Asami frequently eyed the scroll in her hand as she left the Senju compound. It disturbed her that she was sent away so quickly after meeting Hashirama to deliver a message to a man named Sarutobi Hiroaki. Apparently, his clan recently settled in Konohagakure.

She was given clear directions to his residence, but that didn't ease her restlessness in the slightest. Walking around in a village she had just arrived in, having to find and talk to a man she didn't know was something she didn't feel very comfortable with doing.

What also bothered her, was that Mito seemed a bit secretive about the reason Asami had to do this, and not someone else. When Asami asked her why, she didn't give a clear answer. It was almost as if her older sister wanted to give her a reason to leave. Her first meeting with Hashirama was a bit awkward, but she wasn't happy that Mito solved it by giving her a task like this.

Asami also wondered if Tobirama treated everyone as coldly as he treated her, glaring at people with narrowed eyes and talking to them with that icy voice. Even when he came into the room while she was introducing herself to Hashirama, the expression on Tobirama's face didn't soften at all.

Asami gasped in surprise when a shoulder bumped into hers, and she dropped the scroll onto the ground. Turning around to face the person, she was surprised once again. He bent down, picking up the scroll, his face hidden behind his dark hair. ''I'm sorry,'' He spoke, his voice warm and kind as he stood up, dusting off the scroll. ''Are you alright?''

Asami could only nod as he handed her back the rolled up paper meant for the Sarutobi leader.

Now, the man simply held out his hand, this time without the scroll. ''I am Uchiha Keiji,'' He introduced himself, smiling gently. ''And you are? I don't think I've seen you here before.''

The Uchiha name wasn't something she was unfamiliar with, just like the Senju. Everyone knew these clans. Not only because they are the strongest two, but also because they were the first clans that made peace and started a village. What she didn't expect was that the members of the Uchiha clan would be this friendly, since people often spoke of them as frightening because of their incredible power.

Asami couldn't help but return the smile as she took his gloved hand, shaking it shortly. ''Uzumaki Asami.''

Keiji grinned. ''Uzumaki? Then you must be Mito's sister, right?'' He asked. ''I've heard that you'd come.''

Asami clenched her jaw softly, now a more forced smile visible on her face. ''Yes, I am.'' She spoke slowly. She didn't want to let him notice her annoyance, especially since it was about something which he would view as trivial. Keiji seemed a kind person, and he surely didn't mean to put her in her current mood.

''Well, it was nice to meet you, Asami-san.'' Keiji spoke politely. ''But my leader is waiting for me, so I have to get going.''

Just when he was about to walk away, Asami's eyes widened slightly in realisation. ''Ah, Keiji-san?'' She called his name, and he looked over his shoulder with an expectant look on his face.

Asami held up the scroll. ''Could you please help me with something?"

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''Tobirama could have sent that message.'' Hashirama spoke, and Mito pursed her lips in response. ''I know there is a lot of tension between the two of you, but instead of being apart as much as possible, isn't it better to talk about it?''

Mito sighed. ''It's not as easy as you think, Hashirama.'' She murmured, hoping that he'd understand. ''It's been like this ever since we were kids, and don't forget about the disownment. A simple talk won't fix our relationship.''

Hashirama leaned back into his chair. ''Then what will?"

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''Thank you,'' Hiroaki spoke gratefully as he took the scroll. After looking at it for a few seconds, he raised his eyes, glancing at the Uzumaki. ''Asami-san, right?''

Asami nodded her head. ''Yes.''

''Tobirama had informed me beforehand that he'd bring me the information.'' He said, placing the scroll on his desk. ''I also assumed that he'd deliver it to me, but I guess that doesn't matter.''

Asami bit her lip, feeling somehow slightly offended by his words. It seemed that Hiroaki rather had Tobirama bringing him the message, which was understandable because she was a complete stranger to him and Tobirama wasn't.. but his attitude irked her.

''Can you tell Tobirama that I'll contact him later this evening?"

Asami pressed her lips together. She came to Konoha for her sister, not to be a messenger, but she couldn't tell an important clan leader like Hiroaki no. As much as she didn't like it, she had no choice but to relay another message. ''Sure.''

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''Ah, Asami!'' Hashirama called out, grinning widely when he saw her enter main house. ''You're just in time.''

Asami sighed softly before forcing another smile. She was tired from her journey, and today's events had given her a headache. ''In time?'' She asked, confused. ''For what?''

Hashirama smiled. ''For supper! To celebrate your arrival.'' He replied happily. ''Some important members of my clan will come too, so you should get ready.''

Asami blinked in surprise. She felt a bit honered that something was organized for her, even though she failed to understand the reason behind it. Someone like her, welcomed by Hashirama and 'other important people' through a supper.. It didn't make any sense to her, but somehow it made her feel better about herself.

Then she realized something. ''My clothes..'' She murmured. ''My luggage is still on the cart. Has it already come by?''

''They just brought it, so you don't have to worry about that.'' Hashirama spoke, motioning for her to follow him. ''It's in your room now.''

''I'm staying at the main house?'' She asked surprised, not sounding as excited as Hashirama had hoped. And that was because Asami wasn't excited about it at all, but she tried her hardest not to show that.

''Yes.'' Was Hashirama's simple reply. ''Where else are you supposed to stay?''

Asami looked down at the ground, watching her feet as they moved her forward. ''I don't know.'' She whispered softly. Actually, she had been secretly hoping for a separate house in which she could stay until she'd leave again. It's been years since she lived in a main house, and she left it for a reason.

Hashirama opened one of the doors in the hallway. ''Here is your room.'' He said, letting her go in first. ''If you need anything, you can always ask one of the servants.''

Asami nodded, smiling genuinely as she was thankful for his kindness. ''Thank you, Hashirama-san.''

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Asami stirred her soup with her spoon, simply staring at the liquid. She tried to block out the noise around her, but was unsuccessful in doing so. While the others at the table kept on chattering, Asami was waiting until she could take her leave.

Supper had just started, and she already felt out of place. She barely knew anything of the topics the Senju next to her spoke of, and she felt uncomfortable in the clothing she was wearing, which weren't even her own.

Since her red kimono had gotten a bit dirty after walking all the way to Konoha, she had opened her luggage only to discover that none of her other outfits were fitting for a 'fancy' dinner like this. Asami didn't even have that many clothes, and she also didn't need that many.

Finally, she ended up having to borrow a white, high-collared kimono from Mito, which one of the servants had brought to her. While Asami preferred to wear her clothes quite loosely, it seemed that Mito liked the opposite better. The forest green obi with the symbol of Uzushiogakure on the back wrapped around Asami's waist was very tight, and it was hard to walk properly. The flip flops weren't making it easier. Since Asami walked around a lot, she'd usually wear sandals, even though that made her look unrefined since it wasn't a very good combination with the kimono, but Asami didn't care about that.

What she also despised was the hairpins which the maids put in her hair and the red lipstick and the darker eyeshadow they put on her face. Even though Asami had told them it wasn't necessary, the maids had insisted on making her ready for supper. They seemed used to it, so Asami assumed they often helped other women at the Senju compound with their clothing and make-up.

They were very kind, but Asami couldn't help but wish they'd just leave her alone the whole time they were in her room. It reminded her a lot of her old home, which wasn't something she liked to think about. And when she was finally ready for the supper, Asami looked into the mirror and saw a woman which wasn't her. She barely recognized herself. She had gotten used to a simple lifestyle, and this was the opposite of that.

She understood that this was normal for people with status, she was once one of those, but now she felt trapped. She wanted to escape.

One of the waiters walked by and asked her whether or not she was going to finish the soup. When she answered no, a new plate with the main dish was shoven in front of her. It looked pretty and delicious, but it was superfluous.

Asami preferred simple meals. She preferred everything simple. She didn't belong in these clothes, at this table and around these people.

She wanted to go home.