After what seems like hours of conditioning and training. I nearly collapsed from all the exhaustion and felt very fatigued. My body feels debilitated from all the hard work I was put through.

"I think we should call it a day. Oh and Aquila promise me something," Minori spoke first, stepping in front of me. His hair was all messy from helping me train for once and not a dead beat. Surprisingly he didn't fall asleep or pull out a book.

"Okay, what?" I asked curiously fiddling with my dirt-stained clothing; he continued, "when you start your match with Madara, please don't make a fool out of yourself. I don't exactly know why the leader wants you to spar against him. Do everything in your power to show you're worthy of this clan. Even though you're an outsider, I have learned to already accept you." He spoke so calmly as he placed a hand on my shoulder. I looked so worn out probably and dirty most likely.

"I understand! I will give it my all Minori sensei!" I cheered loudly showing potential spirit. I could see the harsh crack of a smile etching itself onto his alluring marble face.

The walk back was quiet and peaceful as Minori took off somewhere confidential not telling me where he had gone. I looked up at the sky to noticed it was very dark and angst for its time being. I walked into the manor hindering my feet as I walked. I feel even worse than when I had to learn chakra control. But before I entered my room, I still wanted to contemplate and gaze at the Uchiha garden. I hear it's magnificent to look at.

All I know about flowers is that withered flowers are only beautiful after they have bloomed in spectacular disarray. They're also very resplendent as their hearts are big. Their petals are bright and soft to have upon. Their stems are strong holding their head to reach for sunlight. They represent such great traits, that I incredibly wanted to be at daze with.

"Oi! Aquila-chan!" I spun around quickly from hearing my name being called after. I was quite surprised seeing Izuna-kun catching up to me briskly on his feet. I greeted him with a simple bow of courtesy.

"I didn't see you there Izuna," I laughed buoyantly as he smirked. "Well, my father says you and my brother will be opposing soon in combat shortly actually..." He said solemnly making my face contort in discomfort at the reminder.

I was reticent to say anything and deliberated on anything further. I nodded firmly as he noticed my sudden change in actions.

"Don't worry about Madara-nii, he'll go easy on you. Unless you're going to forfeit before the match begins, eh?" Izuna faintly smirked causing me to hiss in return.

"You don't know anything about me. I would seal your trap if I were you," I couldn't help but clench my fists is tightly that I felt the discolouration start to form.

"You're easily provoked, I would watch yourself around here." Izuna already had his arms crossed grimacing at me with his cold stare.

I sighed deeply knowing there is no way out of this. I sat down on a nearby wooden bench followed by Izuna. The bench seemed very old and aged. The oil varnish was peeling off the sides.

"I don't know how I am going to battle someone I don't even know. I have no idea of his abilities. I lack at everything, maybe I have to beg your father to pull me out of this. I wish Uchiha-sama would give me the truth as to why he wants me to fight him..." I stopped and my gaze fell towards the ground.

"Or you could just try, you know it doesn't hurt to throw in your efforts. Hard work eventually pays off." Izuna rolled his eyes sitting next to me. I was remembering what Minori had said a bit ago to try my hardest. He too wanted me to give it my all for a match that I'm bound to die in. I have to show that I am worthy. I need to demonstrate my stamina and strength at least. I cannot let my mentality waver at all during this match.

I looked away ashamed and brushed the remaining red hair out of my face. "Maybe I could try. Uchiha-sama has contrived me to test my limits perhaps." I nonchalantly say with a solemnly smile.

"I need to go and get prepared. See you later Izuna-kun." I stood up and waved haltingly as he nodded intently as we both parted.

He isn't all too bad but I am more worried that his elder brother isn't as amiable and courteous as him. I guess I have to wait and see...

Just as I was walking back I didn't expect to see the leader so suddenly.

"Aquila-chan, Minori has spoken of your progress in your strength and your legerity stamina." He smirked and held his hands behind his back.

"I don't expect you to win at all for tomorrows match, but I do expect you to be more vigorous and show your true potential, I wouldn't want all of this training go to waste." He pronounced his words indistinctly. I couldn't comprehend what he said. More likely he wants to test his son and wanted to use me as a pawn perhaps.

I pondered in my room and collapsed on the revolting bed. Truly, I wish things never went this way. I am turning sixteen within a week. I don't know if I should be ecstatic or happy. I am trapped in this place and I have nowhere to run.

I sighed laying back on the bed sorrowful. This would be an interesting intriguing match tomorrow.

~.~.~.~

The sun stretched its golden arms across my bedroom. Ugh! I totally slept in my usual wear.

I think my bed is groaning in pain from me sleeping on it. I got up to take a nice quick shower to wash the grime and dirt off my body.

Once I was finished I dried my crimson red hair and changed into my red and golden kimono that came up to my neck. I tied it around with a black sash across my waist. I slid on my tall black boots lazily groaning from being stubborn with this.

I took one glimpse back at the mirror and simply touched the black adorn markings around my eyes. I wonder how they got there? They never fade around my eyes no matter how many times I scrub my face clean.

I left my room to be halted by two different guards this time. They didn't even say anything but motioned me to follow them.

'This would be more amusing than what I thought...?' Aiko spoke in my mind and I growled in annoyance.

"Ah! Aquila-san, you're up early as usual." Uchiha-sama mockingly said as he dismissed the two guards that stood behind me.

"Why are you making me battle your son for your own benefits?" I asked curiously just as we entered some training ground full of weapons off to the side on racks.

"You make ridiculous assumptions. I think you should focus on the upcoming battle shortly, Aquila-san." He remarked as I nodded thoroughly rolling my scarlet eyes. I stood a few feet behind the leader as he went to go talk to one of the elders.

"So you're the one I have to fight? Aquila, am I right?" I turned around briskly to see someone who quite resemblance Izuna but not exactly.

So this is Madara?

He has light skin with spiky black hair that had a slight blue tint to it. His hair cascaded down to his upper back and slightly parted from the sides of his face. 'This boy... looks gorgeous and I'm gawking at him!' Stop it Aquila!

"U-Um, yes." I smiled sympathetically. He huffed and folded his arms looking away casually.

"I have no intention fighting a woman, but my father is enforcing this match. Still, woman or not..." He looked back at me and glared harshly but I pushed passed it. He was extremely arrogant and his vibe wasn't helping at all. Clearly his personality wasn't my cup of tea.

"I would say the same thing about sparring for no reason, I don't look forward to this as you do." I looked away briefly and continued; "but I think we shouldn't argue of who we should fight now should we?" I stiffened my muscles as I raised a brow of amusement.

He dropped his arms by his sides and scowled at me with a contempt look. Even more intense as he dropped the subject by leaving to go stand by his father.

"Aquila! You're fighting, now get ready!" Minori who was in the room shouted towards me. The room is quite packed with Uchiha men standing off to the sides. My breathing hitched as I strolled over towards Madara and his father.

I heard Uchiha-sama giving Madara words of how it would be an embarrassment if he would be demolished by a woman. I frowned despondently while he gave him words of scornful look or whatnot.

As I and Madara stood in the middle, I started to tremble perhaps it was fear or my anxiety is acting up. I took in deep breaths as one of the instructors told us to interlock our first two fingers before we fight as in due to respect and courtesy.

As we glared darkly at each other we interlocked our fingers and stood back in a fighting stance.

"Start!" The instructor shouted as I gripped on the end of one of the kunai knives I had this whole time.

Madara came furiously at the side knocking me off guard. He totally got me off guard but how? He was so fast... no wonder War helps encourages one's will. Just as I hit the wall causing a big impact behind me. I stood up with unstable balance and threw the kunai knife right at him but he didn't need to move to evade it. I missed completely causing laughs from the men off to the side.

My heart clench as my throat went dry as in embarrassment due to the fact I missed.

"And yet you call yourself a kunoichi?" Madara mocked and leapt in the air in a flash and weaved a couple of hand signs.

Huh?

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" He shouted vehemently. A massive orb of roaring flames fell upon me as I tried to run to escape the flames but it was soon too late. The calefaction of heat felt like the flames were psychotically hot.

The flames took a hold of me but I felt no pain. Did I somehow absorb that jutsu? The midst of smoke started to clear out as I was gripping the hard ground as the flames vanished. My clothes aren't even burnt but ash covered me almost completely.

I had no burns that marked my skin. I started to laugh as I peeled myself off the stone cold ground as if I was acting ludicrously. Everyone went complete silent wondering how I survived that attack when I didn't even dodge the burning flames.

"You shouldn't be even standing." Madara seethed in annoyance as I chuckled slightly.

"Maybe I am special but I guess we'll never know." I giggled as a smirk was plastered on my thin lips. He growled annoyingly and got into a fighting stance as he arched his back forward.

He growled and charged forward and threw three kunai at me with such vigorous strength.

I pursued my lips and began to dodge and evade his attacks but one of the kunai knives caught the rim of my kimono on my left arm. I dropped to my knees as I gripped my arm tenaciously hoping the blood would stop seeping through my kimono.

Madara took noticed and charged at full speed as I sealed my eyes shut ready to take whatever fate decides.

So is this it?

I feel like I was paralyzed. I can't even move due to the excruciating pain caused in my left arm! I felt a tip cold steel weapon held against my throat.

"Well, I guess I win." Madara said amusedly as I reluctantly opened my eyes slowly. He released the kunai spinning around to meet his father. He looked older than me somehow, no wonder he was holding back everything he had. Maybe Uchiha-sama told him to not kill me.

I shrugged melancholy, "well I guess you do win." I tried to hold a smiled blissfuly making him growl. He just walked away from where I stood quite injured.

A few medical ninjas came out and treated my wounds smoothly. I felt weary from all of that. But he has a different aura I had never noticed in anyone. Just when the medics were done bandaging my arm and legs from the impacts I took, Uchiha-sama called me over where his arrogant son was of course.

"You called?" I grinned mischievously and he rolled his eyes. "I would admit you did better than I thought, other than thrashing around." He spoke amusingly. This made Madara chortle in the back and I shrugged pretending nothing happened.

"You know you lack at everything." Madara tilted his head off to the side slightly making me feel ashamed. This is the most embarrassing day...

>>>>>>>>