of this chapter... I really do love your messages and reviews, and helps me with the next bit of the tale. I've even got some of my best ideas from you guys!!!
Have I missed the mark with this one? I'd love to hear what you think, and how I could make it better... If you liked it, let me know too! thanks heaps!