It seems not only did we reach 5k in Ao3, this fic also achieved the amazing number of 200 kudos! Thanks guys 3
Btw this will be the last update before Christmas (*insert Captain America meme*) and I'll be taking a break until I finish my exams, possibly by the end of January or on early February. I don't know if I'll keep updating my smaller fics, but for the time being, this fic is officially declared on hiatus until further notice.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody!
She ends up so tired of politely dodging every clever flirtatious comment from such an interested man in her direction. She behaves up to the task as the interaction is forced to make clear the intention of the new installation of said hidden village, one that will be safe and far from common knowledge.
"Then not even I will know its location," the man sounds amused as they walk in his luxurious garden. There are various women who watch each part of the visit with interest. She does not deny that these men who escort her have their attractiveness and fame.
But that matters little to the girl in front. As a noble, she talks a lot. Knowing the interests of said alliance and being a civilian who apparently has certain benefits, she is sure he is still trying to get her to enter the harem.
"It will be secret," the girl accepts. "Of course, the contacts and deals will be carried out at that point, with a special entry process."
"I see." He looks amused about it. "Almost like a village," he laughs at his internal joke. "Who would have thought... the Uchiha and Senju," he turns to look at the two silent men, attentive to his call. "And I thought that we would have to do something more abrupt to stop this senseless war. I am glad that you have taken the initiative and as I told you then, the formalities are clear to me."
"Do you agree with this, Shinji-sama?" Hashirama bows respectfully. Their tone is noticeably formal.
"Of course I do. Saucedo-san has explained me the details of this treaty, I do not see why not accept it," he laughs, entertained, looking at her. "I am glad you have come to ask for my permission. Although, I want to tell you that I have a clan interested in your advance."
"Really?" both leaders look at each other.
"Of course, the Hyūga clan will see your progress and will contact you as soon as everything is installed."
"...We have no alliance with the Hyūga clan," Hashirama states, speaking firmly. It is clear that they know that name, although Karen does not understand why there is so much tension, which makes her raise her eyebrow slightly.
"Well, as a civilian, you do not know much about clans," Shinji laughs at her curious reaction. "But it is a clan closely linked to the late family of the original Daimyo," he explains. "With the missing Hagoromo as well."
"I apologize, I do not know your history. I shall consider paying more attention," the girl assures.
"If you want, I can help you," the leader of all these lands winked amusedly, sure of her interest.
"I would not like to take up your valuable time. In addition, I must return to the Senju clan to give the final details."
"I send for such clans for having you help them... I continue to insist that even if your house is in disgrace, you should consider returning to the life you deserve," Shinji offers calmly. Karen shakes her head lightly.
"I do not think it is appropriate. There is still a lot to pay," she mysteriously says without giving much information about it. "Besides, this dream is interesting... very much so compared to my old life."
"I see... a curious woman who likes to compare her existence," the Daimyo cheekily takes a lock of hair to kiss it. "Still, consider coming whenever you like."
Saucedo leans in favor of saying goodbye in the best terms and sighs in relief, adjusting her locks towards her back, uncomfortable by the man's actions.
"Karen?" Hashirama questions following her pace.
"I'm fine... just upset," the girl assures without missing a beat while they are escorted to guest rooms at the back. Just to avoid losing the favor of said man, she keeps her attitude to a minimum before the eyes that observe her.
"Do you want me to do something?"
"Not at all." She does not turn around, maintaining her noble and haughty bearing, although she feels incredulous internally. "It is your job that is at stake, and nothing happened."
"I don't know how you put up with this." The Uchiha is more shameless, looking around.
"Politics are that complicated. Any mistake can be taken as an insurrection and we don't want that, right?"
"You have a point," Madara looks at her with different eyes. "For a civilian, you have the balls."
"Madara!"
"I'm telling the truth, Hashirama," the firm shinobi rolls his eyes. Just when she is left in the room and the other two continue their way, she sighs looking uncomfortably at her actions and seeing that there are clothes waiting to be used by her during that night.
She hopes that her yukata will be changed soon, although her light luggage is brought by Hashirama, because she cannot use any chakra and the sealing techniques are her travel suitcase.
She needs another change...
The bath is well received with softness. The cleanliness far from a river and the tension of being watched is relaxing when leaving that room where the maids await. What she did not suspect was that two others were attentive to her gaze. "Yes?"
"Miss Saucedo, our lady wants to talk to you," one of them says firmly. She sighs to see that sleeping early is not an option.
"Alright, just let me finish changing."
"Yes," they accept but they don't move. She sighs and continues her way towards where the women are waiting to help her. At first, it was uncomfortable... disturbing, but she remembers that this was how they were before in the Senju clan, before leaving her alone and making her own labors.
At least Hashirama remembered to give her clean clothes, although she notices the clothes used and changed. A yukata in warm colors is the choice along with a light half-sided headdress. At the moment, she doesn't feel like a modest hairstyle.
She is escorted, taken to a larger room where a lady looks back at her. Because of the elegant clothes and the headdress in her hair, she feels she is important, so she greets as formally as she can, inclining her head before sitting down. "Good evening," she greets briefly, looking at the cup of tea.
"Good evening," she responds with lightness and elegance, taking a candid sip from her cup. "How have you found our hospitality?" It is obvious that she goes off on a rambling path without being direct about the matter that brought her here. She notices an annoyed and calm tone that she tries to conceal.
Karen sees that she is dangerous... and women like that are alarming.
"Good. I took a warm bath thanks to you."
"Had you not taken one?" she indicates incredulously, keeping her face flat.
"It is a long journey. It is not the same."
"You are a bit flexible to be the noblewoman you claim to be."
"Oh, I see the doubt. However, you need not be suspicious." She doesn't shrug, well into her role of nobility. She raises her chin in a seiza position that would make Mikami proud. "I am a noblewoman, and although from a house in disgrace, I have my own pride."
"I see... straightforward."
"It is inconsistent not to be so," the civilian visitor launches and without hesitation. "But tell me... to whom do I owe the pleasure?" she questions without missing a beat.
"What insolence," a woman behind jumps in defense of an honor, which does not bother her just when the lady raises her hand.
"I see that even though she is noble, she does not see her place."
"I know my place, but it is my right to ask to whom I owe the visit and the tea, miss." Confidently taking a light sip after sniffing it. It is a leap of faith if she thinks it will go like in those era dramas that her sister watched. "I cannot simply leave aside who I owe such an honor to."
"Well..." She looks superb as she smiles slightly. "I like your personality. Although I do not think my husband considers whether you will last that long with that attitude among the concubines."
"Oh, I see... you are Shinji-sama's wife."
"Mph..." She gives a cheeky sweep. "I heard you are not interested. Tell me, with which shinobi?"
Karen doesn't blink, tilting her head subtly.
"Woth which of the shinobi are you sleeping with?" She is direct. For a noble, she sees her interest in knowing this suspicion.
"I do not think it is relevant on this occasion. My issue is different from what you think, and your husband has agreed to this."
"My husband is a different matter. I know women like you, I know you will take advantage of this to enter. So, I come to give you the kindness of warning you. You may be my husband's favorite, but I assure you, it will be a complicated game if you accept."
Karen sighs. "I have not accepted, but that is something you already know."
"My husband is proud, foolish and powerful... is that what you think?"
"I was clear, and I hope you respect it," Karen says seeing the possibility of this. She does not want to participate in a game where power is important and she clearly does not have it but showing weakness... fear would be a serious mistake, so she just sips her drink.
"If you are not with a shinobi... my husband will not leave this aside."
"Oh, so you come to advise me."
"Just take it as a small favor... to such an innocent creature," the woman laughs amused, standing up with all her possible elegance. "An exchange that I hope will be returned... introducing me to one of the two men, perhaps."
"They are leaders, and I do not influence their decisions."
"I see... it will be fun," shameless in playing such a naughty game, the lady leaves without any kind of consideration. Karen sees that the nobles are extravagant to the point of wanting what they think they deserve. She will have to warn the boys so that they are attentive to what the queen can play.
Although, seeing her the next day during their farewell, her interest was obvious.
Flirting is still allowed when the husband is so focused on her. For being traditionalists, they have a very liberal relationship, don't they?
Leaving is the best thing that has happened to her. Although the comforts were remarkable, she does not want to think about what would happen if the man became more stubborn in having her under his control. Being the Daimyo, a no for an answer is not an option.
The situation is shameful. She frowns towards the one who uttered another lie that, although it saved her existence, does not feel like it should have happened.
Hashirama is still sitting oblivious to her chaotic thoughts, while Madara prepares something to eat with three rabbits they found along the way.
"I can't believe you said that," she sincerely shoots covered by the moonlight in that clearing on their way back to Konoha. She pouts firmly at who blinks and then sighs.
"I know it's complicated... but Karen, it was the only way to make the Daimyo give in." The Senju looks sincere in his solution, but she huffs with dignity.
"You have a point... I don't know how women survive this," the civilian complains, looking at the sky. "You made me play the role of a woman in love," she raises her disagreements again about what she had to improvise before the doubtful eyes of the leader, a timid posture of shame for giving herself to a shinobi before marriage. Scandalous but effective, because at least that way he took a step back.
It was difficult, but apparently convincing.
Pity about the poor spotlight.
"Mph... The best question is, why haven't you married? Or, are you an actual noble?" Madara is direct when handing her the rabbit fresh from the embers. She glares at the man who cares little about her gesture.
"It's none of your business, Madara. Getting married is not the solution," the furious woman focuses on her point.
"Why not? You are a woman, you must have children," the Uchiha comments solemnly as if were the rule of the world. She wants to say a lot about it, but she knows it will be a debate quite out of place and time. She is already tired, so she looks at the silent Senju again.
"Marrying Tobirama is not the solution, much less without warning him of this lie."
"It was him or Izuna."
"Are we seriously talking about other people's lives without knowing their thoughts?!" The woman is almost hysterical because of the simplicity of his comments. As if getting married were that simple. Then, she takes a deep breath to relax and remembers that it is common in this time and culture to marry by alliance.
Not out of love. A clear example is Hashirama with Mito, although she knows the latter is actually in love.
"Karen, I'll talk to Tobi," the Senju accepts, looking thoughtful... and even sad. "It's best to stop the Daimyo from forcing you."
"Uh..."
"I don't know what rock you came out of, but you have taken your position very lightly. Although noble, you are still a woman," Madara comments without fear of hurting her feelings or restarting the previous discussion. "You have many freedoms for being one, so feel privileged that Hashirama supports you in this."
Karen looks at them in disbelief, and then thinks for a while in silence. "...Was that really the only way?"
"Yes."
"..."
"It will be a lie, one that must be credible," Madara assures. "I have heard that Shinji-sama is usually very notorious in his interest... his weakness: women."
"Oh... it would have been nice to know that before."
"You didn't ask," the bitter shinobi says, taking a bite of the meat.
Karen just glares at him and then sighs. "I'm sorry for being angry with you, Hashirama. Just consider telling me next time you plan to do something like that."
"It's not like you're a shinobi. He can't tell you with signs," Madara interrupts without missing a beat. Hashirama blinks at the comment to nod.
"I do not promise anything."
There, Karen realizes how fragile her free will is in the face of this society, painfully reminding her how weak and at the mercy of whom her life is. She sighs, looking at her food without actually being very hungry. She is upset, irritated and above all, uncomfortable by such actions.
Although she hopes it's just a façade, staying thoughfull all the way back, because she doesn't really have get married, right?
Oblivious to how obsessive the Daimyo is in following up on her supposed wedding.
She didn't expect that.
Author's notes:
As you can see, things went worse for Karen, since she literally has the attention of an obsessive man and is used to having what he wants to the point of going against her will. Hashirama told that lie just when the harassment was so incessant that the girl didn't know how to get out of this, saying that she was actually engaged to his brother.
Although it stopped the harassment of such an imposing leader, it made him see the girl's love interest in a different light, to the point of confirming this and throwing a slight threat if that were not the case and it was just a lie. Something he doesn't want to provoke in order to have his dream come true.
Karen already accepted with a shy smile, indicating between the lines that she was already the wife of a shinobi, a surprising drama that caused the man to laugh at the shamelessness of her position. At least thus leaving the topic aside and causing his wife to raise her eyebrow at her.
Which she ignored.
Now... what will Tobirama think about it? Is Hashirama happy about it? Will Madara suspect something? Poor Karen. Her life will take a more unexpected turn than everything that has happened since she arrived.
I am sure of it.
Thanks for your comments.
Author-chan out!