The sky was still dark as Reina stirred and woke up from her slumber. She shifted and looked at the object in her arms. Reina smiled down at Tadao and squeezed the hand-stitched teddy bear. She set it aside and then propped herself up as she turned her head to look at her clock. It was 6 o'clock in the morning. Reina furrowed her brows and rubbed her head. She was troubled as to why her body woke up so early. She shrugged attributing it to a good night's sleep.

Reina got out of bed and put on a pair of fluffy slippers. She grabbed Tadao and shuffled to her bedroom door. Quietly, she slipped out of her room and continued patting her way around the tower. She eventually made it to the Hokage's office and saw the light was on. She gently knocked on the door and leaned in to hear for a response. Reina felt Hashirama's chakra. It was calm and welcoming, so she gently turned the doorknob and stepped in quietly. Reina shut the door and looked at her brother sleeping at his desk.

Reina smiled and walked over to Hashirama. "Good morning, brother."

"Nyugh!" Hashirama snapped awake and blinked as he looked up at Reina. "Oh, good morning, Reina."

"What are you doing up so early?" Reina inquired while hugging her bear.

Hashirama smiled at how adorable she looked in her pajamas while toting around a teddy bear. He sighed. "I was trying to get work done early, but it looks like I fell asleep."

"One month in and you're already burning out?" Reina teased.

"I'm burning the candle at both ends." Hashirama shook his head. "There's more work to do than expected. Madara would've been so much better at this… Why are you up so early?"

Reina shrugged. "I'm not sure. Just woke up."

"Ah… I see." Hashirama straightened out a stack of papers and set them down. "Do you know what's on your agenda today?"

Reina shook her head. "Avoid Shika maybe?"

Hashirama chuckled. "That's a big task."

Reina snickered. "What about you?"

"I've got a meeting with Madara today. Then I have clan-specific things to sort out." Hashirama smiled. "How do you like the village so far?"

Reina nodded with a small smile. "It's fairly good. For some reason, I'm a bit lonely, but I'm glad I finally get to be with you and Tobirama. I feel safer."

"Why is it that you're lonely?" Hashirama asked genuinely concerned.

Reina looked down at her teddy bear and then back up at Hashirama. "It's hard letting go of the ones you love, but sometimes it's necessary."

"You miss the Ashikaga clan, don't you?" Hashirama gave a sad smile. "I'm sorry you've been jerked around so much, Reina. I really am. But now, because of your sacrifices, you're here and reunited with your family."

"And I wouldn't trade you for the world." Reina smiled down at her brother. "Though I'm not sure how I feel about Madara."

Hashirama furrowed a brow. "Do explain."

Reina gave a perplexed look as she thought. "You know, there's just something about him that makes my stomach flip. I-I mean, I like him. He's got many amazing qualities, but he perplexes me. He's intimidating, rash, ruthless, daunting, smart, and smooth. He seems cold, but that man has extreme emotional reserves. I can feel it. I fear how he may govern himself and others based on that. There's something secretive about him."

Hashirama stood up and walked over toward Reina. He sat at the edge of his desk and looked at her. "Reina, you're safe as long as I'm around. Madara is a friend and he only has good things in mind. He wants peace and balance."

Reina looked up at him. "I trust you'll find that balance and maintain it with him."

"Of course. And as long as he is my friend he will protect you from others. Don't you worry." Hashirama popped off the desk and grabbed some scrolls. He turned around to look out the window and saw the sun rising. "Well, I'll be leaving soon. Enjoy your day, Reina."

Reina nodded. "Of course." She gave a curt bow and let herself out.

Hashirama sighed. "I hope this is the right thing to do."

Hashirama was in a private meeting room with Madara. It was underground, lit by candles, and made of stone. The two sat in the dim room facing each other with a small table between them. Papers and scrolls were scattered among the table along with ink pots and brushes. It was as if they were trying to sort out multiple things at once.

Madara cleared his throat as the two continued conversing. "I definitely think the village could benefit from some form of seal to protect us from outsiders and warn us of any breaches from intruders. You do have connections with the Uzumaki clan, don't you? Perhaps they can provide us with some insight."

Hashirama nodded. "I have been conversing with the clan in regards to relocating here. It seems that they are partial. The clan is split on whether they want to join a newly forming village elsewhere or ours. However, I'm certain by asking for assistance, they will feel welcome in our village."

"Their sealing techniques could be very useful to us in the long run." Madara sorted out a stack of papers. "I know we've just ended the war, but it doesn't hurt to be cautious. The more power we harness the easier it will be to protect the ones we love. Wouldn't you agree?" Madara looked up at Hashirama.

Hashirama nodded while looking at his friend. "Of course… As a matter of fact, I spoke with Reina about that this morning. She is concerned about the village safety and balance of power as well."

"She's a bright young woman," Madara smirked. "Tell me, Hashirama. How do you plan on maintaining a balance of power within the village? I must say the Uchiha clan is assimilating well, but I'm sure they still have their doubts, to which I would like to quell as soon as possible."

Hashirama crossed his arms. "I spoke with Tobirama and he thought about having the Uchiha be the head of a police force, but I personally believe that would ostracize the Uchiha clan. People may villainize your clan since we've been peaceful thus far."

Madara softly set his hands down on the table. "I must agree with you, but peace will fade. People will grow restless and suspicious. I will be honest with you I still have my qualms, Hashirama. Though you have been elected as the village leader I refuse to let the Senju clan solely control the village. What is the purpose of a treaty when our balance becomes imbalanced?" Madara looked at Hashirama directly in his eyes. "Eventually, the veil will be lifted and we will need to establish some form of trust in another way. A handshake and a paper declaration is a lovely little formality, but a true war treaty doesn't occur unless we become equals."

Hashirama unfolded his arms and leaned against the table. "I understand your concerns. Thank you for being upfront with me. I can't blame you for being cynical in the slightest. After all, the Senju did take so much from you." He locked eyes with Madara. "I will discuss this in detail with my clan superiors today. I may have a solution."

Madara nodded with a smile and then crossed his arms. "I trust you will come up with something. You always do."

Hashirama grinned. "Don't worry, Madara. I trust you."

"Thank you." Madara sighed. "Now that we've completed that discussion would you care to tell me about Reina's past and her abilities?"

Hashirama nodded with a serious expression. "Of course. As a matter of fact, it ties in well with today's discussion."

Madara grinned. "Go on."

Hashirama and Tobirama sat in a meeting room with the Senju clan elders and superiors. The brothers sat at a table across from the others as they discussed various topics. One such topic being Reina's coming of age and her presence as a leader of the Senju clan.

"Reina will be turning twenty years old this November, isn't that so?" One of the clan elders said. His name was Jirou. He was quite inactive during the war period, mainly taking care of the clan's well-being off the battlefield.

"Yes, which means she will surely be a candidate for marriage. Many suitors will be looking for her hand." Shika stated. She helped Jirou during the war efforts and may have been more active than him, but now that the warring states era has ended Shika prefers to involve herself in other diplomatic affairs. "We must be careful that she is cared for by the right kind of people. Did she not have a love during her time at the Ashikaga manor?"

"I presume she did," Hashirama spoke. "We should compile a list of potential suitors for her to marry and have them visit the village for a celebration of sorts. Reina is essentially a princess in this respect. She is the key for diplomacy between clans and villages."

"I do prefer she stays close if not within the Hidden Leaf Village," Tobirama spoke up. "We do not know what she is fully capable of. Imagine if her power fell into the wrong hands."

Jirou spoke. "That would mean her suitor must be powerful enough to tame her if need be."

Hashirama chimed in. "The Uzumaki clan will be visiting the Hidden Leaf Village in regards to establishing safety perimeters. Perhaps they can educate us on a seal that would keep Reina's abilities at bay. If she stays close by it will be less of an issue. If the Uzumaki clan decides to live in our settlement that would benefit us even more."

"This way we can be cordial even with the clans we prefer not to involve her and the village with," Tobirama added.

"Yes, but knowing Reina, won't she object to this?" Shika said because in truth she was right.

"Indeed. Perhaps we shall compile a list of possible suitors and extend invitations." Tobirama suggested. "This way she will have some say in her future."

"In the end, we will finalize the decision for her," Jirou added. "I think that's fair. Any objections?" The room fell silent. "Then it's settled."

The sun slowly dipped behind the tree line as the day grew to a close. An orange glow shined on Reina's face as the pinkish sky darkened. She was sitting down on a park bench watching birds fly in various formations. She felt a warm breeze ripple her loose, navy blue yukata. Reina inhaled the clean summer air and slowly let it out.

"What brings you here?" She called to the figure standing behind her.

"I was waiting for you to notice," Madara said as he walked around the bench. "May I?"

Reina looked up at him before giving a subtle nod. "Sure." She said quietly.

Madara sat down next to her and looked up at the sky. "To imagine we aren't fighting right now. We're simply sitting together, watching the sunset as two opposing clans."

"Yes, it's rather surprising, isn't it?" Reina said conservatively.

Madara smirked. "Tell me, Reina, do I bother you?"

Reina's heart dropped into her stomach. She regained her composure and looked at him. "You? Bother me? No, don't be silly. I did want you to be the Hokage after all."

"Well, that's a relief. It would be a shame if we were forced to spend our lives together and you hated me." Madara smirked internally. He could sense her chakra spiking, but she was regulating it well.

"What is he talking about?" Reina was beginning to feel uneasy. She cleared her throat. "Yes, that would be a struggle. We must maintain a healthy friendship to keep a balance of power and act as proper examples for our clansmen." She took a deep breath. "That should steer things in the right direction."

"That's not what I meant," Madara said sharply.

Reina gasped and looked at him. "I beg your pardon?"

"You're an intelligent woman, Reina." Madara leaned in closer to her. "Think about it. You said it yourself. We do need a balance of power in this village, don't we?"

"W-why… yes." Reina's heart began to pound in her chest. She could feel her pulse thumping in her head. "Madara, I'm certain our futures will be sorted out with diplomacy."

Madara smirked and pulled back. "As do I."

Reina relaxed her body and looked him in the eyes. "You're playing with fire."

"I tame the fire." Madara retorted instantly.

Reina swallowed and looked down at the ground. "I should be leaving." She stood up with haste and turned to face him. "Have a good evening." Reina gave a small smile and bowed.

"You as well." Madara stood up. "I look forward to our next encounter."

Reina nodded and backed away slowly before turning around and speedily walking away. When she was out of sight she began to sprint home. Reina burst open the doors, flew up the stairs, ran down the hallway, threw her bedroom doors open, slammed them shut, and locked them. She painted and leaned her back against the doors. She held her head in her left hand, bracing the door with her right. Reina was speechless. She couldn't believe what just happened. Reina knew Madara would eventually have ulterior motives, but to be blatant about it so soon.

Reina was deep in thought when there was a bang on her door. "Aaah!" She shrieked.

"Reina! It's me!" Hashirama called. "Open up!"

Reina sighed and laughed at her own stupidity. She caught her breath, turned around, and opened the door. "What can I do for you, brother?" She looked up at Hashirama who seemed to be rather exhausted looking.

Hashirama handed her a scroll. "We have a lot of important dates coming up. I thought you would appreciate having a schedule."

Reina nodded. "Oh! Thank you."

"Is everything alright?" Hashirama inquired. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Reina nodded. "I'm fine… How about yourself?"

Hashirama furrowed a brow. "I'm okay… I'll leave you be… Will you be having dinner?"

"Me? Miss dinner? Good joke." Reina shut her bedroom doors and locked them again. She walked over to her bed and plopped down at the edge. Reina looked at the scroll in her hand before chucking it to the floor. Reina laid back and placed her hands over her face. "What is going on in life?" She asked herself while turning over onto her side. Reina looked at the teddy bear on her bed and reached over to grab it. She sat up on her knees and looked at the bear with a bittersweet expression.

In an instant, she was reminded of Nao. She felt happy and protected, but sad that she couldn't be with him any longer. Reina was still madly in love with him. She thought of their first date, birthdays, training, snuggles, laughter, sex, kisses, tears, worry, anger, confusion, and all the love they poured into each other. She remembered Nao's messy, slick back, caramel hair and glasses, tall frame, sculpted body, sharp jawline, soft brown eyes, deep, smooth voice, and warm heart. Reina melted just thinking about him. Her heart sank as she began to cry softly to herself. She wiped her tears away and clutched Tadao against her hunched-over chest.

Reina whimpered. "I love you, Nao… and I miss you… so much."