Reina woke up that morning to Madara lying beside her. She smiled and moved closer to him, resting her head on his chest. Madara opened his eyes and looked down at the woman. "Off." He commanded as he furrowed his brows.
Reina looked up at him with a pout. She crawled on top of him and grinned. "I don't think so."
"Just what do you think you're doing?" Madara inquired. "I'm not attracted to you."
"But I'm attracted to you," Reina smirked. "And I know you're lying."
"That's a lie," Madara stated bluntly. "And I'm serious."
"Oh? And why is that?" Reina pouted again as she listened for his answer.
"Because, I hurt you. You can't love me. If anything you should hate me." Madara looked at her with a stern expression.
"Perhaps you're right… maybe I should hate you." Reina rolled off of him. "Or maybe that's what you want. I don't understand why."
"Because, I don't need love in my life." Madara sat up and flung the covers off his body. He climbed out of bed and stretched his back before walking into the bathroom. "Forget about your feelings, Reina. I'll never return them. Besides, I only intend to use you in the end. I'm doing you a favor by letting you know this."
"You're doing nothing but making me more miserable." Reina scowled and stood up from bed. "Grow up, Madara."
"Tsk!" Madara gritted his teeth and shut the bathroom door behind him.
Reina furrowed her brows and left the bedroom to use the guest bathroom. She washed up and walked back to the bedroom. Reina walked over to her dresser and put a black bra and underwear on. She sat down at her vanity and began brushing her hair while she dried it off. Reina looked at her reflection noticing that her bruise was gone. She smiled as she continued admiring herself, finally showing some love and appreciation for her body. Reina noticed her hair was growing longer too. It was now waist length and rather long compared to usual.
Madara stepped out of the bathroom and looked up at Reina applying products to her face and body. She looked so elegant and dainty as she moved. Though she had the mind of a bull and the heart of an elephant, she had the grace of a deer. He was captivated by her beauty. Madara furrowed his brows and looked away as he walked over to his wardrobe. He began dressing, but couldn't help turning his head to watch her. Reina was like an untouchable being in her own realm. She was powerful, gorgeous, intelligent, genuine, and fearless. The more Madara resisted, the more he became drawn to her. He always thought Reina was radiant, but cast his feelings aside since she was a Senju and a weapon for his use. Now, more than ever, Madara began struggling to suppress his infatuation. Reina was brilliant and Madara couldn't deny it.
Madara's heart began to race as he watched Reina dress. "Where is she going?" His breathing was shaky as he watched her tie her hair up. "She mustn't leave." He clenched his jaw and side-eyed Reina. "What are you planning on doing today?"
Reina looked over at Madara and smiled. "I'm going to train and then maybe do some community service and grocery shopping."
Madara stopped. "Community service?"
"Yes, I told you already. I think I'm going to help our clansmen first. Start small. Ya' know?" Reina giggled. "I'm really nervous, but I think I'll do okay. Hopefully, everyone accepts me."
"Of course they will. You're my wife. They're obligated." Madara stated with a grumble.
Reina sighed. "They should, but it doesn't mean they will."
Madara finished dressing and waved. "Stay within the village limits. I'm leaving."
Reina pursed her lips together, unimpressed by his indifference, and watched him walk out. "Take care… Bye." She shook her head, picking herself up. Reina grinned and sprinted toward the bedroom door. She opened it and called out to Madara down the hall. "Be safe! I love you!" Reina hollered to him down the hall before he was out of sight. She chuckled and shut the bedroom door before continuing her morning routine.
Madara closed his eyes in annoyance and descended the stairs. "Stop telling me you love me. I don't need it. I can't take it." He thought to himself as his face contorted with irritation. Madara walked out of the house and made his way to the Hokage's tower.
The sun was gleaming down on the village. Birds soared through the vibrant, blue sky as clouds rolled along to chase them. A soft breeze complimented the warmth of the sunshine, enveloping the villagers as they went about their day. Madara walked through the crowd until he reached the Hokage's tower. He made his way inside and walked upstairs to Hashirama's office. Madara knocked on the door and cleared his throat. "Hashirama, it's me!" Madara opened the door and stepped inside.
Hashirama looked up from his paperwork and grinned. "Madara! So good to see you!"
Madara smiled and walked in front of his desk. "I came up with a logo as you asked… Well, Reina helped. She drew according to what we wanted." He dug inside his yukata and pulled out a scroll, handing it to the Hokage.
Hashirama gratefully accepted the scroll and opened it up. "Let's see… Oh! It looks like a leaf with a spiraling fire! I love it! It's everything we stand for."
"Reina kinda thought it looked like a snail." Madara chuckled.
Hashirama looked at the paper again and shrugged. "I mean… she's kinda right, but I like it."
"Agreed. So, will this be our new symbol for our shinobi?" Madara asked as he walked behind Hashirama's desk and looked out the large set of windows at the village.
"I think so." Hashirama stood up and looked out the window with Madara. "We finally made it."
Reina was volunteering her efforts for her clansmen. She carried out various tasks such as helping create a community garden, assisting the elderly, finishing the construction of new homes for the Uchiha clan and other villagers, organizing the Uchiha library, and helping the council with paperwork. Her day was busy up until sundown. When Reina finally came home, she decided to make katsudon for dinner. Just as she was finishing up in the kitchen, Madara walked through the door.
"I'm home." He called quietly.
"I'm in the kitchen! Dinner's almost ready!" Reina sang.
Madara walked into the dining room and saw there were various plates of veggies and pickled items on the table. There was also tea and sake ready for him. "You went all out."
Reina grinned and brought their main dish to the table. "Thanks!" She set down a bowl of katsudon in front of him and placed one on the table for herself. "Eat up! I'm sure you had a long day."
"It wasn't terribly stressful." Madara picked up his chopsticks as Reina poured him a cup of tea. "How was your community service adventure?"
Reina perked up. "I'm very glad you asked." She sipped some tea and began mixing the contents in her bowl. "So, I helped with the new community garden that's being made. It'll be a nice attraction for the villagers and any outsiders. I also helped with the construction of a few buildings. One was for this adorable elderly woman, her daughter, and her grandchild. They gave me pickled veggies in return, which is why we have them on our table today."
"Well, that's very nice of them." Madara tried a pickled radish and nodded. "They're good too."
"Aren't they?" Reina tried a pickled plum. "Yeah, that hits the spot. Anyway! I also helped the library and council out. I really enjoy organization so that was fun."
"It sounds like you had a productive day." Madara began eating his katsudon. "This is really good, Reina."
Reina nodded. "Today was productive, but I want to do more work outside of the village. So many individuals and families are still struggling. Those people are in greater need of assistance."
"You shouldn't leave the village. You're of high status. Many people will want to harm you or take you for bounty." Madara sipped his tea and set the cup down. "Besides, I do not wish for you to go."
"And how much power do you think your words actually have over me?" Reina raised a brow, unimpressed by his domineering attitude.
"You're mine, Reina. Do as I say." Madara commanded. "I will resort to other means if necessary."
"I don't doubt it." Reina retorted.
Madara froze for a split second. Reina struck a chord. Was he really that bad in her eyes? Was he so extreme that she expected him to take drastic measures just to hold her down? Not only that, but was she accepting of that or simply confident that she could counter it? Would she be more inclined to act on her own whim regardless? Then again, Madara did this to himself and he knew it. However, it still hurt. The silence was loud.
"I'm guessing I struck a chord," Reina stated calmly.
"Silence, Reina!" Madara snapped.
Reina immediately shot up from the table. "You will NOT speak to me like that!" She hissed before storming off.
Madara simply watched her go. He set his chopsticks down and rested his elbows on the table. He held his head in his hands and breathed in deeply before letting out an exasperated sigh. Reina was standing behind a nearby corner, listening with her presence concealed. She swiftly walked away and went up to the master bedroom. Reina opened her dresser and pulled out black pants and a black crop top. She put on a pair of black boots and swung on her black cloak. Reina put on a pair of black gloves and walked towards the balcony doors. She quietly opened them and shut them behind her. Reina immediately vanished and made her way outside the village. In the cover of night, she raced through the forest and up towards the mountains.
Reina slowed down and came to a stop as she approached a narrow clearing surrounded by rocky mountains. "Please come out!"
Suddenly, a massive wave of chakra emerged from behind the rocky mountainside. The nine-tailed fox spirit Kurama stepped out into view and grinned. "Reina… What a surprise. It's been a while." He grumbled.
"It has." Reina pet Kurama's snout as he lowered his head.
"You don't seem like yourself." Kurama looked down at the tiny woman. "What are you planning?"
"You're sharp." Reina sighed. "Madara wants to use me as a weapon, as we already know, but instead of putting up with him or the village and this constant petty battle between Senju and Uchiha… I think I just want to remove myself altogether."
"You mean go rogue?" Kurama raised his ears and chuckled. "Imagine that. Your dream turned into your nightmare."
"I know right? Go figure." Reina sighed. "That and my heart still partially lies with Nao… He's still out there… somewhere. Perhaps I'll find him and ensure his safety. That's all I want. I want love, happiness, health, safety, and contentness. Everything I wish I could receive from Madara, but I can't."
"Those are some harsh words. I thought you were growing fond of Madara." Kurama tilted his head. "Don't tell me it was fake."
"It wasn't. I was starting to fall for him, but how can I be with someone who doesn't return my feelings?" Reina shrugged. "It's rather unfortunate, but it's simple. Why dwell?"
"I could join you on your journey." Kurama grinned. "I haven't ventured out in a while."
Reina raised an eyebrow. "With all of your free time?"
"My point exactly." Kurama looked up at the sky and then back down at Reina. "When will you be leaving?"
Reina gave an empty smile. "Right now."
"Oh, how impromptu." Kurama said excitedly as the two began to head north.
Madara was in his office doing work when he started to become drowsy. He yawned and stretched in his chair before standing up. Madara sauntered out of his office and trudged up the stairs. It was rather late. He hadn't seen Reina for hours and probably for the better. She would surely be upset with him regardless of how much time they spent apart, but at least Reina had some time to simmer down. Madara opened up the bedroom door and softly shut it behind him. His eyes gradually adjusted to the darkness as he walked over to the bed. Madara began to climb in when he realized the bed was empty.
Madara immediately turned on his sharingan as he scanned the room for her chakra signature, but to no avail. Madara's breathing began to quicken as he ran out of the bedroom. He bolted down the hall and dashed from room to room as he searched for Reina. Madara ran down one floor to check the second level, but again to no avail. His head began to spin as he wondered where she had gone. He couldn't imagine somebody having the audacity to steal her from her own home. Madara couldn't live with the fact that she left by her own accord. That had to mean that she didn't actually want to be with him, nor did she obey his wishes. Madara flew through the lower level of the house only to find that it was empty.
Madara checked the last room; the library. He whipped the door open, only to see a comfy chair and shelves lined with books. Madara gritted his teeth as his face contorted with rage, sorrow, and paranoia. What if he couldn't find her and the Senju clan thought he killed her? That would ruin everything he had been planning thus far. At the very least, they'd conclude that Reina ran away due to maltreatment. Everything would fall apart. "REINAAAA!" Madara growled before charging out of the house. Madara scanned the sleeping village for Reina at every corner, alley, building, and more. Eventually, he came face to face with the village gates and started his trek beyond the village walls.
