Everything seemed to be a blur as Hana made her escape towards her forest. She had been betrayed – she thought, slashing at the shrubs she had encountered along the way.

"Kuchiyose!" She had yelled biting her hand harder than before. Her summons had encircled her protectively just like before – sensing her frustration.

"Hana-sama." Her summons had started rubbing themselves on their master offering comfort. She had felt Tobirama's arrival as he landed near where she was.

Hana had hated herself; she never wished to be married at such a young age. She wanted to learn about the wonders of the world – read all the manuscripts, scrolls and most of all to travel and learn everything the world has to offer. "You have betrayed me." She had accused the man standing in front of her.

"Senju…" Akemi the saber tooth looked at Tobirama her eyes full of revulsion.

"There is no time to loath. I have convinced your father that we will head back to Konoha once the wedding is finished."

"I shouldn't have said those awful things about Hina."

"You said it or not, my opinion will not change." Tobirama said with finality looking down at Hana's rebellious eyes. "If you wish to learn everything you want, then I suggest that you start packing everything you need. This marriage is just a formality – you will become my wife but I'm going to treat you as a student – no exceptions. "

"Hana, my child." Her father looked at her in awe as she stood by the door of the banquet. "You are just in time, come and join your husband-to-be and get to know him more." Hana couldn't help but shiver as she looked at the man seated in front of her." Tobirama is a good friend of mine. The Oota clan had followed and respected the Senju clan ever since I can remember." He father had reminisced. "Now then – we will take our leave to give our bride and groom to be an ample time to talk with one another." Kenichirou declared as he ushered everyone out.

"Tobirama-san." She had started refusing to look at the man in front of her.

"Here." Tobirama replied in a normal tone placing a scroll in front of the younger girl. Hana couldn't help but raise her eyes – examining the mysterious scroll in front of her. "You will start your training as soon as we arrive in Konoha. I have written the very basics of being a shinobi and chakra mastery." Hana could not help but stare at Tobirama with her mouth agape.

"This type of scroll is not allowed in this land." She had stated stubbornly.

"You said you wanted to learn – so I am giving you what you need. Consider this as my gift for our wedding." Hana couldn't help but feel a bit glad as she opened the scroll in front of her. "You are my student; I'm looking forward to seeing the result." Tobirama himself was pleased as he saw Hana's expression shift from misery to the look of determination.

Tobirama had been inside the meeting hall finalizing Konoha's agreement with Yutakana-kuni when he had felt Hana's chakra pacing around in front of the closed doors.

"Tobirama, are you sure you do not wish to consummate your wedding night in my land?"

"No, I wish to leave as soon as we are done with the wedding. There are important things that we still need to do in my village." He had refused the offer firmly – concluding his meticulous meeting. Opening the door – he had come face to face with Hana.

"Tobirama-san." Hana stated bowing towards him. At one look – this Hana might have been able to pass as the real Hana.

"I see." He smiled looking at the almost perfect copy in front of him. Giving one last glance at figure before him – he had sauntered out to find his student.

Arriving at Hana's forest, he was greeted by the younger girl who was standing upside down from a tree looking unamused. "You were supposed to be entertained by the clone that I sent." She mumbled in annoyance.

"You have studied the scroll well." Tobirama stated as he examined Hana's form – noting the sudden change in the amount of chakra of the young girl. "You're able to distribute your chakra evenly on the parts of your body – but you failed when it came to your clone."

"How so?"

"She doesn't have the same look of determination in her eyes."

It had been dusk when they arrived back at the palace – Hina and Himari stood in front of the gates, greeting them with a polite smile on their faces. "Sister, Tobirama-san."

"Hina, Himari." The fourth born scorned towards her older sisters.

"Oh… I believe that is not the correct way to greet one another." The older sister chided playfully. "We have prepared everything for your wedding tomorrow – it would be great if you and Tobirama-sama could take a look." Hana couldn't help but be apprehensive as she looked at the satisfied smiles on her sisters' faces. "After you." Hina said with delight.

"I believe your father and I have agreed not to have a grand ceremony." Tobirama scolded the twin as they approached the venue. It was the garden the other night – the plot that was once field with flowers was converted into an altar in preparation for the ceremony. It was the sound of a loud gasp which caught his and the twin's attention.

"My flowers." Hana whimpered crouching at the piece of land in front of her.

"We persuaded father to hold the ceremony on your beloved garden." Hina smiled with malevolence looking down at her sister's crouched form. Tobirama stood at the side watching the interactions amongst the siblings – before he even knew it; he had felt a sudden burst of chakra emanating from the crouched girl.

"Don't." Tobirama whispered, sweeping the sobbing woman up his arm. "It's not worth the risk."

"Mom…" The poor girl had wept until they had reached her chamber.

The ceremony had commenced in the early morning – Hana couldn't help but feel queasy as she looked at her face and her puffy red eyes. The resident helpers had made wonders as they put colors on her pale face.

"Hana-sama, you look beautiful –just like Lady Misaki." The maid gushed at young Hana. "You should not be scared, Hana-sama. I have heard a lot about Tobirama-sama, he is gallant, my lady. He will take good care of you." Hana had closed her eyes, feeling the sincerity of the words coming from the young maid. Truth be told, she had admired the man the moment she read the scroll he gave her. She had learned a lot from the man, and she still clings on his words – "You will start your trainings as soon as we return in Konoha." Still she was adamant. All those years she's skipped her lessons for home management, she doesn't even know how to be a wife, and it frustrates her…

"It's time, Hana-sama." The maid had coaxed her – she had turned towards the mirror to look at herself.

"Okaa-san…" She yearned, a tear rolled down her cheek as she saw her reflection. The wataboshi had covered her platinum blonde hair – the colors in her face had accentuated her forest green eyes and it made her look like her mother, but slightly taller.

Arriving at the ceremony, she was welcomed by her very pleased father, her siblings standing beside him, also looking pleased. Tobirama stood in front, wearing his mon-tsuki haori - looking quite dashing.

Tobirama stood in front as he waited for his bride. He was itching to get this over with; he had thought of all the correspondents and things he needed settle.

"Tobirama-sama, your bride is here." The head of the Nara clan brought him out of his pondering, pointing towards the entrance. Hana stood amidst the group of maids, guiding her forward towards him. Her forest green eyes now full of mischief never left his.

"Tobirama-sama." Hana said shyly as he took her hand.

'Let's get this over with.' He heard her whisper, putting a smile on his face.