𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 | sasuke uchiha

09

Upon returning to [Name]'s family home, Sasuke and Madara were escorted once more by Mai to the living room where they would wait for their tour guide to return.

"My lady will not be too long," said Mai politely, bowing deeply to the two seated Uchiha. "Would you like me to bring you a drink?"

"No thank you," said Madara gruffly. "I don't think [Name] will take that long."

"Understood."

Remaining in her bowing position as she backed out of the room, Mai then turned and disappeared down the hallway, presumably to the kitchen where the other two household servants were meant to be.

"I know it's hard for you to fathom, Sasuke, but you have to bear in mind that just being married to [Name] isn't enough," said Madara in a low voice. "We have to keep her satisfied as well. It's clear to me now that she obviously has a high status within her clan, one that would've been high enough to warrant her a marriage with either Izuna or I if Akinobu had pressed on for it, but I guess that didn't matter to him- any Uchiha is a good Uchiha to him. If [Name]'s family even gets a hint that she's unhappy with us, we better have a damn good excuse for it. Everything she says can and definitely will be taken seriously. For a woman, she holds a lot of influence and power in her clan- it just makes her all the more dangerous."

"So what? You're telling me to keep her happy to keep us safe?"

"Megumi-san asked you herself as well, so yes, that's what is expected of you. Sealing the wedding is one thing- maintaining our relationship with the Kouhage is another. In this day and age, marriage can be reversed just as easily as it is formed. And right now, we can't afford to lose any alliances, what with the Senju being closely affiliated with the Uzumaki and Hyūga. [Name]'s cousins are already married to women from the Akimichi and Aburame clans, so this alliance is one that we can't mess up. We're not asking you to fall head over heels in love with her- all you need to do is be nice enough that she can't find a reason to complain about us to her family. Do you think you can manage that?"

"Hn. Even an idiot could pull off this marriage."

"Hence why you're perfect for it. Try to be nice to her, okay? Mostly for your sake. I have no doubt in my mind that [Name] would be entirely capable of eliminating you in your sleep."

Sasuke rolled his eyes as his uncle chuckled at his own jibe.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting- shall we leave now?"

[Name] popped up once more, this time in the same attire she had been wearing when Sasuke had first laid eyes on her. The same light blue yukata with the same black sandals, but this time with dark blue wrappings around her arms, and her long hair tied up in a braid. On her upper thigh, she wore a weapons pouch, and in her right arm were two sheathed katana, ready to go.

"I guess it's not fair that you didn't exactly come prepared for this, but I guess it's fair enough if we both stick to the swords, right?" asked the Kouhage brightly as the two Uchiha rose to their feet. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at [Name]'s smile, seeing her falter just momentarily- there was something up with her, but he couldn't possibly tell what it was.

"Um, yeah," replied Sasuke instinctively, much to Madara's pleasure. "Yes."

[Name] smiled as she handed the Uchiha his scabbard, waiting for him to sling it around his waist before they continued on. Madara gently pushed Sasuke forward so that he was walking in line with [Name], shooting him a look before trailing the pair from behind.

"Is Mai not coming along?" Sasuke asked as he glared at Madara over his shoulder, who smirked as he relished in kicking his nephew forward.

"Afraid not. That's one of the only things she can't do," said [Name] with a small shrug. "Ability wise, that is."