Who would have thought a simple, 30 year old girl would have the most powerful men at the time in her debt.
It is a beautiful summer day. Her heart is light as the preparations are evident in light decorations. It is not the only engagement celebrated in the same month, but it is the most important one.
She feels nervous when taking a bath. Karen sometimes thinks it's unreal as she walks through the hallways of that house.
She wants to see the optimism. There have been days of slight depression due to the weight of the true meaning of this, a phase that she should have planned with her family and in her style... An old dream that was taken from her hands and transformed by circumstances beyond her control.
Adapting it to the culture of this reality... "Karen-san... do not look so sad." Someone catches her attention just as she enters the room. Mito has been a regular visitor who has begun to notice certain patterns in her behavior.
Creepy... but she has to assume that it is normal for a kunoichi of her caliber. She knows that her fame precedes her and even if she is a princess, she is just as infamous as Madara or Hashirama.
"I... am I?" she frowns with her heart clenched. She tries to smile but judging by the eyes of her partner, it's easy not to believe it. "I just... I'll be fine."
"Karen-san, it is your engagement..." the redhead sighs, getting up from her bed to show that the yukata and every decoration has already been prepared. Her room is adjusted to these changes and the preparations that will be carried out. "Did you really want to get married?"
"Uh..." She blinks remembering what Hashirama warned her. She smiles, taking the hand of the restless kunoichi who surely is already beginning to suspect something, and shakes her head. "It's not that, I just... wish my family would be here."
"Why did you not send a letter?" the young woman asks curiously.
"It's not as easy as sending a letter to contact them..." she accepts with a bleeding heart. Saying it out loud is so difficult... that she prefers to keep it to herself.
"Oh..."
"My father always told me that he hoped I would find my... partner," she says, remembering the uncomfortable conversations with her father who was so convinced that she could still, if she decided, get married. Being the eldest, they had high expectations of that kind. "They would like to participate in this."
"I am sorry to hear that. To impersonate your mother or sister... I would never do it."
"I'm sure neither would mind," she mocks, remembering both people with affection. The latter wasn't the most organized considering her entertainment tastes, but that wasn't the point now, right? She looks at Mito. "So don't worry. Besides, you're nervous to, aren't you...?"
"Well, yes," she blushes. "Hashirama has talked with me regarding... the room we will use in the main complex."
"I see. At least he lets you participate. Tobirama always ignores me," she rolls her eyes remembering that this house will be part of her legacy in this reality. Every stroke, every distribution and detail were instructed by the albino without consulting her. In addition to garden things she loves to see from the backyard.
They may be on the grounds of the main complex, but they are still independent.
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. He is a bit... obsessive," she mockes, remembering how detailed he is with regard to her tastes. She doesn't know how, but he has managed to make use of them without even asking her directly, like her office in the back, the three rooms that have been prepared, the kitchen, the hall... everything is spacious in its own way.
It is surprising that even now she is discovering.
And refining.
"I imagine," the redhead laughs amused.
"Karen-san?" Mikami asks as she enters to look at her. "You have not put on your underdress yet," she complains about her when she notices her talking to the redhead, looking between them with slight scolding.
"Sorry, we got distracted." Karen was sincere with a soft laugh towards the girl who has carried most of her things in this process, along with Kaori and now Mito. She has been extra help for the infamous fiancé.
"It shows," the newcomer says. "The Daimyo has arrived," she informs so casually.
"Uh..."
"My... that man is really shameless." Mito looks upset. Without telling her the whole story, she knows what the man's interest in personally seeing her event is about. One thing she is sure she doesn't know if she will do for Hashirama and Madara.
And whose rumors have already arisen in both compounds.
Annoying.
"He is an opportunist," Mikami huffs to look at her with a pout. "But that is not the point now. You have to prepare!"
"There are still some hours left, right?"
"Valuable time to get you ready," her friend complains looking at Mito, who is taking out various items from a huge scroll. Makeup, combs, decorations... every irritating thing possible to wear that she simply allows to be placed.
She is not in the mood for this and even if she must pretend, she can rest for now.
The day will be long. Karen is sure of it.
She once thought that all this was strange, hostile and external to her daily life. A city girl who fell after a vacation, so far from her home that it is unreal... another world, another nation with abilities that she never imagined and has not gotten used to them.
She is at the mercy of all of them... but thanks to whoever is having fun with her destiny, she has been thrown into a less bad place.
Of course, she will get married against her will. The person who has taken that job is not the most pleasant, but she knows there are worse things, remembering what cruel fate she was about to be sent to when she thought she was free the first time.
Women are bargaining chips, something that Karen did not expect would be applied to her, but now it is... walking slowly towards where the fiancé waits among elegant decorations that enhance the beauty of the enormous patio decorated by nature, flowers and scattered seats under the forum where the person in charge waits to present their engagement.
Formalizing it.
Tobirama looks striking in a matching yukata with a solemn posotion that she almost envies, there observing her closely with those red eyes that she was once afraid of. He is not hostile, he looks serene and very strange from her point of view, considering how bitter he usually is.
There is silence. Many people are observing the process where the view and expectations are set as the event follows its own rhythm. Each word delivered, promises and gifts are notorious between both in this exchange.
Without a family, the dowry is given by Hashirama himself, who has taken it as his duty to throw her into the engagement. She sees the Daimyo in the background, attentive to her every word according to the agenda, while the vows are delivered with incense beginning to flood her nostrils.
She coughs a little, still not used to the smell.
"Are you alright?" Tobirama questions. She can't deny that up close he looks elegant and... strangely handsome. It amuses her because of her crazy thoughts. He is a rather serious young man with those eyes that annoyingly don't leave her.
"Yes... I just inhaled a little bit of the smell," she comments in English without drawing attention of the others, while the person in charge of such a presentation begins the final step.
She squeezes her yukata. It feels unreal and she wants to cry but holds it in when she feels the warmth of someone holding her hand. She is surprised, but subtly accepts the moral support that Tobirama shows her.
She supposes it is difficult to hide everything she has carried, but she endures with honor until the end. She listens to the applause of those present at an event that is so non-private due to the political weight it holds.
This is the second most important after Hashirama's engagement.
And the wedding... she will face that later.
The shinobi next to her helps her get up in silence while everyone looks happy. "Uh..." she doesn't avoid saying when she feels the rough hand of whom is her official fiancé wipe something from her cheek.
"Do not look so sad," he states with his sullen tone but with some warmth that makes her blink realizing what is happening, embarrassed to feel that it was a tear that was running down the outline of her dolled up face.
She didn't know it was starting to drip.
"I'm sorry, I just..." Karen sighs trying to control her feelings. Tobirama takes her face lightly, with his fingers still cleaning what she's preventing from coming out.
"..." The shinobi is not the best at consoling, and she sees the discomfort along with other things reflected in his eyes.
"I'll be fine..." She takes a deep breath to smile uncomfortable with such attention. "Maybe... I just needed time."
"What a great joy it is to see that you are so happy, Saucedo-san," the Daimyo interrupts with a soft and suspicious smile between the two.
"Yes... I'm very happy," she clarifies before her tears are misinterpreted depending on the perspective in which they are placed. She takes the hand of the person who is like a statue next to her, wanting to erase everything she feels in order to pretend a little more. "I am very glad you came," she bows gently.
"Not at all. Today, you are the star, so leave the formalities behind," the infamous leader of these lands says. "It is a shame that I could not have you in my harem... you would have been interesting."
"Sir..." Tobirama is not insolent, but he does interrupt before this turns into a one-sided flirtation, shameless and ignoring the fiancé who raises his eyebrow. "Welcome to our home."
"Oh, of course," he dismisses gently. "I brought some presents. I hope you do not mind," he impertinently adds, handing over a series of boxes that are placed in the front.
There are many watching, others whispering for such attention.
"We appreciate the gesture," Tobirama throws his own comment by squeezing her hand lightly, taking care of this part as best as he can.
So elegant and diplomatic, it's confusing.
"Good. It is saddening that I cannot stay for the celebration," Shinji admits with a wink in her direction. "If you ever go to the capital, do not hesitate to visit me. You will always be welcome. Especially you, Saucedo-san... your talks are entertaining."
"Thank you," the girl accepts with restlessness to see the man leave as if nothing had happened.
"..." Tobirama doesn't stop looking at her while more people come to congratulate the couple. Each hug is notorious between words of encouragement and how she managed to catch someone so cold in a not-so-subtle way.
More from the women who have been watching their steps.
She sighs, pretending and keeping up with the rhythm for a long time.
The discomfort and sadness did not go away the entire time... rather, they were increased by fatigue.
The first dance is important. She tries not to step on the feet of the person maintaining most of the rhythm with agility and training. Tobirama has shown to have many skills and corrects her mistakes with subtlety.
"..." Karen does not avoid smiling ironically despite her heavy heart.
Tobirama doesn't say anything but has remained steadfast in his closeness.
"Try not to step on me," the infamous shinobi complains to the applause of those who watch the couple.
Each step, each raising of the sake is firm for the good wishes of those who hold her hands in a supposed happiness that she still does not fully feel.
"I don't promise anything," she comments because she only went over this part a few times with Mikami. Perhaps she should have paid more attention so as to stop getting embarrassed in the future.
Hashirama is in the background with Mito, whispering things between them that she can see from her point of view. At least Madara didn't come. Otherwise, it would be more disgraceful as the man is so direct and tactless that he surely wouldn't be subtle.
The idiot is ungrateful.
"Pay attention."
"I am," she sighs at her partner's scolding.
"It does not seem like it."
"I'm sorry, I just..." she huffs because the dignified step with these shows is not comfortable. "Be nicer."
"..." The shinobi frowns but ignores her. There is a spin at the end to finish with a light squeeze to her waist, which makes her uncomfortable due to such an approach.
More so since she cleaned her face a while ago... it's weird.
"Tobirama?"
"We have to eat," he orders dryly to carry her to the place where dinner will soon be presented. She wants to say a lot but ends up smiling by force of habit.
Not because she's sorry, but because it's what they expect of her.
So, she sits obediently, willing to ignore who is next to her.
For now, she just maintains the façade...
The food is traditional, prepared by familiar hands who made an effort to make it worthy of the engagement. Karen feels her feet sore from the typical shoes of the beautiful yukata she owns, sitting in an elegant position and with a pair of chopsticks, she takes light bites with the feeling of her hungry stomach. At least that didn't disappear by the anxiety of this day.
Tobirama is at her side as serious and firm as a bitter old gargoyle who hasn't taken his eyes off her form since they sat down after such a disturbing dance. And she doesn't know if it's worry or something else.
"You know you can tell me anything you want, right?" she says, still sitting in the middle of the event while many begin to go with their own routine in this type of tradition.
A dance with almost oriental music that makes her curious, because she knows it is not. But she lets it be, because this event was expected by many. A moment of relaxation away from the adaptation of the new compound or the stress of the neighboring clan.
"..." The albino raises his eyebrow at her comment. He hasn't tried his food and that's curious.
"We are engaged, aren't we? Communication is important."
"...I have seen it for a while," he assures with a controlled and flat tone, typical of the ice floe that he usually is and today it is not surprising.
"...?"
"Marrying is that bad... is it not?"
Karen sighs, looking at her plate again. "It's not that. It's something that we both came to accept, right?"
"I told you about my seasons before."
"Then why do you want to clarify it today?" she blinks because they had many days to go over everything, something that he himself has taken the lead in organizing.
"Your tears..."
She blushes slightly due to the shame of showing that face to the young man. "I'm sorry about that, it wasn't my intention," she says because at least the Daimyo interpreted it as happiness.
He looks at the people around with a serious face, ignoring her comment to cross her arms dignified. "I told you, I will not do anything you do not want. This is... you know what it is."
"Yes, but you know... even if it's just... a façade," she changes the language to English to make it easier to hide her intentions. Karen looks at the man directly. Even if it's not the place, she feels she should clarify it. "I remembered my family... they would have liked to participate in this."
"Even if it is just a lie?"
"Even if it is," she accepts distantly. "My sister... she used to tell me what her wedding would be like when she got married. My parents were anxious for me to find a partner... but a long time passed, years without me focusing on it."
"..."
"They would be happy for me... and even if it's not what I dreamed of, it's something I didn't imagine I would do," she laughs a little at the irony. Her plans were never this and now saying it clearly to whom listen attentively, it is confusing and makes her feel stupid. "I'm sorry to tell you this, I know you may not understand."
"You underestimate me."
"I don't, I just... it's a thing of my culture," she explains looking at the happy people.
"Hashirama told me a little about... your thoughts."
"Mph..." she mocks because she has talked more with his older brother than with him regarding this.
"And I know that we both had different ideas."
"Very different."
"I am a shinobi. I do not make promises," Tobirama clarifies looking directly at her, capturing her attention with a hard and clear gesture. "But... you will not be unhappy."
Karen wants to make fun of this, because he was not the first to make her life difficult at this point. "You have changed."
"..."
"And do you ensure that... even if I'm a civilian?"
"Even if you are," Tobirama accepts. "I assure you."
"Well..." She just sighs, taking another bite of her abandoned food. "Believe it or not, I don't know what to say about it," she states with a chuckle. "But I appreciate the intention of lifting my spirits... in your sullen way."
"Idiot."
"Ohh... come on, don't be a jerk," the girl mocks with a knowing smile to whom rolls his eyes. Her sadness might not be completely erased, nor her upset feelings about this whole topic, but the words spoken in his tone way have comforted her in a way.
She looks at that night's stars that are starting to appear. The engagement doesn't look so bad now that it's done.
Formally, she will soon be part of the Senju.
And she is still not convinced about being called by this last name.
Madara arrived almost after a few hours. She notices how everyone remains silent as he makes his way into that beautiful venue where the engagement was arranged. There are people who look with different degrees of contained irritation that they do not hide.
However, the infamous Uchiha does it on purpose, ignoring them until he reaches the spot where the engaged are present.
One of the few who knows the reality of this commitment.
"Wow... you don't look that bad," he mocks with unsubtle, sarcastic touches.
"Madara," Tobirama frowns next to her. Despite the daily dealings and bureaucratic matters as a group, there is still slight hostility.
"Madara!" Hashirama laughs from his place, appearing to interrupt anything they could say. "I didn't think you would come."
"We are allies, idiot," the infamous Uchiha leader growls with a silent Izuna behind him. He rolls his eyes at such an interpretation of the facts while many feel offended by that form of address to their leader.
"Don't be mean." The leader becomes noticeably depressed, making her laugh a little because of the typical nature of their relationship.
"Madara-san, I'm glad you came," Karen says with an amused blink.
"I couldn't help but take a look at this," the infamous leader shrugs to throw something in the direction of the woman, caught by her fiancé with agility. "It was for her."
"She does not have our reaction time, idiot," Tobirama comments while his brother laughs openly.
Karen wonders if it is too rude to leave to eat another place of food. She is hungry and notices that many people are unwilling to enter this intense social circle.
"Wow... engagement has made you soft, Senju," Izuna adds mockingly.
"Shut up, Izuna."
"Guys," Karen interrupts before this moment becomes intense. She tries to take the scroll from the hands of the shinobi who only arches his eyebrow into place.
"It's a gift for her," Madara crosses his arms intimidatingly as always. "In case this idiot does something to you."
"Madara!"
"You know she is a civilian. And even if there is..."
"Madara, don't say it," Hashirama scolds.
"I know," the man with wild hair rolls his eyes. "If you need something, don't hesitate to ask. It's not my business but you have done a lot of work for my clan. You are useful even though you are a civilian... so, I owe you."
"Thank you," Karen laughs, feeling silly about this attention.
"There is no need," Tobirama complains, and then looks at his brother who gives him a harsh gesture. Reluctantly, he hands the scroll to the woman next to him. "I hope you do not use it."
Karen feels awkward, but she takes it. It's like a written promise that she doesn't understand. Maybe she should ask Mito about it.
"I'm hungry," Madara cuts this strange atmosphere hard and arches his eyebrow at Hashirama, who laughs amused by such a change, offering a space at his table not far from them.
Karen takes another look at the scroll.
"They will support if the Senju clan does not," Tobirama explains with a firm tone. "It is a promise, a written deal from the Uchiha clan... if it becomes necessary for you to seek shelter and protection."
"Oh..." she blinks due to the weight of this gift. "Can that be done?"
"An extra protection from anything you do not want," the man accepts, watching the only two Uchiha talk at Hashirama's table.
"He's not that bad."
"I know," the man bends his mouth, not liking what this treaty really means. Karen doesn't take much notice of it but keeps this just in case.
It's not that she believes the man is capable of doing something that harms her, and just the intention hurts the morale of whom is by her side. "Don't worry. I don't think I will need it." She decides it's better to say that before the man imagines things in his head.
"..."
"You can be annoying, serious and bitter, but I know that your words are not empty," she easily shrugs.
"It was not necessary for you to say all of the above... you know that, right?"
"For me, it was," she laughs a little more, mocking the attitude of her fiancé, who snorts words under his breath that are difficult to hear, which makes her raise her eyebrow.
At least until Mito and Mikami decided to take her. Because they had to close the event and as a future bride, she had to start her own work, and what better way than having a meeting between girls.
The closest ones... giving way to this new stage of her life with various feelings that she has begun to work to overcome. It was not as bad as she had imagined.
She somewhat trusts the words of the Senjus.
Karen wants to believe, clinging to their non-promise.
Author's notes:
As you can see, her engagement is now official and like any adult over 30 years old, Karen tends to be apprehensive and somewhat clinging to her feelings along with her worries, increased by the nostalgia of these days that has accumulated exploding on that day.
It wasn't her dream... but there she is, somewhat faking her position. At least Tobirama has assured her in a way things that she didn't know she wanted to hear. Even without understanding it much, I help him.
What will happen now? Have the other clans already started to join? It's one step at a time and like in real life, things will just fall into place.
Thank you for your comments.
Author-chan out!