The streets seemed to be clear most of the time. The sun glaring at everyone as they walked by shielding their eyes as if they'll go blind.

It has been a few days since I've gotten back. Never once have I spoken to Madara or Ramiko. Since now a lot of the Uchiha's are preparing for this wedding; only a few people were invited. As for Ramiko, I haven't once seen her. Not even a single word from anyone about her. I wonder if she is alright...?

My gaze landed to the ground where my feet stood. I wonder if I am actually alone. Aiko would have about now say that I wasn't and called me insolent names, but I am not sure of who am I anymore.

The rigorous wind would joust ahead in front pushing me forward.

"Aquila!" Izuna's voice scurried through the air.

Izuna must have gotten a glimpse of me walking by I assume. Turning around to greet him, I noticed he wasn't alone at all.

Madara was with him.

"Hey-"

"O-oh Izuna t-today is not a great day-"

Nearly stammering my sentence but instead, he stopped as I glance to look at an irritated Madara who turned away as soon as he caught my eyes locked with his for a split moment.

"Ramiko wanted me to tell you to wear something nice for later on," Izuna simply smiled genuinely.

"Um, why?" I asked curiously as he shook his head.

"Oh well... I don't really know but I will see you around," was his last words before walking passed me. He must know how awkward it is to even be near Madara under the circumstances that I rather not even explain, but for some reason, I felt flustered.

I smiled inwardly as I went to go inside the manor more quietly. My expression dropped below zero noticing Gaia was here again looking prettier or a more precise word: stunning. Her silver hair was tied back into a largely braid that flowed extravagantly down her backside. as scarlet red lilies embossed her silver hair.

I mentally growled noticing she was not alone to only have Ramiko accompany her as they walked down the courtyard enjoying themselves I presume. I remembered Izuna said that Ramiko wanting me to wear something nice for later on.

For some strange reason, I wasn't angry at the fact Ramiko must have been with Gaia for days or when I was gone mostly. I felt my expression turn to sombre; feeling very gloomily saddened.

Ramiko turned her head towards my direction, her eyes widening noticing me standing alone close by them.

"Oh, Aquila! Did Izuna tell you-"

"Yes he did, but I'm busy tonight." I austere my tone a bit.

"Oh maybe some other night," Ramiko grimaced as my eyes shifted to Gaia. She mainly seemed satisfied now for some reason.

Like I care what she is thinking. Without another word, I decided to leave the scene before anything else would have happened.

I sighed mournfully. Maybe I should relax and calm down a bit about everything.

I stepped inside my old room I always had since I was twelve; looked the same since the last time I was here. But now I was given a new room.

No maids came in as they were pleased to help clean up the calamitous mess. Now I see why they skipped here. I think I should help out here once in a while.

I had an abundance of books sprawled out everywhere. Clothes seem to be relaxing on the wooden floor.

As my cleaning took up most of my time during the day, I felt exhausted and weary soon after. I felt the perspiration build up in my body; more likely sweating like crazy.

"Aquila, someone is here to see you," a maid shouted from the other side of the room. Huh, how did this maid know I was here?

I exhaled out a long deep sigh of exhaustion. I collected some of my things and left this cluttered room. Reaching the main hall, I stopped to see Madara sitting patiently on one of the sofas the manor had.

"We need to talk."

His voice seemed quite raspy and stern. He didn't seem like himself. Without further ado, I nodded and kept my distance and waited for him to talk.

"You must have figured that Senju Hashirama sent us a peace treaty but he did mention something..." Madara stopped as his gaze looked away from mine. So he wanted to so that?

"He wrote on the scroll that you're not from the Taiyo clan, but you're from the..." Madara couldn't finish his sentence.

"Well, where am I from? Even for some slightest reason, I always knew that I wasn't a Taiyo..." I softly said as Madara's gaze lowered.

"He did say that from the looks of it... he assumed you're an Uzumaki, Aquila. Hashirama didn't give me any more details just more about peace," Madara stood up as he walked a bit closer not meeting my eyes.

"How?" I shot up clearly as my throat no longer feels dry.

"Your red hair is mainly the reason. I am pretty sure you're good in fūinjutsu which are sealing techniques developed by the Uzumaki clan," he answered shortly after me. I honestly don't know what I feel about this.

I am relieved that I am not from the Taiyo clan, but what about the Uzumaki clan? I wonder if my parents could be alive to this day.

Yumiro Taiyo was my father that I had faint memories of, rumours stated he was killed when I was fairly young. I guess he isn't my biological father than. Deciding I shouldn't do anything further about this topic as it felt like something was weighing me down just thinking about it.

"So are you going to sign the peace treaty from the Senjus?" breaking the silence between us.

"Not so sure yet," he responded as his nose quirked at the mention of 'Senju'.

I nodded back at him. Maybe I need some time to think about this if I hear is true that is. "Aquila just one more thing," he has spoken up again.

"Huh?"

"I didn't exactly come here to tell you that you might actually be from the Uzumaki clan. I promise that I will find a way out of this big conundrum problem apparently my father caused." Madara sat back down on the couch that stood in this strangely large room.

"Why are you so desperate about getting out of this situation? I am no special than anyone else in the matters." I have spoken more calmly as he shook his head at me.

"Well Aquila, I always thought you were different from the beginning ever since my father let you into this clan." He stopped utterly from those words.

I closed my eyes and stepped away from him. My mind was already clouded with thoughts I don't need any more of this.

"Madara, don't do whatever you're thinking. Live out this life with the one you're betrothed with even though you may not love her. Learn to love her and just cherish the memories we once had, Madara-sama. You only live once remember." Every word I said only made my heart sink deeper into my chest.

"You know I never chose this, this is not how I imagine things would turn out." Madara took a hold of my left hand; fitting my small soft hand in his.

"Maybe things should be left how it is." I tore my eyes off from him as I pulled away reluctantly. As I was about to reach the doors I felt him grab my wrist firmly spinning me around. I didn't know how my mind reacted when his soft lips landed upon my cold ones.

The tension in the room heated up as I almost melted in that kiss like last time. But at the same time, I shouldn't be feeling this way at all.

His lips moved in sync with mine passionately as I felt more and more electricity shock through me like tiny lightning bolts. His one hand rested on my waist as his other came up to my cheek. He was about to lift me up and hold me against the wall, but I had to stop him before I would be wanting more with this lustful feeling.

As we parted we panted softly as his forehead touched mine delicately. "I don't like how things are as of now," he spoke first.

"I think I should go..." I bit my bottom lip tenderly as he said nothing just when I decided to take my leave.

I was more hoping he would stop me but after I left I didn't feel his presence at all. Everything around me seems to start crashing in. I would end up hurting the ones close to me. As Aiko said, I need to protect the ones who I hold dear to.

My mind felt like darting through my trail of thoughts as I was hastening back to my room carelessly.

Stepping through my present room which is rather messy just like my old room. Now I feel like a clean freak for cringing at my room and urging myself to clean more and more yet again. I wasn't finished but this still looked better than before.

Looking back at my semi-clean room; deciding reading should keep me occupied for now. I grabbed one of the old books from the shelf and sat down on my bed comfortably.

Just as I began to read, a knock on my door ripped me out of my thoughts once again. Sighing outwards and shouted 'enter'. I paid no attention to as whoever entered my quarters.

"I see you've changed since you have gotten back..." a familiar annoying voice spoke monotonously. My eyes snapped up to only be met by the cold blue ones of Ramiko.

"Oh, it's you," I mumbled as I set the book down off to the side. "Is Gaia here too?" I asked shortly after sitting up from the bedside.

"Why?" she asked me and her eyes softened up and inched closer to me.

"Just curious,"

"I think you need to give her a chance. She never has done anything to you, so why do you despise her so much?" her voice sounds more irritated than before. She was pacified and glowered softly at me; maybe I shouldn't tell her the truth?

That I am starting to fall more and more in love with Madara as Gaia is engaged to him...

"I rather not speak about this," turning away as she fused with anger.

"I am not leaving until you tell me." Being stubborn like always and glared at her promptly. "Fine since you won't leave me alone. I don't like anyone outside of this clan. I more think of her as some snobby rich girl who gets anything she desires. Now please will you leave?" I snapped at her a little as she gaped and huffed out a sigh.

"You're an outsider... You don't even know her, Aquila-san. You shouldn't assume stuff like that," Ramiko sat down next to me as her eyes fell upon her lap.

"You should come out tonight and get to know her better," Ramiko smiled kindly as I shooked my head. "As I said, I am busy, Ramiko-san," I growled at her deceivingly as I was trying to make up an excuse to not go.

"Oh really? Like what? May I ask?" she questioned me with her intriguing eyes. She is really getting on my nerves.

"I can't tell you, it's confidential, to begin with." I hope she won't ask anything more so I could get back to reading or relaxing maybe.

"Fine, then don't tell me, but I will be back later," she rolled her eyes as she left my room. I swear sometimes I want to slap her. But yet I still hold the urge not to when I really want to.

'Gosh, where would I be if you're not here, Aiko-san. This is so hard for me. Please say something...'

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