The day was impossibly busy since early morning as the whole household was working on preparations for Hashirama's wedding to Uzumaki Mito. It was to be held in only a week. Tobirama found himself in need of some time off, leaving his paperwork and studies to pile up, having a certain personal affair to attend to. Walking – leisurely, he hoped – into the Uchiha side of the Leaf village, he stiffly returned greetings of people who bothered to acknowledge him.

He was going to see Uchiha Mego, of all people, of course in regards to what Sumi had confessed to him. Tobirama had managed to talk, or rather, berate her into telling him most information he wanted to know, but what she decidedly refused to disclose were the names of the men in question. She begged him to let it go and forgive her if he could, but he found it wasn't something he could easily swipe under the rug even if he wanted to. The very evening he found out about it all, Tobirama tried burying himself in work, hoping to get his mind off of it… Only to find himself later that night making a list of every Uchiha nobleman he could remember off the top of his head.

He still wasn't sure what he'd do once he learned their names, as he definitely didn't plan on exposing Sumi's secret. She was way too vulnerable to it as is, it was never his intention to make her feel even worse. Still, he was determined to learn their identity in order to keep an eye on them. He imagined them watching him and Sumi, mocking to themselves, knowing what they did with his wife before she came to belong to him. It infuriated him all over again.

Since Uchiha Mego was the one who handled that for Sumi, she was bound to know their names. He would have to go through the stress of seeing Madara and possibly have him ask questions, he realized, but still, he wouldn't be deterred. Arriving before their house, however, he frowned, seeing that crowd had gathered at the bottom of the stairs.

"Did something happen?" He asked the man closest to him. The Uchiha glanced over worriedly before speaking.

"Madara had apparently resigned from his position as the leader, and now he's nowhere to be found." He frowned, shaking his head disapprovingly. "Most of his personal belongings are gone too."

"He's gone rogue, then?" Tobirama found he was genuinely stunned to learn that. As impulsive and disagreeable as Madara was, he cared for the village, and even more, he cared for his clan. It was obvious he wouldn't stay their leader for long, given his reputation and character, but Tobirama doubted anyone expected him to actually abandon this place he worked so hard for.

"Yes, seems like it."

Sighing, Tobirama decided he'd let Hashirama ponder over that. He had come all the way here to do something, and he was going to see it through.

"And his wife," He addressed the man once more. "Where is she now?" He hoped to be directed to her parents' home, assuming she must have gone there. This large house would surely come to belong to the next appointed leader of their clan.

"He took her."

Of course he fucking did. The bastard had to hinder him even now.

"M-my lord?" Mellow voice called, and he looked in the general direction it came from, perplexed for a moment since no one was there. Then he lowered his gaze. A petite Uchiha girl stood before him, probably no older than his sister. A servant, her attire revealed.

"Yes?" The girl blinked nervously, clearing her throat before speaking again.

"Lady Mego left something for lady Sumi. He-Here…" Reaching into her belt, she pulled out a wrapped note and offered it to him. So, he had completely wasted his time coming here, and would most likely never learn the names of those brutes. Unable to conceal his irritation, he snatched the paper from the girl's hand, feeling a small sting of guilt when she fearfully gasped.

"Thank you." He muttered, turning around to go home.

…

"She left?" Sumi's hand limply accepted the letter Tobirama handed her, her shock quiet but very much obvious in her eyes. "What does it say?" She asked, proceeding to open the letter.

"I didn't read it, the servant said it's for you." He observed silently while her gaze wandered over the contents of the note. He decided to speak a couple of minutes later. "Did she say where they went? She came willingly?"

"Yes, she says she insisted to come along, but it doesn't say where. She just… She's wishing us luck and is asking me to make sure Toya is taken into a good home."

"Toya?"

"Her handmaiden." She answered absently. "I can't believe this is all she had to say to me." Turning the paper over, she seemed to be looking for more writings, letting out a restless sigh upon not finding any.

"May I?" Tobirama asked, stretching his arm to take the letter. He looked it over quickly, shrugging at its contents. "She did say she didn't have much time." He justified, not really knowing why he even bothered. Perhaps he thought she'd feel better.

"Will I never see her again?" Sumi looked up at him. He expected her to be hopeful, although judging by her expression, she already knew the answer. He shook his head.

"Likely not. Madara isn't the one to just return after leaving." He came closer, intending to rub her shoulder or give her a hug, depending on which she wanted, but his wife remained wooden, seeking no comfort from him. Hoping she didn't catch him frowning, Tobirama withdrew to his previous spot, holding back a sigh at the current shape of their relationship. "I'm sorry." He added vaguely, knowing there was more than one thing to regret.

He understood her. Having received no sympathy from him upon confessing that horrid thing, it was reasonable of her not to seek it at the moment, either. He truly understood. However, he wasn't certain she had the same tolerance for him – whether she comprehended the severity of her own offense and how humbled it made him feel.

Had she told him earlier, surely he would have sent her back to the Uchiha without a second thought. But in these months they had been married, he found himself captivated, tempted by her. He'd come to care for her enough to put her above his own pride, and that fact only served to aggravate him further. He was torn between respecting her honesty, as a lesser person would likely keep it all a secret rather than face his anger, and naively wishing she had never told him any of it. Clearing his throat, he went to change the topic.

"What will you do about the servant?"

"I thought Yuna could use a younger handmaiden? Haname is an elder after all."

"Can the girl handle Yuna?" He raised an eyebrow. His sister was a handful, their father would hardly entrust her to anyone but the old woman who cared for them all since birth. Sumi shrugged.

"She handled Mego."

"Alright. I'll speak to father."

Without another word, he left the room. It was like they had regressed to the first days of their marriage, Tobirama realized, as they kept their communication formal and bothered to engage in it only when necessary. This time around, though, he feared it wouldn't get better.

….

"And you're sure about this girl?" Butsuma asked distractedly, watching as tailor's apprentice fitted Hashirama's wedding robes on him. "Will Yuna like her?"

"I suppose. Sumi thinks so." Tobirama answered, allowing a small smile to escape him at the sight of his brother all dressed up. The clothes suited him perfectly, as did his bride. Their clan had always kept close ties with the Uzumaki, so they were very familiar with princess Mito. Tobirama's admiration for her was endless. From her impeccable reputation to her skill as a kunoichi, he always found her to be the perfect woman.

His brother, however, seemed less enthusiastic than one would expect. Tobirama noted to himself to talk to him later, wondering if he could be of any help. He could already assume what it was mainly about. Madara, as always. Hashirama's disappointment at the news of him leaving weighed on his shoulders at every moment.

But that wasn't quite all. His brother had been pretty withdrawn since his engagement. The only thing he and Hashirama had in common was blood, as their father would sometimes say, and that applied to their taste in women too.

Mito's natural character and upbringing both led her to become a very formal, quiet, responsible person. No doubt Hashirama would rather enjoy marrying someone with warm, bubbly personality akin to his own, alas his position demanded he put the needs of the village above his personal wishes. He never once complained, but Tobirama could tell he wasn't genuinely happy.

"Fine." Butsuma nodded. "I'll talk to Haname, and you arrange everything to bring that girl here."

"Alright, father." Tobirama turned around, intending to go to his study and finish up what he had to in order to get the handmaiden sent to them, then work on this jutsu he was meaning to try out for days now, but could never get the time. It was still technically his day off.

"Tobirama?" The man's tone rang with importance when he called, and Tobirama faced him.

"Yes?"

"Walk with me, I've been meaning to talk to you."

By walk, Butsuma apparently meant only to the study, having Tobirama sit down across from him, wondering what he'd done to be taken in there. Like a culprit, like a child, when his father singled him out for something and brought him into his office for lecture.

"Is something the matter?"

"I was hoping you'd tell me." The older man raised his eyebrows in a meaningful manner. He sighed. "You have been married for a while now, Tobirama. It will be a year soon." His fingers gently tapped the surface of the desk. "Are you and daughter in law experiencing troubles? Are you both healthy?"

Tobirama frowned.

"Yes, we're fine. Why are you—"

"Why haven't you put a child in her yet? You could have already had one. What's wrong?"

His father's tone wasn't reprimanding, it was concerned. Tobirama scowled deeper yet, letting his eyes trail away from Butsuma's. He knew these questions would eventually come, yet it was hard to be prepared for them.

"Is she performing her duties?"

He looked up.

"It's not Sumi's fault. I have been—" A burdened exhale gave away his troubles. "I'm not ready to be a father. And, frankly…" He struggled to put his reasons into words, but Butsuma beat him to it.

"Uchiha?" The man asked knowingly. He nodded. "Watching you two, I got an impression that you love her. Why does the clan still matter? We're at peace."

"I love her, but—" He gulped, breath rushing through him at the realization what he had just said. Exactly. He loved her. He was nearly tempted to laugh. He'd been drowning in his own anger for days unable to rationalize why he allowed her all that he did, when it had been that simple. Shaking his head briefly to chase away the intruding thoughts, he hurried to answer. "Fathering an Uchiha child just isn't something I'm ready for."

"Wrong." He narrowed his eyes at Butsuma's words. "The children you father will be Senju. Don't doubt our blood, Tobirama."

Of course, how could he have been so narrow-minded? Sumi wouldn't make their children by herself. And since he loved her, what's to suggest he wouldn't love their offspring? He most definitely would.

"Still, I don't want any children yet. And neither does Sumi."

Butsuma nodded understandingly.

"Fair. Don't wait too long, however. The older she gets, the riskier her pregnancies will be. You must think of her wellbeing."

Gods, he considered himself an intelligent man, yet he failed to think of something so simple. His father wasn't a man of many words, but those he spoke were always the right ones. He needed to think of her wellbeing. Not his pride, her honor, nor the clans. Just their marriage. His choices were simple: send her away or forgive her and keep her by his side. Since he had already decided on the latter, it was needlessly cruel to continue punishing her. He stood up.

"I will. Thank you, father."

He had to bunglingly roam the house for a short time, unsure where Sumi was. He wasn't even certain she was home. Upon not finding her in any of the shared rooms, he made way for sleeping chambers, assuming she must be in theirs. Walking down the hall, he paused, thinking he had heard her voice from Yuna's bedroom. It was muffled coming through the door, but sure enough, it was Sumi.

"You will love her. She's a very sweet girl." Her voice was soft, and he felt warm around his heart at the gentle way she had with his sister. Yuna was rarely accepting of others – a trait they both shared – but she came to welcome Sumi relatively easily.

"I guess she's bound to be more fun than aunt Haname, but," Tobirama could very well hear his sister's pout in her voice. "She sounds kind of boring. You said she was your handmaiden?"

"Yes, for a couple of weeks before I came here. She was—" He knocked on the door, waiting for them to ask him inside. Once Yuna did, he opened the door, stepping inside. "Is everything alright?" Sumi's poised, peaceful tone disappeared as soon as her eyes landed on him. Its place was taken by timid, tightened, silenced voice. His sister let her eyes knowingly wander their blank expressions, easily assuming something was afoot. The strain between them was palpable.

"I need to speak to you."

Sumi nodded, getting up from her position on Yuna's bed.

"Excuse me." She offered the girl a tiny unconvincing smile, and came over, joining him at the door, following when he turned to walk to their room.

This space where they had some of their sweetest moments was now nearly claustrophobic. Their bed, where they argued, where Sumi wailed and begged; the window bench she would huddle on, looking outside while pretending she didn't hear him come in; the door leading to the nursery, where he had made himself a futon, in his rage refusing to lie next to her.

Tobirama sighed, stepping aside so she could enter first, staying behind to close the door.

"I wanted to talk about… Well, everything." He began, leaning his back against the wood. He took a few moments to gather his thoughts. Funny how while arguing he spat his words out effortlessly, and when in need of something tender to say his tongue seemed to tie. "I said I would allow our marriage to continue, but—"

"It's alright." Sumi faced him, whispering her words before he got to finish. "You can send me away." Looking at her closely, she struggled very hard not to tear up. Her lips subtly ticked, her jaw tensed, her delicate neck held her head high in a naïve attempt to keep the tears in should they pool in her eyes.

"I already said I wouldn't do that! What do you take me for?" And that's all it took. Good work. He mocked himself internally as she started to cry. "No, I'm…" He inhaled tiredly, unable to find any proper words other than 'I'm sorry'. Those were completely meaningless at this point. "I didn't mean to shout. What I meant was—" He grappled, feeling her tearful eyes on himself. He shut his eyes closed for a moment before confronting her gaze once more. "I fucking love you, alright?"

She let out an appalled gasp, proceeding to weep even harder. Seeing how she took no action to answer, he continued, finding it hard to filter his words once they started coming out.

"I can't stop thinking of what they did to you – and not just the ones that hurt you! The man before them, too. Chastity means a lot to me, I…" He paused, forcing his focus to switch to the things he wished to say that weren't going to make everything worse. "But I don't want that to ruin this marriage. I still… I still want you just the same. And if you truly don't want to tell me who those men are, I'll stop asking. I'll never bring it up again." A broken sigh escaped him as he shrugged. "It's hard for me to let it go, but… Better it than you."

"You—"

"And don't think I have no respect for your honesty. I admire it, it's just…" His words slipped out from him before he got to stop himself, realizing he had interrupted her. "What were you going to say?"

"I don't want to tell." She shook her head adamantly. "I want to forget everything related to them. So don't ask."

"Can you actually forget something like that?"

"I can now." Sumi sniffed, drying her cheeks. "I no longer live among them, I'm here." Her dark eyes found his. "I'm safe."

Tobirama nodded.

She moved, warily approaching him. Standing before him, her eyes cautiously looked up, searching for any clues of rejection. Tobirama let his hand reach her face, fingers grazing her cheekbone on their way to tuck some of her black hair behind her ear. They went further, holding the back of her head and with a delicate tug they pulled her closer to rest against him.

He straightened up to move away from the door, making space for her arms to embrace his middle. Lowering himself slightly, he placed a small kiss on her temple. Her skin tasted no differently, her touch felt as warm as ever, her scent just as alluring as always. So what exactly differed now that he knew she'd been with men before him, he asked himself.

Nothing. Nothing at all.