Tobirama gripped on his horse's reins until his knuckles turned white; he released and tightened again. Nyorai hasn't spoken at all in the three days travel, and there was two days left before they reached the grounds of the Senju and another to reach the compound. Not a whisper escaped from the carriage where the Uchiha female occupied. During breaks, she stayed in. She ate inside, having her portion of food taken in and out by Maeko. She never came out to sleep in the tents, deciding to rest in the cramp cubicle for the night. The curtains, not even once, was pushed aside for the sun to stream in. After she entered the carriage with a soft smile to him, he had not seen her since then.

Tobirama was worried. He was concerned over the Uchiha. He took probably his thousand and one glance at the window of the ride. The pink curtains stayed where it was from the beginning of the journey. He grumbled.

"My dear younger brother, you are worrying yourself sick," Hashirama spoke quietly. He slowed his horse's pace to be beside Tobirama. "However, I find it very much cute to see your furrowed brows, wrinkled forehead, and adorable frown. It is quite different from your usual annoyed expression- - -I wish Mito is here to see this."

"Leave me be, Brother. I do not need your stupid teasing." Tobirama glared, red eyes glowing.

Hashirama chuckled. "Father is worried. You keep muttering to yourself."

Tobirama stayed silent.

"Dear little brother, you have truly fallen in love, just as I have with Mito." The older Senju child went on berating of his pure love for the Uzumaki- - -of how they will marry in the near future, have maybe one or two children, and live happily ever after with a big family of grandchildren who would call him grand pappy.

Tobirama stole another glance to the right, not listening to his brother's stupid lecture. While he glared at the carriage, internally hoping it would somehow bring Nyorai out, Izuna and his horse fastened their pace to stay on the side of the ride. The youngest Uchiha male knocked on the wood near the window. Tobirama held his breath, but once he saw who's head came out, he grinded his teeth. Maeko looked to Izuna and spoke a few words before she caught Tobirama staring her way. She gave him a brief smile and pulled the curtain close.

The Senju kept his grip tightened on the reins. He breathed and tried to clear his mind of useless thoughts. If Nyorai wanted to stay cooped inside forever, so be it. He was not going to cause his head to hurt worrying over her well-being.

He decided to look elsewhere and let his mind wander away from her, so his attention went to watch the heavens above. It was beautifully breath taking. The sky was a shade of orange, yellow, and a hint of pink. Clouds were not to be seen around; instead the small specks of twinkling stars grew brighter as the journey went on. The golden sun slowly lowered at the horizon, and the moon began to appear clearer in the sky, emitting a soft silver glow. Much of the scenery was covered by the trees' leaves, though.

However, as much as he wanted to divert his attention from his fiancée, he watched the carriage every so often. The curtain was in the same exact place.

"We will be taking camp up ahead. Prepare," Butsuma announced, gathering the tired soldiers' attention. He sent a few Senju guards to the campsite to check the area.

"If you are so concerned, why won't you go speak to her, Tobirama-nii?" Itama piqued. He, too, noticed the middle child's uncharacteristic actions.

"It is because our adorable brother is shy and embarrassed," Hashirama replied. "He has no experience courting and wooing a girl."

"Shut up."

"I can speak to her for you, Tobirama-nii. I have been meaning to ask her about those exploding fire balls she did in the march against you."

Tobirama reluctantly agreed for the younger brother to check on Nyorai for him. It took a bit of persuading from Itama. Accordingly, when they safely reached the camp area and the needed things were settled and set up properly, Itama asked Izuna permission to speak with the girl (he avoided Maeko as Tobirama had warned). Request granted, he went to the only entrance of the carriage. He knocked three times, waited a few seconds, and cautiously went in with a smile and blush on his face. He looked back before hastily entering.

Izuna and four Uchiha guards remained by the carriage. Maeko and two other Uchiha men went to help fetch water for the travelers at a nearby stream, which was often used by the Senju whenever they traveled on the same route.

Tobirama twisted his hand together. Sitting by the fire didn't warm him at all. He felt a shiver run down his spine when he saw Itama finally stepping out with a strange expression. Itama turned to Izuna and thanked him and waddled to his brothers. In excitement, he nearly jumped the two older siblings as he neared.

"Tobirama-nii, Izuna-san wishes to see you." Itama answered their confusion.

"I see."

"Are you not going to see him?"

"I am." Tobirama stood up from the log and stalked over to the carriage hidden behind leaves.

"So, little Itama-chan, why is your cheeks all red?" Hashirama questioned. A knowing smirk fell on his face.

"No-No reason." Itama's eyes darted between Hashirama and the fire. Hashirama raised a brow. "Nyo-Nyorai-san kissed me on the cheek, is-is all."

Hashirama laughed. "My younger brothers are too adorable!" he declared.


Tobirama stood stalk still in front of the carriage. Izuna smiled to him, and the guards watched with a close eye. He glared. This wasn't like him. Tobirama Senju was strong, strict, determined, and intelligent. He was not easy to read; he was never mixed with emotions; and he definitely was not weak at the worst of moments. The Senju was a ninja.

"Tobirama," Izuna greeted. "I have a favor to ask of you." When Tobirama didn't say anything, Izuna continued, "My cousin does not want to come out, and my brother is not here to 'encourage' her to exit the carriage. Nyorai will not listen to my reasoning- - -"

"You want me to bring her out."

"Yes."

Tobirama schooled his expression and nodded. His lips set into a straight line, and his jaw tightened. He stepped up to the entrance. Head held high and shoulders squared, he entered without permission of the one occupying the little space.

It was dark. His eyes adjusted after a few seconds, and he noticed the figure of Nyorai. A small fire ball illuminated her pale complexion and tired obsidian eyes. He noticed her wet cheeks. Whispering, she blew the flame out.

"Nyorai, you are crying," Tobirama stated.

"No." Her voice sounded harsh.

"You are."

"No."

"Nyorai."

"It's my fault Great Grandfather died. If... If I was captured and taken away, they wouldn't have killed him and burned the compound down. So many others have died, too: Aunt Akane, Uncle Shou and Hiroto, Aunt Tamaki's newborn baby, Cousin Jun and Tomoe. Umehito was captured and found dead at the creak nearby with other indistinguishable bodies of children no older than five- - -"

"Nyorai, it is not. Stop with your stupidity." He grabbed hold of her wrist. "It was those murders fault, and you are not at blame, you idiot." Tobirama began to drag the struggling girl out. "You are coming out. I am tired of worrying over you. My brain cannot continue with the pestering concern."

"Stop! Stop it!"

Before Tobirama could take a step out of the carriage, a man's head obscured his view of the scenery before him. It was without a body. Nyorai screamed. She recognized it as one of the men from her family. His spine was still attached to the hanging object.

Tobirama pushed the head aside, and took a protective stance. "Nyorai, stay near me."

There were twelve ninjas dressed awfully similar to Saburou and Jirou. They slaughtered the Senju guards. Hashirama and Izuna defended an injured Itama. Butsuma fought side by side with the only Uchiha guard left. Maeko and her men were nowhere to be seen. Three Senju guards battled, one wounded and another had a missing arm.

Tobirama scowled. Butsuma's slash had taken one of the estranged ninjas down, leaving eleven - - -

"So, you're the kid that killed my brothers," a hoarse voice said.

Tobirama and Nyorai quickly turned around to see the man from before. He was the one who had captured Nyorai along with Saburou and Jirou. He was the one called Ichirou.


Author's Note: Finally, an update! Woo! Hopefully, I can the next chapter up soon.