Special treat! Instead of studying for my theology class I decided to write the next chapter since the last one was so short! I hope you guys love this. It may or may not be getting a little steamy in the next couple of chapters. I haven't decided yet, so that'll be a surprise as well! I hope you guys like this chapter and thanks for reading!

The two sat in silence for a while, the only noise coming from the bustling streets beneath them. Tobirama wasn't even sure if Akane knew he was still beside her. He was absorbed by his own thoughts anyways. He was staring at Akane, without really looking at her. His mind had wandered away, to what she had said when Hashirama was here. She had killed people; he didn't hold that against her. What bothered him was that he didn't know what had happened to her that led her to kill people. She turned suddenly and though her eyes were bandaged he felt as though she could see through them.

"Tobirama," She murmured, reaching out and trying to find him. His hand shot up quickly, grasping hers gently before pulling it down and encompassing it with both of his. He moved it gently to his mouth, holding it close as if she would evaporate into thin air. He pressed his lips gently against her knuckles. Akane moved her other hand, placing it gently on his cheek, "I'm sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry for. Do not be sorry for your emotions. I do not blame you, no one blames you."

She returned her free hand to her lap and gently tugged away her hand from Tobirama.

"I didn't tell them anything…."

"Tell who?" Tobirama asked, placing his hands on his knees.

"My captors…"

His chest tightened. He had suspected that she had been captured, but hearing that he was right angered him. His scarlet eyes narrowing angrily, "They wanted to know about the village?"

She nodded softly, "They wanted to know everything…" her voice trailed off, becoming nothing more than a soft murmur, "They said they would get me to talk, and once I did they would kill me and learn the secrets of the Sharingan. I…..they…they tortured me, made each day unbearable."

"Akane…." Tobirama wasn't sure he wanted to hear anymore, anger was boiling up in him, and if Akane hadn't killed these men, he personally would have hunted them down.

"I killed them, Tobirama."

"Akane that's enough," Tobirama growled, standing up so quickly that the legs of the chair squeaked against the floor. She jumped slightly at the sound, hands moving out to find Tobirama. Her hands found purchase, grasping tightly to his loose shirt.

"Are you leaving?" She questioned sadly.

He sighed softly sitting on the edge of her hospital bed, "No. I'm not going anywhere Akane."

To many of the villagers, it seemed as if Akane was not affected by her ordeal whatsoever. Though her eyes were still bandaged she was often seen clutching to Tobirama as they walked around the village with a goofy looking grin on her face. While it pleased many of the villagers to see the younger Senju accepting someone, the Uchiha were not missing the signs that Akane was showing Tobirama.

"This cannot be allowed," Fumio snarled, looking frantically around the room at the rest of Uchiha elders, "Takeo has been moving too slowly, and that wretched Senju is winning her over. It is time to take matters into our own hands."

"And what do you suggest?" Senju retorted, "That we force the girl to marry?"

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting!" Fumio yelled, smacking his hand down on the table, "What would that say about us if she falls for that Senju and marries him?! It would be a disgrace to the Uchiha name!"

Sachu sighed, though she did not approve of forced marriage, she could agree with Fumio that an Uchiha marrying a Senju would not be a good image for them. It would show that there was some sort of peace between the two clans, but the Uchiha would never be allies with the Senju.

"We must act immediately," Fumio roared, standing quickly and glancing around the room. Many of the elders nodded their agreements while some sat silently.

"And what if she denies?" Sachu asked quietly.

"She is not going to be given the option."

The younger Senju was still looking as stoic as ever, even with the kind-hearted Uchiha on his tail. Out of the public eye, however, Tobirama showed Akane a tenderness no one would ever expect the Senju male capable of showing. Akane's arm was looped through his as they walked through the streets of Konoha, however, eyes were not on them this time. Instead, the crowds were focused on the group of Shinobi walking beside Hashirama.

"What's going on?" Akane asked, looking blindly back and forth.

"Hashirama is meeting with a few members of an outside clan: The Uzumaki. You missed quite a bit while you were gone."

"Oh?"

"Hashirama has married." Tobirama replied shortly, glancing down at the woman beside him. Tobirama decided not to mention that the Hashirama's wife had become the vessel for the tailed demon Madara had brought down on the village.

"Oh!" She cried gleefully, "how sweet!"

When Hashirama and the Uzumaki had dispersed, so did the curious onlookers. Akane and Tobirama continued on in silence before an excited gasp was heard. Tobirama turned around curiously, keeping a straight face as Jun wobbled towards the couple.

"Oh Akane!" Jun called, moving forward to embrace Akane, "I hadn't heard that you had come back, dear."

"I..uhhh…."

"She was recovering the hospital Jun-sama," Tobirama replied, bowing his head slightly to the Senju elder.

"Oh dear, what happened?"

"Uh nothing really, just got into a few scuffles. Nothing to worry about," Akane said, smiling gently to hide her discomfort.

Jun raised an eyebrow at Tobirama who just glanced away, clearly not willing to share anything else of Akane's ordeal.

"Well then, I expect we can resume our med training once you are fully recovered?"

"Of course Jun-sama," Akane said, smiling brightly.

Jun nodded gently to Tobirama before going on her way. The couple resumed their silent walk until they arrived at their destination; the too familiar lake where they had spent most of their time together. Tobirama sat down, pulling Akane gently down with him, nestling her between his legs and wrapping his arms tightly around her. She leaned back against his chest, "Tobirama…."

"Shhh…." He rested his head on her shoulder and breathing in her scent. A furious blush adorned her features at the closeness between them. She took a deep breath before reaching up a slowly removing the bandages that covered her eyes. She blinked a few times before rubbing at her eyes. Her vision blurred before clearing up slightly, though fuzz remained around the edges of the world before her. She kept silent however, not wanting to worry Tobirama. She knew ahead of time what would happen when she used her Mangekyō Sharingan. Madara had warned her about extended use of the Mangekyō. If she didn't use it anymore than she already had, she assumed she would be fine. She turned her head slightly, staring straight into Tobirama's crimson eyes. He sighed, gently touching his cheek to hers.

"I was afraid," He whispered, his grip on her subconsciously tightening. She reached a hand up, tenderly touching his cheek.

"So was I…."