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Butterfly and Moth

Chapter 12 – A Letter and a Kunai

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Weeks passed in which Tobirama and Akari barely interacted with each other. Akari would formally greet him when they met each other by chance, and Tobirama would acknowledge the greeting with a short nod. But apart from that, there was nothing.

With Akari's ankle injured, she spent most of her time at the Hyuuga compound and neither trained nor took on any missions. Tobirama occupied himself with paperwork and barely left his office. Their lives hardly differed much as Akari's father thought the circumstances were ideal to teach his daughter more about finances and bureaucracy. So Akari ended up sitting in front of paperwork most of the days herself.

One day, Akari was sorting through some documents on her father's desk when a letter sparked her interest. She immediately recognised the stamps and seals on it. It was from the Mizukage. From Kirigakure. It had already been opened, so she read it.

The content of the letter came as no surprise. Ever since the clans in the Land of Water founded their own Hidden Village, the Mizukage held the strong belief that the Hyuuga ought to abandon Konoha and return to their homeland. So every now and then, her father received a letter asking them to join Kirigakure. First, they had been worded politely and were a mere suggestion, then the Mizukage started making offers and promises - new land, funds, political positions. But the tone changed over the years. And instead of bribery, this one contained several threats.

She put the letter away again, but the message stayed on her mind.

Her father was sitting in the living room and enjoyed a cup of tea when Akari found him.

She sat down on a cushion next to him. The door to the gardens was open, and her father was watching birds enjoying themselves in a bird bath.

"You didn't notify me that Kirigakure had written another letter," she eventually said.

"I didn't think it was a matter you had to concern yourself with," he answered shortly.

"Have you talked to the Hokage about this? If Kirigakure truly were to attack Konoha -"

"I have, Akari." He interrupted her. "The matter is taken care of. These are just empty threats. Kirigakure knows better than to start a war with Konoha over a bloodline."

She fell silent. Clearly this was nothing her father wanted to discuss with her. But she was the heiress, the next head of their clan. This matter ought to concern her too.

"The Mizukage acts like our clan owes him loyalty. But we don't," her father added with bitterness in his voice.

The Land of Water was Akari's place of birth. Yet she could barely remember anything about it. The vast sea, and the smell of water and salt were all that remained. And since her father had packed his things and moved the whole clan to Konoha, Akari had never gone to the Land of Water again. It was no more than a foreign country.

But her father had lived there for most of his life. Their clan longer than anyone could remember. Their history lay in the Water.

"Have you finished the finance accounts yet?" he asked to change the topic.

"I have. Do you want me to deliver them to the Hokage? I was going to meet my teammates soon anyway, so it really wouldn't be a bother." Akari had started to deliver documents to the Hokage building whenever possible. It offered her a reason to leave their compound, and it offered an opportunity to, maybe, run into Tobirama. Even if they never talked.

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At the Hokage building, Akari went to Hashirama's office and handed over the documents.

He thanked her, but when he looked through them said, "Ah, finances. Sends a shiver down my spine. Anyway, I guess these are for my brother."

"Do you want me to bring them to him?" she casually asked.

"Oh, thank you. But Tobi isn't here. I'll keep them for him." He took them and threw them on a pile of unsorted papers and documents that lay in a corner.

Akari slightly frowned at the sight. Her father surely would get mad to know the Hokage left the accounts of their clan's finances laying in a corner. But while she loved nagging Riku for his perceived faults, it was different with her former teacher.

So she thanked him and left.

Outside, her eyes observed the area. They couldn't find what they were looking for. Akari hardly admitted it to herself, but whenever she was walking around the village, her eyes were looking for Tobirama. The night they had shared with each other was still on her mind, even when it shouldn't. She wondered whether it was still on his mind too.

Inori and Riku were already standing in front of a ramen shop having a lively conversation when Akari arrived.

"How is your ankle, Akari?" Riku asked as he watched her lean her crutches against the wall and sit down.

"Oh, it's pretty much healed. But I'm not supposed to put too much weight on it yet. Just in case."

They all ordered a noodle soup and Inori and Riku continued their conversation from earlier. Akari mostly listened, and threw in one or two remarks about Riku's table manners. She couldn't understand how it never bothered Inori when he spoke to her while still munching on noodles at the same time.

Inori eventually turned to her with a smug grin on her face. In a low voice, she said, "Have you heard that the sixtails broke out in Kumogakure? Apparently the seal was too weak and the vessel surrendered to it. A ton of casualties before they managed to reseal it. Serves them right."

"Maybe it'll break out a second time," Riku commented, wishful.

"At least the gods are bringing us justice," Inori added.

Akari stayed quiet. She knew that Inori had prayed for something like this to happen. The Uchiha weren't exactly the most forgiving clan when it came to the deaths of their members. And she could understand her feelings. Everyone always wanted justice.

But justice was a very flexible term. And in this case involved the deaths of hundreds of civilians, who most likely hadn't even known that the sixtails was held in their village.

They continued talking about the next mission Inori was assigned to until eventually, Hiruzen walked past the ramen shop and spotted them.

Hiruzen and Tobirama were closely linked in Akari's mind, so her thoughts instantly skipped to the latter. She hadn't seen Tobirama in a few days, and it made her wonder what he was doing. Though that wasn't exactly something she could ask Hiruzen.

"Are you training again today?" Inori asked him after they all greeted each other.

He nodded. "Tobirama-sensei said he might teach us the Shadow Clone jutsu. We want to be prepared."

That again sparked Akari's interest. "The Shadow Clone jutsu?"

It wasn't the first time Tobirama tried to teach that jutsu to his students. But after Kagami ended up in hospital the last time around and nearly died, the Hokage forbade the jutsu from being taught to anyone again.

"Yes, he said he improved it. And our chakra control obviously improved too since last time. So the Hokage allowed it."

"I've seen them quite a few times on the training grounds." Inori said to Akari, then turned to Hiruzen. "It feels like you guys are training all day long. But I have to admit, I'm slightly jealous. It's not like Hashi-sensei could ever teach us the Wood Clones. Shadow Clones seem so much more progressive since they don't need any nature transformation at all."

Hiruzen's glance was on Inori, then fell on Akari sitting next to her. "I could ask if you two could join as well once Tobirama-sensei's back. I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Takuma will also join us."

"Really?" Inori asked, delighted. The expression on her face was enough of an answer.

"Once he's back?" Akari didn't even know that he was gone. It reminded her how utterly disconnected their lives were.

"Yes, he went to the capital, a meeting with the daimyo."

"I see. Thanks for the offer," she politely said. She felt just like Inori about the prospect of learning Tobirama's jutsu. And not only because it involved Tobirama. But there was also more than one reason that immediately popped into her head as to why this would be a bad idea. So she added, "But I'm afraid I have to pass."

Hiruzen seemed slightly disappointed by the answer. Then promised Inori he'd ask and continued to be on his way.

Riku threw dark glances after him. "How come only you two ever get offered these things? It's like I wasn't even here just now. Everyone always gives free shit to you guys when I'm the only one here who could use that."

Inori only gave him a short cheeky grin before turning to Akari again. "Why not join us though? I don't think you'll need both feet to learn Shadow Clones."

"You know how my father is," Akari calmly answered. She wasn't even lying. "He barely tolerates me learning jutsu he doesn't know himself. I doubt he'd be happy with me learning the Shadow Clones out of all things." But deep inside, she did wonder if, maybe, she could join them too.

"You don't really want to study Shadow Clones from Tobirama, do you?" Riku asked Inori as soon as Hiruzen was completely gone.

"Why wouldn't I? It's a strong jutsu."

"But… it's Tobirama. You know, never smiles or jokes and does weird experiments in his basement. And he…" Riku didn't finish the sentence.

"He?" Inori asked, but Riku only averted his eyes.

"Killed your father," Akari said in his stead. "I think that's what Riku is trying to say."

Inori smiled. "It's not like I remember anything about my father. If it hadn't been for my uncle telling me, I wouldn't even know how he died."

Riku wasn't convinced, but Inori went on to tell him that Konoha was built on forgiveness. And if Madara could forgive Tobirama for killing Izuna, so could she.

"Did you also forgive Takuma for basically dumping you? Spending your day with those two - awkward."

"Takuma didn't dump me. Besides, as someone who doesn't think too highly of arranged marriages, I would have thought you'd be happy about it."

"Well, I'm simply saying you don't deserve to be dumped."

Inori shook her head and sighed. "More importantly, I'm worried about Hiruzen and Danzo. Every time I see them, they are training. You know, the crazy-type of training."

"They lost a teammate and friend. I guess everyone copes differently," Akari said. She put her empty ramen bowl away and carefully placed the chopsticks next to it.

"Or maybe they are just bullheads who can't see the other doing better than themself. They've always been like that," Riku said.

"True," Inori agreed. "They are a bit like twins. What one does, the other does too. Only better."

"More like rivals," Riku said. "Always trying to outdo the other."

"Brotherly rivals."

"Rivalrous brothers."

They both chuckled.

Akari rolled her eyes and sighed. Their shared humour was something she could never quite grasp.

"But in all seriousness," Inori continued. "They should take a break once in a while. Especially if they want to learn the Shadow Clones jutsu. It's not like that one is easy on one's chakra reserves."

"You just feel bad looking at them because you've been slagging off. Remember that dessert plate you ordered last time we had dinner?" Riku laughed, but immediately earned loud protest from Inori for his words.

"What am I supposed to do when my main training's partner has a broken ankle? You are busy every time I ask you to go for a run together. You are lazy yourself!" A pout formed on her lips as she sipped away the last bit of broth left in her bowl. But it quickly vanished again as a different thought sparked her mind. "Maybe Akari could help Hiruzen take his mind off of things a bit." Her voice made it clear that she was teasing.

"What? Why would I?"

"Aww, come on. I met Hiruzen like three times last week when they were training, and he did not once offer me to join. But now that you are here…" She put an arm around her friend and pulled Akari closer.

"It is pretty obvious that he likes you," Riku agreed.

"Stop it!" Akari protested. "I don't need to hear this. I'm a Hyuuga and I'm not interested."

Inori started ruffling her hair. "Come on, I told you before. There is nothing wrong with having some fun. I'll make sure your father won't find out."

Akari pulled away from her and tried her best to save her hairstyle. "I just can't with you sometimes. Stop imitating Hashirama-sensei's bad habits!"

Inori laughed lightly and let go of her friend again. An annoyed look stayed on Akari's face, but she was glad to see Inori cheerful. She'd worried that Kagami's death would haunt her.

They finished their dinner, and Inori decided that the next day, she would join Tobirama's training if he allowed it. She asked Riku too whether he'd come, but he passed just like Akari.

They said goodbye to each other and Akari went on her way back home.

She wondered whether she should ask her father about the Shadow Clones. But then she wondered whether Tobirama would even want to teach her. Then she wondered for the hundredth time how Inori would react if she told her the truth about Tobirama. But she couldn't tell her, that she knew. She had basically promised Tobirama. And it was for the best, because that night would never happen again.

It slowly dawned on her that she could hardly continue like this. She couldn't keep trying to see him. Not weeks after they were back from their journey together, back to their lives. It was too distracting. And pointless as well. So she decided to stop. Right then and there. She decided that she didn't need the Shadow Clone jutsu.

The next time her father prepared documents that needed delivery, she stayed quiet, and waited until her brother happily accepted the task.

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Akari could walk without crutches again by the time Konoha's anniversary approached. It was a day on which Hashirama liked to invite all clan heads for dinner and drinks to celebrate their unity and village.

But it was also the day Inori returned from a mission. She'd been gone for a few days with two other shinobi. Her absence reminded Akari that now that her ankle was healed, she would have to explain to her father that he couldn't occupy her with paperwork any longer. She would go on missions again, outside of Konoha's walls.

As expected, Akari hit a wall in their conversation. One that was even bigger than Konoha's.

"You are not going" and "we are not discussing this" were her father's favourite phrases.

It left Akari angry. "I'm a Konoha shinobi. I ought to go on missions," she argued, but her father barely engaged in the conversation.

He didn't even look at her when he repeated, again, that she was not going on any missions any time soon and continued reading his book.

"In the end, it's the Hokage's decision whether he deploys me or not." Her voice was harsh. She wanted to get some sort of reaction out of her father, but there was none. He didn't take his eyes off the book.

She stared at him, still waiting. He slowly turned a page. Then, finally, he looked up.

"Is there anything else you want to discuss?"

She took a deep breath, and with a "No, father," left the room and house.

Not long after, Akari knocked at the door of Hashirama's office.

The Hokage was happy to see her and greeted her with an excited, "Are you looking forward to tonight?"

Akari ignored his question. "Have you talked to my father?"

Hashirama's face told her everything she had to know. Still he tried to avoid her question. "Well, you need to be more specific. Of course your father and I talk every once in a while."

"He convinced you to not assign me to any missions, didn't he," she concluded.

"Listen, Akari-chan. Your father is only worried that you are going back to work too quickly. The medic also said you should take it easy for a few more weeks."

"The medic?" She snorted. "They would say anything my father wants to hear. If that is the base of your argumentation, then my foot is still needing rest in a year's time."

Hashirama sighed. "I'm sorry, but I agreed with him. There is no reason to take any risks with your health."

Akari was about to turn on her heels and leave without saying a word, but then still managed an overly polite smile accompanied by a "Thank you, Lord Hokage."

Hashirama watched her leave, sighing again. He knew she was anything but content with him and her situation. And her smile right there was scary enough. It reminded him of Mito's whenever she saw him drink too much during official meetings. He chuckled to himself, wondering if tonight would be another one of those nights.

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Akari was sitting on a bench in the Uchiha compound. She didn't feel like going home again just yet. Inori had been caught up in a clan meeting, so she was just sitting there, waiting.

A young Uchiha child walked past her with his mother and stared at her eyes with a face full of wonder. Uchiha and Hyuuga, their eyes surely looked almost the opposite. For one clan they were almost black, for the other almost white. Yet old legends said that they were once the same.

The child's mother greeted her politely, knowing that she was Inori's friend. All of Konoha knew.

Not long after, Inori appeared. She apologized for the wait and the two went on a walk together.

"Can you believe it?" Inori soon started ranting. "I get this mission to 'retrieve stolen goods' for this Lord Who-Ever and do you know what those 'goods' were?" She didn't wait for Akari to actually make a guess. "His wife! Ran off with another lord. And then he expected me to kill that guy. Who does he think he is? None of that was even mentioned in the application he gave us. So I walked out on him too. Totally could understand his wife. He had such an attitude."

"At least you get to go on missions," Akari shortly replied.

"Oh, come on. Going on missions isn't that great, as I have just pointed out to you. He even refused to pay. Idiot."

"That's not the point. My father keeps making decisions for me. I'm the next clan head. He should trust me more, shouldn't he?"

"He's your father. It's only natural he's worried about you. That's what fathers do." She stopped for a moment, then shrugged. "Well, at least I guess that's what they do. Not like I have any first-hand experiences."

They ended up at one of the shrines that belonged to the Uchiha compound. And since they were already talking of dead fathers, Inori decided to offer a few ryou and a prayer. Akari joined her.

There was a moment of silence between them as they both stood in front of the shrine. A statue of Amaterasu stood on one side, a statue of Tsukuyomi on the other.

When she was done praying, Inori said, "You know, if you really want to be clan head, I'll gift you my position. Because if I have to listen to one more complaint about other clan's getting better missions, I swear…"

Akari smiled, then looked up at the sun. "Sorry for complaining. I should probably head home though. I wouldn't want to be late tonight. See you later?"

Inori and Akari said goodbye and went their separate ways.

At home, Emiko was already waiting for Akari. She was excited to do her cousin's hair for the evening, and always had fun coming up with new hair styles. Akari hardly minded. At least Emiko didn't talk about clan business or the upcoming evening, but chattered about a guy she had met in the village instead. She recounted their whole conversation in detail while carefully pinning up Akari's hair.

Akari looked at herself in the mirror. Emiko fawning over a man who was no Hyuuga made her remember Tobirama. And she knew that this evening, she'd meet him again. It'd be the first time in forever that they would actually spend in the same room, with the same circle of people.

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The dinner took place at Hashirama's favourite izakaya. He had reserved a whole room with three big tables. Seating happened sort of freely, with everyone sticking to some unspoken rules.

Hashirama sat at the centre of his table, to his right side was his brother, to his left his wife and then son. Takuma had brought his wife as well. She quietly sat next to him, hands folded nervously in her lap. She was the only person in the whole room who was not a trained shinobi, apart from the waiter, and one could tell she was well aware of the fact that she was the odd one out.

At the Hokage's table also sat the Uchiha, Hyuuga and Sarutobi. Those three clans, together with the Senju that were being represented by the Hokage himself, formed the core of Konoha. They were considered the strongest, the most prestigious.

Inori was the youngest head. Or rather she was the representative of the Uchiha's clan head. It was the first year Madara was missing during the village's anniversary. While most clan heads attended with their spouses and children, Inori brought two of her advisors, two men much older than her. They belonged to the same clan, but were no direct relatives. Those were all dead, apart from Madara. And with him not having a wife and children, the Uchiha's main family had grown dangerously small.

Even Riku arrived with Kumiko and Sakumo. Hashirama had insisted that his student brought his lovely wife and the heir to the newly founded Hatake clan. As soon as the Hokage lay eyes on the little baby, his voice was two pitches higher as he tickled Sakumo to make him laugh. It was hard to believe that this was the man who held the ninetails locked up inside of him.

Akari sat down next to her father, and her brother sat down next to her. Whether her brother Haruto had been asked to join as a son or as a guard only their father knew. She glanced across the table, and found Tobirama sitting there, almost right opposite of her. It made it impossible for their eyes to not meet every now and then.

But Akari knew that missing eye contact could be just as telling as embarrassed glances. So she accepted that this one night, Tobirama would be part of her life again, or rather, part of her dinner table.

For dinner they shared several small dishes. Whoever wanted to order was invited by Hashirama to do so. Akari sat back and let the others decide. She couldn't help taking note of the dishes Tobirama chose. A plate of sashimi, grilled-fish skewers, seaweed salad and vegetables.

Hashirama had Sakumo on his lap while they waited for the food. Him and some of the other heads were admiring the smiles the baby threw at them.

"This reminds me of the time Takuma was this small." Hashirama laughed in delight. "Makes me wish I had another one this small too."

Mito quietly took a sip of water.

Hashirama laughed again. "We can only hope our grandchild will be as cute as little Sakumo-chan."

The other heads assured him that surely that would be the case. After all, that child would eventually be heir to the Senju clan. And some even hinted at there was a good chance of it being Hokage in the future. But that was something no one directly voiced out loud. Hashirama had his own plans to choose an Uchiha next, one particular Uchiha, but many in Konoha considered the Senju family the founders and thus leaders of Konoha and no one else.

Tobirama never looked at Sakumo and seemed to be one of the only people at the table who wasn't charmed by the baby. He carefully studied the drinking menu again, then engaged in a short conversation with Hiruzen and Danzo, who sat next to him.

Akari decided to do the same and started a conversation with her brother and Inori.

Every now and then, her eyes would pass Tobirama, and linger on him for just a second longer than they should.

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Soon the whole room was conversing with one another, most of the time with a lot of laughter and animated gesticulation. The table with the Inuzuka was the loudest and liveliest, and the Inuzuka clan was big enough in numbers to fill half the spots themselves. Their head Isao had brought his three daughters, two sons and a wife who was pregnant with their sixth child. Two dogs lay under the table and took a nap.

On his way to the bathroom, Isao stopped at Akari's table. He put a hand on Tobirama's shoulder and said, "I heard you are teaching your students the Shadow Clone jutsu. Who's proven the most gifted so far?"

"They are all very talented," Tobirama replied. He knew better than to give a table full of clan heads reason to argue over individual skill.

Akari's father glanced at her, and she wondered whether he'd be questioning why she never asked him for permission to join as well.

The Inuzuka's remark still sparked a discussion about the Shadow Clones. It eventually led to Isao, again, questioning why it was the Senju, Uchiha and Sarutobi were learning the jutsu, but not the Hyuuga.

Everyone eyed either Tobirama or the Hyuuga head to wait for an answer.

"Have the Hyuuga fallen out of favour?" Isao was laughing to make sure everyone understood he was joking. Yet the atmosphere at the table still grew slightly tense.

Tobirama looked at Akari; his eyes focused directly on hers. "Akari could gladly join us as well. If she wanted to."

It sent a wisp of excitement down her spine, though she didn't let it show on her face. She knew that this was what Tobirama was supposed to say.

"I think we'd rather wait until we know that the jutsu is safe," her father calmly intervened.

"The jutsu is safe if used properly," Tobirama immediately returned.

"Didn't that boy Kagami once end up in hospital after using it?" her father replied.

Akari poured herself some more tea and took a sip while observing their interaction. It felt strangely personal to her, even though she knew that Tobirama was defending his jutsu and not her.

"Chakra exhaustion is a risk, obviously," he said. "But I have improved on the jutsu since. Someone with excellent chakra control should not face serious health risks."

Her father kept quiet, but she could see in his face that his opinion had already been formed and wasn't going to change. It was just like she had expected. Even if she had asked, he wouldn't have allowed it.

One of the Uchiha frowned at Tobirama's words. "Are you implying Kagami had bad chakra control?"

Isao, who was responsible for the discussion, left and returned to his own table, which had a much more enjoyable atmosphere.

"Please, that is not what the Hokage said," Inori said in a stern voice. "And we both know that Kagami indeed had other strengths."

The conversation ended there, with no one truly content with how it turned out.

Akari quietly continued to sip her tea. She had refrained from voicing her opinion on the Shadow Clones. No matter how often she rose against her father in their own four walls, she'd been taught better than to act the same in public. So she swallowed the bitterness her earlier conversation with her father had left and reached for the bowl of vegetables instead to get another serving. Her heart skipped a beat when suddenly, her hand touched Tobirama's, who had gone for more vegetables too.

"I'm sorry, go ahead," she politely said.

Tobirama already had his hand pulled back. "No, you go first."

She put some vegetables on her plate, less than she had intended now that she knew Tobirama wanted some as well. Then she directly handed him the bowl. Again, their fingers touched just so slightly.

As soon as Tobirama had the bowl, she took her eyes off him, and started a conversation with someone else. But he did stay on her mind, and she couldn't help glancing at him every now and then from the corner of her eyes.

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The evening went on and Kumiko soon took Sakumo home with her. Dinner was over and Hashirama was excited to announce that the drinking part would now start.

He ordered a round of sake for everyone to toast.

Akari looked at the small cup, then took a sip. It tasted bitter.

"You should try plum wine," Sasuke Sarutobi told her across the table. "It's sweeter. My daughter's favourite."

"Also Hiruzen's favourite," Danzo murmured into his hand with a sly smile on his face. He sat next to Hiruzen, and was invited not only as Tobirama's student, but as a part of the Sarutobi clan as well. Many years ago, Sasuke had adopted him after the death of his parents. And he'd grown up as Hiruzen's brother ever since.

"It's not my favourite," Hiruzen protested. "Besides, there is nothing wrong with enjoying sweet drinks."

"Sure," Danzo said and ordered a strong sake. Hiruzen did the same.

Akari tried the plum wine, mostly out of courtesy. It led her to some small talk with Hiruzen's father, which ended in her politely thanking him for the good advice on her drink. Sasuke then complemented her father on having such a well-spoken and courteous daughter. A compliment her father of course returned in regard to Hiruzen and his sister Haruhi.

It all felt more like an official meeting to Akari than a casual evening with friends like it ought to. It didn't help that some of the clan heads at the other table were discussing an arranged marriage between their clans.

Tobirama didn't even try to pretend that he was enjoying the evening. Most of the time he looked bored, with arms crossed in front of him. Akari felt a strange appreciation for his honesty.

Eventually, he left to go to the bathroom.

She glanced after him and emptied her wine glass.

A few minutes later, she too excused herself and left the room. In the hallway that led to the bathrooms, she met Tobirama, who was on his way back.

He only shortly glanced at her, then attempted to walk past without paying much attention to her at all.

Akari stepped in his way to stop him.

He looked confused.

"I still have your kunai," she said.

He checked down the hallway. No one seemed to be around. In a low voice, he said, "Drop it by my office in the mailbox. Or simply leave it somewhere in Konoha. I'll find it.

Akari didn't move out of his way just yet, and he didn't try to squeeze past. "Tomorrow night. I'll take it to a secret place. If you feel like seeing me, privately, then you should come tomorrow night. I'll be there."

Tobirama didn't understand.

"If not, just pick it up any other day." She smiled and stepped aside to let him pass.

He already parted his lips to speak when they heard someone approach.

Quickly they both left into opposite directions.

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For the rest of the evening and the whole of the next day, Tobirama was wondering about her words. He didn't know what the secret place Akari talked about was supposed to be. Even more or a riddle was her telling him that he should come if he wanted to see her "privately."

He surely hadn't planned on seeing her in private. And even now he was still unsure.

Throughout the day, he kept checking on the position of the kunai that was in Akari's possession. He could clearly feel it at the Hyuuga compound.

Tobirama knew the whole village by heart. He had marked the most important places with a hidden seal, and he knew the exact position of every single one of them.

Evening came and soon it was nighttime. The kunai hadn't moved a bit. He was still in his office, eyes focused on some mission report he ought to sign. He read the same line over and over again, but his brain was not interested. Instead, he kept wondering whether there was something Akari wanted to talk about. It might even be something of importance, he told himself. So maybe he ought to meet her. Then again, it couldn't be that important or she would have told him to come regardless.

His brain kept trying to figure out the intent behind her invitation.

It was late into the night, past midnight, when Tobirama checked for the kunai again and finally found that it wasn't at the Hyuuga compound anymore. He found it outside of Konoha's walls, moving away from the village.

He immediately rose from his chair. He couldn't think of any good reason why the kunai would not be in Konoha anymore or why Akari would leave the safety of the village. Except if something had happened to her. Though her getting abducted again this very night seemed equally unlikely. Especially after she announced that she'd take the kunai to a secret place.

He decided that whatever the reason, he would have to follow and find out. So he put on his armour and left the building. Just in case, he teleported to a kunai he had left outside of Konoha. This way, no one saw him leave Konoha. He then continued on by foot.

The kunai eventually stopped moving. Tobirama approached it carefully.

He arrived at a small lake in the middle of lush woodland, a good distance away from Konoha and into the mountains. Streams of water ran down a stony slope and formed small waterfalls. Akari sat upstream on top of a rock. He slowly approached.

"I didn't think you'd arrive this fast." She smiled at him. "Actually, I wasn't sure whether you'd come at all."

"What are you doing here?" he asked, and stopped a few steps away from her.

"Just enjoying the night sky."

He didn't follow her glance up towards the sky. "You shouldn't be here. This is far away from our guarded areas. It's not safe."

"I've been coming here for years now."

He frowned. "That doesn't make it any better."

"I'd say the risk of me getting kidnapped while lying in my bed at home is higher than it is when I'm sitting here. Because, you know, that's where I'd be looking if I wanted a Byakugan. Not some random place in the woods."

He didn't return the smile that was still on her lips. "I can't just let you sneak out of Konoha at night."

"Oh? As far as I'm aware, there is no rule forbidding me to leave the village whenever I want. It's not like I'm deserting. I'm simply enjoying the serenity of nature."

Tobirama crossed his arms, unsure how she could not see how problematic her attitude was. "How'd you sneak past the guards on the wall though?"

Akari smirked a bit. "I'm afraid that was rather easy."

Tobirama grunted. "Guess I need to have a serious talk with them."

"I'd rather you don't. I have a Byakugan and know their deployment areas and guarding routes. I'd say that's not really fair for them." There was a moment of silence. "Do you want to sit down?"

"No," he answered short and to the point. He was still standing a good distance away from her and did not intend to come closer. "So what's the point of me being here?"

She averted her eyes for just a moment. "Does there need to be a point?"

Tobirama wasn't sure where this was going. He'd expected her to at least have something to talk about since she already invited him. "Why'd you bring the kunai here? I told you to leave it in my mailbox or in Konoha."

The smile on Akari's lips died. "I might not be exactly sure what I was thinking when I invited you here yesterday. I just wanted to see you again, I guess."

He couldn't quite believe his ears. "You just wanted to see me again? You are one reckless woman. You can't just call me here to meet you in secret in the middle of the night because you feel like it. This is not what we had agreed on."

"I'm not reckless. I know this place is safe and neither have I forced you to come here."

"How could I not come here when my kunai mysteriously moves out of Konoha's walls?" he snarled at her.

"Well, I apologise this caused you so much trouble. There's your kunai." She pointed to one of the trees close to Tobirama. It stuck in its trunk. "Take it and leave."

"So you are staying here?"

"It's not like I came here solely for you. I simply thought you might enjoy the night sky here as well. Just forget I ever invited you."

"You can't just do whatever you want and then tell people to forget about it afterwards. That's not how this world works."

"Then go and tell Hashirama for all I care!" she snarled back at him.

Tobirama snorted with anger. Then shook his head. "Fine, do whatever you want. Just leave me out of it." He turned around and walked away.

"Your kunai," she reminded him. "That's what you came for, no?"

He forcefully pulled it out of the trunk and left, discontent with how this conversation turned out. Whatever this little game of hers was supposed to be, he wasn't going to play it. He had better things to do than meet her at night.

Akari had decided to pretend that one night never happened. And he was set on doing just that.

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A/N:

I hope everyone's 2021 is going good so far! Mine was pretty busy, but hopefully I can write more again from now on and the next chapter won't take over 1 month again! :)

But yeah, actually just wanted to drop a short thank you! To all you guys reading this far AND especially for leaving comments. Always good to hear someone's actually enjoying what I'm doing here (though also feel free to let me know if you don't like anything, I can take it).

So yeah, thank you all for reading and commenting 3