Hashirama smiled, "Welcome to the family Chikako. Tobirama has filled me in on the details of your marriage. Are you sure you're comfortable with it? I will refuse it, if you want me to. I have no desire to trick a young girl into marriage with my brother."

She looked at him. Was this why Tobirama had waited to fulfill their marriage vow? So his brother could turn it down. She looked at Tobirama questioningly but his face was blank. She looked back at Hashirama, "I don't mind being married to Tobirama, he's been more kind and considerate to me in four days than my father has ever been. However if he doesn't want this marriage then I'll return to Iwa." She looked at her hands in her lap, she didn't want to return. "But if I may be so bold as to request it.." She took a deep breath, "If Tobirama doesn't want to be married to me, may I stay here, as a diplomat? I can work, and contribute if I need to. If I return to Iwa my father will only arrange another marriage for me, and perhaps not with such a kind man as Tobirama."

Tobirama exhaled loudly as he moved to sit next to her and put his arm around her but his brother spoke before he could.

"What have you been feeding her Tobirama? She seems to be under the mistaken impression that you're a nice guy."

Tobirama gave his brother a withering glance. "That's because I am a nice guy." He turned to Chikako, "My brother is simply making an offer to be kind, Chikako. I have no desire to send you back, or end our marriage." He pulled her close to him.

Hashirama and Mito both looked at each other in amazement and Hashirama was across the table in moments holding his brother by the throat against the floor with a fist poised to strike, "Who are you and where is my brother?" He demanded, and then he broke out laughing.

Chikako didn't know what to do so she backed off towards Mito who was also laughing. Tobirama simply pushed his brother off of him, "Very funny. You've probably terrified her." He gestured to Chikako to come back to his side. "They think that because I take things seriously I'm always mean."

Hashirama simply sat back laughing.

"Well, I guess I should set up a room for you two then." Mito bustled off to take care of it.

Hashirama sobered. "Where are your things, Chikako?"

Chikako explained about sending the palaquin back and why she had only a small pack. "I will have to see about getting some new clothes, I think but for now I have all that I need."

"I can send for your things, if you are serious about putting up with that man." He indicated Tobirama who had returned to sitting next to her and had his arm on her shoulder.

"No, please don't. If I send for them my father will simply tell me that he was right and I needed the palanquin after all. Although..." She looked as though she had just thought of something. "How long is Dai supposed to stay, Tobirama?" She looked up at him, their faces very close because of where he was sitting.

Hashirama watched them. She spoke to him as if she had known him for years, as one would talk to a lover, but they had been married only four days. And Tobirama looked at her the same way, he didn't understand it.

"He was due to stay a month, why? Did you want to walk back and get him?" There was a small smile at the corners of his mouth.

She laughed, "Not really. But can we send a messenger bird? I would love to ask my mother for some of her embroidery to decorate our house. It wouldn't be a large package, do you think he'd mind?"

"Of course we can. And I think he'd be fine with bringing back something for you."

Mito came back in the room. "All set. I put you in the larger room on the same floor Tobirama. If that's all right? It might be a few days before Hashirama can build your house."

"That's fine." He turned to Chikako. "Want to see Konoha or do you need to rest before dinner?"

"I'd like to rest I think."

"Ok. Let me show you where our room is." He turned to his brother and Mito, "We'll be back soon." And he took Chikako by the hand and led her out of the room.

After he had left the room and Hashirama was sure he couldn't hear them he turned to Mito. "Well, it looks like Tobirama has found his weakness." He hugged his wife to himself and leaned down to kiss her.

She giggled, "And I think he has his hands full with this one."

Tobirama led Chikako up the stairs to the third floor and opened a door. The room was simple but nice. There was a futon on the floor large enough for both of them and a wardrobe where they could store their belongings. The window was opened and the breeze wafted in cooling the room. He turned to face her.

"My brother is a jerk, Chikako. I warned you that we were opposites, didn't I? But he was serious about his offer. We can end this marriage tonight, if it's not what you want."

"Is that what you want?" She whispered, terrified that he'd say yes.

He sighed, pulling her into his chest. "Truthfully? No. I've become accustomed to you being near me and I like it." He tipped his head down as he tilted hers up and brushed a gentle kiss onto her lips. "I'm not a romantic guy, but I have come to care about you in the few days we've known each other."

She smiled, "Good. That's what I want." And she leaned up to kiss him again letting him pull her closer, pressing their bodies together and deepening the kiss. He pulled away. "Are you hedging your bets that my grumpiness is easier to deal with than your father?" but he was smiling and she saw the teasing in his eyes.

So she smiled back "maybe." And she pressed into him and kissed him again.

He groaned, "We should get back, even if I don't want dinner anymore."

She wasn't sure what he meant but she stepped back and put her pack in the wardrobe. "Is there a place I can wash up for dinner?" And she realized that she was also going to have to figure the laundry thing out tomorrow.

Tobirama looked at her, "Umm. No, not here. Did Mito tell you about the water issue?"

"Yes, but where do you wash up then?" She was confused.

"We've been going to the hot spring to wash. But that's too far from here for before dinner and it closes at sundown anyway."

"No problem. I can just wash my hands." She smiled. "Lets go downstairs and see if I can help Mito." She wondered if Tobirama would be so pleased if he knew she didn't even know how to keep house.

When they got downstairs Mito was in the kitchen and Chikako joined her leaving the two brothers to visit. "Is there anything I can do?" She knew the offer was feeble.

"Of course there is! You can stir that over there and keep me company." She smiled. "Don't take Hashirama too seriously. He likes you. And we're all a little surprised at Tobirama, I never would have guessed he had such a soft spot."

"Well, he probably won't when he finds out that I can't cook or keep house." She smiled ruefully.

"I already have an idea for that but I need to do a little more thinking. Anyway, as long as you're here it won't matter. I'll tell Hashirama to put off your house for a few days."

"Does he do everything you say?"

"Not everything, but he will listen. Wouldn't your father listen to your mother?"

"My father traded me for peace, Mito. And my parents rarely speak, they don't really like each other."

Mito looked at Chikako. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok. I didn't have a terrible childhood, and I'm not unhappy now. In fact, I think this is the happiest I've been in a long time." She thought quietly for a moment. "Mito, may I ask you an odd question?"

"You can ask me anything you want." The redhead smiled at her.

"Do you love Hashirama?"

Mito looked at her with a probing gaze. "Very much so. Why?"

"How did you know?"

"Know what?"

"That you loved him. Tobirama is the first man to ever touch me and I don't understand the feelings he causes."

Mito smiled, maybe things were going well for the four day marriage, but he had offered to dissolve it which meant... "Chikako, have you been intimate?"

Chikako blushed. "Not yet. But we have kissed and held each other."

Mito thought carefully "When Hashirama walks into the room I feel as if he is the only person I want to talk to. I can't wait to feel his arms around me. That's how I know."

"Hmmm. Thank you."

Chikako and Mito served dinner and while they ate Chikako and Tobirama told them about their return trip. When the meal was over Mito said, "why don't you take Chikako for a walk Tobirama? Show her a bit of the village."

He looked at her "Would you like that?"

"Sure. Are you sure you don't want help cleaning up, Mito?"

"Positive. Go have fun." She smiled. "You can help me tomorrow."

They were walking aimlessly down the street, side by side. They weren't talking but it wasn't uncomfortable, they were just both lost in their own thoughts.

Chikako broke the silence. "Was there someone you had hoped to marry here?"

Tobirama was surprised by the question. "No. I've never been one for romance."

"I'm glad."

He gave her a surprised look.

"Not that your not the romantic type, but that there was no one who got hurt by our marriage."

"Didn't you get hurt by it?" He held her hand.

"No. I think I'm in a far better position here than I was at my fathers. At least here I'll have a purpose, other than as a pawn."

He shook his head, "you amaze me with your strength Chikako." He looked up, "This is the hot springs." But they looked deserted, the sun had just set and twilight was settling into the village. He looked around to see who was there, "Come on."