SHINASUI'S POINT OF VIEW

I was walking about the Miyamoto castle, searching for any hint of what this weapon could be that would destroy the mirror. However, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get the kiss with Konohamaru out of my mind. The moment just felt so right, the emotions so raw and real. I never felt so complete and whole before. My heart felt like it was exploding and my lips couldn't stop from curling up into an innocent smile. I felt so caught in between two worlds at the moment. I was doomed to marry a samurai...and yet I am beginning to fall in love with my childhood rival. I didn't know how Neji would react but I also didn't care. He took happiness from me and now I finally get it back. I just hope he doesn't do anything to interfere with my feelings for Konohamaru. 

I walked through the halls before stopping at an oil painting. It was of a fully decked out samurai before a big battle. in his hand was a sword, a thin katana with a golden encrusted hilt. Even through a painting I could tell it was intricate and beautiful.

"This was my grandfather. A fierce warrior known by all of the great nations." I turned to the voice to see Takeda's father, Hattori Miyamoto stand next to me. The man was massive and tall like Takeda. He was a little thicker than Takeda's muscular build but looked very wise. He had long silver hair in the same style as Takeda, in a half pony tail. He had a beard that framed his jaw, the same color as his hair. His eyes were a darker shade of green than Takeda's, his features strong and masculine. I looked over at him and gave him a slight bow.

"Lord Hattori." I greeted. He gave me the same devilish smirk that he showed when we first met...and it still unnerved me. 

"I noticed you exploring around the property. What are you looking for?" Now is the time to lie Shina. I looked back up at the painting, scrutinizing it further. I noticed in the background there was something that looked like glass. My violet eyes narrowed. I turned to see Hattori watching me, observing what I was doing.

"Well I figured if I was going to marry into this family, it is best to learn the history." He bought my answer before turning back towards the painting. 

"My grandfather was the son of shinobi but insisted on learning the ways of the samurai. He came to the Land of Iron from the Land of Water. He was the best swordsmen of our clan, teaching the rest of us how to fight. We easily became the strongest samurai clan in the Land of Iron and built Tenzin. This painting was before a great battle between samurai families. We of course won." I pointed at the sword in the painting.

"That sword is incredibly beautiful...has it been passed down?" I asked, trying to find more information. There was one thing I was good at during my time as a kunoichi in the Hidden Leaf and that was gathering intelligence. Between my perceptive dreams, immunity to genjutsu, and incredible deduction skills...I am a force to be reckon with. I will do whatever I have to do in order to get the job done. 

"Well in a way. It is not to be used in battle. That sword is cursed...but we keep it for our own protection. We need not use it on our own blood. Why do you ask?" I felt more confident that this katana was the weapon I needed to break the mirror. What I didn't understand was why Hattori was so open? Did he forget I was a highly capable ninja or was he just so cocky that he thought I couldn't do anything to stop him or his samurai? Or maybe he hasn't realized yet that I was questioning the samurai here. I needed to talk to Shisui more to figure this out.

"I was curious. It is really common in shinobi culture to pass down weapons or accessories down a family line. For instance, I have a sword that used to be my father's when he was a child...well more like a tanto, but still it's what I use the most in battle." Hattori looked surprised.

"You saw battle?" I scoffed with a smirk.

"Well of course. I killed numerous men during my nineteen years. Assassination missions are a particular favorite of mine." I was just messing with him now. I put on a creepy smile and noticed that Hattori immediately felt uncomfortable. His rule restricted women from joining the fight or training at all. Well at least that he knew off. The majority of women in this village ages fifteen and up were being trained by either the Fox Moon Spirit or the original women that I had saved. They were naturals at handling weapons and martial arts from watching their husbands/lovers do it. At this rate, the women will eventually take over without Hattori or Takeda even knowing, finally giving equal rights among the people.

"Hm...I see. Well I'm glad your unnatural fighting tendencies have been tamed by my son. We wouldn't want a woman to act so manly around here." I gave him a closed eye smile. He gave me a steely glare and a smirk, clearly trying to infuriate me. It was working but I wouldn't let him know that. I was trained to deal with this. I was a strong woman raised by another strong woman. The Uzumaki women never give up and never back down. Hattori will get what is coming for him, as soon as I find that sword.

"Of course. I'm glad I'm in an environment where I can explore what it means to be a woman more." I spoke with heavy sarcasm. Hattori was so serious that I don't think he even realized I didn't truly feel that way. His dark green eyes were wide in surprise that I preferred being a 'lady' over a ninja. Jokes on you asshole...a lady is anything she wants to be, including a kick ass ninja.

"Well I should find Takeda. He insisted on going out tonight for some reason. Have a good day Lord Hattori." I slurred as if I was speaking with venom in my voice. I left the head of the house in angry shock in from my lack of 'ladylike manners'. I smirked to myself as I headed towards my bedroom. I ran into Takeda and forced the smirk off my face, replacing it with a soft smile.

"Oh hello Takeda." I greeted politely. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a female version of Neji appear from behind a door. He watched with a cautious expression, making me feel happy he was worried about me.

"Darling...care to get lunch with me? I think it's time to find a wedding dress and venue. What do you think?" I saw Neji stiffen, his fists clench. I hid my anxiety about this wedding and nodded.

"Sounds great. Are we leaving now?" I asked. He nodded with a grin, placing his hand in mine.

"Of course. I wouldn't want to let my beautiful bride go hungry." Takeda's long navy hair cascaded down his shoulders like freshly spun silk. His bright green eyes settled on my violet, reading my expression. I hid my distaste and smiled back.

"Take me where you want to go." I knew that if I placate Takeda and his father enough, they will let me have much more freedom around here. It will let me explore this place and find the weapon to break the mirror. I was almost certain it was the sword in the painting, but finding it will be an issue. Hattori will want that sword in a place where only he can access it...meaning that there had to be a secret room in this building. Perhaps I can make Neji use the byakugan and search this place with me. I'll make sure Konohamaru tags along so he won't get jealous. Takeda and I went to leave the palace when we were stopped by Neji's female persona. He got the voice right in this jutsu so he didn't have to use genjutsu to fool people. Not that he could fool me anyway.

"Lady Shinasui, Kana and I were making lunch. Would you like us to suspend those preparations?"  I saw the look in his eyes. I knew he didn't like me leaving this place alone with Takeda. He was asking permission to observe. I nodded with a smile, Neji seemingly felt relieved.

"Yes that is fine." Takeda and I left together and headed towards a sushi restaurant. It was actually pretty good considering all of the fish were freshly caught that same day. My sensory skills were heightened which is why I immediately picked up on Konohamaru and Neji following us. I smiled to myself a bit at the thought of Konohamaru getting annoyed at Takeda. I knew he was probably already fuming that Takeda was holding my hand. I had to make Takeda think that I knew nothing of their plans with the Leaf...that I didn't know anything about the mirror or his plans with it. 

What I didn't know was why he wanted me to marry him. I was the daughter of two Kage level ninjas, true, but what part did I play in his plan? Is he keeping me here to protect his city so Konoha ninjas don't come after him? I know love doesn't play a part in this...this was a purely political move...yet his motive remains unclear. Perhaps I can talk to him more during this lunch to find out why he wanted me here...what his ultimate goal was. We arrived to the sushi place and sat down at a table in the corner so we would have privacy. A waitress came over with a smile on her face.

"Good afternoon Lord Takeda and Lady Shinasui. Welcome to Tenzin Sushi Bar. What can I start you with to drink?" The girl was very pleasant and nice. I studied her face for a moment and realized she was one of the women I have been secretly training. Her name was Abiko I believe. I felt happiness bubble up inside me, observing the muscles on this girl's arms. She really worked hard and was a great swordsmaiden. I had to hide the fact I knew her considering she didn't know I was the Fox Moon Spirit and I didn't want Takeda to know about my secret side quest.

"I will take a hot tea and a glass of water please. What about you Takeda?" He looked at me, happy that I was being open and pleasant with him for once.

"I will have the same." Abiko left and Takeda and I were finally alone. He reached his hand across the table to hold mine. Why of all days did he have to be so touchy?! I finally recognized my feelings for Konohamaru and my captor decides to get all cozy. Takeda looked at me with a crooked smile, his electric green eyes settling on mine.

"I'm glad you decided to cooperate with me today. What's with the change of heart my princess?" He asked with an alluring voice. I never fall for that trick and I never will. I'm a highly trained kunoichi that will play my part without being known. Samurai may be incredible fighters...but ninjas can do it best. We know how to lie and sneak...how to play our part to get what we want. I can manipulate and cheat the game how I need to in order to win. This was a case where I had to pull that card.

"Well... I just figured with the wedding being in only a few weeks that it's best to get along with you. I have a question for you Takeda though." He looked at me with a raised eyebrow, his large and rough hands rubbing my soft and delicate ones.

"What is it darling?" I looked at him curiously, playing my role perfectly. I saw out of the corner of my eye Neji and Kono walking in the restaurant without a disguise. Considering Takeda would recognize them as the girls, I guess being themselves is a disguise in itself. The boys sat on the opposite side of the restaurant, listening in. 

"I just want to know why you asked me to marry you? Out of anything you could have asked my mother in return for the imprisoned shinobi, why did you choose to marry me?" He retracted his hand from mine and crossed his arms in thought.

"Do you want the honest answer or the nice one?"

"The honest one." He gave me a court smile, a little mischievous.

"Well to be honest, it's because of your looks and capability as a ninja. The reason the Miyamoto clan is the most powerful of all the samurai is because unlike the other samurai, we have chakra." I couldn't stop the gasp that left my mouth. That would make sense! The reason that they were great welders and could curse things and create that mirror...it was all jutsus!

"So you can perform jutsu?" He nodded.

"Yes but we train with the ways of the samurai. That's why we are so unstoppable and powerful. Your bloodline is powerful like mine. Choosing you as my bride would be a long-term investment that would lead to us having powerful offspring. Our clan needs the chakra to remain strong so I had to choose a ninja. You were the perfect choice. Besides, my father has been insisting on me getting a bride anyway." Now everything was finally making sense. Takeda picked me to keep the chakra strong in his family, the daughter of a Hokage was the perfect choice.

"So you wanted my power and looks to have a great heir to the name?" He nodded with a sly smirk.

"That's correct. And Shinasui..." he reached his hand forward yet again, entangling it with mine.

"I want an heir...soon. Before this week is through...I want to try for one with you." I froze completely, my eyes wide. Konohamaru shattered the glass in his hand, forcing Takeda and I to turn our attention to the two boys. Neji was furious at Takeda, I could tell with his posture, but he quickly cleaned up Konohamaru with the help of the waitress.

"Sorry...I'm just so clumsy." He mumbled to the waitress serving him. Takeda and I looked back to each other and something inside me just snapped.

I have to find the weapon before the end of the week...and then I had to get out of here with Kono with Neji...

Or else Takeda will take me as his.