Note: You guys! I am so sorry for the huge wait! I did not mean to leave you hanging for more than a month and I apologize! I struggled my way through my university summer semester and honestly, it killed my inspiration for a while, not gonna lie. But! I am back with this chapter:) Hope you will like it! It'll set the atmosphere for the next ones so be patient! I also want to thank everyone who sent me private messages to make sure I was alright and the ones who left nice reviews, I appreciated that and it helped me to finish this chapter. You guys are amazing! Thank you for reading!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 17

Hashirama was released from the hospital in the morning since the antidote showed great results. Sakura was happy to see that he had no lasting effects of the poison other than a fatigue that would go away sooner than later.. With a bit of rest, he would be as good as new!

Sitting in her office, she leaned back on her chair, processing everything that happened the past few days. From the breakfast to all the small intimate moments she shared with one Senju. Thinking about it, she could feel the heat on her cheeks. For some reason, when he touched her face, she did not want to push him away. Something was drawing her to him, like a moth to a flame and she could not explain why. Lie. She knew why but she could not let herself feel if she had to go back to her Konoha anytime soon.

Looking down at her desk her eyes wandered on the calendar in front of her. Three days. Three days before her birthday. Thinking about what Madara said she huffed. Maybe avoiding them all had not been the best option, but she had needed the space to think about her situation here. She thought she knew what she was doing at first. She saved Izuna, so why wasn't she going back home? Why did the voice became silent all of a sudden? Pinching the bridge of her nose, Sakura pushed her chair back. Getting up, she grabbed her white coat and put it on. She had not been able to answer those questions, and she probably would not be able to do it anytime soon. Right now, she would do the only thing she could do to make a difference. Heal people.

Hashirama walked out of the hospital and saw Mito waiting for him at the entrance. Smiling at her, he grabbed her hand and together, they walked back to the compound. Once they arrived, Hashirama went to his room, needing to rest more before dinner. In his bed, he could not help but replaying Sakura's visit to his hospital room the night before. She was doing such a great job with the hospital and he did not understand why she was sad and why she kept a distance from them. He knew she lived a trauma, but by now, she should be feeling good enough to let them in her life... There was something more she was not telling them. That morning, when she did her last check up and let him go, he did not see any trace of sadness in her. Just a peaceful face. A facade. Sighing, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

A knock on his door woke him up and he realized that the sun did not shine through his window anymore. Sitting up, he rubbed his face tiredly. This dinner would be fun. Slowly getting out of his bed, Hashirama put on some pants and a long sleeve shirt. His body still felt sore, but otherwise, he was feeling great. All that thanks to this pink haired woman who came in their life like a gift. Stretching, he left his room, walking at a leisure pace towards the dining room. Multiple voices could be heard and he stopped in the hall, smiling. He was alive. Appreciating the sound of their laugh and conversations, he continued his way.

When he entered the dining room, he noticed that everyone was there for dinner… except Sakura. Feeling a small pang of disappointment, he shook his head. He had really hoped that she would show up... Regaining his happiness, he smiled to his friends and his brother. Stopping at his chair, he sat down at the head of the table and propped his elbow on the wooden surface.

"Happy to see you back up and running, Hashirama!" Izuna's voice pierced the heavy silence that fell on the room. Hashirama met the younger Uchiha's eyes and smiled warmly in his direction. Bowing his head in a silent thanks, he looked at Madara. The Uchiha leader sat straighter and cleared his throat.

"Now. We need to talk about what happened on this mission."

The silence got even heavier and all the men in the room were eyeing each other seriously. Tobirama nodded. The white haired man was observing the group and realized that Sakura was not there yet. Sakura. A shiver crossed his spine when he remembered the moment they shared. He wondered how she was doing… and hated the nurse that interrupted them. Who knows where it could have lead. When he had crossed path with her the night before, she had been angry, but somehow, she relaxed and was feeling better with him around... which made his heart beat faster for some obscure reason. He would have to stop by the hospital to see if she had made any progress with the second poison. Who was he kidding. He just wanted to see her, and that need in itself baffled him. He had never been the kind of person to look for a reason to see someone. But here he was. Pathetic. Not able to hold the question in, he stared at his brother, trying to appears stoic.

"Will Sakura be joining us for this meeting?" His voice sounded more hesitant than anything and Izuna barked out a laugh. Reaching for his tea cup, Tobirama almost dropped it when the Uchiha slapped his shoulder.

"Of course you'd ask that!"

Tobirama sat back in his chair, shrugging the Uchiha's hand of his shoulder, glaring at him. So much for trying to act normal! About to put this brat to his place, he was interrupted by his brother's amused voice.

"No, she won't be joining us. She had duties at the hospital." At that, Izuna huffed and Madara rolled his eyes.

"She is always there, she could take a break." Mito's mumble was heard by everyone in the room and Tobirama could not help but to agree with her. Sakura barely took time for herself…Let alone have someone taking care of her. At the thought, Tobirama slapped himself mentally and focused back on the men before him. She was troubling him in ways he had never been troubled before, and it was uncomfortable for the proud Senju.

"Either way, we have important things to talk about." Madara's voice was hard and serious. Looking over to his best friend, he frowned. "Now, what can you tell us about the attack? How did you get hit?"

Hashirama stayed silent for a moment and replayed the whole battle and what he remembered of it in his head. When he spoke, his eyes were still focused on the table, like the piece of wood could help him remember the attack.

"I do not know when I got hit with the poison. I just know that I was fighting and at some point, my arms and legs would not move. It felt like I was heavy and achy." Pausing, he frowned. "I could barely move my fingers to perform jutsus. It makes sense, considering the poison being a paralytic…"

Mito approached him and squeezed his shoulder lightly, giving him some courage. Tobirama looked at the man seriously and tilted his head.

"I am assuming that you could not call for help either? Can you recall when you might have been struck by the poison?"

Shaking his head, Hashirama sighed.

"I tried, but I realized what was happening too late… and I can't remember. I might have thought it was only a bug, now that I think of it…"

Madara, who stayed silent for a while processed the information and came to a conclusion.

"So, you did not see anything more than we did…'' Hashirama shook his head and Madara continued. ''Whoever they were, those shinobis were not from the Hyuga clan. They were lacking the obvious pearl eyes characteristic of their clan. We need to find who is behind this. We will have to enter in contact with the Hyugas to know if this attack and mode of operation is familiar to them.''

This closing the subject, each man stayed silent and thought about the situation. Mito broke the silence.

"What excuse did she come up with this time?"

The four men looked up at her like she grew another head. A few seconds passed before they understood what she was talking about and Hashirama shrugged.

"She had some apprentice to train I think…"

"Why is she avoiding us?"

"She is not. She just loves what she does…"

Madara shook his head, seeing the stupidity of his oldest friend.

"Yes she does. But the hospital is also a great place for her to hide when she wants to avoid her problems." Mito nodded in approval to what he said and putting a hand on Hashirama's shoulder she locked eyes with him.

"We need to find out what ticked her off last time." At that, Hashirama rolled his eyes.

"Easier said than done…" Madara chuckled, hearing his friend's resigned voice.

"I tried to get it out of her yesterday…"

Everyone's heads napped in his direction and crimson eyes were locked with his onyx ones. He did not have the time to finish his sentence that Tobirama's hand landed on the table brutally.

"THAT was the reason why she was angry? What did you tell her?!" Tobirama's voice could have cut through steel and Hashirama drank his sake nervously. His brother had never been the kind of person to lose his temper, but there he was, yelling at his friend.

Shrugging, Madara barely gave a look in his direction and continued like he had not been interrupted.

"She does not leave me any other choice. I'll have to use the hard way to get her to open up."

Everyone in the room looked at him, worried. Hashirama poured more sake in his cup. I have the feeling that shit will hit the fan soon, please kami help us. Eyeing his best friend warily, Hashirama sighed.

"Good luck with that!"

Madara raised his glass in his direction and drank. On the other side of the table, Tobirama frowned. He did not like the idea of Madara using the hard way. Worried, he could not help the warning look her sent to the Uchiha.

Madara was making his way to the hospital. It was time for the hard way. Walking through the too familiar corridors, he got to Sakura's office with practice ease and entered without knocking. Her surprise was stamped on her face when she saw the dark haired man standing in the door frame and she got on her feet rapidly, brushing her white coat nervously.

"Come spar with me." His voice was commanding and made her shiver. Mouth open in surprise, Sakura regained her composure and crossed her arms on her chest. She was still frustrated about the way he played her in the tea shop and did not feel like spending time with the man at all.

"No. You can't just barge in and make demands, Madara. I have work to do." To prove her point she pointed to a high stack of paper on her desk and frowned looking back at him.

Madara smirked, knowing she would react the way she did. Crossing the room in two seconds, he grabbed her and threw her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. He secured her position, holding the back of her thighs firmly. Her head hit his back with a thud, and she rubbed her forehead, knowing she would have a bruise to heal later. Regaining her bearings, Sakura tried to wiggle her way out of his grasp hitting his back repeatedly with her fists. Huffing in frustration, she tried to move her legs and had to stop under the bruising hold he had. Looking behind him, his eyes met hers and she saw a his irises flash red for a brief second.

"If you don't stop right now, I won't have any choice then to use my sharingan until you comply." Sakura stopped abruptly and stilled, twisting feeling in her guts.

"You wouldn't." Her voice was full of disbelief and Madara could not could not hold in the chuckle that left his lips. Once his hilarity melted, his face became serious.

"Try me."

Crossing her arms again, she dangled from his shoulder, pouting. She knew he would do it if she kept trying to get out of this situation and right now, being face to his sharingan was the last thing she wanted. Her eyes wandered around and looking down she had to admit that the view was not bad at least. Who would have thought that she, Sakura Haruno, would end up in the past, being carried by Madara and looking at his butt while he walked? Shaking her head she looked around her while he carried her like that across the village. She could feel her face burning under the scrutiny of the villagers. First, she had been seen in a compromising position with Tobirama, twice in two days, and now with Madara. The gossip mill would have plenty to talk about... Sighing, she kept silent the whole way to the training grounds. Madara picked the training field located the farthest from the village, halfway in the forest.

Once they arrived, he dropped her on the ground without any care. Sitting, she glared at him.

"I am not going to spar with you. Especially not after being manhandled in front of the whole village." Crossing his arms on his chest, Madara looked down at her.

"You told me that being nice would not make you talk about whatever is going on with you. So I am trying another way."

Seeing the shadow of a threat in his eyes, she got on her feet, nervous. What was he thinking about... Not giving her any time to process what he had said, he attacked her with a rapidity that she did not expect and landed a hit in her stomach. Bending over, she tried to breathe but could only cough. He was not kidding! Good thing she did not have lunch yet, or else it would be on the ground after that hit. Trying to steady her breathing she rubbed her stomach and looked up, angry. That was the last drop. He wanted to play that game, she could play it too. Seeing the newly lit fire in her eyes, he knew he succeeded, and it was a matter of time for her to tell him what had been bothering her.

Sakura finally attacked him and her fist barely missed his head. The tree behind him exploded and he paused. She was strong, he had to give her that. She came at him again, fast, and deadly, but he danced with her, redirecting her fists and kicks. Feeling the excitement of the battle in his veins, Madara had a smug smile on his lips, defying her.

"Fight me like you mean it." Her eyes narrowed and he felt the switch in her chakra. She was not playing anymore.

With a raging "Shannaro", she attacked him with more force and they started a fierce taijutsu battle. Madara tried to corner her, but with her deadly force, she punched the ground and it exploded, making him back up and lose the progress he had made. He had never seen her fight, and he had to admit that she was very talented and surprising. He had underestimated her and would not make that mistake again. After what felt like hours, Sakura was panting heavily and Madara was breathing harder. Her pink hair was sticking to her cheek and sweat was dripping from her face, clothes torn.

He was so close. He knew it. He just had to provoke her hard enough and she would tumble over the edge, spilling what she had been keeping in. Staring at her, an idea crossed his mind and before he could think about the phrasing, his mouth formed the words.

"Is that all you got? No wonder why your friends died." His voice was so cold that she stop moving. He did not mean what he said, did he?

His words hit her more than all the blows they exchanged for the past hour. The pain she was trying to avoid came crashing back. Bringing a hand to her chest she grabbed her heart. A shaky breath left her lips and her green eyes met his onyx ones. He knew he struck a cord when her body stilled and when he realized he was able to read the emotions on her face like she was an open book. Tears started falling from her eyes, but she was determined and her chakra was rolling off her in waves. He could feel her rage. Maybe he overdid it... He knew he should have thought about a better way to provoke her... Now it was too late to go back.

Tobirama was in the village, when he felt a burst of dangerous chakra. Hers. Was she ok? Were they under attack? He had never felt her this furious. Not even during the battle with the Uchihas. Worry twisted his guts and different scenarios were flashing in his brain. None of them were reassuring. A frown found his face and he ran as fast as he could towards her and hoped the whole time that she was fine and safe.

Getting closer, Tobirama hid his chakra signature and climbed a large tree. His eyebrows shot up when his eyes found her. She was there, facing his way, Madara in front of her. They both looked like they had been fighting for hours. Her hair was caked with mud and sweat, scratches on her face, clothes torn in a lot of places and Madara did not look any better. Tobirama could even see the shadow of a bruise on her forehead. What is the meaning of all this?

Watching them, Tobirama had to contain the rage boiling in his veins. THIS was Madara's idea? Beat her up so she could talk? This was not a human thing to do. Hell, Tobirama was a cold man, but he knew that women did not deserve to be treated that way. Especially not my Sakura. Eyes widening when his thoughts hit him, Tobirama shook his head and continued to observed them from where he was. If something were to happen to her, he would not hesitate to intervene and kick Madara's ass, Hashirama be damned. No one could hurt Sakura.

"Really? You brought me here to tell me something I already knew?" Her voice broke with emotions and rage. Emotions because of her losses and rage because, maybe if she hadn't been weak, she could have save them. She already knew that.

Her words shocked him in return. Did she think her friends died because of her? She was so strong, why would she think about something like that? Analyzing her, standing in front of him, he realized how she was now silently sobbing, looking at him dead in the eyes.

"I want you to talk to me." Her distorted laugh reached his ears and he frowned. "It is ok to need help, Sakura. We all need someone to talk to." At that, he felt a dangerous peek in her chakra.

"I don't need anyone! Especially not you!" The words struck him and he felt a pang of hurt. Especially not me?

Fire still burning, she attacked him again, more vicious than she had been so far. He redirected her fists and blocked her kicks, but the force behind them made him take a few steps backward. She came at him carelessly and seeing an opening, he tripped her. She landed on her back and the shock of her fall knocked the air out of her lungs. Madara took the opportunity and sat on her hips, pinning her wrists to the ground. She tried to get out of his grasp, trashing against him, but he did not budge. Madara looked in her watery eyes and a soft expression crossed his face, which made her stop all movement.

"What's been bothering you lately?"

The way he cared only made her cry more. She did not want anyone to care, she was strong enough to handle things on her own. She had been weak for so long. She could not go back to that girl that was afraid and felt inadequate. Trying to get out of his grasp again she avoided his eyes, looking anywhere but at him. Seeing her trying to get out of the conversation again, Madara grabbed her shoulders and forcefully shoved her into the ground. Furious, she locked eyes with him and he was surprised to see fear in the depth of her emeralds. Closing her eyes shut she started sobbing again. Realizing his sharingan had activated Madara let out a low curse.

"Sakura, it's ok." Shaking her head from side to side, he could see the flow of tears falling from her closed lids. Her body was trembling under him. Letting her hand go, he sat back on his heals and kept a small pressure on her shoulder with his palm.

"Nothing is ok." Her voice was broken and hoarse and his heart broke when he heard it. "I am worst than scum, I abandoned them…" Violent sobs shook her body and she brought a hand to her mouth, trying to muffle the sound.

Knowing she was talking about her friends he could not help the guilty feeling twisting his guts. She was thinking about that only because he was the one who provoked her. Looking down at her, he could see her eyes still screwed shut.

"Sakura, open your eyes." She did not comply for the first few minutes, but he could be patient. He reached down and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "Trust me."

Slowly, she opened her eyes and he felt like his heart was in his throat. He had never seen her do defeated and broken. He knew about a part of her past, but there was so much more to it, he could tell by the way she looked at this moment. What kind of destruction had she seen? Who dared take away everything she fought for?

Freeing her hips, he knelt next to her and grabbing her arm, he pulled her to his chest where her face rested on the crook of his neck. She did not fight, she did not say a thing, she just cried. He held her and rubbed her back in soothing motion until her sobs stopped. When she felt slightly better, Madara let go of her back, giving her the opportunity to move if she wanted to.

"I did not mean what I said. You are strong."

She did not move, she could not believe what just happened. Her body reacted to his sharingan with fear. When he looked at her with his red eyes, she saw a glimpse of the old Madara. The one who took everything away from her. She had to talk to herself to remember who he really was. The man that she knew for the past months. The good Madara, not the one with the curse of hatred. The way he held her calmed her and she finally relaxed. Pushing her hands against his chest, she looked up at him and met his calm onyx. Not able to say what she had to say while he was so calm and so attentive, her eyes focused on a point behind his shoulder.

"I am sorry. I overreacted in the tea shop... And I did to when we had breakfast at the Senjus. It's just-" She stayed silent for a minute, trying to keep her emotions in check. "In two days it's my birthday."

"I don't und-" Raising her hand she cut him and he just stared at her, curious to see why her birthday made her feel like that. Birthdays were good, no?

"It is my first birthday since-" Not able to finish her sentence, she looked up at him with fresh tears rolling down her cheeks, the meaning of her unsaid words hanging heavy around them.

Madara realized something at that moment. They were all appreciating what she was doing. She was always present, helpful, giving advice. She was overworking herself all the time to make sure everyone was healthy and all the injured were treated... Sakura would listen to the clan members's problems and finding compromises to everything. She was doing so much for everyone, but what were they doing for her?

After she regained control over her emotions, Sakura and Madara walked back to the village, her going to the market and him going to Hashirama. Izuna who saw his brother walking on his own matched his pace to his brother's.

"Where are you going like that brother?" The younger Uchiha's voice was curious. Seeing how Madara looked at this moment, he had to ask. Madara was a proud man and seeing him with torn clothes and tussled hair was unusual to say the least.

"To see Hashirama and you are coming with me." Knowing that he would lose the argument with his brother, Izuna just followed him to the office.

When they entered, they were greeted by a murderous look from Tobirama. Not knowing what he did to deserve it, Madara shrugged and continued his way until he stood in front of his best friend and Mito. Hashirama took in the view and could not contain his laugh.

"Madara, are you ok? You look horrible." His laugh quieted down when he saw the serious expression on the Uchiha's face.

"It worked." Hashirama raised an eyebrow, looking around to the people present in the office to make sure he was not the only one that didn't understand what the Uchiha was talking about. His curiosity reached a new peek when Tobirama huffed and avoided his gaze, crossing his arms on his chest, jaw clenched.

"Not sure I am following." At that, Madara rolled his eyes.

"I sparred with Sakura. I know what is going on with her."

Hashirama's surprised made him jump up and he almost fell backward. They tried to understand what was going on with her for so long and Madara had been able to do it while sparring? Glancing his brother's way, Hashirama frowned. Tobirama did not look happy at all about this development for some reason.

In his corner, Tobirama replayed in his memory how she cried to the Uchiha and told him everything. A pang of jealousy in his heart, he rolled his eyes. He was able to admit that he would have preferred hearing everything from her directly instead of just being a spectator of this confession. When he thought they were getting close, there she was, trusting Madara of all people with everything that was going on in that head of hers. It bothered him more than he would have liked it to... His thoughts were interrupted by Madara and his findings.

"Her birthday is in two days and it is the first birthday she will have without her family and friends." At that, Mito brought a hand to her mouth. "I think she feels guilty to celebrate while her friends are not here anymore. She has the survivor's guilt."

"Oh, poor dear. I never thought about this." Mito grabbed Hashirama's hand. "That explains so much."

Everyone stayed silent and Hashirama lit up suddenly.

"I know! We need to have a birthday celebration for her. We can invite all the clansmen to show her how appreciated she is!"

At the suggestion, Tobirama huffed a sarcastic laugh and everyone's attention was now directed to him.

"Brother, I think a small gathering would be better." Hashirama almost cut him but a hard look sent his way made him listen. "A large gathering might be to much for her to handle considering everything she has been through. She might think that we are trying to replace the ones she's lost."

Madara was surprised with the insight given by Tobirama, but could only agree. After seeing her raw emotions today, he could attest that a small celebration would definitely be better. He was about to tell his friend that Tobirama was right, but Hashirama waved his hand, dismissing his brother's words.

"Nonsense, she will love it."

Tobirama pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. No she won't. But he did not say anything, knowing how impossible it could be to try to reason with the Senju leader when he had an idea in his stupid head. Hashirama started the planning, bending over papers to note ideas and everyone else started to give suggestions. Rolling his eyes, Tobirama walked to the door and turned around, glancing to the happy group.

"I'll patrol around the village, let me know if you need my help."

Leaving the office, he looked up at the moon and sighed. She would hate this birthday celebration and he knew it.

March was almost over. She did not take the time to deal with this and now was the time. Madara's spar just opened her eyes to the fact that she needed to face her demons once and for all. Walking back to her house slowly, she cursed inwardly. Her whole body was sore and right now, she was too tired to even think about healing her bruises and cuts. Stopping to a small shop, she bought a bento box and a few bottles of sake under the disapproving look of the old lady behind the counter. She probably looked horrible with strands of grass in her hair, the cuts marring her skin and outfit... and leftover tears smudge with dirt.

The walk back to her house was quiet and when she entered, she kicked her sandals off, going directly to her bedroom. Looking at herself in the mirror she scoffed. No wonder why people looked at me that way. Opening her dresser, she paused and chose the large blue shirt and the pants that were given to her by Tobirama a few days ago. The scent of summer rain and forest surrounding her when she picked the clothes up was reassuring. Quickly changing, she then wiped her face clean, healed the bruise on her forehead and put her hair in a messy bun.

Sakura went back to the kitchen, grabbed two bottles of sake and opened the back porch door. Sitting on the last step, she buried her feet in the soft grass and opened the bottle of sake. Looking up at the moon, she sighed. Gulping a few sips of the sake she leaned on the step behind her, letting the warmth of the alcohol settle in her stomach. She had to voice her thoughts. Saying it out loud would make it real. It would make it better. So she decided to talk to the moon.

"I know how we would have celebrated my birthday if you guys were still here." Her voice sounded weak in the silence of the night. A chuckle left her and a sad smile found her lips. "It would probably be a day like all the others, I would be at the hospital overworking myself yet again. Naruto, you would probably drag Sasuke to my office and barge in like you always do. Then you would force me to go to Ichiraku and get ramens… for the third time that week."

She paused, lowering her head down and shaking her head, still smiling. Tears shining in the corner of her eyes.

"I would probably give you a speech about healthy food and veggies in a diet. Ino would try to talk me into going to the bar later on… Kakashi sensei would probably show up out of nowhere and we would try to see his face for the millionth time under that damn mask. He would probably find yet another way to ditch us without paying… But let's be honest… That won't ever happen again, right?" Her voice broke and she muffled a sob. Taking another gulp of sake, tears welled up in her green eyes and flowed freely down her cheek.

Clutching her hair in her available hand, she let out a shaky breath. Gripping the collar of the long sleeves shirt she was wearing, she brought it to her face to wipe her tears and Tobirama's particular scent reached her nose. Instead of wiping her face, she brought it closer to her nose and inhaled deeply, closing her eyes. Her shoulders relaxed. Calmed, she was able to continue.

"My first birthday without you guys. Without everything I know. It feels so weird." Huffing, she shook her head. "Since I got here, I still have the feeling that I am out of place, like I don't belong here. I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back home. See Ino, Shikamaru, and the others ever again. On the other hand, I don't even know if I want to go back. Despite still having friends in our Konoha, I feel like I am making a difference here. You guys would not believe how amazing it is to walk next to the founders and help them create what we took for granted."

Gulping the rest of the bottle down, Sakura stayed silent for a while, looking up at the moon. Voicing everything made her feel lighter... But also made her heart feel empty. Opening another bottle, she drank it as fast as the first one. The numb feeling settling over her body, she leaned back in the steps. It did not hurt anymore. At least, not as much as it used to... Yawning, she stretched and sleep found her on the steps of her back porch, laying under the moonlight.

He had been there. From the moment she she lost her cool during her spar with Madara to the moment she cried and finally burst out and voiced what had been bothering her. Call him selfish, Tobirama never thought about how deep her pain could be. She was Sakura. She would bounce back. But this moment made him realize that even though she was accomplishing great things for the village, she was still a woman who had lost everything not too long ago. It was so easy to forget that she was a human after all. And for that reason, he admired her even more. The way she was able to do so much even with her past bothering her. At least that's what he thought until he saw her, sitting on the stairs with her bottle of sake. She looked fragile and almost to her breaking point... and gods... she looked amazing in his clothes.

Tobirama surprised himself when he reached and grabbed his chest when she was talking. It was painful to see her so defeated and sad. He felt the irrepressible need to go to her and make sure she was alright. To tell her that everything would be ok, that they could figure it out. That I am here for her.But he did not think she would react well, knowing he had been there the whole time, listening to her. He would keep this a secret. She did not need to know that he felt her pain like it was his... That his heart fluttered at the thought of her staying with them. It never crossed his mind that she would ever leave, but it was a possibility, judging by what she said. When she fell asleep, Tobirama let out the breath he was holding.

Something was happening in him when she was around. He did not like human contact, but with her, it was different. The whole time, he had to repress the urge to wipe those tears. The main thing that caught his attention while she talked and that made him perplex was the way she talked about her village. She used "our Konoha". Was it a figure of speech or was her village name Konoha? Maybe she used those words because this village made her think about the one she lost? His gut feeling told him otherwise. He pushed the thought in a corner of his head, he would have to ask her later.

The image of her burying her nose in his shirt came back and he cursed silently. The fact that her shoulder relaxed when she took in his scent was awaking a deep masculinity pride in him, something he never felt before. There he was, Tobirama Senju, deeply troubled by a woman. Shaking his head he looked up at the moon and exhaled loudly. Realizing that she would probably not wake up until the morning, he left the shadows and approached her.

Crouching in front of her, he wiped a stray tear off her cheek and his hand lingered on her skin. She looked so peaceful and was so beautiful with the moonlight caressing her face. He wanted to see her at peace like this when she was awake, not only when she was asleep. Putting the empty bottles of sake aside, Tobirama hooked his arm under her knees and lifted her bridal style. Slowly carrying her inside, he closed the back door with his foot and took the direction of her bedroom. Pulling the comforter out of the way, he laid her down on the bed and carefully tucked her in. This done, he turned around and was about to leave when cold fingers grabbed his weakly. Slowly turning around, he saw her green eyes half opened still shining with the remnant of tears fixed on him.

"Stay..." Her whisper hit him harder than anything ever did. She wanted him to stay? He could not, for more than one reason. She was drunk, she did not know what she was doing. She also did not know all the weird things she made him feel. No he could not stay. It would not be proper. Of course he would have loved to watch over her as she slept, but- "please." Her small voice interrupted his thoughts and made him harder for him to take the right decision.

He knew he lost the battle when she fell back asleep, still holding his hand with a strong grip. She needed him. Or so he hoped. Slowly, Tobirama removed her hand from his and took off his armor. Without waking her up, he laid over the blanket next to her. He could watch over her for a few hours and then leave incognito. No one would have to know. His face was burning while he tried not to think too much about the situation, which was hard considering that her warm body was only a few inches from his and that she trusted him this much. Just a few hours, then I'll leave. Her regular breathing and the warmth emanating from her body lulled him slowly into a deep sleep, surrounded by the sweet smell of flowers.