Dawn came and a faint blue light pierced the smoky sky. The polluted air clung to the rooftops as it loomed over the hazy village. Villagers were crying into each other's arms: some out of joy for reuniting with their loved ones and some out of sorrow for departing with their beloved friends and family. Reina's clones rummaged through the muddy village to assemble resources for the villagers. Little by little, bit by bit, Reina and her clones formed a recovery center in the town square. On one side was an area for treating the wounded. The other side was a spread of whatever fresh food and clean water she could provide for the villagers.

"Please form a line and approach the resource center in an orderly fashion!" One clone directed.

Reina oversaw the operation until all of the villagers were taken care of. She watched as the sky began to clear up with the warm breeze of the new day. Once all the villagers were treated, Reina walked beyond the town square and watched as her clones lined all retrievable corpses along the streets. With whatever linens they could find, tattered, torn, soaked, or burned, Reina's clones covered the bodies to respect their unfortunate demise. Reina shook her head in disbelief at the damage that the fiery attack had done. Though the situation was shocking, it was more disappointing than anything. After various wars lasting millenniums had finally ended, it was utterly despicable that groups of people still desired chaos, pain, and bloodshed.

Reina was deep in thought when one of her clones carried a small, charred body out onto the street. It was of a young girl about five years old. One side of her face was completely burned, her hair and skin patchy and blistering to expose her ashen skull. Her lifeless body lay limp as her baby pink nightgown dangled from her corpse. Reina gasped and gripped her stomach with dismay. Though she was familiar with war, after spending so much time in a peaceful land such as the Hidden Leaf Village, it was jolting to be transported back into her past. Dead children were not uncommon during the warring states era, but during the post-war era, it was a horrendous sight to behold.

Reina pulled out a small scroll and an ink pen from her pouch. "I have to tell brother." Reina began to compose a letter to Hashirama Senju.

Madara was running through the forest when he smelled smoke and wet earth in the atmosphere. It was a pungent odor. "Something must've happened recently. I hope Reina wasn't involved." He muttered to himself. Though Reina was capable of handling herself, he would never wish for her life to be endangered. Only one person was allowed to place their hands on her. Madara gritted his teeth and hurried toward the direction of the village.

Upon his arrival, Madara was genuinely surprised at the sight before him. A peaceful, remote village was struck by a great catastrophe. Miraculously, they were already beginning to recover. He looked up at the sky as the sun beat directly down on him from above. "Noon, already?" Madara walked toward the village center and watched as the villagers collected to form some semblance of order. He walked over to one of the gentlemen in the village and bowed. "Pardon me, sir, but what exactly happened here?"

The man shook his head in dismay while turning to face Madara. "Oh, well-" The man stopped in his tracks and blinked at the clan lord in front of him. "Y-you're Madara Uchiha…. Of the Uchiha clan!"

Madara nodded. "Yes. Please continue what you were saying."

"We're saved!" The man cheered.

"Did they send help already?" A woman nearby asked.

"Wait! That's Madara Uchiha."

"From the Hidden Leaf?"

"Has he come to protect us?" The villagers began to congregate toward Madara with relief. It seemed as if they were frightened of another attack. By having the presence of a powerful warlord they would be less vulnerable to that occuring.

Madara held his hands up in defense. "I'm simply passing through." People began to crowd him. "Help is on the way- I'm certain."

"Oh, but you must stay until then!" The same man from before vocalized. "Please, sir. We beg of you!" The man got onto his knees and lowered his head as he bowed down. Soon, everyone in the village followed suit and begged Madara in silence. "Lord Madara Uchiha, we beg of you that you lend us your strength during these trying times. I am certain you are not here by sheer coincidence. We cannot handle another attack. You are our only hope!"

Madara looked at his surroundings before glaring back down at the man cowering before him. He furrowed his brows, "You seem to be recovering just fine."

"Well, sir, that is because a member of the Senju clan rescued many villagers and aided in our recovery. Unfortunately, they had to depart." The man's voice began to quiver. "Without her, we would've all been reduced to ash!"

Madara's eyes widened as a grin spread across his face in excitement. "I will help you and your villagers for today on ONE condition."

"Yes! Anything! What can we do for you?" The man asked as he straightened himself up.

Madara smirked and eyed the man in a domineering manner. "Tell me everything that has happened. Do not miss a single detail." Madara cleared his throat. "And if you don't mind sparing some food I will send a message to our Lord Hokage, Hashirama Senju, to aid in your cause."

The man bowed down once more. "Absolutely! Anything you need!"

Madara smirked. "Please stand… there's work to be done." He watched as the villagers stood up from the ground. Madara weaved hand signs and created clones of himself. "Help the villagers with recovery. construction, and burials!" He commanded his clones.

"Right!" They all nodded and began taking charge of the crowd.

Madara looked at the soot-coated man and placed a hand on his shoulder. "You, sir, are coming with me."

Golden beams of sunlight cast a shimmering glow on the lush greenery spreading across the land. The orange and pink sky shifted and turned as Reina and Kurama made their way toward the grasslands. Reina scrutinized her surroundings as they continued on their journey. There was an unshakeable sense of familiarity with the picture before her. Reina thought hard as to pinpoint her location when it suddenly hit her.

Reina gasped. "Kurama! I know where we are!"

The fox spirit gave Reina a glance from the corner of his eyes. "Oh, do you now?"

Reina grinned. "Yes!" She began running until she jumped onto a tree branch. "Full speed ahead, Kurama!"

"Do we have to run?" Kurama grumbled.

"What? Afraid you can't keep up with me?" Reina smirked. Kurama launched himself forward and took off in a sprint leaving Reina behind in retaliation. "You little shit!" Reina chuckled and chased after her friend. "You don't even know where you're going!" She called.

"What's that?! I can't hear you when you're talking into my ass!" Kurama teased.

Reina laughed and sped up. "You're going to come to a clearing just ahead." She said as she caught up with Kurama.

Kurama slowed down and continued with a trot. "I think I see it."

Reina squinted before her eyes widened with excitement. "This is it." She smiled. "Kurama, if you walk to your right around the clearing and head, there is a cavern in the woods near a waterfall." She said while pointing her hand in the area's general direction.

Kurama yawned. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever." He walked off toward his nap spot without another word.

Reina shook her head at Kurama's attitude. Somehow, he reminded her very much of herself. Once he was out of sight, Reina peered through the trees until she found a groomed path. Reina followed the dirt road until she came to a gate. Three men who were guarding the gate watched as Reina approached.

"Halt!" They said in unison.

Reina stopped in her tracks. "I'm here to see Lord Shinji and Lady Kimi Ashikaga."

"And you are?" The guard in the middle asked

"Reina Senju…" Reina's voice trailed off as she felt almost wrong for using her own name. Something tugged at her heart and her head ran with it. "Should I have said Uchiha?" Reina was removed from her thoughts when one of the guards spoke.

"We will tell Lord Shinji and Lady Kimi of your arrival. Please wait." The same guard said as the guard on the left opened the gate and disappeared to deliver the message.

"Of course." Reina gave a curt bow.

Reina waited a few moments with her hands folded in front of her, hanging just below her stomach. Loud footsteps could be heard along with a muffled female voice. It sounded as if someone was being scolded by the tone. Reina's face contorted into a cheeky grin as she realized what was happening. Just then, the gates to the Ashikaga manor flung open.

Kimi burst through the entrance with a wide smile. "REINAAAA!" She called as she scurried over to the young woman. "I can't believe you're here!"

Reina bowed, earning one in return. "How could I not have visited my extended family while in the area?" She stepped forward with open arms and embraced Kimi in a strong, loving hug.'

Kimi wrapped one hand around Reina's shoulders and the other around her head, holding it closely to her own. "Oh, our beloved daughter." She squeezed her. "We've missed you dearly."

Reina smiled as she melted in the embrace. It's been a while since she felt a mother's love. "Thank you. I've missed you all as well." She said while pulling apart.

"Well!" Kimi smiled and grabbed Reina's hand, pulling her inside. "Everyone is home so you must say hi-" Kimi stopped what she was saying and sternly looked at the three guards. "This is Reina Senju. Hashirama and Tobirama Senju's younger sister. Remember her!"

"Yes, ma'am!" They all said in panicked unison.

Kimi smiled. "Splendid. Anyway." She continued guiding Reina indoors. "You must greet the family. You're just in time for dinner too."

"Oh, I'm filthy. I couldn't." Reina said politely.

"Then go to your old room and shower. I'll have one of the caretakers place a clean outfit on your dresser for you. Dinner won't be for another twenty minutes." Kimi nudged her along. "You know where to go, dear."

Reina bowed. "Thank you, for everything, Kimi. I appreciate it." She turned around and disappeared down the various hallways and eventually found her old room. Reina had forgotten how large the estate was. She opened the door to her room and shut it softly. Reina opened her bathroom door and shut it before stripping. She showered, stepped out of her bathroom, and as promised there was a clean set of clothes ready for her on her dresser. Reina dressed herself and stepped out of her room. She quietly hurried down the various hallways to see Kimi standing outside the dining room waiting for her. "Am I late?"

"No! Right on time." Kimi smiled. "Are you ready to see your family?"

Reina smiled with a pearly white smile. "Yes."

Kimi opened the sliding door to the dining room and glided in. "Hello, everyone. Excuse my absence, but we have an important guest for dinner tonight!"

Reina stepped into the dining room and bowed. "Hello, everyone. Thank you for having m-"

"REINA!" The dining room roared as she straightened herself out in shock.

Reina gasped with surprise and watched as everyone rushed over to her. "Oh my…"

"How are you?"

"How have you been?"

"It's been a while!"

"What's life in the Hidden Leaf like?" Everyone bombarded her with questions and enthusiasm.

"MOVE IT!" One person barged through the crowd and slinked right up toward Reina's face. "REINAAAA!"

"HAN!" Reina hugged her brother and squealed with excitement. They pulled apart and Reina examined the teenager. "Wow, you got taller!"

"I know! Now I can stomp on my enemies like ants!" He said in a funny voice. "Please, come sit!" Han guided her to the table and everyone gathered around.

Once everyone was seated, food was placed on the table for everyone to eat. Everything looked delicious. Reina forgot what it was like to have a home-cooked meal made by someone else. It was a pleasant change. Shinji, the clan leader, guided everyone in a prayer of gratitude before feasting.

Shinji cleared his throat. "This evening, we are thankful for the bountiful food upon our table. We are blessed to be in good health and only wish to see peace and prosperity flourish across our nation. We are honored to be visited by Reina Senju this evening. Please, everyone, enjoy your meal."

"Thank you for the meal." Everyone said before serving each other.

Throughout dinner, everyone conversed and asked about Reina and her time at the Hidden Leaf Village. Reina tried to keep the conversation as positive as possible. The entire clan was ecstatic to see her and she didn't want to dampen the mood by only talking about her struggles. Luckily, no one pried for information and Reina could have an enjoyable meal with her second family.

Later that evening, Reina was sitting in the garden by the koi pond she used to always dip her hand in. The moonlight illuminated the night casting a comforting, relaxing blue haze over the scenery. Reina was simply observing her surroundings when she heard footsteps behind her. Reina turned her head and looked over her shoulder to see Han walking towards her.

Reina smiled. "Hello… what brings you out here?"

"I wanted to talk." Han stated before sitting down next to her. He sighed, "So, you're married to Madara Uchiha."

Reina froze before looking at Han with slight discomfort. "Yes." She turned her head away and stared into the black water in the pond. "Shocking, isn't it?" Slowly, she slipped her hand into the water and felt the fish swim around her with excitement.

Han furrowed his brows. "Not terribly. You were used as a war treaty, essentially. Not only that, but you symbolize ultimate peace. Two of the world's strongest shinobi clans not only signed a treaty, but also essentially merged."

Reina shook her head. "I hate that fact that you always see the truth."

"Sometimes I do too." Han smiled. "I know things must be difficult. You must be conflicted."

Reina turned to face her brother. "Han… where did Nao go? I noticed he wasn't here today."

Han took in a sharp breath and pulled his knees to his chest. "Well, shortly after you left, so did Nao."

Reina looked at him with empty eyes. "Where to? I had an inkling he wouldn't be here, but I decided to visit in case. So, he left permanently?"

Han nodded and bit his lip. "Yeah… Apparently, he had to return to his clansmen, wherever they may be, because he was bound to be the clan head."

Reina nodded. "I see."

Han stretched his legs out and leaned sideways as he wrapped an arm around Reina. "I'm sorry, Reina. This doesn't make your journey any easier. However, I want you to know that he always genuinely loved you. He only wanted you to be happy, healthy, and safe. I'm certain he still does. You always were at the forefront of his mind and heart."

Reina gave a sad smile. "I wish he could've come with me."

"Perhaps it's for the better that he didn't. I typically don't like being the person who says 'God has a reason' and things along that line, but I think that in a situation like this, you should try to coexist with your husband." Han smiled. "It's not what you want to hear, but you have a huge role to fulfill. You can't afford to run. You have to fight or make peace, Reina. If your brothers and your husband could do it, so can you."

"Please stop calling him my husband." Reina shuttered. "I thought I could love him. I tried. He's just power hungry and unstable. I've tried being domestic and it got me nowhere."

"I understand. This journey is not only a hunt for Nao or a humanitarian mission. It's also a way to speak to Madara and test him." Han smirked. "Not bad…"

Reina took in a deep breath. "Han, I'm sorry for being glum."

"No, I commend you for keeping yourself together at the dinner table and not casting any shadows." Han squeezed Reina in a loving embrace. "You're very strong, but know that you can always rely on us."

Reina gave a small smile. "Thank you… You're going to be a wonderful clan leader one day."

"That means a lot to me." Han let go of Reina and stood up. "Come on. It's time to go to bed." He outstretched a hand for her to take.

Reina looked up at him and pulled her hand out of the koi pond. She placed her wet hand in his dry one and smirked. "Thank you."

Han chuckled. "You're still an asshole."

Reina giggled and stood up. "You know it." She said with a grin before making their way back inside for the night.