The sun peaked over the horizon, casting a faint, orange glow against the pale blue sky. Reina turned to the Ashikaga clan standing outside their compound gate and bowed with the utmost gratitude. "Thank you for housing me on my journey. I appreciate it immensely." The clansmen bowed in return.

Shinji smiled as he walked up to her, Kimi followed. "It was a pleasure seeing you, Reina." He said while holding out a rolled up piece of paper.

Reina looked up at Shinji. "Is this for me?"

"Yes." Kimi nodded. "Take it."

Reina bowed and accepted the offering. "Thank you."

"Please come again soon." Kimi said warmly before walking back toward her clansmen with Shinji.

Reina grinned and waved as she began to walk away. "I will!"

The Ashikaga clansmen went back inside their manor as Reina left. Reina walked down the forest path, opening up her piece of paper. She read the contents in complete silence before closing it up and shoving it in her bag. Reina cut through the woods and made her way to the waterfall where she told Kurama to wait. She could hear the running water in the distance and smiled as memories flooded her mind.

Reina and Nao joined hands. "On the count of three! You start." Reina blushed.

Nao grinned with anticipation. "One…"

"Two.."

"Three!"

"Three!" They said in unison before leaping off the waterfall's cliff. The night air rushed past them before crashing into the brisk water.

Reina and Nao looked at each other underwater, floating towards each other to share a smile. Bubbles escaped their lips as they swam to the surface. They gasped for air before breaking into laughter at how shockingly cold the water was and also at how thrilling the jump was. The two swam around as the world only seemed to revolve around them.

Reina gave a bittersweet smile as she walked through the shrubbery of the forest to see the rushing waterfall. The flow wasn't as strong as before, but nonetheless scenic. Kurama slinked forward from behind a large boulder. Reina stepped forward and walked across the water to meet him on the other side. Kurama lowered his head for her to pet. Reina subbed his snout before looking him in the eyes.

"It's time to go." Reina stated.

"You have a lead?" Kurama asked.

"I might." Reina smiled. "This will either go very well or very badly."

"That's life. Shall we?" Kurama began to walk away.

"Yeah, I guess so. We're heading west." Reina sighed as she began to walk. "Here goes nothing."

Hashirama Senju was sitting in his office while taking care of his daily paperwork. He was deep into his task when there was a knock at his door. "Come in!" He called.

The door creaked open to reveal Tobirama. "Good morning, brother."

"Ah! Tobirama!" Hashirama perked up with a grin. "What can I do for you?!"

"I have a letter from both Reina and Madara… for you." He said while holding out the papers.

Hashirama stood up and grabbed them from his brother. "They both sent letters?"

Tobirama nodded. "I haven't looked at the contents, but I thought it was rather peculiar that they would send separate letters. Shouldn't they be together?"

"Well, that's assuming Reina's fine with not having her own voice." Hashirama remarked.

"This is true." Tobirama watched as his brother unfolded the papers. "Please read them aloud."

"Let's start with Reina's." Hashirama cleared his throat. "Greetings, brother. I have decided to embark on a journey aiding villagers in other settlements as a means to extend help from the Hidden Leaf Village and Senju clan. I want other nations to know that we are trustworthy and are willing to become allies. However, there is one issue that seems to be taking precedence over simple volunteerism and potential alliances. Some clans are still in favor of war and haven't stopped battling regardless of the signed peace treaties. One strong, but nameless clan in particular has been terrorizing smaller villages. They started northwest and I can assume they are operating in large platoons since their locations of attack do not reveal any discernable pattern. That or they travel extremely quickly as a unit. I'm sure you would remember a powerful clan that specializes in teleportation jutsu. Perhaps you can narrow it down if that's what it is. Anyway, these villages that have been victims of attacks are void of resources since they've been pillaged as well as destroyed. Any assistance to aid them would be much appreciated. I wrote a map on the back of where the attacks have occurred. Please send help as soon as possible. I love you, Rein Drops." Hashirama smiled. "Awe, she used her old nickname!"

"Brother! That's not what you should be focusing on right now!" Tobirama yelled with mild frustration.

Hashirama sighed. "Well, this sure is troublesome, huh?" He smiled. "Let me read Madara's now."

Tobirama walked past Hashirama and approached his desk. "Please do." He sat on the desk and crossed his arms as he listened.

Hashirama turned around to face Tobirama as he opened up Madara's letter. "Hashirama, Reina went on a journey to help various settlements. As promised, I went with her to protect her in case she faces any adversaries. It also helps to show other settlements, villages, and lands the union of Senju and Uchiha as well as representing the Hidden Leaf Village as a worthy ally. We've come across various settlements that have been attacked by a rebellious clan, so this is very plausible. Unfortunately, the people in these villages are in dire need of food, structure, medical assistance, and more. They're fearful and paranoid as they live with the thought of another attack looming over their heads. Reina and I are going to inspect other locations and report back to you as soon as possible. Also, the clan responsible left their crest in one of the villages, craftily made with the blood of their victims, mind you. I've drawn it below… I think you know what we're up against. I will return Reina back to the Hidden Leaf promptly. Your friend, Madara." Hashirama looked below the written message at what Madara drew. Slowly, his eyes closed as he lowered his head. "Tobirama." He whispered.

Tobirama furrowed is brows. "What is it?"

"The clan crest." Hashirama said quietly.

"Describe it to me." He asked adamantly while uncrossing his arms.

"A square with a vertical line going straight through the middle- past the edges of the square." He said quickly with a simmering growl.

Tobirama's eyes widened and he jumped off the desk. "It can't be." He ran over to his brother's side. "Let me see!" Tobirama glanced down at the paper and gritted his teeth. "Them again… Do you think they're after her?"

"I don't know." Hashirama folded the paper while shaking his head. "Lord, I hope not… We need Reina to come back home immediately."

"Shall we go after her?" Tobirama inquired.

"No, Madara will surely bring her back. You can count on it." Hashirama smirked. "Trust me."

Madara was flying through the trees while deep in thought. He knew very well what clan was attacking the various villages; however, he wasn't certain as to why, nor could he predict where their next attack would be. It did seem as if each attack was becoming more large scale the further they spread as if sending a message. He passed various settlements with minimal damage, but some were utterly destroyed, such as the one Reina had aided in. One thing was for certain, he knew he had to retrieve Reina as soon as possible.

Yes, she disobeyed him and deserved punishment. Yes, she was defecting as a rogue and masking her disappearance as a foreign intelligence officer in some respect, but Madara couldn't shake the feeling that she was in possible danger. He knew she was originally supposed to be his weapon. He objectified her as a person, but in truth she was his wife. She was more dynamic than a tool used for revenge. Reina was beautiful, strong, cunning and by locking her up and being possessive over her, Madara knew he was squandering her potential. He knew he had to let go. He had to treat her well, which would be a challenging task in and of itself. However, one thing for sure was that he genuinely cared for Reina. Toxic or healthy, he valued her life and the bonds that their union had created.

Of course, now would be the perfect time to train her, gain her trust, and manipulate her to do his bidding; however, that idea nearly repulsed Madara now. It wasn't exciting. It was morally wrong. The end goal was dull. The thought of watching Reina, his wife, reach the level of a goddess and fight by her own free will was a much more attractive concept. Madara's heart skipped a beat at the thought of her being powerful, competent, loyal, and loving. His breath hitched in his throat for a moment, causing him to realize something. He was starting to truly fall in love for Reina and he had to bring her back. Most of all, he'd have to regain her trust and prove his devotion to her, but for some reason that seemed worth the struggle. A small smile appeared on Madara's face before turning into a grin. Madara continued full force as he raced to find Reina.

The afternoon sun beat down on Reina's face as she and her shadow clones aided a small settlement with their farming. They were victims of the rebellious clan, but no casualties resulted in their invasion. The enemy clan simply stole food, canteens, clothing, and oddly enough, mirrors. She wondered if they took mirrors from the previous village she stopped by. Though the villagers were left with barely any food, they were blessed to be alive. Reina took inventory of everything they had while rationing it out and making mathematical predictions of their crop yields and how various resources should be divided during this state of emergency.

A little boy, about five years old, skipped over to Reina with a cheeky grin. "Hello, Lady Reina!"

Reina looked down from her paper and smiled. "Uh, hello! What's your name?"

"Kyo!" He flashed a toothy, gap-filled grin.

More children ran to his side. Girls and boys of various ages crowded Reina. A little girl with pigtails giggled. "Are you a princess?"

"She has to be!" Another one said in response. "She's a Senju."

"No! She's an Uchiha." Said another boy.

"She doesn't have any clan crest on her clothing. How can you tell?" Another child chimed in.

Reina chuckled. "I'm actually both." She said to quell the fire.

"WHAT?!"

"WHAT?!" They all asked in confusion.

Reina chuckled before regaining her composure to explain. "Well, I was born a Senju. My brother is the clan head and Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village."

"Whoa!"

"He must be strong!"

"Is he a king?!" They all asked.

"Waaaaait. I'm not finished." Reina held up her hand. "I then married the head of the Uchiha clan, Lord Madara Uchiha, who helped found the Hidden Leaf Village. He also gave it its name."

"So cool!"

"So, you're like a double princess!" They shouted.

Reina laughed and shook her head. "I wouldn't say that. What makes you think I'm a princess?"

"You're really pretty." One boy said. The other boys laughed as the girls squealed.

"You're strong! And nice!" A little girl said.

"Yeah!" They all agreed.

"Princesses help people!"

Reina smiled. "Well, anyone can be beautiful if you take care of yourself and have a good heart. Anyone can be strong if they train hard. Kindness is something you learn along the way. It comes in many forms. As long as you follow these little ways of life, anyone can be a prince or princess!"

"Really?!"

"Wow! I'm gonna be a prince!" They said excitedly.

Reina grinned. "Or maybe you can be kings and queens if you're really really really great." This earned lots of laughter and excitement from the children.

"Children! Leave Lady Reina be. She has valuable work to do." An elderly woman said as she walked over to see the commotion.

"Yes, ma'am!" They all said in unison before running off to play.

Reina sighed. "At least they get to do what they want." She said to the old woman.

"Yes, normally they would be helping, but because we all had such a scare with the invasion we realized that them having a proper childhood is more important. Let them have more fun before they learn to work. That's what we adults are for. It really reshaped our way of thinking." The woman folded her hands behind her back. "I'm sure you of all people would understand."

"Absolutely, war was…" Reina cleared her throat. "War was terrible."

"Yes… do you plan on having a family of your own?" The elder inquired while looking down at her stomach.

Reina's eyes widened as she quickly shook her hand. "Oh, no. We haven't even broached the subject."

The elder furrowed her brows before looking up at Reina and abruptly changing her expression to a smile. "Oh! Well- that's peculiar. You really should speak about that sometime soon."

Reina tilted her head. "Why do you say that?"

The woman giggled before smiling up at her. "Oh, no reason. Perhaps it's best not to rush things. In my day we would only marry to have a family almost immediately. But alas, I am a relic of the ages."

Reina smirked at her humor. "No, you're simply wise and very sharp. This is why everyone here respects you. You are luminous in your own way."

"Oh, I appreciate that, dear." The elder blushed. "Well, I better leave you be. Will you be staying for dinner tonight?"

Reina shook her head. "Oh, no. I could never impose. I'll be done with this task very quickly and I'll be taking my leave. There's a village not too far away that I can purchase food from. I wouldn't dare take you resources."

"You are an angel, my dear." The elder bowed and took her leave.

Reina smiled as she watched the woman check on her villagers. "How tightknit." She continued her paperwork as promised and finished by mid-afternoon.

Reina left the village after explaining what she wrote to everyone and how their systems would operate until all crops could be harvested. Once she was far from the settlement, Kurama appeared beside her. The two continued west until they ended up at a slightly more populated village with food stalls, small businesses, and houses. Reina grabbed a quick bite for dinner before moving along.

The terrain went from being green and forested to more rocky and open. Trees were less dense and there were more mountainsides and boulders in their place. Reina pulled out the scroll Shinji gave her from her pouch and then looked up at the sky. The sun was setting and it would be dark soon. Reina knew she was close to her targeted location. She placed the paper back into her pocket.

"Kurama, conceal yourself from here on out." Reina stated. "The waters might get a little choppy."

"Do you think you'll have to fight?" Kurama inquired while doing as told.

"I'm not certain." Reina clenched her jaw. "I have to do this." She said before concealing her own presence. "Regardless of what happens… I'll fight until the very end." Reina narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brows as she surveyed the land. "It's just up ahead."

"What do you want me to do?" Kurama inquired.

"Hide nearby. If a fight breaks out, run. They absolutely cannot get a hold of you. Humans will try to harness your power and use you to do their bidding. Trust me." Reina stopped in her tracks and looked up at the fox spirit. "Kurama, look at me."

Kurama stopped walking and gave her side-eye before reluctantly turning his head. "What? I heard you."

"Promise me, you will run away if I fight these people." Reina placed a hand on his cheek. "Promise me that you'll be safe… I love you."

Kurama looked at her with surprise. His ears perked up before lowering his head. "I promise."

Reina smiled. "Thank you." She walked him over to a rocky landslide. "Stay here. Okay?"

"Okay." Kurama rested his body. "Be safe, Reina."

Reina smiled and pet the bridge of his snout before giving it a light kiss. "I absolutely will." With that, Reina disappeared behind the rocks and rubble as she ran off into the distance.