Last chapter:

*She was reading intel reports on her bedside, in her nightgown too, supporting her body weight on her right side giving her back to him. Her head held by her right arm. It was just a normal pose for reading...*

-o-

He ignored his pulsing groin and went to bed showing her his back, minded in falling asleep quickly. She wasn't on the same page, apparently. She put all the scrolls on the floor except for one and rolled over to look at his side.

- "Tobirama? I need to talk about a report."- she said in a low voice as if he were asleep already.

- "Hello to you too."- his voice sounded a little too exasperated for his liking.

- "…."

That seemed to take her aback. This woman was too inestable in her speech for his liking. She did not use honorifics with him. Even if this marriage was planned for other reasons she should learn the ways of a wife or the rest of the council would suspect. Hashirama told them he was on their "honeymoon" as an excuse for the last two months of absence, but if she keep that behavior they won't be able to hide the impoliteness of her interactions. Since she was already on acid comments he couldn't help but answer in the same way.

She answered in a low voice after a moment of scilence.

- "I'm sorry. I'm not used to this yet and I've been outside for a while."- she touched his shoulder in a way almost imperceptible, as if asking forgiveness.

Even as offended as he was for her rejection he couldn't fail in work matters. Tobirama gave her a glance over his shoulder so she knew he was listening. She looked at him for a couple of seconds like she was waiting for him to turn completely. When he didn't she continued.

The scroll was a map marked with information she got on this campaign. In order for him to look at it in his actual position she supported her abdomen on his half turned back and unwrapped the map over his chest, her long hair recently dried fell over his face overwhelming him with that damned pleasant perfume he wanted so bad to avoid.

He could hear her voice in the background but the only thing he heard before his brain stopped working was something about a map recently acquired from their enemies. She didn't seem to realize that her hair was all over his face while she was avidly explaining, pointing out places with one hand and holding one side of the paper with the other.

Tobirama was lost in his senses. The soft hair fell over his face like silk. The perfume of oils, shampoo and her own body odor made him want to nuzzle her neck and see if her skin was as soft as it looked. Her body weight over him sent most of his blood to his groin, wondering how would it feel if she rode him, slowly and sensually at first and then hard and-

- "Tobirama!"- she exclaimed in an exasperated tone.

He woke up from the enchantment just the moment he almost nuzzled her neck. Her shadow projected by the candles and the map were the only things obscuring the tent in his pants.

- "I told you to hold the other end of the paper. If you don't want to cooperate this late just tell me."- She said kind of irritated

Tobirama just looked at her with startled expression, maybe he felt sick yet?- she thought.

- "Are you alright? Your behaviour has been… kind of unsettling."

She put the map away and made the gesture to lay him on his back by grabbing him by his exposed shoulder and pushing him down. At the action all his warning senses awoke and he grabbed her wrist to prevent her from touching him again.

-"What are you doing?!"- Tobirama said a little too high, apprehension on his face. If she moved him too much she would notice his predicament and he wasn't in the mood for two rejections in one day.

- "I just wanted to check your health. I left before you were fully recovered and you have some signs of mental instability."- he was squeezing her wrist a little too hard. That meant he was physically well, at least.

- "I'm fine. It's bed time, we'll talk about this tomorrow."

- "If you have any discomfort you should tell me. I can elaborate on a new plan or return where I left the therapy. Sometimes the mind doesn't follow the body"-

- "I said I'm fine!"- Tobirama barked with a firm voice and tight teeth interrupting her clinical discourse. He squeezed her wrist harder and she winced a little from the pain. He disengaged his hold immediately and turned over to his side abruptly. His pulse fast and strong all over the wrong places of his body.

He hated the formality of her voice. It shoved in his face she was just fulfilling the contract when she offered help or showed concern. He would wait for the erection to go down and then sleep in a guest room. He couldn't give explanations about his actual state of humor, not to her.

-o-

What was wrong with this asshole?! She detected something off when he abruptly came into her bath and didn't leave immediately, but now he reacted aggressively without a minimum tease and totally rejected the health care she offered him and only him in sake of honoring the nuptial agreement.

She decided to drop the subject and talk tomorrow since after he barked at her a completely unbelievable "I'm fine", he turned his back at her and a couple of minutes later he got up from the bed and left the room in few large strides to never return.

It seemed he was avoiding her. The reason? Who knows… But a night of lone sleep in a wide comfy bed was good for anyone who has slept for weeks on the hard floor of the forest.

She quickly fell into deep sleep, unconsciously enjoying the musky, male scent that lingered in the bed sheets and pillows.

-o-

Guest room (that same night)

Sleep was proving to be difficult this night. The only thing he could think of was her. How she smelt, how she felt pressed against him, above him. Once he was alone in the spare room he walked in circles around the bed like a jailed lion trying not to submit to this uncontrolled and mindless desire, but it was too difficult to keep his hands of the tender points.

It wasn't neglection anymore. He had just touched himself less than an hour ago. Still, he found himself easily aroused by just thinking of what he would do to her if she let him...wanted him.

This was ridiculous! The fact that he could actually have her was the root of all this. He just had to make the demand and she will comply with her part of the bargain… unwillingly. The idea made his gut clench. He wasn't going to rape her for God's sake. He would touch her in order to get her all wet and wanting, but right now he was too eager to just throw her on her back and have his way savoring, smelling, touching her and...Ugh!

He threw himself onto the bed facing the ceiling, his face covered in sweat. He couldn't sleep like this. He needed to stop this line of thinking.

There was no he way he was going back to his old room, now improvised dojo, which was a couple of meters from her, so he snuck out to the barracks. There he got in the showers. The extremely cold water of the night put his body at ease almost instantly. In order to get his head clean of sexual matters he continued his swordsmanship practice in the light of a few candles. Some guards saw him but recognized him immediately and left with a curtsy.

When he got tired after a couple hours he got another quick shower and went to the house studio, the light of the morning sun already peeking through the horizon tentatively. Sleep finally reached him and the kotatsu table looked far too comfy. He seated and laid his head on the surface. It was all he required to fall into a deep sleep.

-o-

Hokage's Studio (morning)

Hashirama wasn't an early bird. Not like Tobirama at least, who always woke up before the first sunlight touched the earth. He was more of a mid day bird if you could say so, but there was plenty of work accumulated and he had to make the best of the time before the baby's arrival.

He could have expected from Tobirama to be already working this early before the poisoning. When he saw him laying on the kotatsu the first thought was he had been working in the night and had fallen asleep while working. Hashirama was ready to reprimand him for working while he was still weak, but when he got close he realized there was no paperwork on the table. His hair was humid and was wearing a yukata from the barracks instead of his own. Did he overexert himself in the barracks and then came here to sleep? Why? Ahh…If he was avoiding his own bed there was just one reason: Makoto-chan had arrived.

Hashirama didn't understand Tobirama's insane efforts to avoid her. She had taken care of him while unconscious and a whole month after that. He had hoped for their relationship to improve in that time of intimate touches. He had caught some glimpses of the kinesic therapy Makoto gave him. It wasn't anything overly invasive, but Tobirama has never allowed someone to touch him that much, not even for sex, but he let Makoto massage him and he could tell Tobirama had enjoyed it. He saw how he curled his toes when she loosened a muscle knot. He even let her bathe him once when his legs were too weak to sustain him.

Maybe he was overwhelmed for liking it too much? Hashirama then remembered his distress in the interior garden when he admitted she had gotten under his skin by just showing him a little of her body. Yes! That should be it! He didn't know how to deal with feeling too much. He would help him with that. He was his dear little brother and the hopes of his successful marriage where on Hashirama's hands, or at least he liked to think of it that way. It was so romantic…

Tobirama was frowning in his sleep and were his lips partially opened. It seemed he was dreaming. Hashirama moved silently to his left side and placed a hand on his back making soothing movements. His face also rested on the table close to Tobirama's. When Hashirama touched him Tobirama opened his eyes abruptly and made a disgusted face when the first thing he saw was his brother face a little too close and that stupid smile plastered over it.

- "What are you doing anija?"- he let out with a tired voice, trying to put as much space as he could between them without leaving the table.

- "You looked so cute."

Tobirama's response was a disgusted grunt while he massaged his lower back. Three hours in that position had done no good to him.

- "You looked like you needed some love brother. Why are you sleeping here if you have a beautiful woman warming your bed?"

Tobirama gritted his teeth and diverted his face away from Hashirama's view but he still could see the red tinting his ears. It was so easy to tease him.

- "I'm not discussing this with you." - Tobirama said in an exasperated tone and made the motion to rise and leave the table.

Hashirama grabbed him by the wrist and pushed him back to his seat. Tobirama landed on the cushion letting out an angered grunt and facing his brother seriously.

- "Who then?"- Hashirama said firmly. He was used to Tobirama's stubbornness. Hashirama knew he needed this talk.

-" …."- Tobirama played mute and kept glaring at a random point in the background.

- "Listen Tobirama… I know it's a little overwhelming in the beginning but it improves if you talk it out, I promise".

- "…."

- "Maybe she was out a long for period this time but she took care of you for a much longer time, I saw it! She was very careful and loving and-"

- "How can you know that?" - Tobirama practically spit at him. Hashirama had heard Tobirama using this tone just to refer contemptuously to some Uchihas playing a particularly coward approach during the war. Never had he used it on him. It caused him great shock.

Tobirama saw the blank look on Hashirama's face and knew it was his opportunity to get out and so he did. Hashirama didn't stop him this time.

When Tobirama left Hashirama remained in deep reflection.

This woman was hurting Tobirama, probably unknowingly, but still… Tobirama would never speak like that if he weren't silently in pain because Tobirama always suffered silently. All the death, frustration, failures and loses the war brought to them. He shared them when they were boys, but he grew into a man that swallowed them all and used it to build a horribly cold wall. With time it became hard even for Hashirama to reach him. Sometimes he feared for him. He feared the shadows would swallow him forever.

At the beginning Hashirama though the peace they were enjoying now had been paid with the blood of his mates during the war. Now he knew better. The blood was just the entrance ticket to have a chance for peace. The true cost was being paid now with shadows and murky diplomatics arraignments and Tobirama got mingled in them quickly because, like always, he knew this truth before Hashirama and embraced the cost immediately, trying to leave Hashirama out in the light while he sacrificed his life moving the cords hidden in his shadow.

Hashirama didn't want this for his only brother left. He wanted him to enjoy the light and the love that life could provide even if it was short. When the possibility of a marriage arrangement appeared it has fallen from the sky. Hashirama was certain this would bring Tobirama the happiness he was enjoying with Mito. And then Makoto-san resulted to be Kokuyo and that wasn't even the problem. The real problem, apparently, was that they were too similar and none of them wanted to give in, was it? Maybe he should clarify the problem first.

-o-

It was still early. The maids indicated Tobirama was having breakfast in the common kitchen, something unusual since Tobirama was a very private person and liked to eat in his own chamber unless Hashirama requested his company. Gossip between the staff was quicker than wind. This couldn't be repeated or the council and their enemies would know something was wrong with the recently married couple.

Hashirama ordered his food to be served in his chambers and greeted Tobirama once more while he swallowed down his miso soup quickly. Apparently, he wanted to be out of there soon.

- "You can continue your breakfast in my chambers Tobirama."- Hashirama said while grabbing him by his shoulder. A firm grip that implied a command, not a suggestion.

Tobirama was a stubborn person but knew he shouldn't play fool with Hashirama the few times he was serious. He cursed mentally and stood ready to follow Hashirama to this stupid talk.

Hashirama walked slowly, greeting everyone he encountered in the hallways like always, pretending nothing was wrong. When they arrived at the common chamber Mito was brushing her hair and Hashirama approached her. First kissing her forehead and then whispering something in her ear. Tobirama could tell it was about him since she gave him the "What did you do now?" look and finished her hair quickly to leave them alone.

The food was served recently. Steam and delicious bittersweet pork fragrance. Hashirama invited him to eat too since it was too much just for one person. They ate it quickly in silence. Once their bellies were full Hashirama continued with his soup and his interrogation.

- "So… Are you ready to tell me what I don't know?"

- …

*sigh* He would have to play the guessing game again with him. Why did Tobirama have to be so hard with words?

- "You don't like something about her?"

- "…"

- "Perhaps some manners are not like ours?"

- "…"

- "Or is it something she said?"

Tobirama changed the direction he was looking. So it was something she said...

- "Is a problem in the private department?"

Tobirama clenched his hands under the table. He thought Hashirama couldn't see but it caused wrinkles in his haori.

- "Is it a problem in bed?"

His brow twitched. Usually it took much longer for Hashirama to deduce Tobirama's line of thinking but this time it was painfully evident Tobirama was having a lot of trouble keeping the poker face in this monologue.

- "Is your wife denying herself to you?"

Ah...Tobirama gritted his teeth. Did he hit the point?

- "Tobirama… I'm sure we can talk her around that. Mito could help, why-"

-"She is not denying anything!"- Tobirama bursted with a yell, leaving his place at the table to pace around the paper door of the bed chamber, facing anything but Hashirama.

- "Hey! What is wrong with you? You are yelling at me and saying harsh things to me but you refuse to tell me what is wrong! It must be something in bed since you are super angry after I touched the topic. You are not fooling me again and I'm not dropping the subject until you answer."-

- "Nggg! It cant't... For God's sake just leave me alone already! I have enough with her."- Tobirama hissed in a low voice the last part since he noticed the yelling could be heard from the hallway. He opened the rice paper door and entered the bedchamber. Hashirama followed and closed the door behind him.

- "Alright… No one is hearing us here. Just spit it out quickly. I'll keep it a secret, I promise."- at the words Hashirama made a little cross over his heart. Such a childish thing for a grown man…

- "She… she said she would comply with her duty if I asked."

- "So… have you asked?"

- "No!"

- "Why?!"

- "Nnggg"- Tobirama grabbed his forehead in frustration. This talking was proving far too difficult for him. It was humiliating.

- "Don't you like her? I thought you liked her on your wedding night, or perhaps it was just my drunk mind?"

Hashirama was just babbling now. Tobirama was at the pinnacle of irritation and would spit it all out if it stopped his stupid brother's chatter.

- "Stop it! Of course I liked her! Who wouldn't like her! With that firm ass and those stupid long legs and her soft hair and her smell! All I want is to fuck her senseless!"-

- "Oi, oi! I don't need that much detail!"

- "You asked for this!… I… I...This is all your fault."

- "Aww… Tobirama, it's okay to feel like this, like you could explode from feeling too much. That's what love is about."-

- "Love? Have you been listening? I don't love her. I just want to get lost in my own pool of lust. How could I love her if I have barely talked to her. I don't know her nor does she know me and on top of all- she doesn't want me!"

There. It was all. He had said it. Now he could go away to sleep in the studio for the rest of the day.

- "How do you know that? Did she tell you that explicitly? She took care of you so diligently. How could she not like you?"

God! Was he never satisfied?

- "She asked for time. She said she wanted to get… used to me. Besides, she is like that with everyone, I'm not especial."

- "Used to you?"

- "I don't know!"

- "But wasn't that in the beginning? It 's been three months since then."

- "There was an underling promise in her speech. Like, if I wanted to force her she would become unfriendly. I… I want you to take her away from my chambers."

- "What?! I can't do that! People will talk!"

- "I don't care. This is making me crazy. Do you have any idea of what she had been doing while she was away? It's highly possible she has a double life… another one…"

- "Oh… Tobirama! Do you do want to be special for her! I didn't think you would be that possessive. Is that what annoys you the most?"

- "Stop playing fool! Just stop it! Yes! I want her mine but since it's not going to happen I want her out so I can be in my room again. Send her to her father. Say she's taking care of him in his last days. Anything will do!"

It broke his heart to see Tobirama like this. He had never seen this kind of desire in him. Maybe because in his previous encounters women have come easily and directly to him. He didn't know what to do if it was denied to him, he didn't know how to woo a woman for which looks weren't enough. He would help him. The solution was far from what he was asking for and he would need skills he didn't posses. *sigh* He will need Mito's help.

-o-