Hashirama felt one less weight on his shoulders when Tobirama woke up. Within the last month he faced all the difficult political decisions normally made by Tobirama all by himself. It was a hard and an endless job to do with the grim aura of death held over his brother's head. However, it seemed as if Tobirama had some stroke of luck when it came to his wife and her caring nature.

Hashirama thought it was strangely pacifying.

He hadn't been able to talk to her very much simply because before the marriage they weren't related and it wouldn't have looked right to engage in a conversation with a woman of single status. But from what Mito had said about her, she was all of what Sonja had said and more.

She was actually a very open minded person and was quite outspoken (a quality Mito enjoyed a lot since few women shared it). She professed deep love and admiration for her father. According to Mito, it could cause a lot of bumps in their relationship. Mito feared the idealistic paternal figure she held would infringe on their relation as a couple. Men don't like to be overshadowed after all.

Mito also saw the analytical coldness Makoto's gaze held, but hers was different from Tobirama's. Mito could tell she had seen and done more of the darker and bloodier things. She held no self-doubt in her soul and if she could have seen what Madara had done it was highly likely that she wouldn't have accepted Hashirama's piety on him.

It scared and excited him.

Eagles in all colors, shapes and sizes went to Tobirama's shared room throughout the month. Air traffic was so high Hashirama had to build a little aviary so they could rest before being sent back with the answer.

The information rate was overflowing and they were already pointing their weapons to the suspicious clans to avenge and submit them.

He just hoped Madara wasn't involved in this assault. It had been six months since he left the village and Hashirama prayed all his days hoping to never have to face the byproduct of Madara's betrayal in his life.

-o-

Tobirama's Room

His muscles were still sore after one month.

He really appreciated the physical therapy this woman (his wife) was applying. The idea was still weird and it was becoming harder to convince himself that he had a wife. In the stupor state he held this month all the recent events before the poisoning seemed very much like a dream. A very uncomfortable dream.

He couldn't remember much from previous events but since he woke up she had been all he had seen and heard. At this point almost everyone became a suspect and Hashirama wasn't letting anyone in except for direct family.

The dizziness didn't help either. It was like the feeling he would get when he would stay too long in the hot springs.

The brief moments when he was awake enough to concentrate, he observed every detail he could get. The deep and rich golden color of her hair, her long, thick light brown eyelashes, the arch of her brows, how the space between them wrinkled when she found a particularly tense area, her small nose followed by the narrow but full lips, and the way her breath would sometimes fan across his neck and back as it would tickle.

When he could no longer keep his eyes open he just felt. He felt her hands on his body repelling the numbness and activating his muscles again. The soft clinical touch relaxed his analytical brain and awoke something deep and primal inside of him. He wanted more.

She was his after all.

But it could wait. It would wait. It wasn't like he could do something about it right now, and she certainly hasn't changed much of her opinion in a month.

The bliss ended abruptly at the intrusion of Hashirama entering with his dramatic expression. She caught the signal and left before Hashirama could involve her too.

"Tobirama!" Hashirama fell on his knees at his bedside and wrapped him in a bear hug.

"I thought you were dying! You have to be the luckiest man alive! I love you so much! I'm so sorry! We will avenge you!" - Hashirama said quickly with trampled words and wide tears on his face.

And there it was… The ease Hashirama had for ruining his pleasing and tranquil moments was incredible, but Hashirama was his last brother and he loved him endlessly, not that he was going to say that out loud.

"Do you know who was behind this?"

"We just need some physical proof to face them. Makoto-chan's shadows are on it." Tobirama opened his mouth to speak but Hashirama was too far gone. "She's awesome! Did you see the birds? And all those messages? She took care of you too. You will be forever in debt, did you know? And she's pretty. Did you change your mind about her? I bet you are wishing you could have used your honeymoon for something better now, don't ya?"

"I'm in no mood for your jibber jabber, brother. I appreciate your concern, but I barely saw her the whole month since I was unconscious."

That seemed to brake Hashirama's heart.

"Yes, she has been nice. And she's very good at massaging. I didn't think she, of all people, would be the one who ended up saving me and caring for my health."

"Actually I think she's like that with everyone. Ohhh! I didn't tell you! Mito is expecting! I'm going to be a father, can you believe it?! And Mako-chan has been so nice to Mito. She knows a lot, not just of healing, but of natural body process too!"

That took him aback. He was very happy for Hashirama, but the thought of not being "the only one" did hurt his ego a bit. Then she was doing it because it was her duty.

"I think the baby is going to be a girl but Mito has placed her bet on a boy, but in any case you're going to be uncle!" Hashirama paused and actually took in Tobirama lying if front of him, "Are you doing alright? Maybe you need to rest some more? I was too excited..."

"Yeah…" Tobirama replied slightly breathlessly. "I mean, yes. I think I need more rest. My head is spinning a little."

Hashirama hugged him tight-"My little brother… Take care of yourself so you can come back to your people, to me. You now I need you."-

-*sigh* "You just want me to do the boring paper work."-

-"Hahahaha! Yeah! You got me but don't you always?"- With that said Hashirama stared at him with a melancholic expression for a couple of seconds and then left.

As soon as the main paper door was closed the one between their rooms opened. He saw her head poke in a little to see if Hashirama had really left. Maybe Hashirama's enthusiasm was too much for her too?

Had she been on the other side of the paper door eavesdropping on the conversation? It wasn't anything so private and even if it were, she was the spy master… She would know all eventually. Or that was his logic mind trying to convince him. He wasn't used to this kind of intromission. Usually the spy master was part of the war council and just reported in the council meetings. Having the spy master in his bed was entirely different.

-o-

Makoto resumed the massage where she left off. She didn't want to eavesdrop on their conversation but the walls were made of paper and the fact that he liked her massaging skills drew a small smile on her face. Tobirama was a man of few words, unreadable and complex. Every piece of information she could extract from him was valuable.

She didn't particularly like the feminine art of manipulation but she knew someday she would have to use it.

-o-

The month and information passed quickly. Each day Tobirama needed less assistance but his physical state wasn't at top level. In fact, he could just defend himself. She had planned this anyway. The second stage would consist in strengthening him but there were too many eyes in the Hokage's estate. She had some of her own in the house after the intoxication, but the staff was huge and many were too old. Keeping track of all their movement was proving difficult for a newcomer.

As a result, Tobirama was restricted to the inner complex where the bedrooms were located, where she could control the gossip. If the rest of the council saw him this weak it would only give them an opening to civil disruption, laying aside the image that would give to their enemies.

No. In order to keep his current state secret, the only ones who could train him were Hashirama and herself. And given the current conditions Hashirama didn't have too much time to do it.

She would have preferred to have one more month of kinesics sessions with Tobirama before moving to workout, but obligations gave her no choice. They didn't have more time and Tobirama was a capable man after all. He'll be okay she told herself, but she had to admit it… She will miss their sessions. It was the perfect excuse to touch him without him wanting to touch her. Yeah, it was pretty selfish, but to her… It was her way of interacting. Slow, private and personal… very personal. At this moment she knew every physical weakness Tobirama held, every muscle that needed training, each stiff tendon and every scar pulling his pale skin and how he liked it to be touched and treated.

He thought she wouldn't notice it but she certainly could differentiate a sigh of relief from a pleasure one. She didn't turn him on his back just to respect his modesty, something he really held high, or so she had learned.

Against all her thoughts she had become quite comfortable in this place in the last months, Mito was friendly and different from all the other noble women she had get to know until now.

Hashirama was so comprehensive it shocked her. Mito was totally outspoken with him and you could see the love and confidence they profess each other, although sometimes they made her want to puke.

The only loose end was Tobirama. He had been no more than a plant till now. Being unconscious or numbed most of the time, the few interactions she had held with him before the incident had been kind of aggressive and imposing, even territorial. He was so different from his brother, but who was she to argue? She wasn't that different either.

She only hoped for him to respect her own space as he had promised before. He was a handsome man no argue, but that was all. Yes she had enjoyed the view but just that. The consequences of letting him any further in her space were something she didn't want to deal with.

-o-

For Tobirama, the last month had been one of meditation and reflection. The daily kinesics session with her was what he expected the most. She had incorporated active exercises gradually but had maintained the massage at the beginning and end of the session and it was pure bliss. He was restricted to the inner area, but even if it irritated him he understood the reason. He said nothing and calmed himself meditating.

He didn't expect a change the day she transformed his room into a dojo. No massage this time neither in the beginning nor the end of the session, just warming up and stretching – a normal exercise session. He appreciated the granted loneliness while doing his daily workout but after two months of seeing her daily… he missed her presence, only a little of course.

Hashirama had left a week ago on a mission to expose the suspect of the attack and as much as it annoyed him, he was in no condition to go. Not physical at least.

She had left a week before Hashirama, probably to scout the area and give the final approval for the execution of the mission.

This gave him a lot of time to think and train. She had left a list with a detailed training schedule and foods which brought his thoughts back to her. *sigh* Kami-sama… What was wrong with him? Three months ago he was the most reticent in sharing his space with her. Now he couldn't take her out of his head. He knew the caring was for duty because she had made an oath, but it seemed so selfless and voluntary. His mother had been the only female he had allowed that kind of closeness. Even back then he didn't feel this way. Makoto was pleasing but also burning. Relaxing but arousing at the same time. Sometimes he even had to fight down some pleasure faces and moans.

It was slowly driving him crazy. He loathed it, but deeply he was beginning to crave for it again and at the same time he felt highly aggrieved for not having her absolute attention "It must be the confinement"- he said to himself at first. But then another month had passed and grumpiness overcame him.

And then, they came back.

-o-

Konoha's Barracks

-"Good job to everyone! I'm highly pleased with your performance! Keep the up standards and energy!"-

-"Hai, Hashirama-sama!"- Said in unison the group of elite warriors.

-"You can retreat to your families and women."-

The group bowed jointly and left.

"Took you longer than you thought, anija."- Tobirama spoke from shadows.

-*sigh* "What are you doing here Tobirama? I thought you were confined to the rooms for your own good"- Hashirama turned around to face him. He looked tired.

-"I have improved a lot in a month. At least in appearance, and confinement is taking the best of me"-

-"Ah… Could it be you are being a little possessive over Makoto-chan? Fear nothing my little brother, she's still yours and perfectly safe!"-

-"It's nothing like that!"- Tobirama hissed. Hashirama touched his nerve so easily…

-"Oh…Then you are troubled about your dear big brother?" Hashirama played shy-

-"I just wanted an excuse to leave the rooms. Now that you are back I suppose we will finally train."-

Hashirama begun to touch Tobirama's arms, examining his muscle volume hurriedly, which caused Tobirama to recoil.

-"I said I'm ready! This regimen is affecting more my mental state than my body!"-

-"I know. I see you are irritable, but we can't afford arousing suspicion. Makoto has a plan to train with you, just wait for her."-

-"Her? Why not… I see"- Tobirama said with a hint of disappointment as he centered his attention to the ground.

-"You really see, brother? You didn't see her working in the field. She's a wonderful warrior. She uses a different approach in combat but she's very competent and skillful."-

Tobirama looked troubled. He didn't know if he should tell his brother about his confusing thoughts on his wife but Hashirama misinterpreted it as disappointment.

-" Look, you more than anyone knows the amount of work I have waiting in the office. You need her more than you are able to accept. All the village needs her and the information her net can provide. You should learn how to keep her happy."-

Tobirama abruptly turned his gaze from the floor and looked at his face with slitted eyes.

Hashirama knew what slitted eyes meant. He got him wrong or he didn't give a shit about his opinion.

-"I will not be a bed-warmer! " Tobirama hissed low.

Ah, he got him wrong -"I'm not saying that!"- said Hashirama a little amused with the mental image of Tobirama in that kind of role.

- "…"

*Sigh* -"Look, Tobirama… This isn't a place to hold such a conversation, but when you made that oath it implied much more than just sharing a bed. You are sharing your lives and happy people work better than sad or angry ones. Since you are going to share almost all of your time with her and vice versa you'll play a big role in her perception of our village and family. Remember we want her on our side."-

-"She made an oath."

-"And we hope she will comply but you should not tempt fate. You reap what you sow."-

Tobirama kept staring at him with a tense stance.

-"Tobirama, I know you may feel useless now or even replaced but that's nonsense. We all have a role here. I could never replace you and that's why I need you back quick. I'm concerned about Mito and the baby and I need you more than ever. Please pull yourself through this, I know you can."-

He was looking at the floor now. Hashirama had succeeded getting into his thick head.

-"Where is she?"- Tobirama said in a low voice, almost a whisper.

-"She stayed for two days with her troop to get reports and see all cleaned."-

-"You are giving her too much chores. We can't depend that much on an external unit."- Tobirama said regaining his normal tone of voice.

-"Actually I was planning you could fix that. We are an incipient village and we-"

-"Have to fix problems as they appear."-

-"Yeah. I'm happy you could get through your moody cloud."-

-"Tssk. Go see your wife. She has been…awkward"- with that said the tension in the air disappeared, they were fine again.

-"Hahahaha! And you are clueless about women! Walk with me brother. I'll tell you the details about the mission."- Hashirama crossed an arm over Tobirama's shoulders and obliged him to walk by his side.

-o-

Kokuyo's Lair

-"Kokuyo-sama, the head-basket is ready for travel. Will you attach a note?"-

-"No, they know what they did. The head will suffice. Are the apples ready for the next target?

-"Yes ma'am."-

-"Good. Send me the report with my owl and process the remains to nourish the apple trees."-

The soldier nodded and left.

All resulted as expected. Now she had to go back to her role of a wife.