After a Broken Heart, She Became the Dowager Empress of the Land of Fire

Seated upright in the palace, Liuli gazed at her former lover, kneeling before her, and asked what Konoha was. He replied, "Where the leaves dance, the fire burns on." The flames would continue to light the village and make new leaves sprout.

She raised her cypress fan to hide her smile. She liked that answer. Konoha was the Leaf of the Land of Fire. It ought to burn everything for her Land of Fire.

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Relying on their betrothal and affection, Liuli had once believed she would surely become Hashirama's wife, only for her clan to offer her to the daimyo of the Land of Fire.

She waited and hoped until she was driven to despair. To survive and take revenge, she clung and entwined herself everywhere like a vine.

"Tobirama, thank goodness you're here. Otherwise, my child and I might not have survived until today." She wept against the rigid man's shoulder, but the corner of her mouth curled into the faintest smile.

"Lord Izuna, this child has Uchiha blood in plain sight. If he were to become the new daimyo..." She held her infant close and offered an irresistible bait.

"So you are Madara? Hashirama often spoke of you. At last, I have the honor of meeting you." Seeing the spark of interest in his eyes, she knew she had won another gamble.

"Lady Kiyohime, please look at the new glass lamp we've received." A maid carefully presented the exquisite lamp.

So beautiful, and yet still not as lovely as the one that was trampled to pieces back then...

The fragile lamp shattered into a scatter of sparkling fragments. The candle flame, burning ever brighter, was just like the resentment that had never ceased to burn in her heart.

Burn, burn. Burn away everything in this world that stands in my way.

Content warnings:

1. Slow burn. Liuli is a young girl who grows over the course of the story.

2. Hashirama will marry and have children early on, but his wife will die (not Mito).

3. The worldbuilding for the Land of Fire has no concept of a queen mother. I only used the term because it's easier to understand. Hugs and kisses.

4. My own take on the Land of Fire, with OOC characters. That's on me. No insulting characters. If you don't like it, please leave; no need to tell me.

Below is the preview for my next Bleach story. If you're interested, please add it to your collection: Ooku maidservant Amachi x Seireitei nobleman Kyoraku Shunsui. It's the classical atmosphere I love, as always.

Blurb:

During her first century trapped in the Ooku, Amachi was full of hope: If someone came to save her, she would give herself to him.

During her second century trapped in the Ooku, Amachi was despondent and numb: If someone came to save her, she would serve him as a slave.

During her third century trapped in the Ooku, Amachi stroked her increasingly hollow chest. If someone came to save her, she... wanted a heart.

"Everything will be all right. When you reach Soul Society, you'll have a new life." A tall man in a pink haori said to her.

"Could... could you tell me your name?"

The cool hilt of a sword gently touched her forehead. Having received her answer, Amachi smiled.

Kind benefactor, I will surely repay your kindness. Please give your heart to this ill-fated woman.

Theme: A caged bird's struggle and resistance