The air became frigid as the midnight sky blackened into the dead of night. Reina and Kurama traveled beyond the mountains in search of a nearby stream, river, or body of water to provide Reina with food, water, and a convenient means of transportation. Reina felt the air become even colder and immediately stopped in her tracks. She sniffed the air and a damp, earthy scent filled her nose. Her eyes shut as she listened to her surroundings beyond the rustling leaves in the wind. Reina opened her eyes at the faint trickle of water in the distance.
"This way." Reina pointed as the two marched onward.
Kurama grumbled. "Your sense of direction is impressive for a human."
Reina grinned. "You should've seen me when I was on the brink of death and guiding my brothers to the Ashikaga manor. For that, I deserve bragging rights."
Kurama chuckled. "You humans are so big on your image."
"Well, you want to seem all-powerful, when you have the personality of a puppy. You're not exempt." Reina sassed.
Kurama snarled as his lip twitched. "I can swallow you whole at any time."
"And I can restrict your freedom." Reina looked at him with wide eyes.
Kurama shook his head. "Point taken… Sometimes I forget how powerful you are... or maybe just how scary women are."
"Thank you for the compliment… Sometimes I do too." Reina stepped through the trees and came face to face with a river. The current was strong, perfect for rapid transportation. Reina calmly extended her right arm and opened her hand. Wood protruded from her outstretched palm. The wood began to form a boat, perfectly sized for Reina. She outstretched her other palm and produced a paddle for directing her boat. "This should do it."
"You're gonna need a bigger boat if you want me to come with you." Kurama joked.
Reina chuckled and swiftly pushed her boat offshore and jumped in as her vessel splashed into the water. She began directing herself as the boat floated with the currents. "Follow me, Kurama."
"When you find a stopping point, I'll go into hiding." The nine-tailed fox spirit looked down at the Senju turned Uchiha. "I refuse to be seen by humans. They're power hungry and selfish."
"I'll always do my best to protect you. The only adversaries I would have difficulty against would be Madara and my oldest brother. Don't worry." Reina looked beside her at the fox trotting along with her. "I'll find a place for you to dwell first. Your safety takes precedence."
Kurama looked away from Reina, touched by her sentiment. "I can handle myself."
"I love you too, friend," Reina said as she looked forward, focusing on the waterway in front of her.
Madara sped through the forest with haste. His heart pounded in his chest like a drum beating to a dance of chaos. Its intensity never settled and its pace only quickened. He was frightened for what might've happened to Reina or where she may have gone. Why did she leave him? Did she not love him? Was he really going to lose his weapon and his wife? Madara couldn't bear the thought of her abandoning him. He underestimated Reina's personality. He had hoped she would simply become depressed and fulfill her duties as his wife and property for the sake of keeping peace and remaining in the village her beloved brother had created. Reina, however, was not exactly the obedient type. Madara cursed himself for being so ignorant and sped up towards the mountains.
The river was now calm as the water rushed at a dull roar. Reina could hear music in the distance and perked up at this discovery. "Kurama! Stop my boat with your paw."
Kurama simply outstretched his paw and held her boat still. "Like this?"
"Yes! Thank you." Reina sprouted a piece of wood from the nearby shore as a post and pulled out a rope from her backpack. She lassoed that rope around her post before pulling herself in and tying her boat to shore. "You can let go now, Kurama," Reina said as she hopped out of her vessel.
The fox spirit pulled his hand out of the water and looked down at the girl. "Are you going to stay overnight in the village?"
"No, there's no time for sleep." Reina grinned. "I'm gonna poke around a bit and then see if I can find a map of sorts. Maybe get some directions or some shit like that." She scratched the back of her head. "Maybe get some grub."
"What a lady," Kurama mumbled.
"I heard that, asshole!" Reina pointed up at him. "Anyway, let's find you a resting place." In a flash, Reina jumped up to the treetops and surveyed the land. "Kurama! This whole place is mountainous. Head east and there are tons of hiding spots."
"Will do." Kurama concealed himself and disappeared into the night.
Reina jumped down from the treetops and concealed her presence. She made her way through the trees until coming to a path leading to a gate. Quietly, she made her way onto the path, through the gate, and into a tiny, newly formed village. It didn't look to be a shinobi village, but she was cautious since she could be wrong.
The nightlife in the village was energetic and exciting. Festival music was playing. People were out and about drinking and carrying on. Kids were playing in the streets and adults watched from a distance. It seemed to be a relatively safe and secure place. This warmed Reina's heart. Small settlements were growing and expanding rapidly into joyous, safe villages. Reina grinned as she walked past a street performance and smelled charcoal-grilled meat in the air. She ended up grabbing a bite to eat at one of the stalls to satiate her growing hunger. Reina continued walking around while eating her street food when she came to an organized, sterile-looking shop, slightly away from the commotion. She bowed and stepped inside, coming face to face with an elderly woman at a small counter.
"Hello…" The old woman said with a smile before her face faded into one of bewilderment. "Who are you?"
Reina smiled and bowed. "I'm so sorry. I'm sure you can tell I'm an outsider. I'm currently on a journey and require a map."
The old woman nodded. "Yes, yes, I can help you with that. You misunderstood my question, however. Our village isn't unaccustomed to welcoming travelers, but I've never encountered someone as powerful as you. Not since my family was saved by the infamous Hashirama Senju."
"Oh, well, yes. I'm his sister." Reina said sheepishly while rubbing the back of her head.
The old lady smiled brightly. "My oh my! You're even stronger than he is." She grinned. "You both have a bright, beautiful energy."
"Thank you." Reina bowed. "So, about that map-"
"Your brother is so handsome and sweet. Our family was caught in the crossfires of a battle. Our settlement was ransacked by two enemy clans and they began to fight over our goods. We were too weak against both of their forces, but when they started battling each other, their power scaled to a whole other level. It was terrifying. Then, the Senju clan intervened, and under your brother's leadership, saved us all." The old lady shook her head before bowing. "We are eternally grateful for the Senju Clan."
Reina remained silent to ensure the woman was done speaking. She watched her bow and then cleared her throat. "Well, we appreciate kind-hearted people such as you who strive for peace. So, thank you for wanting to change the world with us. Please erect yourself." Reina said, trying to be as polite as possible.
"Yes, indeed. We are so grateful that the Uchiha clan has also seen the light. Madara Uchiha is such a formidable entity even without his clansmen to back him. The Uchiha clan needs people like the Senju to keep them balanced and to use their prowess for the sake of good." The old woman sighed and held a finger to her mouth. "I heard he married a Senju, but perhaps it was just a rumor. I wonder if it's true. What do you think?"
Reina sighed. "Actually, I'm his wife."
The old woman gasped. "You?! A beautiful soul such as yourself? You are his wife?"
"Yes. I am." Reina was beginning to get curt with the woman.
"What on earth are you doing in a remote village such as this then? Shouldn't you be in the Hidden Leaf Village?" The old woman asked with astonishment.
"I am currently on a community service mission to help found other villages. However, I need a map to continue my journey." Reina flashed a smile but could feel herself heating up as a slow simmer began to bubble within her.
"Community service? Really? Do tell! What do you plan on doing on your mission?" The excited little prune folded her hands on her counter. "I want to hear ALL about it!"
Madara was racing to find Reina, ripping through the forest in a blind fury. He came to a river and watched its rapid current flow. He turned in the direction of the river and began flying through the trees, following the water's direction. Madara had never run so quickly. It was as if he didn't get to Reina fast enough, she would dissolve. He didn't know what to think of Reina's disappearance. All he knew was that he was dependent on her. Through his toxic mindset, he recognized that his possessiveness was wrong; however, he could never let her go. He would never. He had to chain her down. He had no choice.
Kurama was curled up between a rocky quarry when he felt the air thicken. His ears perked up as he lifted his head. He sensed the direction in which it was coming from and was immediately on high alert. A mass of power and unstable energy was rapidly making its way down the river towards the village. Kurama concealed himself and closed his eyes, praying for Reina's return.
"So, you're a topographer?! Wonderful! So, in what direction has the greatest amount of resources for food, shelter, travel routes, and battle terrain?!" Reina asked with haste.
"Well, my dear, I'm afraid no terrain can aid you from any foes on your level. Unless you can alter it… but I can help you with the rest." The old woman took out a pen and drew a line across the map. "Head northwest. You'll be best off this way."
"Thank you! I will repay you greatly." Reina bowed.
"You already have, my dear." The old woman waved. "Safe travels!"
Reina nodded and ran out of the shop. She sprinted to the outskirts of the village and jumped through the mountainous territory which Kurama had claimed. "Kurama! I have what we need!"
Kurama suddenly appeared from behind a mountain and looked at Reina with concern. "Reina! What took you so long?!"
"My only source for getting what I want wouldn't give me what I wanted to easily! It's not like I was messing around!" Reina said, but then smirked. "But now it's time to-" Reina froze as she felt Madara's presence approaching. "…How did he?"
"That's why we need to leave NOW!" Kurama growled.
"Agreed." Reina gritted her teeth. "But my boat…"
"FUCK THE BOAT!" Kurama roared.
"He'll know I was here." Reina said shakily. "I have to destroy the boat! Start heading northwest! I'll meet you wherever you are."
"Be safe, Reina." Kurama nodded and began running northwest.
Reina concealed her presence and headed towards the river. She spotted her parked boat and sighed with relief that she found it so quickly. Reina was about to weave hand signs when she realized that Madara would be able to sense her jutsu. "Shit!" Reina cursed herself. She untied the boat and pulled it closer to the village gates. Bushes were shrouding a nearby snake pit. She yanked the boat over and let it tumble past the bushes and into the pit. Reina could feel Madara approaching the village. Reina wouldn't have time to go around the village to the mountainside. Instead, she ran into the village and swiftly hid herself among the crowd. She knew that Madara's Sharingan and keen eye would be able to detect her chakra signature, so she would just have to stay out of his line of sight at all costs. It would be a difficult task, but it was doable. Just as she was about to turn into an alleyway, Madara rushed into the village.
Reina could feel time stop as Madara entered the crowd. Madara's eyes surveyed the area faster than a hummingbird could beat its wings. Reina slinked into the shadows and watched as Madara made his way to the shop she was just at.
Reina was about to turn in the other direction and leave when she realized that Madara could acquire her exact map. Not only that, but if he inquired about her, the old, babbling woman would give him every detail about Reina's whereabouts and plans. Reina's eyes widened as her heart raced. There was only one thing she could do and it had to be done fast- run.
Reina hurried out of the village as if her life depended on it. It might have. She scaled the mountainside and eventually came to a path in that the old woman marked on her map. Reina stopped in her tracks and turned around to face where she once came. Reina made the rabbit hand sign and a pair of glowing, white ears protruded from her head. The ground crumbled and cracked as a small, white, wispy rabbit emerged from the ground.
The rabbit pranced around her. "Hello hello hello, mother… what can I do for you?" It said with an echo.
"Your original mission I sent you out for. It begins now." Reina commanded.
The rabbit gradually dispersed and melted into the earth. "Yes, mother."
Madara fled the village and looked at the map in hand. "That old hag gave me everything I needed, but she kept me long." He gritted his teeth and scrunched his face with anger. "When I get my hands on you, Reina… you will regret this. You've bitten off more than you can chew!" Madara sprinted up the mountainside and continued traversing the woods until he eventually came to a path. However, the scenery in which he was led by the old woman looked nothing like what was on his map or what was to be expected. Surely the old woman couldn't have misled him. After all, she was a celebrated topographer who was grateful to him. Madara's perplexed expression softened as he began to cackle. "Reina! Oh, Reina! What beautiful power you have!"
Madara took one step forward when suddenly a ghostly, white rabbit fabricated from thin air. "Hello hello hello… Here you are. Mother must know. I'm to carry out my mission. I shall not let you go." The rabbit sang as it pranced around Madara.
"Tsk!" Madara sneered. "I'll discover the quickest route to her no matter what you do." He said, mocking the rabbit. The rabbit stayed silent and began twisting the tree line in the distance as Madara continued progressing. Madara stopped at the sudden realization of the immense power required to use this ability. He was awestruck, but nonetheless had his own mission to complete.
Madara began walking, which turned into a quick pace, then a jog, then a run, then a sprint. Madara watched as the terrain around him changed with altered paths, hills, twists, turns, and more. He stopped in his tracks to check his progress. When he turned around, the mountains outside of the village were right behind him; the faint glow of the lively village peaking just beyond the rocks.
Madara chuckled, turning around, and glaring at the path before him. "Well, this shall be fun."