Star Crossed Chapter 11 "Acceptance"
His entire demeanor seemed to change, she noted. The way he looked at her and listened when she spoke, how he addressed her and stood by her. He noticed changes in hers, as well. She didn't hold back, or worry about being proper. Izuna enjoyed that about her. Of all the women he had been subjected to, they were trained to be subservient and mindless to be proper wives and child bearers. Amare possessed a poised intellect and capacity for love that naturally drew anyone in, even someone as different as him. As she walked by his side, her presence calmed his nerves, the latest turmoil having left him on edge.
"How are you feeling now?" How she healed herself really amazed him. A subconscious ability like that would be useful to them if they could learn such a thing.
"I feel much better. The soreness is almost gone. I'm surprised how quick the recovery has been."
Izuna nodded. "I never…" He stopped walking, causing her to stop and look at him. "I never had thought about showing gratitude for everything you have done to assist my people. It never crossed my mind, but you didn't have to do anything at all. You could have hated or struck blows against us, but it never crossed your mind, did it…" To her, he was mainly speaking to himself and mulling over his thoughts to her out loud. Nonetheless, it still took her by surprise. He continued, "You are different, my brother observes it as well. He wants to-No, I want to extend your stay."
Amare's face did not hide her shock at his proposition. She had known they were starting to trust her more, but never did she expect that. She knew the answer immediately and it slipped from her mouth with an almost cruel and immediate sound.
"No."
Izuna simply stared at her before smiling. Of course he expected that answer. He and Madara both predicted that her initial reaction would be to say 'no'.
"That is fine, it was merely an offer of hospitality. Seeing that you do not accept, things will certainly go back to the way they were when this week is over."
"So it will be…"
Amare assumed that being with only a few days left, she would be left alone. Each day made her grow increasingly anxious; had Izuna's offer meant that things would not go back to murder and hatred if she remained there? It was certainly something to consider, that is, if he intended to keep such a promise. In her heart she felt that it was just a cruel trick, but against her better judgement, she had to seriously consider the offer. To take her mind off the internal conflict, she busied herself with trying to teach some of the women basic medical jutsu. Lost in her own actions, she barely heard one of the women speak to her.
"Why are you doing this? This is surely no benefit to you." The woman sounded skeptical of Amare's motives.
"So you can save your sons. I don't care to see anyone lose their life, especially children." She murmured, not looking up at the woman. The woman's expression softened.
"Are you a mother?"
"No, but i'm a sister." She smiled and looked up towards the woman.
"Some of us are growing weary of the fighting." Her tone became more hushed.
Amare nodded, relieved to hear that the feeling wasn't just her own. The woman continued. "Our leader is embittered, just as the majority of the clan. There seems to be no end in sight, i've already lost two sons…" The Uchiha woman pouring out her anguish to Amare broke her heart. They weren't any different, Senju or Uchiha, in feeling the loss of a loved one. How could she be on the fence if her choice in remaining with the Uchiha for a bit longer could possible preserve the peace they were enjoying? Amare gave a mental sigh. For once she wished that she didn't care so much. "I'm sorry to hear that…"
The woman suddenly stiffened, then gave a curt bow. "Thank you for the instruction today. It will certainly help." With that, she hurried off as Izuna approached. Amare found herself annoyed, even angry.
Izuna, seemingly oblivious to Amare's annoyance at his presence, just smiled at her. "Care for a walk?"
"I suppose." Amare walked by his side, refusing to walk too close to him. The two of them walked in awkward silence until they were at a comfortable and familiar place, at least to Izuna anyways, the place where he and his brother constantly sparred.
"I have many memories here with my brother. Would you think it is sad that most of them were born from battling?"
A bit of hesitation. "No…A bond can be formed any where, even on a battlefield." The gravity of her words did not hit her until after she said them.
"I find myself forgetting you are a Senju. Your intentions have been transparent and pure from the beginning, something that you cannot find on a battlefield. If you were not who you were…"
Amare stared at him bewildered at his sudden near-concession. "Why all of a sudden?"
"I want you to stay, genuinely. Names and clans aside. If you stay, I can't even guarantee any truce. It could make it all worse. I don't mind whatever happens if you remain here." He took her hands in his. Was this really how he felt? Even if the words were a bit melodramatic to get her to agree to stay, a part of him deeply felt that way. And another part felt slightly guilty for this.
"And you really mean all of this…" It wasn't a question really, but she could hardly believe what he was saying. Yet, she felt her heart race and her throat tighten at the feelings and hope this gave her. "I believe you, I do. I want to stay."
"So you will?"
She nodded in response. "I will stay here with you."
Oddly enough, Izuna never imagined what he would do in this situation. He and his brother had many admirers, but they never bothered to converse much with women. They were too absorbed in their training and battles to ever bother with trivial courting mannerisms. Amare laughed at his cluelessness and something that Tobirama would surely murder her for; she threw her arms around Izuna in an embrace. At first, he wasn't sure how to react and stiffened. Slowly, his arms snaked around her waist and he eased into it. Her warmth was truly welcoming, something of a safeguard he had not felt in a long time. Everything about the woman had him feeling and acting uncharacteristically. For a moment he pondered if manipulation could work if someone felt truly about their deceitful words.
AHHH I'm sorry for such a long long long wait, especially only to receive a tiny chapter. I was in a hurry to throw this chapter out there, to make sure you all know i'm not dead and abandoning this story. I'm satisfied with this chapter, even if it is kinda short since it has some key developments. ~_~ Thank you to those who have waited patiently and continued to give great reviews. I was struggling to find motivation to write for a while, but it has come back, yayyy. Leaning towards no heavy smut, just implied smut. Can always write a one-shot later, wink wink. Lol. Thank you again for your support 3 It is what keeps me writing.
