Hello everyone,
Here you go - another chapter ;)
Huge shout to AmaneHikariUchiha, charliepan, luther10120111, and jessicacresta38123 for reviewing.
In this chapter, we finally get to learn about Aria and her lineage.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, and I can't wait to hear what you think!
Please review and message, I love hearing what you think!
The sun filtered in through the windows of the infirmary, drenching it in delicious late afternoon sunlight as Aria finally stirred awake.
She blinked drowsily registering her surroundings, and figured out she was in a hospital of sorts. Her eyelids felt like lead as she fought hard to keep them open. Her body was numb and uncooperative. Her mouth was dry, lips parched and due to immense thirst.
She opened her mouth to speak, but the words got caught in her throat. However, the effort did manage to attract the attention of a young raven haired male nearby.
"Good afternoon sunshine." He greeted with mischievous charcoal eyes. "How do you feel?"
"Ugnh... Can I please have some water?" She rasped, trying to sit up.
The young man fetched the water jug and poured a glass. Aria held out her hand but found it irritatingly unsteady and her fingers were shaking.
"Here." He lifted the glass to her lips, helping her drink. She finished the glass and asked for another, before downing that one too.
She reclined on the bed.
"What happened?"
"You took a hit of multiple poisoned darts on your back. Tsk, nasty stuff. Madara saved you and brought you back here to the Senju infirmary to be treated."
She offered a weak smile in return. "Where is he?"
"Training grounds with Hashirama. You know those two can't keep their hands off each other."
Aria wasn't quite sure how to take that.
Izuna chuckled at the suspiciousness etched on her pretty features. "Not like that!" He defended, rubbing the nape of his neck. "Then again, I suppose they do have a weird sort of bromance, so we can't be certain."
Aria's mouth fell open in disbelief, and Izuna roared with laughter.
"I'm just kidding!"
Was he though?!
"Anyway, thanks for what you did for me back there. It should me on that bed."
"Oh that's ok." Aria smiled, waving it off like it was nothing. "Don't mention it.''
"But why did you do it?"
She paused, contemplative. "I don't know." She answered honestly. "Maybe because your life is actually worth something. Your family would miss you."
"Well, you certainly mean something to my brother, otherwise he wouldn't still be here."
She averted her eyes, and cast her gaze down.
"Yeah... about that. Look, I'm not sure what he sees in me. Perhaps a fleeting fancy for something different? I don't know... Maybe you could talk to him? Convince him to move on?"
"Nope, no can do I'm afraid."
Aria frowned. Of course he wouldn't go against his brother. "I have nothing to offer him." She pressed.
"That may not be true."
"Huh?"
"We are waiting on blood results. If it's what we suspect, then you maybe worth a lot more than you think."
Aria scoffed. "What exactly are you expecting to find? Whatever it is, I hope you are prepared to be disappointed."
Izuna narrowed his eyes, and dodged her question. "What experience do you have with a sword?"
Thankfully she didn't press the issue. "I've never held one before," She replied. "I mean I've always been good with a knife and I used to go hunting with my father, but that's about it."
Izuna reclined on the chair, hand on his chin in deep thought. "I find it very interesting that you deflected multiple kunai thrown at you, slashed the ninja and pierced the another one with the precision of at least a genin level ninja."
"What's a genin-"
He activated his sharingan. "Are you sure you have not wielded a blade?"
"Yes, I'm sure!"
"Then how did you do it? I must warn you, the sharingan detects lies."
"I'm not lying!" She exclaimed. "Besides, you won't believe me even if I told you."
"Try me." He dared.
Aria wondered whether or not to tell him. Although, he did seem curious and genuinely interested in what she had to say and she was desperate to tell someone about it. But what if he thought she was some crazy chick who thought swords could talk? Heck, she certainly felt like it.
He seemed to read her mind. "Go on. I won't judge."
"Okay, well... The sword did all the work. I didn't do anything except heed its instruction. It spoke to me..."
Izuna laughed. "The sword talked to you?" He repeated skeptically.
"Hey! You said you wouldn't judge!"
"I didn't say I wouldn't laugh!"
Aria pouted. "Meanie."
Izuna chuckled again. "I've been called a lot worse."
Then he pulled out the sword from its sheath. "So it was this sword?"
She nodded. "Yeah. Come to think of it, the voice sounded a lot like yours."
Izuna was quiet for a moment, suddenly serious, all joking cast aside.
"Tell no one about this." He cautioned. "This is our little secret okay?"
It was an excellent sparring session.
What better to relieve pent up frustration and anger than to beat up his long term rival?
Their match had attracted the attention of many guests who had shown up to watch the leaders from two of the strongest shinobi clans go head to head in a friendly but very close on-the-edge-of-your-seat match.
Both shinobi were holding back (of course) as they couldn't decimate the Senju compound the way they would a battlefield.
Madara was very aware of Masayuki Sanada watching him from the crowd, alongside the young shinobi he had brought with him. They did hold a resemblance to each other he supposed, and somewhat to Aria in terms of their facial features.
Masayuki Sanada was man of small but powerful stature. His short pale brown hair was littered with threads of grey, and his deep set eyes were sharp and light brown in colour. Madara noted him to be in good health and fitness for a man of his age, and he must be truly be formidable if he was still the leader of the Sanada clan. Shinobi usually didn't live that long, and clan leaders (especially) tended to die young.
He had no idea who the other young man was, but his unwavering ice blue eyes were fixated on Madara, appraising him and his every move. His short, dirty blonde hair framed a handsome face, and he sported a strong build. Secured to his back was a heavy-set hardedge sword.
Every now and then, the Sanada's would pause to exchange words with poker faces and calculating eyes. They were judging him but Madara didn't care. He was used to people watching and criticising him his whole life. It was hard to stomach the thought that Aria may be related to these men. Her warm and bright hazel eyes were nothing that of her alleged kin.
Mito was also in the crowd with her brother-in-law Tobirama, keenly watching her husband. Was that a hint of admiration and pride in those dark depths of hers? Hn, how quaint. Their marriage may survive after all.
Hashirama and Madara landed in the middle of the clearing mere feet away from each other, panting heavily. The crowd cheered loudly, impressed with the display of ninjutsu and taijutsu skill from both of the exceptional shinobi.
"Not bad old friend," said Hashirama. "What say we call it tie?"
Madara smirked, and crossed his arms over his chest. "Of course. It would be unseemly for you to be defeated on your home turf, especially with your new wife watching."
Hashirama blushed. "As if you could defeat me. All I have to do is take your back and you're done for."
"Hn, I'd like to see you try." He watched the crowd disperse. Mito and Tobirama were making their way towards them. "I take it things went well?"
Hashirama blushed again at what he was really asking. "There's been some progress... We'll get there eventually."
Madara wasn't surprised in the least. "Always the gentleman, Hashirama."
Mito ran to her new husband, checking him over, who in turn flustered at the attention he was receiving.
Tobirama rolled his eyes.
"He's fine, Mito." He snorted. "This was nothing but a play fight. Boring, quite frankly. If these two were serious, entire maps would need to be redrawn."
Aria was feeling much better already. She had just finished up the soup the medic had given her and taken her medicine.
Izuna kept her company the whole time and tended to her, she decided that she liked him a lot. He was charming, funny and chatty - a stark difference to his brother who was always so stoic and serious. He had let go of the whole 'talking swords' thing and topic moved to other subjects.
Turned out Izuna was the youngest child of the Uchiha main family, and Madara was the oldest. They had three other brothers, all of whom died on the battlefield. She was surprised to discover that Izuna was only 19, yet he seemed more knowledgeable and experienced than she ever was. Madara was 7 years older than him, making him 26. Aria was going to be 23 in the summer. Strange, that in all their time together, Madara never told her his age. In fact, he hardly told her anything at all. This was her first time learning of his family.
Madara and Izuna's mother passed away when Izuna was 5. Rearing children was seen as a woman's responsibility and so, their father had little to do with their care or upbringing. They had a nanny but Madara did most of the 'parenting', practically raising him on his own. Their father was the previous clan leader who died in battle when Madara was 16. Madara then went on to succeed his father as the clan leader at age 18. 'What a tender age to have such responsibilities thrust upon your shoulders,' she thought sadly, noting he was younger than what Izuna was right now.
The Uchiha council at the time wanted to hand over leadership to another prominent Uchiha, but Madara wouldn't allow it. He challenged the council's decision and defeated a shinobi twice his age and experience, proving that he was a prodigy in his own right. He reclaimed his rightful position as the Head of the Clan and Izuna become is Second in Command. The Uchiha valued strength above all else and expected their kin to excel in every way possible as shinobi. This was particularly important for their leader, for only the strongest could command and lead them.
But they made it extremely difficult for him.
They may have accepted him as their leader and were far from compliant - questioning his decisions and orders, altering his battle strategies, creating back-up plans without his knowledge and even sabotaging his conquests. This resulted in a whole hoist of anger and trust issues in addition to physical and psychological trauma Madara had suffered from his childhood. Eventually, the Uchiha towed the line once they came to trust and respect him.
Aria wanted to reach out and hug Izuna.
She felt deep sorrow for the two brothers, no child should have to go through they went through. She was secretly relieved she was not born into a cut throat shinobi clan.
Aria was lucky to be raised by two parents who loved and treasured her, in a cosy and warm home, even if money was always tight in their household.
When he asked her about her life, Aria felt guilty and hesitated to tell him.
But Izuna wanted to know. He even asked about some of her happiest memories.
After she had finished telling him of how she and her father used to go fishing together, he smiled wistfully and avoided her gaze. "That must have been nice..."
He meant those words more than she could ever fathom. Aria was extremely fortunate to have been raised in a loving home, and he would give anything to have a taste of that was like. Death and destruction was all they had ever known. Izuna couldn't recall a single time where their house felt like a home when their parents were alive. His parents didn't love each other; they were only together out of duty to provide heirs. Madara had once tried to reassure him that their mother loved all of her children, despite being forced to have them. As if that made it any better.
Perhaps Aria was the best person for his brother? She was born and raised in an environment of love - who was better suited to provide the love that he had missed out on than her? Maybe then, at least Madara's children would know a different life. A happy life.
The only problem was that she refused to advance their relationship.
She thought she wasn't good enough for him, and perhaps she was right. But it didn't matter.
Izuna was certainly not going to let this one go.
Madara deserved to be loved and he would do whatever it took for him to have her, whether they were married or not.
"Aria, how are you feeling?" Lead Hashirama. "We may have some news for you."
Anyone who had any connection to Aria was now cramped up in her very small infirmary room, making it incredibly nerve racking and claustrophobic.
Madara moved to stand next to Aria and Izuna, Mito stood next to her husband, and Tobirama decided to take a spot opposite to the Uchiha's.
Masayuki Sanada was also present along with his charge, Seiko Sanada.
"I'm feeling much better, thank you very much." She gulped uneasily. "Are they the blood results?"
Hashirama nodded. "Yes."
"Let's hear it then." Madara said curtly, giving her a small nod.
Aria smiled weakly back at him, as her heart thumped loudly in her chest, pulse rate high in anticipation of what was to come. She had heard a bit of their conversation last night but she was rather drowsy and didn't manage to catch it all.
Hashirama took a deep breath. "The test has shown a 70% match for the DNA composition for members of the Sanada clan."
Sharp intakes of breath resonated around the room. Madara scowled when he saw a small victorious smile flit across the elder Sanada's face.
"However, the familial relationship between Masayuki sama and Aria was found to be inconclusive. We are missing the DNA link that connects them both, which is Asuka Sanada. If Masayuki sama's daughter and Aria's mother are the same person, that would make Aria his granddaughter and also the Heiress to the Sanada clan. In any case, the fact that Aria is a Sanada has been confirmed."
He paused to let that sink in. No one spoke, or moved a muscle as they chewed over the news revealed to them.
Aria's eyes were wide with surprise, unblinking, as she stared absentmindedly into space. The other people in the room began to talk (and argue), but she couldn't hear them. They sounded fuzzy over the drumming of her heartbeat in her head.
How could this be?!
Was this some kind of cruel joke?!
Her breathing became rapid, as she clasped a hand over her mouth, hyperventilating.
How could she be his granddaughter? She was only a simple girl...
There was no way she could be the Heiress to a clan!
She pushed herself off the bed, unsteady as she did so, and rose to her feet. Everyone was watching her.
Surely, it must be a mistake?!
The person they were after was probably someone else! Yeah, that must be it!
"No, No... No! It can't be!" She said, quivering. "Y-you have got it all wrong. My parents were not shinobi!"
"We ran the test three times to be sure, Aria."
She felt numb, and utterly confused and her heart was racing. She glanced over to the elderly gentleman she met that fateful night. Wasn't he a Sanada?
Masayuki gently approached his granddaughter. "Yes they were, my dear. Your mother was my daughter, Asuka, and your father, Tetsuya, was a general in my army. They were born into the Sanada clan."
She shook her head in denial. "Why would they have kept something like this from me?! All I've ever wanted was a family!"
Masayuki sighed, apologetic. "To protect you, and give you a different life."
He attempted to comfort her, but she pushed his hand away.
"Don't touch me!"
Hot tears pooled in the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall. "Why couldn't they stay with you?"
"It was a particularly bad time, and wars were being waged left right and centre. Clans are ...complicated and harsh. A shinobi's duty to their clan overrides their personal interests or will. This was the reason your parents defected and eloped."
Aria's questioning glare bore into his, urging him to continue.
Remorse reflected within Masayuki's eyes, as he recalled the circumstances of the past.
"Asuka was already betrothed to another, long before she met your father. It was an arrangement I could not break. Tetsuya was an orphan with low social standing - hardly a suitable candidate as a husband for the heiress. However, he possessed more talent than most of his peers. He was natural born leader and dedicated shinobi. So, I decided to make him a general against the advice of my council. Back then, a person of low birth could not hold such a position. I knew he loved Asuka but my hands were tied. Shinobi marriages -"
"Are not made for love..." Aria finished quietly.
Masayuki nodded. "Correct."
Aria's heart clenched uncomfortably at the revelation, her hazel eyes soft with sorrow for her parents, this grieving old man, and for herself.
"I may have lost Asuka, but fate has given her back to me in form of you." He smiled gently, holding his hand out to her. "Come my dear, let's go home."
Aria was about to respond, but Madara beat her to it.
"A touching story," He interjected sharply. "However, you have failed to prove that Asuka is Aria's mother. Aria may have Sanada blood, but she has no knowledge or affiliation to the Sanada clan. She is not a shinobi, and is no threat to you or your clan. And so, she is not obliged to go anywhere with you."
The nerve of that Uchiha! He was really tested his patience. "Madara," Seethed the Sanada Clan Leader, "You know very well that the fate of a shinobi is determined by their clan, whether they are in active duty or not. That is the rule. There are no exceptions. Break them, and risk war." His tone changed, as he issued a deathly warning. "...Is that what you want?"
Mito was starting to get uncomfortable and nudged her husband to say something.
"Many shinobi defect from their clans," Hashirama added, lending his weight. "It would be a waste of resource to find them them all. They also go on to have children. Aria cannot be held responsible for the decisions of her parents, and Madara is right, she's no flight risk. She deserves a choice."
Tobirama also decided to pitch in. "There is also no discernible way to determine if she is your granddaughter. The clan will not accept an heir whose lineage cannot be proven."
Aria's heart swelled with affection for the shinobi who were trying to help her.
Masayuki grinned darkly. "Oh, but there is a way. None of you are going to like it."
He pulled out a few summoning scrolls from his sleeve, and made a the necessary hand signs. One 'poof' was heard after another, until 7 swords materialised out of thin are and were suspended in mid space, as if held by invisible strings from the ceiling.
"The Sanada are clan of swordsmen. If Aria picks the right sword, she can 'negotiate' her fate. If she chooses the wrong sword, she will be taken prisoner. If any of you dare to interfere, I will kill her on the spot. Do I make myself clear?"
Mito gasped, "That's not fair!"
"How do we know this is not a trap?" Izuna added.
"You don't." Replied Masayuki snidely. "Now then, my dear. Pick a blade." He commanded.
Aria's lip trembled.
Was this guy for real?
How was she supposed to know which was the right one?!
And what if it was all a set up?!
She cast a nervous, hesitant glance around the room, meeting the gaze of the others. Mito's eyes were filled with worry, Hashirama's were encouraging. Izuna's eyes were steely and suspicious, while Madara's were cold and apprehensive, softening briefly before they bled into crimson. He beckoned her forward with a nod, and something about his poised stance assured her he was ready to step in.
She swallowed uneasily as she stepped in front of the row of swords suspended in mid air.
They were all different, of various shapes, sizes, and material composition. Aria marvelled at their beauty and artistry, never having seen anything so fine in her life.
Delicate, nimble fingers reached out to touch the first blade, a straight broadsword with a slanted tip. She felt nothing as she gripped it, moving it from one had to the other to make sure. It was heavy too.
The second sword was long and needle like, but it too made her feel nothing.
The third sword and forth swords were a pair of blades that were short, curved, and exotic. Still, she felt nothing holding them.
Aria was beginning to doubt herself, maybe she had imagined what had happened with Izuna's sword in the forest.
The fifth sword was long and thin, and her eyes widened as she felt a meagre tingling sensation when she touched it.
Aria laughed in relief, at least it was working!
The sixth sword was sinewy and snake like, but she felt nothing yet again.
The seventh sword was a medium length, curved blade that was distinctly feminine. But it was dull, lifeless, and lacked the lustre of the other blades.
Aria frowned, not expecting much from it at all. She reached for it nonetheless, just to complete her process of elimination.
As she gripped the blade, a surge of pure warmth flooded her body, filling her with a delicious sense of nostalgia and deja vu. It was the first time she had ever seen or held this sword, and yet, it was as if she had known this blade her whole life. Aria was happy and confused at the same time. She caressed the blade lovingly, and felt a sudden urge to hold it against her chest. And as she embraced it, a voice spoke:
"Hello, my love... Long have I waited for you."
Tears formed in her eyes instantaneously, rushing down her cheeks. She recognized the voice.
"Mama?" She whispered aloud.
Masayuki's eyes twinkled with joy for the tiniest moment, before he schooled it back to its usual mask. "Is that the blade you have chosen?"
Aria nodded.
"Are you sure? It fails in comparison to the others, don't you think? It's rather dull."
Aria shook her head, wiping away tears. "No, this is the one."
The barest of smiles crossed his face as he nodded to his charge. Quick as a flash, Seiko appeared behind her, holding her body in a dead lock, leaving her unable to move. Masayuki smiled as he put his hand over hers on the blade. "This is going to hurt, but it will be over soon."
Aria didn't have any time to react, as Masayuki ran the blade across her arm, slicing her flesh, and producing a river of gushing blood.
Aria screamed in excruciating pain, as the dull sword dragged through her soft flesh. She couldn't move, and the sight and stench of all of her blood made her feel woozy.
Masayuki dug the blade in deeper.
"Just a little more." He promised, before finally pulling it out to examine it.
The sword was drenched in Aria's blood.
Seiko let go of her, and Aria slumped to the floor, trembling and crying, clutching her arm.
She was pulled into a strong embrace, a moment later.
"What the fuck was that?!" Seethed Madara. "I should kill you right now!"
Aria buried her head into the crook of his neck, sobbing quietly as she tried to make sense of what just happened.
"Just shut up and watch." Masayuki said, as he held up the blade for them all to see.
The sword had absorbed all of the blood. Slowly, it began to change.
Starting from the tip, the blade regained shine and lustre. The dead, lifeless colour of the blade changed from grey to sparkling silver. The dull edges of the blade became sharp and fine. Soon, the blade had transformed into a beautiful and elegant sword.
Masayuki preened in pride, as everyone looked on it in awe.
"This blade has been dormant for over 25 years." He explained. "Only someone who shares the blood of its owner can activate and use it, namely... their child."
"You all asked me for proof that Aria is my granddaughter - well, here it is!"
He turned the blade to its side, where there was an engraving written in stunning calligraphy:
'THIS SWORD BELONGS TO ASUKA SANADA.'
Another heavy dosed chapter!
- We finally learned about Aria's lineage and about her parents, what do you all think? ;)
- What did you think of Izuna? I've always thought he would be a very cheeky and lighter version of his brother.
- And what will happen now, that her lineage has been proven?
Please review and message! Until next time! xoxoxox