Chapter 1：The Matchmaker, Akira the Fire Daimyō.

It was only a matter of time before the wedding guests killed one another.

Kaito Sanada had taken every precaution, of course, for it was his residence Daimyō Akira had chosen for the ceremony. He was acting as host until the daimyō arrived, a duty he embraced with as much joy as he would a five-day flogging, but the order had come from the daimyō himself, and Kaito, ever loyal and obedient, had immediately complied.

Both the Senju and the Uchiha clans had protested his selection most vehemently. Their noise was all for naught, however, for the daimyō was determined to have his way. Kaito understood the reason behind the decree. Unfortunately, he was the only man in the Land of Fire still on speaking terms with both the bride's and the groom's families.

Kaito wouldn't be able to boast about that fact much longer. He believed his time on the sweet earth could well be measured in heartbeats. Because the ceremony was to take place on neutral ground, the daimyō actually believed the gathering would behave.

Kaito knew better.

The men surrounding him were in a killing mood. One word given in the wrong tone of voice, one action perceived to be the least bit threatening could well become the spark needed to ignite the bloodbath. Kami only knew they were itching to get at one another. The looks on their faces said as much.

The priest, dressed in ceremonial robes, sat in a high-backed chair between the two enemy clans. He looked neither to the left, where the Senju were sequestered, nor to the right, where the Uchiha were stationed, but stared straight ahead. To pass the time the clergyman drummed his fingertips on the wooden arm of his chair. He looked as though he'd just eaten a fair portion of bad sushi. He let out a high-pitched sigh every now and then, a sound Kaito thought was remarkably like the whinny of a cranky old donkey, then let the damning silence envelop the great hall again.

Kaito shook his head in despair. He knew he wouldn't get any help from the priest when the real trouble broke out. Both the bride and the groom waited in separate chambers above the stairs. Only after the daimyō had arrived would they be led, or dragged, into the hall. Kami help the two of them then, for all hell would surely break loose.

It was a sorry day indeed.

Kaito actually had to post his own contingent of guards between the daimyō's soldiers along the perimeter of the hall just as an added deterrent. Such an action at a wedding was unheard of, yet it was just as unheard of for the guests to come to the ceremony armed for battle. The Uchiha were so loaded down with weapons they could barely move about. Their insolence was shameful, their loyalty more than suspect. Still, Kaito was hard put to condemn the men completely. It was true that even he found it a challenge to blindly obey his leader.

Everyone in the country knew he had lost his mind, yet no one dared speak the fact aloud. They'd lose their tongues, or worse, for daring to tell the truth. The marriage about to take place was more than ample testimony to any doubting Thomases left that their leader had lost his marbles. The daimyō had told Kaito he was determined to have everyone in his land getting along. He didn't have an easy answer to that childlike expectation.

But for all of his madness, Akira was their daimyō, and damn it all, thought Kaito, the wedding guests should show a little respect. Their outrageous conduct shouldn't be tolerated. Why, two of the seasoned Senju uncles were blatantly fondling the hilts of their swords in obvious anticipation of the bloodletting. The Uchiha immediately noticed and retaliated by taking a unified step forward. They didn't touch their weapons, though, and in truth most of the Uchiha men weren't even armed. They smiled instead.

Kaito thought that action was just as telling.

The Senju outnumbered the Uchiha clan six to one. That didn't give them the advantage, however. The Uchiha were a much meaner lot. The stories about them were legendary. They were known to tear a man's eyes out just for squinting, they liked to kick an opponent in his groin for the fun of hearing him howl, and Kami only knew what they did to their enemies.

The possibilities were simply too appalling to think about.

A commotion coming from the courtyard turned Kaito's attention. The daimyō's personal assistant, a dour-faced man by the name of Haru, rushed up the steps. He was dressed in festive garb, but the colorful red hose and green tunic made his imposing bulk all the more rotund-looking. Kaito thought Haru resembled a plump rooster. Because he was his good friend, he kept that unkind opinion to himself.

The two men quickly embraced. Then Haru took a step back. In a hushed tone he said. "I rode ahead the last mile. The daimyō will be here in just a few more minutes."

"Thank Kami for that." Kaito replied, his relief visible. He mopped at the beads of sweat on his brow with his linen handkerchief.

Haru glanced over Kaito's shoulder, then shook his head. "It's as quiet as a tomb in your hall." he whispered. "Have you had a time of it keeping the wedding guests amused?"

Kaito looked incredulous. "Amused? Haru, nothing short of a human sacrifice could keep those scoundrels amused."

"I can see your sense of humor has helped you through this atrocity." his friend replied.

"I'm not joking." Kaito snapped. "You'll quit your smile, too, Haru, when you realize how volatile the situation has become. The Uchiha didn't come with wedding gifts, my friend. They're armed for battle. Yes, they are." he rushed on when his friend shook his head in apparent disbelief. "I tried to get them to leave their arsenal outside, but they wouldn't hear of it. They aren't in a listening mood."

"We'll see about that." Haru muttered. "The soldiers riding escort with our lord will disarm them in little time. I'll be damned if I allow our daimyō to walk into such a threatening arena. This is a wedding, not a battlefield."

Haru proved to be as good as his threat. The Uchiha piled their weapons in the corner of the great hall when they were confronted with the order by the infuriated daimyō's assistant. The demand was backed up by some forty loyal soldiers who'd taken up their positions in a circle around the guests. Even the Senju handed over their few weapons, but only after Haru ordered arrows put to the soldiers' bows.

If he lived to tell the tale, no one was ever going to believe him, Kaito decided. Thankfully, Daimyō Akira had no idea what extreme measures had been taken to secure his protection.

When the daimyō of the Land of Fire walked into the great hall the soldiers immediately lowered their bows, though their arrows remained securely nocked for a quick kill if the need arose.

The priest rallied out of the chair, bowed formally to his lord, and then motioned for him to take his seat.

The daimyō leaned forward, his chubby hands braced on his knees. "Your patriot lord is pleased with you, Kaito. I am your patriot lord, champion of all people, am I not?"

Kaito was prepared for that question. The daimyō had taken to calling himself by that name years before, and he liked to hear affirmation whenever possible.

"Yes, my lord, you are my patriot lord, champion of all people."

"That's a good lad." the daimyō whispered. He reached out and patted the top of Kaito's bald head. Kaito blushed in embarrassment. The daimyō was treating him like a youngster. Worse, Kaito was beginning to feel like one.

"Stand now, Kaito, and help me oversee this important occasion," the daimyō ordered.

Kaito immediately did as he was told. When he got a close look at his leader he had to force himself not to show any outward reaction. He was stunned by the daimyō's deteriorating appearance. Akira had been a handsome figure in his younger days. Age hadn't been kind to him. His jowls were fuller, his wrinkles deeper, and there were full bags of fatigue under his eyes. He wore a pale yellow wig, the ends rolled up on the sides, but the color made his complexion look all the more shallow.

The daimyō smiled up at his vassal in innocent expectation.

Kaito smiled back. There was such kindness, such sincerity in his leader's expression. Kaito was suddenly outraged on his behalf. For so many years, before his illness had made him confused, Akira had been far more than just an able daimyō. His attitude toward his subjects was that of a benevolent father watching over his children. He deserved better than he was getting.

Kaito moved to the daimyō's side, then turned to look at the group of men he thought of as scoundrels. His voice shook with fury when he commanded. "Kneel!"

They knelt.

Haru was staring at Kaito with the most amazed expression on his face. He obviously hadn't realized his friend could be so forceful. As to that, Kaito had to admit that until that moment he hadn't known he had it in him either.

The daimyō was pleased with the united show of loyalty, and that was all that mattered. "Kaito?" he said with a glance in Kaito's direction. "Go and fetch the bride and groom. The hour grows late, and there is much to be done."

As Kaito was bowing in answer to that command the daimyō turned in his chair and looked up at Haru. "Where are all the ladies? I daresay I don't see a single lady in evidence. Why is that, Haru?"

Haru didn't want to tell the daimyō the truth, that the men in attendance hadn't brought their women along because they were set for war, not merriment. Such honesty would only injure his lord's tender feelings.

"Yes, my patriot lord." Haru blurted out. "I have also noticed the lack of ladies."

"Yes, yes." the daimyō persisted. "But why is that?"

Haru's mind emptied of all plausible explanations to give for the oddity. In desperation he called out to his friend. "Why is that, Kaito?"

Kaito had just reached the entrance. He caught the edge of panic in his friend's tone and immediately turned around. "The journey here would have been too difficult for such fragile ladies." he explained.

He almost choked on his words. The lie was outrageous, of course, for anyone who had ever met any of the Uchiha women knew they were as brutal as their male counterparts. Daimyō Akira's memory wasn't up to snuff, however, because his quick nod indicated he was appeased by the explanation.

Kaito paused to glare at the Uchiha. It was their conduct, after all, that had forced the lie in the first place. He then continued on his errand.

The groom was the first to answer the summons. He strolled into the hall like a mighty warrior ready to inspect his subjects.

If he'd been homely, Kaito would have thought of him as a young, arrogant Genghis. The boy was anything but homely, however. He had been gifted with white, shaggy hair and red eyes. His face was round, angular, his nose already broken in a fight he had, of course, won. The slight bump on the bridge made his profile look less pretty and more ruggedly handsome.

Tobirama, as he was called by his immediate family, was the second born of four sons to Butsuma, the head of the Senju. He was just a day over eleven years. His father was the most unpleasant man under usual conditions, and when provoked he could be as vindictive and evil as Satan. He was known to be as mean as all the Senju men put together.

Kaito supposed that was the reason they all looked up to him for guidance on important matters.

Yet while Kaito thoroughly disliked the father, he couldn't help but like Tobirama. He'd been in the boy's company several times, noticed on each occasion that Tobirama listened to the views the others had to give, and then did what he felt was best. He was just eleven, yes, but he had already become his own man. Kaito respected him. He felt a little sorry for him, too, for in all their visits together he had never once seen him smile. He thought that was a pity.

The rest of the Senju clan never called him by his given name, though. They referred to him simply as 'boy', for in their eyes he had still to prove his worth to them. There were tests he would have to conquer first. The relatives didn't doubt the lad's eventual success. They believed he was a natural leader, and hoped, above all other considerations, that he would develop a streak as mean as their own. He was family, after all, and there were certain responsibilities that would fall on his shoulders.

Tobirama kept his gaze directed on the daimyō as he made his way over to stand in front of him. The baron watched him closely. He knew Tobirama had been instructed by his uncles not to kneel before his lord unless commanded to do so.

Tobirama ignored their instructions. He knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and stated his pledge of loyalty in a firm voice. When the daimyō asked him if he was his patriot lord, a hint of a smile softened the boy's expression.

"Aye, my lord." Tobirama answered. "You are my patriot lord."

Kaito's admiration for the boy increased a hundredfold. He could see from the daimyō's smile that he was also pleased. Tobirama's relatives weren't. Their scowls were hot enough to set fires. The Uchiha couldn't have been happier. They snickered in glee.

Tobirama suddenly bounded to his feet in one fluid motion. He turned to stare at the Uchiha for a long, silent moment, and the look on his face, as cold as frost, seemed to chill the insolence right out of the men. He didn't turn back to the daimyō until most of the Uchiha were intently staring at the floor.

The Senju men couldn't help but grunt their approval.

Tobirama wasn't paying any attention to his relatives. He stood with his legs braced apart, his arms folded across his chest, and stared straight ahead. His expression showed only boredom.

Kaito walked directly in front of Tobirama so that he could nod to him. He wanted Nathan to know how much his conduct had pleased him.

Tobirama responded by giving the man a quick nod of his own. Kaito hid his smile. The boy's arrogance warmed his heart. He had stood up to his relatives, ignoring the dire consequences that were sure to come, and had done the right thing. Kaito felt like a proud father an odd reaction to be sure, for he had never married and had no children of his own.

He wondered if Tobirama's mask of boredom would hold up throughout the long ceremony. With that question lurking in the back of his mind he went to fetch the bride.

He could hear her wailing when he reached the second story. The sound was interrupted by a man's angry shout. Kaito knocked on the door twice before Tajima, the head of the Uchiha, and the bride's father, pulled it open. Tajima's face was as red as a sunburn.

"It's about time." Tajima bellowed.

"The daimyō was delayed," Kaito answered.

Tajima abruptly nodded. "Come inside, Kaito. Help me get her down the stairs. She's being stubborn."

There was such surprise in Tajima's voice, Kaito almost smiled. "I've heard that stubbornness can be expected from such tender-aged daughters."

"I never heard such." Tajima muttered. "It is the truth this is the first time I've ever been alone with Sayaka. I'm not sure she knows exactly who I am." he added. "I did tell her, of course, but you will see she isn't in the mood to listen to anything. I had no idea that she could be such a drag."

Kaito couldn't hide his astonishment over Tajima's outrageous remarks. "Tajima," he answered, using the man's given name, "you have five other children, as I recall, and all older than Sayaka. I don't understand how you can be so--"

Tajima didn't let him finish. "Yes, but they're all boys, and I never had to deal with Sayaka before. She always stuck with the women." he muttered.

Kaito thought that confession was appalling. He shook his head and followed Tajima into the chamber. He spotted the bride right away. She was sitting on the edge of the window seat, staring out the window.

She quit crying as soon as she saw him. Kaito thought she was the most enchanting bride he'd ever seen. A mop of black curls framed an angelic face. There was a crown of flowers on her head, a cluster of freckles on the bridge of her nose. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her blue eyes were cloudy with more.

She wore a long white kimono dress with blue flower print around the hem and wrists. When she stood up the sash around her waist, embroidered with the Uchiha crest, fell to the floor.

Her father let out a loud blasphemy.

She repeated it.

"It's time for us to go downstairs now, Sayaka." her father ordered, his voice as sour as the taste of soap.

"No."

Tajima's outraged gasp filled the room. "When I get you home I'm going to make you very sorry you've put me through this ordeal, young lady. By Kami, I'm going to land on you, I am. Just you wait and see."

Since Kaito didn't have the faintest idea what the man meant by that absurd threat, he doubted Sayaka understood any better.

She was staring up at her father with a mutinous expression on her face. Then she let out a loud yawn and sat down again.

"Tajima, shouting at your daughter isn't going to accomplish anything." Kaito stated.

"Then I'll give her a good hit." Tajima muttered. He took a threatening step toward his daughter, his fist drawn back to inflict the blow.

Kaito stopped in front of Tajima. "You aren't going to strike her." he said, his voice filled with anger.

"She's my daughter." Tajima shouted. "I'll damn well do whatever it takes to gain her compliance."

"You're a guest in my home now, Tajima." Tajima replied. He realized he was also shouting then and immediately lowered his voice. "Let me try."

Kaito turned to the bride. Sayaka, he noticed, didn't seem to be at all worried by her father's wrath. She let out another loud yawn.

"Sayaka, it will all be over and done with in just a little bit." Kaito said. He knelt down in front of her, gave her a quick smile, and then gently forced her to stand up. While he whispered words of praise to her he retied the sash around her waist.

She yawned again.

The bride was in dire need of a nap. She let Kaito tug her along to the door, then suddenly pulled out of his grasp, ran back to the window seat, and gathered up an old black blanket that appeared to be three times her size.

She made a wide path around her father as she hurried back to Kaito and took hold of his hand again. The blanket was draped over her shoulder and fell in a heap on the ground behind her. The edge was securely clasped under her nose.

Her father tried to take the blanket away.

Sayaka started screaming, her father started cursing, and Kaito developed a pounding headache.

"For Kami's sake, Tajima, let her have the damn thing."

"I'll not." Tajima shouted. "It's an eyesore. I won't allow it."

"Let her keep it until we reach the hall." Kaito commanded.

Tajima finally conceded defeat. He gave his daughter a fierce glare, then took up his position in front of the pair and led the way down the stairs.

Kaito found himself wishing Sayaka was his daughter. When she looked up at him and smiled so trustingly he wanted to take her into his arms and hug her. Her disposition underwent a radical change, however, when they reached the entrance to the hall and her father once again tried to take her blanket away.

Tobirama turned when he heard the noise coming from the entrance. His eyes widened and one eyebrow twitched in astonishment. In truth, he was having difficulty believing what he was seeing. He hadn't been interested enough to ask any pertinent questions about his bride, and for that reason he was all the more surprised by the sight of her.

His bride was a monster.

Tobirama had trouble maintaining his bored expression. The head of the Uchiha was doing more shouting than his daughter was. She, however, was far more determined. She had her arms wrapped around her father's leg and was diligently trying to take a fair chunk out of his outer thigh.

Tobirama smiled. His father and relatives weren't as reserved. Their laughter filled the hall. The Uchiha, on the other hand, were clearly appalled. Tajima, their leader, had pulled his daughter away from his leg and was now involved in a tug of war over what resembled an old horse blanket. He wasn't winning the battle, either.

Kaito lost the last shreds of his composure. He grabbed hold of the bride, lifted her into his arms, snatched the blanket away from her father, and then marched over to Tobirama. With little ceremony he shoved both bride and blanket into the groom's arms.

It was either accept her or drop her. Tobirama was in the process of making up his mind on the matter when Sayaka spotted her father limping toward her. She quickly threw her arms around Tobirama's neck, wrapping both herself and her blanket around him.

Sayaka kept glancing over her shoulder to make certain her father wasn't going to grab her. When she was certain she was safe she turned her full attention to the stranger holding her. She stared at him for the longest while.

The groom stood as straight as a lance.

A fine sweat broke out on his brow. He could feel her gaze on his face yet didn't dare turn to look at her. She just might decide to bite him, and he didn't know what he would do then. He made up his mind that he would just have to suffer through any embarrassment she forced on him. He was, after all, almost a man, and she was, after all, only a child.

Tobirama kept his gaze directed on the daimyō until Sayaka reached out to cup his cheek. He finally turned to look at her.

He'd never seen an Uchiha with such beautiful blue eyes before. "Papa's going to smack me." she announced with a grimace.

He didn't show any reaction to that statement. Sayaka soon grew tired of watching him. Her eyelids fell to half mast. He stiffened even more when she slumped against his shoulder. Her face was pressed up against the side of his neck.

"Don't let Papa smack me." she whispered.

"I won't." he answered.

He had suddenly become her protector. Tobirama couldn't hold onto his bored expression any longer. He cradled his bride in his arms and relaxed his stance.

Sayaka, exhausted from the long ride and her strenuous tantrum, rubbed the edge of her blanket back and forth under her nose. Within bare minutes she was fast asleep.

She drooled on his neck.

The groom didn't find out her true age until the barrister began the reading of the conditions for the union.

His bride was six years old, the same age as his younger brother, Itama.