Reina stared at the wooden door in front of her and took in a deep breath. She raised her fist and knocked on the door. "I can do this." Reina was worried that Hashirama would hate Madara after learning of his antics and peace within the village would turn sour. She had her doubts about approaching him at all, but her happiness was paramount and she was left with no choice.
"Come in!" Hashirama called through the door in a muffled tone.
Reina reached for the doorknob and opened up the office door. "Excuse me, bro-"She stopped in her tracks as she saw Madara sitting on the Hokage's desk, facing her with a smirk.
"Why hello, Reina," Madara said while crossing his ankles and leaning back.
"Hello, Madara. What a pleasure to see you…" Reina looked at her brother shuffling around various papers. "Pardon me..."
Hashirama raised his head. "Ah! Hello, Reina! What can I do for you?"
Reina kept one hand on the door as she barely stepped into the room. "I-I'm sorry. You two must be busy. I didn't mean to intrude."
"No, you're not intruding. We were simply going over political and economic matters." Hashirama said and looked up at his sister with a faint smile. "What brings you here?"
Reina shook her head and waved her free hand. "It's not that important. Please, carry on."
"Reina…" Madara spoke up. "Surely you didn't come here to simply interrupt your busy brother with trivial matters."
Hashirama nodded in agreement. "Come now, Reina. We know you better than that. Don't be bashful just because Madara is here! Tell me what's on your mind."
Reina smiled awkwardly. "Well, sure! If you insist." She giggled. "I actually wanted to come in here to speak with you about my birthday festival and potential suitors." Reina looked at Madara's expression which didn't budge from his plastered smirk.
"You know, it's funny you mention that. We were just conversing about that a few minutes ago." Hashirama chuckled.
Reina gave a nervous laugh. "Oh! H-how funny. What about?" She was suddenly very interested and even more unnerved.
Hashirama cleared his throat. "Well, I know we planned on having a festival to invite other potential suitors, but do you think it's actually necessary?"
Reina furrowed her brows. "Well, of course I do! Why wouldn't we?"
Hashirama looked to Madara, then back at Reina. "Well, isn't the choice fairly obvious?"
Reina's heart dropped. She could feel a scream ready to erupt from her throat. With a deep breath, she managed to compose herself and recover from that statement. "Well, I was afraid you may suggest that. However, it's important to think of this in a diplomatic manner. It wouldn't look good for other eligible gentlemen, who have an interest in bringing their clans to the village, to be completely rejected from the start. Also, I've caught wind that the Land of Water intends to form a new village very soon. Imagine if we could extend our peace beyond the Land of Whirlpools. It could benefit us greatly and I've recently come across some excellent potential suitors from that area." Reina smirked on the inside. She knew politics very well and had a strong stance.
Hashirama raised an eyebrow. "You have an excellent point… You know what, Reina, you are right. We should go through with the celebration. I'm sorry. I've just been so overwhelmed that I'm beginning to cut corners where I shouldn't."
"I understand." Reina smiled. "Thank you for your input, brother." She looked at Madara whose smirk had faded into a death stare. "Well, I will leave you two be." She bowed and shut the door behind her. Though she wasn't able to present her original concern, she did just save herself from certain doom. "I'm not giving up that easily, Madara." Reina strutted back to Shika's office and simply let herself in, shutting the door behind her.
"How did it go?" The elder asked while writing on a scroll.
"He was in there!" Reina snapped.
Shika sat up from her work and set her ink brush aside. "You mean, Madara?"
"Yes! He got there before me." Reina sat down in front of Shika. "Can you believe that?"
Shika shook her head. "Now he's playing dirty."
"Oh, you wouldn't even know the half of it." Reina chuckled. "Let me fill you in."
Only a few weeks remained until Reina's birthday celebration and plans had to be made quickly. Reina was actively involved, but also on high alert in case Madara tried to tamper with anything. Though she was vigilant, paranoia and stress was a byproduct. Reina knew how to function during difficult times, however, and remained composed each and every day. Not only that, but she was training her mind for the negative outcome of becoming Madara's wife. She was aware that the betrothal was more than likely and wanted to prepare for the future.
Reina was sitting in the tower's garden, sipping tea, and taking a break from her work. She sighed to herself, "Maybe he isn't all that bad. Maybe he isn't as power hungry." She tried justifying but knew she was wrong. Reina did not trust Madara and was fearful that he would use her power for his own wrongdoings. She had the option of murdering him if need be, but that would cause large-scale political turmoil and may spark a war once again. Reina rolled her neck, "Maybe I'll just have to face my fears head-on."
Reina stood up from her chair and brought her teacup inside. She left it in the kitchen sink and walked to her room. Carefully, she applied foundation, blush, and a lip tint. She changed out of her casual clothing into a red kimono with pink cherry blossoms decorating it. Her lapel was black in contrast with the bright red. Reina put her hair up in a bun and put traditional shoes on to go with her outfit. She grabbed a matching parasol from her closet and looked at herself in her mirror with a smirk of approval. Reina walked out of her room and stealthily glided down the stairs. She left the tower and stepped outside, opening her parasol. Reina set it along her shoulder and held it gently with two hands. She walked through the village with a feminine air earning stares from all directions. She smiled pleasantly as she made her way to the Uchiha clan's domain.
Reina saw a group of shinobi men congregating and walked up to them with confidence. "Excuse me, gentlemen." She watched as all of their eyes were instantly drawn to her. "Pardon my intrusion, but would you be so kind as to tell me where I can find Lord Madara Uchiha?"
One of the men began to stutter before speaking. "Y-yes, if you walk down this street and make a right at the bakery you will see a large house where he resides."
Reina smiled and bowed with grace. "Thank you very much." She straightened herself and began walking in the direction he pointed.
"It was my pleasure." The gentleman said as he and his friends watched her leave.
Reina giggled quietly to herself and made a right at the bakery. She continued her journey until she saw a large house surrounded by trees. "So, this is where he lives. How lovely." Reina walked up to an archway leading to the entrance and was faced by a set of double doors with knockers. Reina lifted a knocker and banged on the door twice. She let go and listened to shuffling from behind the door.
The door creaked open to reveal a tall man clad in navy blue, like what the Uchiha would wear under their armor. He had short, spikey, black hair pointing straight back and a scar on his left cheek going from the center up to his ear. "Hello there, madam. May I help you?"
Reina smiled and bowed before looking up at the man. "Yes, sir. I apologize for arriving without notice. I'm here to see Madara Uchiha. My name is Reina Senju."
With that, the man opened the door. "Please do come in."
Reina nodded. "Thank you; may I have your name?" She closed her parasol and stepped inside.
The man shut the door behind her. "Follow me." He began to walk down a hallway. "My name is Jun. I am the head trainer for the Uchiha elite."
"Oh my. You must be rather talented." Reina stated as she followed him.
Jun kept talking. "Perhaps, but what's more important is my loyalty to the clan and my dedication to leading us into prosperity alongside Madara. Trust is more important than anything else."
"I agree wholeheartedly," Reina said. She was becoming slightly exhausted from her high class, proper performance, but she was determined to maintain it.
Jun stopped outside a sliding door and looked down at Reina. "He may be busy. I will see if he's available to see you. If you don't mind just stepping to the side for a moment…"
"Of course." Reina nodded and stepped away from the door. "Please do. It's important."
Jun knocked on the door. "Lord Madara."
"Come in, Jun!" Madara called from the other side.
Jun opened up the door and shut it behind him. "You have a visitor."
Madara looked up from his desk and sensed the chakra from the other side of the wall. He furrowed a brow. "Who might it be?" He asked for verification. Madara needed to be certain he wasn't going mad.
"It's Reina Senju." He stated.
Madara's eyes widened with slight surprise. "Let her in. Please have someone bring us one of our finest teas while you're at it. I would greatly appreciate it."
"Of course." Jun bowed and opened up the door. He stepped out and smiled down at Reina. "Please, come in."
Reina smiled. "Thank you." She walked into the office and listened as the door shut behind her. She looked at the man in front of her with a calm expression.
Madara looked at the young woman before him. His heart skipped a beat, causing him to freeze. Reina looked absolutely beautiful. Conservative, natural, bold. He was instantly attracted. Her aura of flowing chakra was even more attractive to him. Reina wasn't just beautiful, but strong and capable. She was a natural-born predator who moved with poise. Her inner lioness was tamed, but she still had that side to her and he was drowning in it.
Madara snapped out of his trance, shifted in his seat, and leaned in. "Well, this is a surprise. Have a seat." He gestured to the chair across from him.
Reina sat down, resting her parasol against her chair/ She looked at the man in front of her. "Thank you for having me. I didn't mean to intrude without advance notice, but I wanted to speak with you."
Madara leaned in. "I'm genuinely intrigued to hear what you have to say."
Reina smiled and set her parasol aside. "This may come as an even bigger surprise, but I'm here to make peace with you."
Madara raised an eyebrow. "How so?" He said while folding his hands and resting them on his desk.
Reina sighed and looked directly into his eyes. "I came here to apologize for my outburst the other week. It was disrespectful of me and I was out of line…" She bowed in her chair and straightened herself. "I understand your frustrations with the Hokage and balance of power, but I have not been appropriately reacting to your qualms. As you know, I came from a dire situation and am also coping with many frustrations. I should not have ever taken my anger out on you." She bowed again. "I only wish to make peace. Please accept my apology."
Madara looked at Reina impressed. "Please, sit up."
Reina did as told and looked at the man in front of her. "I'm serious, Madara. I want this festival and the days leading up to it to go very smoothly between us. I have no ill will towards you or your clan."
Madara nodded and smiled. "I appreciate you coming here to explain yourself. I accept your apology." There was a knock on the door and Madara looked behind Reina. "Come in!" He called. He watched as the door opened a teenager stepped in. "Oh, Daisuke is here with tea for us."
Reina watched as the young man approached the desk and set the teapot and cups down. "Thank you, Daisuke." She said with a smile.
Daisuke bowed to the two of them. "You're very welcome. Please enjoy." He said before leaving the room in silence.
Reina turned to Madara. "He's adorable."
Madara poured Reina a cup of tea and then himself. "He's young and shy, but he's intelligent and helps with our paperwork a lot of the time."
"I see you have workers who operate in your house." Reina watched him set down the cup in front of her. "Thank you."
Madara nodded. "Yes. It's less of my house and more like a commons. Many people who work often and don't have a family to return to stay here."
Reina tilted her head. "Oh, I see. It is a rather big residency." She picked up her teacup and took a sip. "Oh, this is delicious." Reina smiled. "It's so light and floral."
Madara sipped his tea. "It's my personal favorite. My brother and I would drink it all the time together." Madara stopped. "Did I really just say that in front of her? There's no need to open up to her about Izuna. She's nothing. A lowly Senju."
"Did he just make himself vulnerable? I need to make him comfortable." Reina smiled. "I think that's beautiful. It's always nice to have an item that reminds you of someone special. I have one too."
"Oh? And what might that be?" Madara inquired.
"It's a handmade teddy bear named Tadao." Reina blushed. "I know it sounds childish, but it means the world to me."
Madara shook his head. "That simply means you have human qualities as we all do."
Reina smiled. "Thank you for your merciful, kind words." She giggled. "Anyway, I don't mean to keep you from your work. I should probably take my leave now."
"You're more than welcome to finish your tea if you'd like." Madara gestured toward her cup.
"Oh, I have to help plan for the festival. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the elders are searching for me right at this moment." Reina stood up from her chair and grabbed her parasol. She bowed and smiled at Madara. "I thank you for your time, Madara. I look forward to seeing you at my festival."
Madara stood up and walked over to the door. "Likewise." He opened the door for her and walked her to the entrance of the building. "Have a good day, Reina."
"Thank you, Madara. You as well." Reina bowed and stepped outside, opening up her parasol. She began to walk home and smiled to herself. "I did it. I fixed it all. Now to hope for the best."
Madara smirked as he watched her disappear in the distance. "From now until the festival… Can do." With that, he disappeared back into the building as the heavy double doors slammed behind him.