Again, sorry if the plot is moving a little slow I promise I wll do my best to speed it up a little!
Again if you have any recommendations or things you would like to see please leave a review!
Thanks!
She was in a tea house, alone, when the door opened. Her heart skipped a beat as a familiar figure stepped inside. It was him, Izuna, dressed in his usual ninja garb. He glanced around before his gaze landed on her. His expression was a mix of surprise and he gave her a look that she could only describe as loving.
"Sakura-san." He said, his voice soft and warm. She felt her cheeks flush as she forced a smile onto her lips. "I wasn't expecting to find you here."
"Neither was I," she admitted, looking around as if she were lost. "I just... needed a change of scenery." He walked inside and closed the door behind him. She sat down on one of the cushions surrounding the table and he joined her. She poured tea into two glasses and handed Izuna one. He took a sip, savoring the taste before speaking.
"I hope your stay so far has been to your liking?"Izuna asked. Sakura shrugged, not quite sure how to respond. She didn't want to lie, but she didn't want to be completely honest either.
"It's been... different, I suppose." She finally answered, looking down at her hands. Izuna chuckled softly. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to sound ungrateful. It's just... different from what I'm used to. The food is amazing, the servants are attentive, and the people are... kind, I think." She trailed off. He sat his cup down before standing up.
"Will you walk with me?" Izuna asked, holding out his hand. She hesitated for a moment, but then took it. He led her through the well-tended garden. The sun was high in the sky, bathing everything in a warm light. Sakura eyed their entwined hands wondering why he hadn't let go yet.
He led her to the cherry blossom tree she had seen previously. The petals danced in the gentle breeze as they stood beneath it. Izuna turned to face her, his hand still in hers. She could feel the warmth of his skin through her own, and the strength in his grip. Her heart skipped a beat at the intimate setting. What was happening?
"Sakura-san, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you about." He began, hesitating for a moment. "It's about your... situation." She felt her stomach drop. She knew what was coming.
"I can't deny that I've grown quite fond of you. You're smart, you're kind, and you're beautiful. I can't imagine my life without you in it." He paused, taking a deep breath. "Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" She froze in shock at the question. The two had just met, what would give him the idea to marry? She needed to focus on her mission. She opened her mouth to respond, but the sky grew dark above them.
Thunder rumbled, and then the world was spinning. She felt herself being lifted off the ground as the cherry blossom tree came crashing down around them. The sound of wood snapping and swirling petals filled the air as the wind picked up, growing stronger by the second. The once gentle breeze turned into a howling gale, tearing at their clothes and hair.
Izuna's hand squeezed hers painfully and she was met with piercing red eyes. The man who had moments ago been so gentle and kind now looked like a monster. His features twisted, his face contorted with rage and pain. She tried to scream, but no sound came out. His features began to morph into the familiar green hair and yellow eyes and the man smirked revealing blunt white teeth.
"Well, well, well, look who it is. The little mouse who thinks she can change fate." The wind died down, and the tree around them slowly righted itself. Her captor let go of her hand, his grip leaving a bruise and she fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
"I remember you... Zetsu." She choked out. The man who had once been Izuna grinned. He took a step towards her as she assumed a fighting stance.
"You're trying to meddle with Mother's plans. I can't allow that to happen." He snarled, advancing on her. She narrowly dodged as he swung at her.
"But," he paused, a dangerous glint in his yellow eyes, "I am feeling generous today. I'll let you fight back." He lunged again, this time aiming a kick at her midsection. She rolled out of the way and managed to deliver a solid kick to his knee. She followed up with a series of rapid punches, aiming for his face, but he blocked them all easily. She flew away from him as he grinned.
"Playtime is over little girl." Zetsu snarled before he held his hands up towards the sky. A blinding white light emerged from his hands, and she had no time to dodge as he shot it her way.
"Lady Sakura, please wake up! You're having a nightmare." Saori cried out. Sakura shot up, her heart racing as she gasped for breath. Her eyes darted around the room, trying to orient herself. Saori looked on with concern, her face etched with worry.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly. Sakura nodded, wiping the sweat from her brow. Her heart was still racing, but she felt a little more composed now.
"I'm sorry, I haven't been well since I lost some of my memory." She explained, still feeling anxious and irritable from the dream. "It's just been so strange, not remembering things that were once so important to me." Saori nodded understandingly and sat down beside her on the bed.
"Perhaps you should tell Master Izuna. I'm sure there is something he could do." Saori suggested gently. Sakura bit her lip, unsure if that was such a good idea.
"Just think about it. I brought you breakfast and a change of clothes for the day. Please eat and change, I must take you to Master Izuna when you are finished." Saori urged, placing a tray with a breakfast plate and a folded set of clothes on the bedside table. Sakura nodded, giving her a polite thank you. She watched the small girl as she began to clean the room.
As she ate, she tried to remember what she had been dreaming about. It had been so vivid, it felt like a memory. Would this be a permanent effect from the jutsu or was this something else? She sighed, washing down the last bit of her food with some tea. She sat the food aside and dressed in simple work clothes.
"If you are ready my lady, I will take you to Izuna now." Saori said with a smile. Sakura nodded, taking a deep breath to calm her nerves. She followed the girl out of the bedroom, down the halls, into the main room. The sunlight streamed through high windows, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. Izuna was leaning against the door, waiting.
"Good morning, Sakura-san. I trust you slept well?" he asked with a polite bow. She nodded and smiled.
"This way, please. Our lead medic, Eijiro, is waiting for us." He said hastily and Sakura did her best to keep up. They left the main complex and ventured back into the village. The streets were bustling with activity as people went about their daily routines. Izuna led her to a small hut with a red roof. The inside was warm and inviting, filled with the scent of herbs and other medicinal plants. Eijiro was an elderly man with a kind face and wise eyes. He bowed respectfully to Izuna.
"Master Izuna, how can I help you today?" Eijiro asked with a smile.
"This is Lady Sakura, she was found unconscious outside the village and has lost part of her memory. She says she is good at first aid; we were hoping you would allow her to help you until she can remember again." Izuna explained, looking at Sakura. The elderly man nodded thoughtfully.
"We could always use some help around here. I hope you're ok with a little attitude my lady, the Uchiha can be prickly folk." Eijiro chuckled, motioning for her to follow him.
"I've got a few patients with injuries that you might be able to help with. First, we have an elderly woman with a sprained ankle, then there's a young boy who's come down with the chills. After that, we have a few villagers who need their medicine." Sakura ran to catch up to the old man but stopped and looked back at Izuna.
"Don't worry, I will come meet you after your shift is over." Izuna said to her and she nodded. Sakura followed Eijiro into the next room. He led her to where an elderly woman lay on a makeshift bed. Her ankle was propped up on a pillow and Sakura could tell she was trying to hide the pain.
"Eijiro, you old bastard. Give me something for my pain so I can get back to work." The lady said to him gruffly, but he merely chuckled.
"Don't worry, Hana. We'll have you back on your feet in no time. This is Lady Sakura; she's going to help me with your ankle." Eijiro said. The lady looked at her distrustfully, but Sakura gave her a smile going into what Ino called "medic mode".
"It's nice to meet you Hana-san. Allow me to wrap this for you and then we can administer something for your pain, although I do have to suggest that you take today off and rest or it will only worsen." Sakura said with a gentle smile. Hana grunted in reply but allowed Sakura to wrap her ankle. Once it was done, Eijiro gave her a vial of clear liquid and a cup of water.
"This should help with the pain and swelling. Make sure you take it every four hours." The woman snatched the vial out of his hand before chugging down the liquid. She sputtered and began to cough. She gave them a small thanks before Eijiro sent her home.
"You did well Lady Sakura, it seems you do have some experience. Now, let's go see the boy with the chills." Eijiro said, leading her out of the hut. They went to another building where a young boy lay on a makeshift bed, shivering under a few blankets. His skin was pale and clammy. The elderly man introduced her to the boy's mother.
"Tell me Lady Sakura what you think is wrong." He gestured for her to examine the child. All symptoms pointed to a simple cold and Sakura wanted nothing more than to use her diagnostic chakra to move on quickly, but she would have to do this the old-fashioned way.
"His vitals seem fine, but he is running a bit of a fever. I'd say it's just a cold. We can make him some medicinal tea to help with the chills and bring down the fever. Also, make sure he gets plenty of rest. If his condition worsens, let us know immediately." She said, glancing at the worried mother. The mother nodded gratefully and Eijiro nodded in approval.
"Come by later this evening, I will have the tea ready for you." He told the mother before she thanked them, and they left.
"Well done, Lady Sakura. You're learning fast. Now, it's time to prepare everyone's medicine." Eijiro said, leading her back to the infirmary. The front room was filled with people. The duo continued into a small room where a variety of dried plants and herbs hung from the ceiling.
"Do you have any experience, my dear?" He asked as he grabbed a mortar and pestle. She nodded.
"I have had some training; I don't quite remember the names of the ingredients, but I feel like muscle memory can guide me." She said as she watched him grind the herbs into a fine powder. He made a humming sound before stepping aside, allowing her to grind.
It felt good to have something to focus on. The rhythmic sound of the pestle against the stone was almost meditative. It made her miss the hospital, even if she could hardly stand the smell and busy environment. He nodded in approval before taking the powder and began to mix it with a warm liquid.
"This will be for the first elderly couple. They've been having trouble sleeping lately. They say they feel cold, even though it's summer. Make sure they take it before bed." He explained, handing her a small vial of the mixture.
She nodded and brought the medicine out to the correct patient. They worked together efficiently, dispensing the medicine to the villagers in need. Some complained of stomach aches, others had headaches or rashes. They made sure each person received the correct medicine and dosage before moving on to the next.
It was early in the evening when Izuna showed up. He tipped his head in greeting.
"Lady Sakura, I trust your day has been productive?" She nodded eagerly. Everybody had been kind though a little distrustful, but Eijiro soothed their fears. She could tell he was well respected in the village and had no doubt he would have made a wonderful medic in her time.
"I had so much fun and Eijiro was delightful." She said, giving a small smile. The two said their goodbyes to the old man before heading back to the main complex.
"I hope your day was OK as well?" Sakura asked. Izuna nodded but stayed silent. Sakura knew this was the time to ask.
"May I go see the library?" Sakura asked, her voice hopeful. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. Although his gaze wasn't hostile it was still unnerving. She knew he had little trust in her, but hopefully after some research and time that would fade away.
"I'll accompany you," he said, finally. She smiled gratefully and followed him to the library. It was a cozy room, filled with shelves stacked high with books. There was a small desk near the window where the librarian sat, her long, black hair tied back into a tight bun. She stood quickly as Izuna walked in.
"Ah, young master. What can I help you with today?" She asked, bowing her head slightly. Izuna gestured for her to sit back down.
"Lady Sakura has requested access to the library. I thought I would accompany her. She's interested in researching something." He explained, leaning against one of the bookshelves. The librarian nodded and shifted her gaze.
"And what is it that you wish to research?" The librarian asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
"I was hoping there were some history books. I've lost some of my memories and I was thinking perhaps brushing up on some history would trigger something." Sakura explained. The librarian nodded and led them over to one of the bookshelves. She ran her fingers along the spines, muttering under her breath before pulling out a few books.
"This should be a good place to start." She said, offering the books to Izuna. He took them, frowning slightly.
"These will be fine for now. We should head back to the main complex, dinner will be ready soon." Izuna said, handing the books back to the librarian. She nodded and walked over to a small desk, taking down their names and the titles of the books they'd borrowed. As they left the library, Sakura glanced over at Izuna.
"I really appreciate you letting me come here. It means a lot." She said, sincerely. He shrugged, not meeting her gaze. She wondered if she had done something wrong. He was quite welcomingly this morning, what did she do?
"Is everything alright?" She asked. Izuna let out a sigh, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Sakura-san. You seem...different. Like you're hiding something. And I can't help but feel like bringing you here was a mistake." He paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. "It's just that I have to be careful. I have to protect this village, and that means making sure everyone here can be trusted."
Sakura began to feel signs of guilt. He wasn't wrong. She was taking advantage of his hospitality to get closer to his brother, and although Izuna was nice, Sakura had a mission, and she would not fail.
"I understand what you're saying, Izuna-sama," she said, taking a deep breath. "And I promise I won't do anything to put the village in danger." She paused, her eyes meeting his. "And if that means proving my loyalty to you, then I'll do whatever it takes." Izuna raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her words.
"Very well, Sakura-san. I will hold you to that." They walked back to the main complex in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Once inside the main hallway he handed her the books before speaking.
"My brother, Madara, will be here for dinner tonight. I will have a gown sent to your room. Please be on time, my brother does not appreciate tardiness." Izuna informed her. Sakura nodded, feeling a surge of anticipation in her chest. Tonight was the night. She would meet Madara and she was hopeful that he had yet fallen to the curse.
"Of course, thank you for the books. I will see you tonight." Sakura said, glancing down at the books in her hands. She was excited and nervous all at the same time. Izuna nodded and turned to walk away, leaving her alone with her thoughts. She took a deep breath and walked down the halls, heading to her room.
As she waited for dinner, she spent the time going through the books Izuna had loaned her, hoping to find something useful. She found herself more engrossed in the stories than she expected to be, losing track of time as she read. The books were about the history of their village, the Uchiha clan, and the wars they had fought over the years.
They were descendants of Indra, a name that poked at the back of her mind. Where had she heard that before? She quickly jotted down a note to look it up later. The Uchiha had a rich history, filled with powerful and talented shinobi and it was no wonder that Izuna was so proud of his heritage. There were a lack of entries about Madara himself but Sakura could remember that he seemed to have a rivalry with the first hokage, Hashirama. She was interrupted by a knock.
"Lady Sakura, I've brought your outfit for dinner." Saori's voice sounded from the other side of the door.
"Come in," she called. The door opened and Saori entered the room, carrying a beautiful navy blue kimono with lilies embroidered down the side and a long red obi. Saori assisted her in changing into the elegant garment. The silk was cool against her skin and she felt a little self-conscious, not knowing how to properly wear the obi, but Saori expertly tied it for her. Once she was finished, Saori stepped back to admire her work, nodding in approval.
"You look stunning, my lady. Allow me to do your hair." Saori said in anticipation. Sakura sat on the edge of the vanity stool, carefully watching as Saori arranged her hair into an elegant updo. The maid used a variety of golden ornate hairpins to secure it in place and finished the look off with a freshly picked white lily. Once she was finished, Saori stepped back to admire her work.
"Master Izuna will fall to your feet in no time." Saori whispered. Sakura turned red at her words. "I mean, you look so beautiful tonight, my lady. You're bound to catch his eye." She finished, trying to cover her slip of the tongue. Sakura smiled, before Saori led her towards the dining room.
As they walked down the hall, Sakura couldn't help but feel nervous. She was about to meet the legendary Madara Uchiha, the very man who started a world war and set the Kyuubi against her own village. Would she be able to look past all of her knowledge and find out who he really was, or would she botch this with anger? Sakura stopped outside of the dining hall and Saori turned around.
"Are you alright, my lady?" she asked with concern and Sakura wasn't ok. She needed this dinner to go smoothly, her mission so much simpler with direct access. Although Saori mentioned he was usually out leading war parties, perhaps if she mentioned she was a kunoichi he would consider having her tag along?
Sakura shook her head, took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and entered the dining hall. The room was simply decorated, however more servants seemed to line the walls. Izuna sat towards the head of the table, surrounded by his clansmen. His expression was unreadable, but a light seemed to glimmer in his eyes as they landed on her. Everyone seemed to quiet down as she approached.
"Sakura-san, you look lovely tonight." Izuna greeted, gesturing for her to sit next to him. Her cheeks flushed at his compliment, but she could still feel the tension in the room. The other Uchiha clansmen seemed to watch her carefully, as if she would attack at any moment. She took a seat, trying to appear calm and collected.
"And who is this beautiful young maiden? You didn't do anything I wouldn't have, huh Izuna?" A younger man with short black hair poked fun at him with a teasing glint in his eyes. Izuna chuckled and shook his head.
"This is Lady Sakura. We found her outside unconscious with no memory and we're hoping we can get her back to where she needs to be." Izuna introduced her." She's been through a lot, so please treat her kindly." The men exchanged looks with each other.
"Pleasure to meet you my lady, we hope you may find your way back home." A dark-haired man with an amiable smile said as he extended his hand towards her. "I am Hansuke," His grip was firm, but not overbearing. Sakura smiled and shook his hand, trying to appear at ease. The others said nothing but began to talk amongst themselves once more.
"My brother should be here at any moment." Izuna interjected, glancing at the entrance. Sakura nodded politely, not wanting to seem too eager. She knew that meeting Madara was her best chance of getting information and was thankful her nerves began to settle as the conversation flowed around her. She nibbled at the appetizers before everyone quieted down as a figure walked through the door.
Sakura's breath hitched as her eyes landed on the man. He was tall, with a commanding presence that seemed to fill the room. His black hair was spiked in a familiar fashion, and his eyes were an endless shade of black. Even though he wore different clothing from her time, there was no denying who he was.
"Ah, Madara. You're here." Izuna said with a warm smile. "I would like you to meet someone." He gestured towards Sakura, who felt a mixture of nervousness and determination coursing through her veins. She shrunk under his gaze and did her best not to tremble. Madara raised an eyebrow as he surveyed her. Like his brother, his gaze eventually fell to the purple diamond gracing her forehead. He paused for a few seconds before nodding and joined them at the table.
"Where are you from, Lady Sakura?" Madara asked gruffly, pouring himself a cup of sake. He took a sip before looking up at her expectantly. Sakura swallowed hard and forced herself to meet his gaze.
"Well, I can't remember. I'm still trying to regain my memories." Sakura replied. The others at the table exchanged glances watching the interaction.
"What are you able to remember?" Madara asked, his voice still cold. He studied her closely, as if searching for any sign of deception and Sakura hesitated, trying to gather her thoughts.
"Well, my last name is Haruno. I remember that I'm good with first aid and medicinal studies." Sakura said, taking a sip of the sake sitting in front of her. Madara seemed to ponder this information for a moment before speaking.
"Hmm, interesting. Not many women are gifted in such studies. It's rare for one of your genders to be trained in such arts." He took another sip of his sake before continuing. "Do you recall anything else about your life before losing your memories?"
Sakura's eyes narrowed at his statement. She knew he was simply stating facts, but the idea that women were lesser in this time really grated on her. She forced herself to maintain a neutral expression as she took another sip of the sake.
"I don't recall any specific details about my life before. I'm still hoping that maybe meeting someone or going somewhere will help jog my memory." She glanced around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
"Hmm." Madara hummed noncommittally. "Well it seems my brother has already offered you to stay here, I'll leave you in his hands." He said before taking another sip of his sake. The others at the table nodded in agreement. Izuna gave a knowing look at Sakura. Everyone resumed their conversations and the two brothers stared at each other. Sakura picked at her food, her nerves shoving aside any appetite she possessed.
The rest of the night passed slowly, a few of the clansmen attempted to talk to her, but she did her best to stay quiet. A fly on the wall one would say, and the men didn't seem to mind. Madara kept his distance, only speaking when necessary.
"I hope you enjoyed dinner at Sakura-san." Izuna said, as the servants cleared the table.
"I tell you what, if Izuna ever starts to bore you just remember that I'll always be here for you." One of the men grinned at her, his cheeks clearly flushed from the sake. Sakura smiled politely, unsure of how to respond.
"You will give Lady Sakura some respect." Izuna replied curtly. Madara raised an eyebrow at his brother's tone. Was his little brother infatuated with the odd woman? She was beautiful in an exotic way, but there was something off about her and Madara was going to find out what it was. Perhaps he should talk to her alone, figure out her intentions. The Senju were slowly closing in and it wouldn't do for the village to be infiltrated.
"Excuse me, please." Sakura said, her voice steady. She stood from the table, ignoring the drunk man's protests. "If you'll all excuse me, I believe I'll retire for the evening." She bowed her head politely.
"I'll walk you back." Izuna said standing up with her. Madara held his hand up, stopping the two.
"I would like to talk to Sakura-san alone." Madara said, his voice firm. Izuna glanced at his brother, then went back to Sakura. He nodded, understanding the request, albeit slightly opposed to the idea. Madara knew this woman was going to be a problem. His little brother was infatuated and that wouldn't do for his plans.
"Very well, brother." Izuna said, bowing his head slightly before retaking his seat. Madara stood and gestured for her to follow. They exited the dinner room and into the hallway. The silence was deafening. She wondered what he could possibly want to talk to her about. They walked around a few more corners before he led her into what appeared to be an office.
"Please, have a seat." He said gesturing to the low table in front of him. She did as she was told, sitting down cross-legged on the cushion. "I must admit, I'm curious as to how you got here. Especially in the middle of a war." His tone was casual, but there was an undercurrent of steel to it.
"I don't remember much of my past." She said quietly, looking down at her hands folded in her lap. "I remember bits and pieces, but nothing concrete. The last thing I remember is a bright light before I woke up here." She shrugged helplessly. He said nothing as he pulled a sake bottle from the cabinet and sat across the table, pouring them both a glass.
"My little brother is besotted with you and while he may see a small, gentle, helpless woman, I see a hardened warrior. The look in your eyes, the way you move, the way you observe your surroundings as if something is going to happen at any moment, all I ask is some truth from you." Madara said over the brim of his cup. He took a sip, watching her movements.
"You're not wrong, I am a kunoichi, however I don't recall most of my training. I know I was a medic and with time I might be able to remember some techniques, but for now I only know first aid." She paused for a moment, unsure of how much more to reveal. He looked at her for a few seconds.
"Very well, Sakura-san. I will honor your request for privacy." He took one last sip of sake before setting the bottle aside. "I hope you find your way home. I only ask that you keep your true intentions close to your heart. It would be a shame if I had to intervene." Sakura knew it wasn't a threat but rather a promise.
"I assure you, Lord Madara, I mean no harm to your village, your people, nor your brother. I only wish to find my way back to my home. However, you mentioned that you are in the middle of a war. Should I be concerned?" She asked. She knew he was currently fighting the Senju, if there was anything she remembered from her time it was the utter hatred between the two clans.
"No. Although the Senju have been a thorn in our side for years, always plotting and scheming, we are simply trying to put an end to it." He seemed to contemplate. Sakura wanted to laugh at her luck. She was actually going to have a peaceful conversation about war with the great Madara Uchiha.
"Is there no room for peace? Surely the lives of so many have been lost already. There must be some other way to end this." She offered, but he merely shook his head.
"They murdered my family, and they will pay for it. I understand your desire for peace, but it is not the reality we live in." He took another sip of sake. "Perhaps, one day if the Senju will admit to their wrong doings and surrender, we could find peace." Sakura frowned.
"Revenge isn't always the answer. Sometimes new beginnings are needed. It will take time and work for people to change their ways, but it isn't impossible. You seem well respected and I'm sure most of your people would follow." She paused, thinking of what she could say to make him see her point of view. "Perhaps you could lead them into a new era, one where peace and understanding is sought after instead of war and bloodshed."
He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You are a wise woman, Sakura-san. However, it is not that simple. The Senju have grown too powerful, and their reach too far. They must be stopped, for the sake of our people."
Sakura sighed, understanding his point of view but still unable to accept it. "What would the Senju have to do to change your mind?" She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What would it take for you to consider peace?"
"They would have to submit completely, to lay down their arms and beg for our mercy. To acknowledge that they were in the wrong and that we are in the right. Only then could there be peace between our clans." He paused, his expression softening. "I do not wish for this war, Sakura-san. But sometimes, in order to protect those we love, we must fight."
Sakura frowned, still unconvinced. "But isn't peace worth fighting for?" She asked, leaning forward. "Even if it means letting go of your anger and resentment?"
Lord Madara looked at her, his expression solemn. "Perhaps you are right, but I fear that peace comes at a cost that my people may not be willing to pay. They have waited for this day, for justice to be served, for so long. To ask them to simply forgive and forget may be more than they can bear."
She sighed, understanding his position. "I don't expect forgiveness to come easy, Madara-sama. But perhaps, if you were to show them another way, one that could bring peace and stability without sacrificing the justice they seek, they might be willing to listen."
He sighed at her response. "My people are stubborn and proud. It will not be easy to sway them from their course. But I will consider your words, and I thank you for sharing your perspective with me." He took another sip of sake, seeming to think about what she had said. It was more than Sakura could ask for, at least for tonight. Hopefully she could find a way to change him before it was too late. She yawned.
"Forgive me. It's been a long day, and I don't wish to be late tomorrow." She smiled apologetically.
Madara nodded. "Of course, Sakura-san. It's been a pleasure speaking with you." He stood bowed deeply, his hand over his heart. Sakura returned to her room deep in thought. This Madara was very different from the one in her time, charming almost. The curse of hatred really was an awful thing, corrupting even the kindest of souls. He just wanted what was best for his people, an admiral quality, but she feared he would lose more than save on his current path.
She lay down on her bed, staring up at the ceiling, trying to come up with a way to sway him. The longer she thought, the more she realized that it wasn't just him she had to convince. It was his people as well. They had to see the error of their ways, the destruction they were about to unleash. She knew it wouldn't be easy, but she refused to give up hope and with that thought she drifted into a restless sleep.
Madara sat down with a sigh staring at his little brother across from him. He could see the tenseness in Izuna's shoulders and was glad Izuna was prepared for this talk.
"Did you know she is a kunoichi?" Madara asked. Perhaps pointing out the information she withheld would create a bit of distrust between the two and force Izuna away. However, he was disappointed as Izuna nodded.
"I had my suspicions. Eijiro told me that she is quite skilled in the medical arts and was very passionate about helping," Izuna said, his voice calm. "However, I haven't given her the chance to be alone except when she is sleeping. I was hoping that by giving her some freedom, she might lower her guard enough so I could find something, but all she asked for was history books." Izuna sighed before he joined his brother on the floor.
Madara raised a brow. "History books?" Izuna looked thoughtful before shrugging.
"Our talk was quite surprising. We discussed the war between us and the Senju and she was pretty passionate about me advocating for peace." Madara said, looking into the flames of the hearth. "She does have a point. If we continue down this path, we'll all be destroyed. She believes that there has to be another way, that we can find common ground and work together. However, our people will not let go easily." Madara paused, looking into his brother's eyes. "The more pressing matter when it comes to the kunoichi are your opinions of her."
Izuna looked surprised at the question, but quickly regained his composure. "My opinions, brother?" he asked, carefully. "I have grown fond of her company. She is... refreshing. It is a welcome change to have someone who does not set me upon a pedestal and bow to every whim."
Madara raised an eyebrow, curious. "And what do you plan to do with her?" he inquired. Madara knew if Izuna got too attached it would be harder to rid themselves of her. Izuna sighed, running a hand through his hair looking uncomfortable.
"There isn't any need to worry, I'm just doing my best to put her at ease. If she were to clam up it would be harder to gather more information." Izuna confessed. "And I don't believe that she has lost most of her memories, if she's lost any at all. However, I would like to see what her intentions are."
"Do you think she's a spy?" Madara replied, his voice neutral. He knew his brother well enough to know that he would have considered this possibility.
"It's possible, but I don't want to jump to conclusions just yet. I've never heard of a Senju with pink hair." Izuna paused, thinking. "And if she is a spy...well, we'll deal with that when the time comes."
"I only ask because the Senju are creating an alliance with the Uzumaki, women who are known to have red hair, and pink isn't too far off the mark. Not to mention that seal on her forehead looks identical to one I've seen on the Uzumaki princess." Madara pointed out. "She could have dyed her hair or disguised it somehow. It's best to keep that in mind when dealing with her."
Izuna nodded in agreement. "I will indeed. I have already sent Eijiro to investigate her past, but it will take time. In the meantime, I will continue to observe her and try to build a relationship with her. I will remain cautious." Madara nodded satisfied with Izuna's plan.
The rest of the night passed quietly as they continued their conversation, occasionally glancing towards the door. Izuna couldn't help but wonder who this woman really was and why she was here. He knew that the fate of their village rested on the decisions he made, and he was determined to protect it at all costs.