Mi Ho pov:

I hummed out a song softly as I dusted the study room. It had been two days since the dance recording and my mood had gotten slightly better in these two days.

Madara has been acting different. He pretty much ignored me when he walks past me in the hallways and the number of times I argued with him during the day had considerably dropped. Well, it's not like he was too different because he still managed to make me work on my chores harder than necessary. You know, walking around with muddy shoes when I had just finished mopping the floor, have the women dump more vessels for me to wash when I thought I was finally done....and that totally pissed me off.

But I couldn't complain. After all, he had made sure that I had agreed to his conditions of not complaining about the chores if I wanted to continue dancing. Jeez he was so annoying!

And since I was always re-doing my chores, I barely had time to practice dance for the next recording. The next recording was to be held in three days, and I barely had any time to practice! I was starting to get tensed that I'd mess up and my eonnis would yell at me for slacking off. I mean, the only time I got to try and practice was when I was in the bathroom and when I took a shower. But even there I wasn't able to practice properly because I was worried I would slip and fall on the wet floor.

I couldn't practice in the night either. By the time I was done with my chores, I was pretty much exhausted and I barely had any energy to even remember the dance moves, let alone practice them. Besides, I slept in a room where there were 20 of us girls squished together. I didn't have place to even roll around in my mattress. And the worst part was that I was stuck sleeping next to the girl who had confessed that she was in love with Madara. If my memory serves right, I think her name is Aimi.

I heaved a sigh as I opened the tap and washed the soap off the dishes. Yeah, I had switched to my next chore. This life was so monotonous and tiring. How long were they going to make mw work anyway? I was letting them use my ability so I should be given the royal treatment. Not worked like crazy like some sort of maid....

Besides, Madara had said that I would get fat if i didn't do chores. What did he know? I was very strict with my diet and my workout routine. Which is why I seemed to lost a bit of my flexibility and put on a little bit if weight from doing just chores and not doing my usual cardio and strength training. If he had five seconds of patience to just shut that big ego of his and just listen to me! Jeez....what's the point though. He was just a bit too prideful to give anyone a second thought anyway.

Although, the only person I had seen him be nice to was Izuna. Well, Izuna is his younger brother. He always listened to Izuna and they had that deeply connected sibling bond. It was nice to see them like that. I could understand why Izuna was so important to Madara. I had heard that Madara was the eldest of five sons to Tajima san and three of them had died in the war against the Senjus.

Then again, it was the same case with Hashirama and Tobirama. But the way I was treated back with the Senjus and here had a huge gap. I suppose its difficult to judge people. After all, their ideologies, their personalities and the they they grew up molded them to the person they are today.

Madara and Hashirama had been friends when they were younger. After their parents caught them secretly meeting up to train, they never saw each other again. Hashirama was a kind person to begin with and Tobirama was strict. But when they were talking to someone they knew and someone they had accepted as a part of their clan, they were very kind. The Uchihas on the other hand, had their own way of treating people.

From the time I had been here, I understood that they were very territorial, and barely put down their guard. They were like a pack of wolves. Madara was the alpha and Izuna was the second in command. Everybody else followed them with no doubt or hesitation and no one challenged Madara knowing that he was the strongest. And even though they looked pretty heartless and like a bunch of jerks on the outside, they had a very unique sense of affection and trust towards each other.

The 'love' that they had for their clan made them aggressive and violent to everyone else, especially if it was someone who hurt one of their clansmen.

Their affection was really difficult to understand. Well, not their affection, but rather the way they expressed it. As far as I had seen, if someone cared for someone else, they showered them with love, smiles, gentle gestures and all that. But here, it was so....strange. Perhaps they did show their gentle side when they were alone with their loved ones, but all of them had constant scowls on their faces. Especially Madara. I'm sure they would get wrinkles real early....

"Mio." I stopped washing the dishes and looked up at a person who had come to the outside washing area where I was sitting. He had the usual Uchiha features, you know, black hair and black eyes but his hair reached till his knees and it was tied up. "Yeah?" I asked as I wiped the sweat off my forehead. I worked so much in the sun nowadays that I was sure I had turned two shades darker than my original complexion.

"Come with me. Tajima sama has an important announcement." I blinked. Why was I being invited? What important announcement was it that I had to be informed about? If it was something about the clan, which I was sure it was, I don't think I had to be informed. After all, Madara didn't like me knowing much about the Uchiha clan. I had asked him once or twice and he had said that an outsider like me didn't need to know anything about them. So what announcement was this?

I didn't ask any questions and I washed the soap off my hands and wiped the wetness off on my kimono. I nodded to the guy and he turned around and led me to the gathering room.

When I stepped inside, I saw quite a few people had gathered there. The room was pretty much packed and I was led to the front. When Tajima san saw me, he nodded. "You may sit." "Oh, yeah sure....okay..." I sat on one of the pillows and looked around. I noticed Madara sitting next to Tajima san. He had an angry and frustrated look on his face. He was scowling and looking out the window. I also noticed Aimi sitting next to him with a massive blush and she was squirming in place. I blinked, not quite understanding what was going on.

"I have all of you gathered today for an important announcement." Tajima san brought me out of my thoughts. "As you all know, my eldest son is of age. After observation and meeting, it has been decided that Aimi is suitable to become his wife." Wow, really? Madara was just 20! And they were already talking about him getting married. Then again, I guess it was a common thing here. I just shrugged and looked away.

"I refuse! What kind of stupid decision is this?! You may be my old man! But who the hell are you to decide who I marry?" Madara yelled and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. But he did have a point. A person had to marry someone they loved and not be forced into some kind of alliance. But this was their clan and their customs so I didn't want to bother or poke my nose into it.

"Madara, we already discussed this." Tajima san said in an irritated voice with his eyes closed. Aimi looked a little hurt by the way Madara had just yelled and Madara just scoffed once and looked away with a scowl again. "Today, they are officially engaged. The wedding will be held in two weeks." Tajima san said and despite not liking Madara, I couldn't help but smile and feel sorta happy for him.

I mean, yeah, I know he wasn't really ok will the arranged marriage, but a marriage was still a special and happy occasion. "Congratulations, Madara and Aimi." I smiled as I wished them and they looked at me along with Tajima san. Aimi blushed harder but Madara tch'd in annoyance. He swiftly got up and walked out of the room without bothering to say anything to anyone.

This time, I rolled my eyes at his behavior. Aimi looked down again in disappointment and I did sort of feel bad for her. Madara didn't look like the kind if person who would treat someone nicely if he didn't like them, and it was obvious that he didn't really like Aimi. Although, I guess his attitude would change over time. After all, he would fall in love with her slowly because they would be spending time together more now.

But....there was a tiny voice in the back of my head that didn't believe that and also made me a little disappointed. I didn't really understand why I was disappointed though. I mean, I had gotten used to bickering so much with Madara and since a few days he had been ignoring me. And suddenly, there's news that he's going to get married......I sort of felt I would miss annoying him and watching his priceless looks of anger and annoyance. After all, now he would be spending most of his time with Aimi.

I shook my head. Why were these silly thoughts coming to me anyway? I'll just have to find someone else to annoy....hmm, I guess Izuna would be the next best person.

I turned to Aimi and smiled. She was looking down sad and I reached out and touched her shoulder. "Congratulations Aimi. You got what you always wanted didn't you?" She looked up at me and sighed softly. "But....Madara sama doesn't like me...." "I'm sure he'll come around." I smiled and she nodded with a half-hearted smile.

We all stood up as Tajima san stood up. Tajima san looked at me and motioned with his eyes that he wanted to talk to me privately. I nodded and everyone dispersed. I was left alone with Tajima san and we sat down in front of each other. "I heard from Izuna that you had a dance performance with some strange people. They weren't visible completely....and could be seen to some extent only when seen with the sharingan." I nodded. "Well actually, they're not strange people. They are my sisters and we’re a band. So we practice and dance for different songs composed by other people. And what they saw are called holograms. When we are not in the same place, it generates an image of the person so they can be seen. So they're not actually physically present." I explained.

"I see. Do you do these dances often?" I nodded. "Yeah....I actually have another recording on three days. I've been trying to practice when I get the chance to....." He nodded again and then everything fell silent. He just continued to watch me skeptically. "I want you to restrain from talking much Madara too much from now on. He is soon to be married and you are nothing more than a tool here to help us. I don't want you to distract Madara....from Aimi." He whispered out the last part but I heard it. I frowned slightly not understanding what he meant. I was very curious so I took the chance to hear his thoughts.

It would be best if she stayed away from him. I don't know what dance she did, but if it has caused Madara to get so distracted and frustrated....this is the first time I have seen him distracted over someone, let alone a woman. Its best that this wedding happens quickly.

I didn't give any reaction as I heard what he was thinking. After all, he hadn't given me permission to leave yet and he was watching me. But his thoughts really confused me. Why would Madara get distracted because he saw my dance? What was the big deal? I'm sure he had seen many women dancing before so what made my dance any different? Then again, I guess the dance I did and the clothes I wore were slightly modern-ish.

Oh well, not that I could do anything about it. Its my life and my job....what I do for my bread and butter. And I didn't really need anyone's consent to do it.

"You may leave." Tajima san brought me our of my thoughts and I nodded. I was about to get up but I stopped when Izuna entered and spoke. "Wait." I looked at him and back at Tajima san. He nodded for me to sit down and I did. Izuna came and sat down next to Tajima san and gave me a disapproving look.

"Mio." He said. "Yeah?" "There is something I want you to tell us. Something that you're hiding." He said and I frowned. "Hiding? I'm not hiding anything." He narrowed his eyes at my answer. "Do not think that you can fool us." "Izuna, what are you talking about?" Tajima san interrupted. "Tou sama, have you carefully analyzed her chakra? She can predict danger, but with a unique and large chakra, she obviously has some other ability.....that she hasn't told us."

He sneered at me and I stiffened. "Judging by your reaction, it means you do have another ability." I mentally cursed for reacting that way. I pretty much blew my cover on my own and now I had to tell them something. Well, its not like I could lie and tell them I had some weird power because then they would ask me to prove it by showing them. And if I had stayed calm and not stiffened, I could have lied that I had no other ability.

I clenched my jaw and my fists on my knees. I didn't look at them and I stayed silent. "Speak, girl." Tajima san said and I twitched. I knew that there was no way they were going to let me go unless I told them the truth. I was in quite a pinch now, wasn't I? I closed my eyes momentarily and sighed. I didn't want to say anything actually....jeez, how troublesome.

"If you don't speak, we have our own methods of getting you to talk." Izuna said and he got up. I looked at him as he walked to the other side of the room. My eyes went wide as he reached for a sword that was placed on the wall. It was a display piece but I could tell that it was really sharp. One tiny bit of contact and....I shuddered at the thought. "Alright, I'll tell you, I'll tell you." I said with another sigh.

Izuna walked back and sat down. He had the sword in his hand and he watched me. I grumbled something incoherent under my breath at them. I took a deep breath and looked away. "I....I can hear....people's thoughts...." I mumbled out and the air got tense. "What did you say?" Tajima san nearly growled. I closed my eyes and clenched my jaw tightly. "I said, I can hear people's thoughts." I repeated.

"That means....all these days you have been messing around with us?! Wench!" "Hey, watch what you say." I furrowed my brows in anger. "I have self respect and I have respect for the privacy of the people around me as well. I wont listen to everyone's personal lives. I couldn't control it when I first came to this world, but Tobirama taught me how to control it. So I haven't used it until now." Well, it was partially true. After all, I hadn't used it unless I was in danger or if it was some situation concerning me personally. So I couldn't be called guilty.

"You expect us to believe you?" Izuna asked and I rolled my eyes. "Well, excuse me for not telling you about my ability earlier. But if I did use that ability, I could have easily found a way to escape or pinpoint anything about anyone here. But I didn't. You should be grateful to me." I crossed my arms and looked away slightly pissed. "Very well, we'll believe you. But I think its time we seal some of your chakra to make sure u cant use it even if you want to." Izuna said after a few minutes and I grumbled again.

They both got up and so did I. "Follow me." Izuna said. I walked behind him to an underground room. It was quite dark and I kept my hand on the wall to make sure I was going the right way. I was blindly following the sound of Izuna's footsteps and I kept tripping over the uneven rocky floor. I almost twisted my ankle too.

But after 20 minutes of walking, we made it to a room that was lit by fire torches. There was a stone tablet at the alter of the room and it had some strange carvings on it. It looked like an alien language to me and I looked up when I heard footsteps. Three men walked out from a door that was attached to the underground room. They all looked really well built and I felt a little uncomfortable as they watched me. But then they saw Izuna and got down on one knee in front of him.

"Izuna sama, what can we do for you?" "I need you to put the forbidden seal on this girl." He motioned to me with his hand and I frowned. Forbidden seal? What was that?

"Izuna sama, which one?" Another asked and Izuna stayed silent for a minute. "The sentaku noryoku Uchiha seal. You should be able to sense two abilities....I want you to seal off the stronger of the two. This seal should be one that no one besides the Uchiha can undo....I believe you understand the gravity of the situation." Izuna said in a low voice and the three men shuddered. "Understood, Izuna sama."

[a/n: Sentaku noryoku means selective ability. I used google translate cuz I wanted the name of the seal to sound funky :P]

They nodded and I followed them into the room they had come out of. A shiver went through me as I saw green flames lighting the room. It was even creepier than the room I was I before....to me, this looked like a illegal laboratory where illegal experiments would be carried out on humans. "Sit at the center of the seal." One of the men brought me out of my thoughts and I looked at the floor to see a strange circular pattern.

It had strange writings as well and I swallowed in discomfort. I hesitated but I sat on my knees at the center of the pattern. "Um....does my ability really have to be sealed? I promise not to use it. But if I get in trouble, it could really help me you know?" I asked Izuna and he narrowed his eyes. "I'm afraid we cant take any chances. Besides, you wont be leaving the Uchiha compound. Ever." My eyebrow twitched. Great....so now I was stuck for God knows how long serving a bunch of primeval egoistic jerks....

I heaved a loud sigh. "Alright, seal away." I said and the three people stood around me outside the pattern. They made different hand signs and mumbled some words I didn't understand. I stiffened when the patterns on the floor began to glow and it slowly moved around me. "Fuin!" The three of them yelled together and the patterns began to crawl onto my body. I was startled and I was about to jump but Izuna's voice made me stop. "Don't move!" His voice was full of authority and chains shot out from the floor and strapped me in place.

The patterns creeped onto my body and as they moved, they burned. I hissed as I tried to move, but I couldn't. After a few seconds of the pain, it stopped and I was panting slightly. I still couldn't move but a jolt of electricity went through me as the chains were pulled away and I fell forward. I extended my arms out and prevented myself from falling on my face. Beads of sweat fell to the ground leaving dark splotches. And I could still feel a strange burning sensation on my stomach and the back of my neck.

I regained composure after a few minutes and I closed my eyes as I say on my knees. I held the back of my neck that was now aching besides stinging. "What happened?" I asked without opening my eyes. "The seal has been placed on your stomach and your neck. Since it is only to bind one of your abilities, it had sealed off chakra points linked to that. The burning feeling will be gone in a few hours." I opened my eyes and stared at the ground that had just the circular pattern and no strange writings anymore.