The Bedeviled Legacy

by softshisui

Asami Uchiha knew death the moment she was born. Her family fell to war that was not their own, not their fathers, or their father's father, but to men that existed many years before them whose names were long forgotten. Asami may not have known it when she took that first breath, but she would create a legacy that would last for generations to come.

7. Marriage and Irritiability

Asami sat on the engawa just off her bedroom with her bare feet dangling over the edge, her toes brushing the grass. It was the early morning, the sun just barely coming over the horizon. There was an early morning chill biting at her cheeks, turning them a light pink color. Her hair hung loose, part of it pulled over her shoulder and the rest cascading down her back. She held a piece of bread, tearing off and throwing chunks to the crows that liked to linger outside of her living quarters before the sun rose.

For whatever reason, these birds showed up one day and wouldn't leave her alone. At first, it was slightly annoying, as she wanted to enjoy the calmness of the crisp morning alone and not be distracted by the pesky animals—but after a while, she began to enjoy the presence of the blackbirds. At some point, she started bringing food with her to feed them. It became part of her morning ritual before she knew it.

Part of her wondered what it would be like to make a summoning contract with the bird. She didn't know much about summons, since she'd never been interested in partnering with an animal before. She wasn't sure how it could become available to her, either since no one she knew already had it as their summon. Her clan typically had relations with hawks over any other bird or animal in general. Madara cared for his hawks since he was a young boy and tended to them as though they were his children.

Asami didn't like them very much, as whenever she got near them they liked to peck at her. Izuna always thought this was very amusing and liked to tease her for it since he and his brother got along and trained the hawks with ease.

The thought made her huff aloud, feeling a sense of embarrassment, even though no one else was around. For being four years older than her, he could really be a cheeky brat sometimes.

Someone rapped their knuckles against the wooden doorframe behind her. Asami turned her head, resisting the urge to hum in amusement at how she was just thinking of her cousin. She sent a lipped smile to Izuna who stood on the engawa dressed in a navy blue yukata. His hair was tied back as normal, long bangs hanging on either side of his face.

"Good morning." She said, turning her attention back to the crows who were pecking away at the bread she had thrown at them.

At the thought of bread, she made a mental note to visit Kaori soon. She hadn't seen her in a while, and she was sure she and Hanami wouldn't mind the company. Especially as Hanami was one of Hana's closest friends, Asami felt as though she owed it to the girl.

Asami's heart panged at the thought of her sister. She missed Hana so much. She was sure that if she were here today, she would have been sitting beside her this morning as she fed the birds. She always loved the mornings. She would make a comment about how peaceful it was before the sun was up, and how she loved the sounds of nature preparing for the day. Asami pushed the thought out of her mind as soon as it came. She didn't want to linger on the pain today. She didn't want to focus on how much she missed her—it hurt too much.

Izuna came to sit beside her, his legs hanging over the edge of the engawa just as hers were. "I need to talk to you about something."

Asami furrowed her brows. "...alright."

Izuna sighed, seeming as though he wasn't sure where to begin. Asami was confused, unsure of what seemed to be so troubling to Izuna that it made him hesitate to discuss something with her. She trusted Izuna with her life—Madara too—it wasn't as though she would be upset with him for whatever he spoke to her about.

"You can go on." She said, casting him a sideways look. Not with the intention to be smart with him, but to let him know he didn't have to tread carefully when trying to talk to her. She was a big girl. She could handle it.

Izuna stared at her for a moment, contemplating if he should proceed. That, or he was trying to decide how to address the topic. Finally, he let out a sigh, closing his eyes. "On the day of the battle, something happened with your Sharingan, did it not? Once you witnessed Hana's death."

Asami paused, not having expected him to bring that up. Maybe she expected something having to do with clan politics, but not about her Sharingan the day of the battle. She knew it would come up eventually, so maybe she should have been aware it was on his mind the moment he said there was something he needed to discuss with her. How she was going to answer the question though, made her hesitate. There was no reason for her to not trust Izuna with the information. Or rather the lack of information about the occurrence with her dojutsu.

"...Yes." She said after a moment of silence, deciding that of course she could trust Izuna with that kind of information. She told herself moments ago that she trusted him with her life, did she not? Her dojutsu was much smaller in comparison. Or at least it was in her eyes.

"What did you notice about it?" He pressed, not finding her single-word response enough.

Asami frowned, still unsure how she was supposed to respond. After all, she barely understood what happened. It was as though a separate part of her took over in that fight. One fueled by her emotions, the only comprehensive thought in her brain to kill the Sarutobi that dared to come after her in a moment of grieving. Her Sharingan gave her an ability that had never even heard of before. She knew what the Sharignan could do, and that mind space was not one of them.

"To be honest, I still don't really understand what happened. It sounds silly because it's not as though I was possessed by anything to make me unaware of what was going on. But at the same time... it's like I was." Asami looked down at the remains of the bread in her hand, the piece just barely bigger than a shuriken. She tossed the remains of the food out to the crows, the birds rushing to peck at the food.

"I had never used a power like that before, yet I could control it with minimal effort. The Sharingan can't even do what I did. It's not supposed to, anyway. What I did then felt like breathing or blinking. Reflexive. Though I'm not sure I would be able to use it like that again in the state of mind I'm in now. Or... maybe I could. I'm unsure. As I said, I don't fully comprehend what happened." Asami furrowed her brows, trying to think of how she could explain the strange mind space in a way that did not sound insane.

"As for what I did with my Sharingan, it was as though I could control this separate dimension, one different than our own. The people I captured were caught by my Sharingan like a genjutsu. But it didn't feel like a genjutsu? It felt real. But they were there without their physical bodies, and I had captured their... souls." Asami fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling sick at the thought.

Izuna sat in silence.

Asami didn't jump to add anything else, not wanting to go into depth about how she set those men on fire without a second thought. In the moment, she found satisfaction in their deaths, but after the fact, she realized the way she killed them was something only a monster would do. Setting them afire to burn alive with no hope of escape or even the chance to run away. Something about it was just... sick.

She was no stranger to fire ninjutsu, so she was unsure what was so different about that attack she used on the Sarutobi. Maybe it was the fact she seemed to rip their souls from their bodies and trap them in a container full of her whims. The sudden flash of the Sarutobi's burnt, crispy bodies into the forefront of her mind only deepened her frown.

Her peaceful morning was surely ruined now.

"...how did you set them on fire?"

Of course, he had to ask about that specifically. She was doing all she could to avoid that topic, but apparently, her cousin had not caught the memo.

"I just did." Asami shrugged, not sure how else she was supposed to explain it. In the mind space she did not use any hand signs or think of a specific jutus to see them on fire. She just summoned the fire because she wanted there to be flames. Simple as that.

She turned her head, looking at her cousin for the first time throughout this dreadful conversation. His hand was held to his chin, brows furrowed in deep thought. Whatever he was contemplating, he was intensely mulling it over.

"Asami, what you experienced is called the Mangekyo Sharingan."

Asami blinked, taken aback by his sudden declaration. "...You mean you know about this? What it does?"

With his hand still held to his chin, Izuna turned his head to the side, still seeming to be in deep thought. "...Not fully. But you are not the only one to experience it. Madara and I have the Mangekyo. It seems as though it's another phase of the Sharingan. There haven't been any other Mangekyo Sharingan's I've been made aware of besides the three of us. It seems as though it's not something that is easily unlocked, or common. How it's unlocked... it seems as though the death of someone close to us has to occur. Something extremely traumatic. Notice how I keep saying 'seems' throughout my explanation. Because truthfully, I do not know much about this at all. Madara and I were only able to come to this conclusion by reading very ancient Uchiha texts that were difficult to decipher with the next phase of the dojutsu. Lots of our conclusions are by speculation as well."

Asami took a second to soak in the information, though one conclusion was hard to ignore—Hana's death had triggered her to unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan.

She resisted the urge to clench her jaw, wanting to remain as level-headed as possible while Izuna spoke to her. But the thought lingered in her mind; if the new phase of the Sharingan was a gift to the user for the loss of a loved one, Asami wanted to give it back. She would trade her Sharingan in its entirety just to have her sister back.

"...When did you and Madara unlock yours?" She asked tentatively, deciding to push away the bitter thought. She didn't want to linger on the exchange of power for her sister's life.

Izuna's shoulders sagged, his hand dropping from his face and into his lap. His mouth screwed up, seeming as though he was trying to figure out how to answer. "Madara unlocked his after the death of our mother. I loved our mother, but Madara loved her in a way that I would never be able to understand. They had a very special connection. Her death affected him in a way no one saw coming."

Izuna paused for a moment, before letting out a deep sigh. He lifted his head, dark eyes gazing at the crows that were still pecking away at the bread in the grass. "I unclocked my Mangekyo after the death of our brothers."

A sinking sensation appeared in Asami's chest.

Kano and Wataru were the younger twin brothers of Madara and Izuna. She played with them often when she was much younger, but most of her memories of them were blurred since she was so little. She was eight when they died, their deaths occurring only months after her father's. Her father was part of the reason Wataru and Kano ended up back at home after the mission he became fatally wounded on had gone sour. The boys were only ten when they died. They had died together, defending one another.

Part of Asami wished that she and Hana had died the same way.

"You should explore your abilities further," Izuna said, deciding to change the sour subject. "It's something that could help you turn the tide in battle. It seems to have done so already, as you were part of the reason Sasuke Sarutobi called for a retreat."

Asami blinked, having forgotten that little fact momentarily. Sometimes it seemed to slip her mind that she was actually a dangerous shinobi, and not another Uchiha girl who could just use a blade.

"I'll spend time on it." She acknowledged.

Izuna nodded his head. "Alright. Besides that, how have you been? Have you been... coping alright?"

Asami gave a soft hum, also nodding her head. "It's not easy. I... I miss Hana terribly. For a moment there I blamed myself for her death. I hated myself and begged for the exchange of my life for hers. Madara-nii put a stop to that though. He gave me a shove in the right direction."

"I'm glad to hear that." He turned his head to share a look with her, raising his hand to squeeze her shoulder. "Hana shouldn't have died. Her life was taken too easily and too early. But.. but I'm glad you made it home to us. If the both of you had died..."

Izuna trailed off not wanting to finish the thought.

Part of Asami felt touched by her older cousin's words. She and Izuna had a close relationship, but the two didn't usually say those kinds of things out loud. It seemed pain and death made the two brothers both act a little out of character. Not that she disliked it, but it was not something they expressed in their everyday lives.

Even if she said she was becoming more accepting of her sister's death, it didn't change the fact she missed Hana, or would do anything to have her sister beside her again. She would give the world just to have the most mundane interaction with her sweet, darling sister again. Asami knew Hana would have loved to see her getting her hands dirty in the garden. Asami never showed any interest in the plants before, so she was sure Hana would have been thrilled to see her enjoying her hobby.

Asami felt a pang in her chest.

If only she could see it.

"I need to go speak to Madara since he called for me to discuss something. Would you like to come with me?" Izuna got to his feet, looking down at her.

Asami nodded, also standing. "Sure."

The two left the house, walking through the compound to the building where most of the meetings took place. Madara spent a lot of his time cooped up in there with the Uchiha elders since he became Clan head weeks ago. Asami was sure he was itching to get out of there and couldn't imagine how stuffy and boring the task probably was.

Uchiha clan members bent their heads as a sign of respect as they passed, though no one made a move to say anything to them as it was obvious they were on their way somewhere specific. Two children ran past Izuna and Asami, laughing and chasing each other. Others were leading young children by the hand down the dirt road as they went on their way. The occasional young man or elderly were present too, but it was much fewer in comparison to the women and young children.

A small group of Uchiha women spoke to one another in friendly conversation off to the side, hiding underneath the shade of a building to shield them from the land of fire's sun. One of the women had a cloth strap hanging around her neck, Asami making out the bundled baby inside. She recognized the one with the baby as the wife of a farmer who her father used to buy eggs from.

Her name was Ayumi, a small, but kind woman whose long dark brown hair was usually pulled back into a tight braid. Asami remembered she used to give her sweets when her father went to buy from them as a child. Ayumi would make comments about how such a cute pair of twins she and Hana made. She had many children, reaching six now when including the bundle in her arms. Though two of her sons had died in battles years before, so she only had four living children.

"You can go along, I'll meet you there in a moment," said Asami to Izuna, her attention caught on the group of women who were still continuing to talk amongst themselves.

Izuna raised an eyebrow at her before his gaze trailed over to the group she had set her sights on. There was a flash of understanding before he gave a hum of acknowledgment. "Alright. Don't take too long."

Izuna walked away, continuing on toward the building where Madara was.

Asami walked over to the woman, her hands folded behind her back. As soon as she drew near, their conversation died down a little, turning their attention to her.

Asami smiled at the group, "Good morning. How are the three of you doing?"

Upon closer inspection of who was actually part of the group, she was surprised to see one of the women was actually Kousuke's mother, Kasumi. She was a beautiful woman with long gentle curls, her hair unusually curly like Kousuke. The two had hair texture that was unusual compared to the pin straight the Uchiha clan members usually had. She was dressed in a black yukata holding a basket of different produce.

Kasumi was the first to speak. "I'm doing well, Asami-sama. And you?"

Asami cracked a smile. "You know there's no need to be so formal with me. After all, your son did fling mud at me the other day in my own garden."

Kasumi raised her hand to her mouth, eyes going wide in shock. "He what?!"

Asami chuckled, shaking her head. "Don't worry. I'm not upset by any means. I did return the favor, though."

A look of recognition crossed her face. She dropped her hand, a prick of irritation replacing the shock in a matter of moments. "That little... I have a feeling I know exactly what you're talking about. He came home covered in mud! I asked him how he possibly got so dirty, and his response was from training. Come to find out... Kami I'm going to wring his neck."

Asami resisted the urge to start laughing out loud at the thought of Kousuke getting chewed out by his mother. At nineteen years old and as well-respected shinobi, he was still getting in trouble with his mother. Though after the mental image appeared in her mind of what that interaction would look like, she wasn't surprised. It was pretty easy to picture it.

"I don't mind his company. Though he can be a pest." Asami tilted her head to the side, pursing her lips in thought. "Though it seems like it's been that way since we were kids."

Kasumi clicked her tongue. "I could never keep him in one spot. One moment he was right by my side then the next he was gone, having scampered off to do Kami knows what... though now I know it was probably to bother you."

The baby in Ayumi's sling let out a wide yawn, catching Asami's attention. Her eyes dropped down to the bundle hanging around Ayumi's neck, the baby's wide, dark eyes slowly blinking as it woke from its nap. It had a lot of hair for a baby, thick, dark strands covering its skill. Especially since it couldn't have been more than a month old.

"This the new addition to your family, Ayumi-san?"

The woman tucked a piece of hair that had come loose from her braid behind her ear. "Yes. I'm surprised you would notice something like that, Asami-sama."

Asami cocked her head to the side, furrowing her brows. "Of course I would notice that. Why wouldn't I?"

Ayumi paused for a moment, seeming as though she didn't know how to respond. The third Uchiha woman who had been quiet so far finally spoke up.

"Usually those of the main family don't take the time out of their day to mingle with the civilians of their clan." The woman said, observing her with sharp eyes. She was the oldest one out of the group, her face thin and long, straight black hair parted down the middle. Asami immediately got the impression she did not like her very much.

Asami recognized her as Ume, a woman who lived alone on the edge of the compound. She was the village seamstress and would help make the many yukatas the members of their clan wore, including battle yukatas. She had been married once with two boys, but her family had been all killed from the war. In a way, Asami felt sorry for her. But even so, it didn't excuse the blatant disrespect.

Kasumi shot Ume a look. "...Is that really necessary? Perhaps you should apologize."

Kasumi was the wife of an advisor, the man who was once second to Tajima. His name was Hotaru, and Asami knew him as a quiet, intelligent man who was very perceptive. Kasumi was well respected because of her husband's place as he worked with the clan head. Hotaru still worked with the main family, though now he was an advisor to Madara and not Tajima. So it made sense as to why she felt the strong need to defend the main family from Ume's criticizing.

Asami shook her head, raising her hand. "It's alright, Kasumi-san. I appreciate you coming to my defense, but if Ume-san feels that way, she has every right to—even if she's wrong."

Ume flinched as though Asami had flicked her across the forehead with her words.

"My family is busy, which is why they do not have the time to linger and socialize with every single member of the clan. If you have not noticed, our clan is not a small one. Is it really reasonable to expect the clan head, or the second to him, to socialize and get to know every single member on a personal level?" Asami asked, even though she wasn't looking for an answer. "No, it is not reasonable to expect that. I'm sorry you feel there is not enough interpersonal connection between the people and my cousins and I. Perhaps I will bring it up to Madara-nii since you seem to think it is of importance."

Ume's cheeks had turned red, embarrassed by Asami's words. "No, I... it's alright. I'm sorry for my harsh words, Asami-sama."

The apology did not feel genuine in the slightest, and more like she was trying to cover her own back, but Asami didn't feel it was appropriate to embarrass the woman more than she had. The goal wasn't to embarrass her at all, actually, but it seemed as though being proved wrong had squashed whatever strange sense of defiance she had and replaced it with hot shame.

"Apologies aren't needed. But please, think before you speak poorly of my cousins, or me."

Asami turned her attention back to the bundle that hung from Ayumi's neck, not wanting to spend more time on Ume than she already had. She wasn't trying to be childish about it, but the woman had also said a few things to get on her nerves, so now she was choosing to ignore her. It wasn't hard to detect that Ume did not like Asami either, for whatever reason. Asami had interacted with Ume before, but it was short and few altogether, so the bitterness was confusing.

Ayumi smiled, lifting up the baby a bit so Asami could get a better look. "His name is Haru."

Asami chuckled. "Spring, hm? How cute."

"Would you like to hold him?" She asked, moving to remove the strap from around her neck so she could bass the swaddled baby over to her.

"Oh, I'm not too sure—" Before Asami could get out her full words of protest, Ayumi had already passed the baby over to her. She quickly moved to readjust her arms to support the baby, eyes going wide in panic. After all, she hadn't spent a lot of time around young children in her life. Of course she had seen babies before, but there was not a consistent influx of young children that she spent time around throughout her life. No one she knew well had babies.

"Have you never held a baby before?" Asked Ayumi, laughing at Asami's struggling.

Asami's cheeks turned a light pink. "I-I... not really, if I'm being honest. I don't really know anyone who has young children."

Kasumi clicked her tongue in a teasing manner. "What in Kami's name are you going to do when you have children? Sixteen already and you can't hold a baby. What is your husband going to do with you?"

Asami smiled at the woman sheepishly. "...He'll be the one to learn to hold the baby?"

Kasumi threw her head back in laughter, not having expected that as a response. She readjusted the basket of produce in her hand, shaking her head. "My, whoever you end up with had better be alright with playing house husband. Good luck finding someone to do that for you. I'm not sure there's one man in this clan who would do anything of the sort."

Ume let out a puff of air in agreement, though she was not quick to say anything in response out of the embarrassment she endured the last time she spoke her mind.

Ayumi hummed in disagreement, watching as Asami held her hand out to her son, his little fingers reaching for her. "I'm not too sure about that. I'm sure she's going to start being bombarded with marriage proposals soon. They'd do anything to be able to be betrothed to her since she's beautiful and she's a strong shinobi. Not to mention since she's part of the main family. Even if it means playing 'house husband' as you so affectionately put it, Kasumi."

Asami froze, giving Ayumi a blank look. "Marriage proposals...?"

Ayumi cocked her head to the side. "Yes. Did you plan on never getting married? Don't tell me you've never thought of the possibility of an engagement before. I find that hard to believe."

Asami didn't say anything, still staring blankly.

Kasumi chuckled. "Looks as though you should believe she hasn't, Ayumi."

"I haven't even thought about marriage... I think I'd like to wait a while longer." Said Asami, furrowing her brows at the new topic of conversation.

Ume decided it was finally her turn to say something again. "I don't think that's going to be up to you. Forgive me, Asami-sama, but you are a member of the main family. It's one of your only duties to reproduce."

"Ume!" Kasumi shot the older woman another sharp look, annoyed she couldn't seem to filter her words properly.

Ume shrugged her shoulders as if to say 'it can't be helped'. "The sooner she understands that the sooner she'll pick a suitor."

"Madara-nii and Izuna-nii aren't betrothed." Pointed out Asami.

"Maybe not. But they will be at some point in the near future." Said Ume, crossing her arms. She tilted her head down, her silky curtain of black hair sliding down around her face. "Besides, they are men. They get more leeway with that decision than we do."

"Says who." Asami regarded her with a deadpan tone, getting annoyed with this woman the more she spoke to her. For being in her early thirties, she was quite bratty and acted more like a teenager than Asami did.

"Mmk." Said Kasumi, eyeing Ume warily. "I have to get home and put this produce away so I can wring my son's neck. Ume, shouldn't you be on your way too? I'm sure there are plenty of things you can spend your time such as hemming or something of the sort."

Ume made a 'tsk' noise, raking her fingers through her shoulder-length hair. "Fine. I'll talk to you later, Kasumi. Ayumi."

She walked off, not even saying anything to Asami as a polite goodbye.

Asami blinked, still not understanding what had caused the older woman to dislike her so much. What had started as a friendly conversation somehow turned into Ume disrespecting her at any chance she could get. The whole thing was a little confusing.

"Ignore her." Kasumi shook her head. "She's been this way since her boys died. I can't blame her since I would probably lose my mind too if something happened to Kousuke or my daughter. But still... I don't know what goes on in her head sometimes."

"She doesn't act that way toward us... maybe she just needs to mind her words better, is all..." Murmured Ayumi, taking her son back from Asami.

"It's alright." Asami shook her head, giving the woman a lipped smile. "I should be on my way, though. It was nice to speak with you two. I hope you have a good rest of your morning."

Ayumi readjusted her son in the sling, returning the smile, though hers was much warmer and wider. "Of course. Don't be a stranger, Asami-sama. Regardless of people with an attitude."

Asami coughed, not having expected the kind woman to make such a remark about her friend. Even the most soft-spoken people could be a little snarky, she supposed.

"You should come over for dinner sometime." Added Kasumi, readjusting the basket once again. "Kousuke does enjoy your company. As does my daughter. Especially my daughter."

Asami chuckled, thinking of Kousuke's younger sister. "I'll have to do that."

Kousuke's younger sister was Mei, a lively young girl who was about eleven. She was trying to become a shinobi and was proficient in fire ninjutsu, though she wasn't crazily skilled. Especially being a young girl, most wouldn't give her the time of day when it came to training besides her father or brother.

She gave the two women a final farewell, heading to her original destination before she got sidetracked. She was sure Izuna was probably wondering what was taking her so long.

Her head was still stuck on the conversation she had moments ago as she walked through the compound. Not Ume's irritating behavior, but the part about marriage. For whatever reason, Asami just hadn't put thought into the possibility of getting married soon. But the women were right, in a way at least. It was about her age when girls started to court boys and pick someone to marry. She hadn't received any proposals thankfully and wasn't expecting any to begin with. If she had gotten one she probably would have stared at them like a gaping fish, not sure how to respond.

Hanami, Hana's childhood best friend, and Kaori's daughter, was dating a boy a year older than her. Asami didn't know his name and hadn't formally met him, but she knew the two had been together for a few months now and seen them around. With the topic of marriage present in her mind now, she wondered when or if the two of them would get married.

Asami shook her head, trying to push the thought out of her mind as she walked up to a large building. It looked almost identical to the other buildings surrounding it, but it had more plants surrounding it along with a large pathway leading to the deck that was the front entryway.

She went up the stairs and inside, slipping her shoes off in the front entry. After setting them aside, she walked down the long hallway, passing two older men who were talking amongst themselves. She didn't catch much of what they said, but one word did pique her interest. Senju.

She cast a glance over her shoulder, steps slowing as she contemplated asking the men what they were talking about. But they had already walked out the front, leaving her alone in the hallway. Pressing her lips together in mild annoyance, she continued down the hallway walking a little faster now to see if what those men were talking about was a topic they were discussing with her cousins.

Turning a corner, she stopped in front of a door she knew as the main meeting room Madara tended to hold most gatherings in. She rapped her knuckles against the wooden part of the shoji door, waiting to hear confirmation that she could come in. With the sound of a grunt, she wasted no time sliding the door open and stepping inside, closing it behind her as well.

Madara sat on the ground at the head of the long rectangular table that took up most of the room. He grimaced, rolling out his ankles from having sat with his legs underneath him for what was a while now. Izuna was much more relaxed than Madara, sitting to his left with his legs crossed.

"Sorry I took a bit. I got caught up with the women."

"Kasumi-san was there, wasn't she?" Asked Izuna. "I haven't seen Hotaru-san around today. Have you sent him off to do something, Aniki?"

Madara nodded. "He's solidifying the parameters for what's required of the Fuma clan. They've called on us to have a discussion about our treaty and the trade for the upcoming summer, but I can't possibly go now. Especially when I've just taken over as head."

Asami came over to sit down on the other side of Madara across from Izuna, crossing her legs.

"I could go?" Suggested Izuna.

"No." Madara shook his head. "I don't want to send too many shinobi out so soon after the last battle with the Senju and Sarutobi. Some are already gone on various missions and sending you or I out would be a bad idea. We need our strongest defenses here, at least while we are recovering and a majority are out getting funds for the clan."

The three sat in silence, though Asami wasn't thinking about their conversation, really. She was more focused on the gossiping those men seemed to be doing about the Senju.

"You could send Asami." Said Izuna, gesturing at her.

Asami blinked, returning to what was going on at hand. She raised a finger to point at herself, staring at her cousin like a dear in the headlights. "Me?"

Izuna shrugged. "I don't see why not. You're going to take part in the clan matters more now than ever, as you and I are Madara's right hands. It would only make sense. It wouldn't seem insulting either, as you're a high-ranking member of the family. I can only imagine the fit the Fuma would throw if we sent a group of regular shinobi."

"...You might be right." Murmured Madara, looking at Asami. "Think you would be able to handle that?"

Asami blinked, staring at him. "Well, maybe. I haven't made any kind of... diplomatic arrangements before. Of course I've negotiated with civilian clients on pay and so forth, but not other clans—"

"It's almost the same thing." Waved off Izuna. "Though in this case, if you say the wrong thing it could cause a massive war and us to lose our treaty."

Asami paled.

Izuna smiled, closing his eyes. "Kidding."

"Not very funny." Chided Madara, coming to Asami's defense. "But I think you can handle it. I'll send you with a list of what we require and they will give you theirs. It shouldn't be too messy of an ordeal. You might be asked to stay for dinner, but I doubt it'll be more than that. So don't get wrapped up in your head about it."

Asami nodded her head. "Mmk. Will I be going alone?"

Madara shook his head. "No. I'll probably send you with two others. Who they'll be, I'll have to think about it some more. You'll probably leave tomorrow or the day after. But we'll let you know ahead of time."

"Okay." She paused for a moment, deciding she was going to let her curiosity get the best of her. "I heard some of the older men gossiping as I was coming in."

"Oh?" Izuna looked amused, glancing to Madara for his reaction.

Madara looked more annoyed than anything. "They were, were they?"

"Something about the Senju. Any idea what they were going on about?" Asami asked, already knowing the two were well aware of what the men were chattering about as they left.

"You're quite nosy." Teased Izuna.

"They were talking about how the Senju clan leader died." Said Madara, ignoring Izuna's little remarks towards Asami. "Hashirama is now clan leader. Butsuma's firstborn."

"Ah." Asami tilted her head, the face of the long-haired Senju coming to mind. "I see. I'm sure the rest of the clan would be pleased to hear of Butsuma's fate. Are you going to announce it?"

Madara waved her off again. "No. It's going to spread through the clan like wildfire. I have no need to."

Izuna gave her a cheeky look, eager to change the subject. "So, what were those ladies talking your ear off about for so long?"

Asami flushed immediately at the topic, not having realized she had let on that the conversation had embarrassed her. "Oh, nothing."

"Nothing? Nothing sounds like something." He pressed, finding her fidgeting amusing.

Asami picked at the hem of her yukata, "... it really wasn't all that important. They were just asking me when I planned on getting... married."

Madara's eyes went wide. "Eh?"

Izuna laughed, shaking his head. "No wonder you were so stiff when you came in. You were so consumed by the thought of being betrothed to someone!"

Madara rolled his eyes. "Ignore them. While I am clan head, you can do as you please. Though if anyone is going to be nagged about getting married and having children, it's going to be me soon. The elders are going to get on my ass about it."

Izuna continued to laugh at his brother's discomfort. "Shall I start picking out some suitors for you, Aniki?"

Madara shot him an icy look. "Don't act as though you won't be expected to do the same."

Izuna's laughter stopped abruptly.

It was Asami's turn to laugh, her cousin's sudden shift in mood satisfying to see after he was tormenting her over the subject.

Marriage was obviously the last thing on all three of their minds.