Wow, two chapters in one night! I really worked my butt off for this. I more than likely won't be able to update this weekend as I have work basically all day tomorrow until Sunday, but we'll see. I'm glad you guys are liking this story so far and I hope you enjoy this chapter! ;D


A trap. How was he stupid enough the fall into a trap? Sweat dripped down Tobirama's face as he grunted in pain. Two Uchiha Shinobi held him by his upper arm, dragging him through the dirt. His hands were bound. He could only hope that his comrades would find him before he was killed. He looked up at his reaper without fear. Madara stood before him, looking like the harbinger of death. The black mane of hair moved gently, yet ominously in the wind, thick arms crossed over his chest.

"Tobirama, how kind of you to join us," Madara seethed.

Tobirama did not respond, a simple glare was sent in Madara's direction.

"You. You killed my brother, threatened the life of my sister."

"I never threatened your sister," Tobirama growled back.

Madara scoffed, "Why should I believe scum like you."

Madara grabbed Tobirama's chin violently, nearly making the Senju wince in pain, "I'm going to kill you Senju, and deliver your body to my sister so that she knows the man who killed her treasured sibling is dead."

Tobirama closed his eyes, an image of Akane suddenly filling his mind. And suddenly his brother's words entered his head; you would deny that you care about that Uchiha woman? And in the silence of his mind he answered. I do care about her. He wouldn't admit it out loud, but he had stayed up at night, thinking of Akane, of her perfect heart shaped face, and her large, welcoming charcoal eyes. The way her hair swayed when she walked and reminded him of a fine silk. Her skin that was as pale and beautiful as the moonlight itself, but what he enjoyed most about his visits with Akane in that meadow were the way she said his name.

"You will look at me as I kill you!" Madara shouted angrily, making Tobirama's eyes snap open.

Madara had pulled out a katana, "Don't worry," he hissed venomously, "I'll make it quick!"

Raising the katana Madara prepared to strike Tobirama down. With a vicious shout Madara went to impale Tobirama with the blade, who had closed his eyes again, bracing for impact.

"NO!"

Tobirama's eyes shot open, a stunned look on his face as he saw Akane before him. The katana pierced through both of her hands, inches away from her face. Her face was wrenched up in pain as blood dripped from her palms down her arm, where it dripped off her elbows into the ground. Tobirama then noticed the kunai that had been dropped before him. Akane had tossed it down swiftly before she blocked the katana.

Madara's face contorted in rage, "Get out of the way Akane! This man killed Izuna!"

"I know that!" She shouted back.

"Then why do you defend him!" Madara's voice boomed, causing Akane to shrink back.

She winced as the blade moved slightly, but remained embedded in her hands.

"This, this is where hatred has gotten us! We've lost so many, on both sides, this needs to end!"

"No! He will die! And if you dare to stand in the way, you will die as well!"

Madara pulled the blade from her hands, making her gasp in pain as he prepared to strike his own sister down.

The rope finally snapped and Tobirama grabbed Akane by the waist, jumping back just as Madara brought the katana down. Just then Hashirama jumped into the clearing with reinforcements.

"Madara, that is enough," Hashirama spoke, his eyes not missing the way his younger brother held the young Uchiha woman protectively.


Akane was not listening to the conversation between Hashirama and Madara. All she could focus on was the pain in her hands and the blood that covered her forearms.

"Tobirama, take Akane back to our camp."

Tobirama's head snapped up, looking at his brother questioningly. Hashirama's eyes told him not to question his motives before his gaze returned to Madara who voiced his protest, attempting to get close to his sister. Tobirama scooped Akane up in his arms before darting off into the forest.


Akane felt utterly uneasy as the Senju medic bandaged her hands. She hadn't missed the questioning, curious, and some malicious glances that had been sent her way as Tobirama carried her into the camp. She winced when the bandages were pulled a little too tight. Tobirama stood in the corner of the medicinal tent, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched intently. Once the medic had finished, Tobirama gently grabbed Akane by the arm, taking her from the tent and pushing her in the direction of his own tent. It was small, and cramped, something Akane was not used to.

"You will sleep here," Tobirama said, gesturing to the small sleeping mat on the ground.

"But…uh…where will you sleep?"

"I will sleep on the ground outside."

"But I can't take your bed!"

Tobirama raised an eyebrow, "It's hardly a bed."

"Mat, whatever you want to call it," Akane corrected.

"This is not up for debate, you are sleeping in here," He said, moving the flap of the tent to exit.

"W…wait!"

Letting the tent flap fall closed Tobirama turned to the young Uchiha woman. Her face had turned a bright shade of red.

"Can…uh, could you stay in here?"

Tobirama sighed, but sat beside Akane on the mat. He figured he owed her as much, she had saved his life. He watched curiously as Akane gently moved her fingers. And he suddenly wished he had protected her from those wounds.

"Thank you." He said suddenly, not looking at the woman beside him.

"You're welcome," she fidgeted nervously before leaning towards the Senju, placing a tender kiss on the corner of his mouth. An intimate move he had not expected and his lips parted in surprise.

"Oh…uh, I'm sorry!" Akane blushed turning her face away from him.

He reached out, his hand gently brushing her midnight black bangs behind her ear. She glanced curiously at him from the corner of her eye, her blush lessening to a soft pink.

"Don't be sorry."

His hand rested against her cheek. A slight commotion disrupted the intimate moment as Tobirama got up from his spot and poked his head out of the tent. Hashirama had returned with his squad. His eyes caught Tobirama's and he swiftly moved to his tent.

"Is Akane in there?" He asked softly.

Tobirama nodded, parting the flap as Hashirama ducked inside. Hashirama nodded at his youngest brother, giving him a silent cue to leave. Akane nearly protested, but decided it was best to keep her mouth shut, she was in enemy territory, and if they wanted, they could kill her as soon as look at her.

"Do you mind if I sit down Akane-chan?" Hashirama asked softly, smiling gently at the young woman.

Akane patted the space beside her, the space Tobirama had just occupied. Hashirama sat down, letting out a weary sigh.

"Firstly, I wanted to thank you for protecting my brother. I can never repay you for saving his life. Madara….well…."

"I can't go back," She murmured.

"I wouldn't let you go back even if you wanted to."

"So I'm a captive then?" she teased.

Hashirama chuckled softly, "I suppose if you want to put it that way. Madara is angry. He has lost his last brother, and now pushed away his only sister. I assume all this rage, and his lack of clear thinking, is due to his grief. But I believe he will come around. I proposed a treaty of peace, to found a village where we can all call home and live in harmony. Many of the other Uchiha seem accepting so I am certain that with persuasion by the others, Madara will submit."

He noticed the forlorn look in her face, "Do not worry Akane-chan, no one here will hurt you. I just want to keep you safe, for my brother's sake."