A/N: I'm sorry this took so long to get to you guys but I hope that you enjoy it. Thanks for being so patient and Merry Christmas:))
Stay safe and happy 3
TOBIRAMA POV
I stood outside her door for a few moments, my hand still warm from her grasp. Although things were moving very quickly with the marriage preparations, or so I had heard, it had been at the back of my mind since we left Konoha that I would probably come home married. Hashirama himself had married to strengthen our alliance with the Uzumaki clan, though it just so happened that he was head over heels in love with Mito and her likewise. As for the Aikawa clan, we had many dealings before as well as small agreements but this would be the final seal on our relationship.
Kana was turning out to be very different from what I had assumed. I had already guessed that being the firstborn daughter of the head, she would have had a very sheltered lifestyle. But despite that she seems bright and bold, pushing relentlessly against her family's restraints, while admirable it could be troublesome for our village. She seemed to be very outspoken, which surprised me considering the traditional village she lived in. It was a little surprising that they had still not brought in the idea of kunoichis yet. Many of the hidden villages had already adopted this revolutionary tactic in allowing females to train as shinobi and it had born plenty of fruits for those who had tried it, the Hidden Leaf Village.
I touched his hand lightly to the floor in front of her door. I could feel her footsteps move across her room, her chakra pulsating powerfully. Almost too powerful for a woman with no training but I let the concern slip from my mind. As a sensory ninja and a very good one at that, I could discern much about those around me just by their chakra signature, including their clan and chakra nature. The closest thing that I could describe it as is like water, surging and powerful, almost like a living presence. I felt bad for her, if she had been born in a different clan, her chakra reserves and powerful presence would have been nourished instead of being ignored.
Her footsteps stopped and there was a pause before something fell to the ground around her feet. My face flared up as I realized that she had begun undressing and I quickly got up and retreated to my own room. Inside, much to my dismay, Hashirama was lying on my bed, looking at a justu scroll. Tossing it aside when he saw his brother enter, Hashirama sat up eagerly and called to me, "Oi don't think you're going to get away with telling me nothing! I didn't know you could be so slick, getting some alone time with your future bride," Hashirama grinned, waggling his eyebrows.
"Sometimes I wonder what I did wrong to get stuck with such an annoying brother. You act like an academy girl sometimes, it's embarrassing." I grumbled as my untied armour. My brother continued to pester me about my walk with Kana, escalating to me even throwing my happuri at him. Finally, I conceded, leaving out the details that I knew Hashirama would tease me about. The truth of the matter was, I was what most people called 'inexperienced' when it came to women. I had never been with his brothers or friends when they were flirting with the girls nearby, or gone out with anyone, even after being pressured by Mito and Hashirama. There had never been anyone that captivated my attention or who didn't come off as fake (in my opinion). Many women had made it clear that they had an interest in me but I made it clear each and every time that I did not have the time to take part in a healthy relationship.
With Kana, I did not feel as pressured as when Mito and Hashirama introduced me to various women of Konoha. It would be a lie to say things weren't a bit awkward but her easy-going personality made it easier.
"Hey, are you alright?" Hashirama asked as he got up and came to stand beside me. "Are you nervous about the wedding?"
I sighed, running a hand over my weary face. "I don't know the first thing about being married, brother and it doesn't help that Kana and I have only just gotten acquainted with one another. We know nothing about each other and yet we're going to swear to spend the rest of our lives together in only a few days' time. My only wish is to be a decent husband for her. I understand that she'll be going through a lot of pain, what with leaving her family." I whispered, closing my eyes. Hashirama was quiet for a moment before he spoke in a soft tone.
"I believe that you'll do the right thing Tobirama, I honestly do. I also have no doubt that you guys are going to have a lot of challenges coming your way but arguments are part of every marriage. You've seen Mito and me," he chuckled. "Just know that compromise has to come from both sides for there to be peace and that we're only a building over if you ever need us," he said with an easy smile. My brother may be an idiot for most of the day but every once in a while, just for a few minutes, he can be pretty wise.
"Well then," he said, slapping my back before making his way to the door, "You've better rest up brother, we've got a big day coming up!"
Kana held true to her word because, in the next few days, I barely saw her. By chance, I would get a glimpse of her as I passed by the room where all the planning happened or see her walk down the hallways of the estate in a rush. Each time if I managed to catch her eye she would flash me a small smile, her eyes soft. Usually, such small actions would do little to me but each smile brought me back to the wonderful conversations we had on the beach and I found myself looking forward to more times like that. Without realizing it, I had come almost in a way, looking forward to seeing her again.
My days were not nearly as busy as hers and I spent countless hours training not only with the shinobi we brought with us and my brother but some of the ninja of the Aikawa family. They seemed cautious at first, only watching the taijutsu spars between the Hidden Leaf shinobi. Kana's cousin, Koshiro as I remember, was the first to join us, leading to many others bonding with us as well.
On the evening before the ceremony as we were calling it a day, Koshiro approached me and asked to speak to the side. Obliging we drifted away from the crowd. "I know I haven't known you for very long Lord Tobirama but I still feel obliged to say this because I'm practically like Kana's brother." Koshiro began, looking intently at me. "I know her father worries for her but he isn't as free to speak his mind as I am due to his position." I nodded in agreement, urging him to continue. "All I ask is that you be kind to Kana. I have no right to tell you what to do with your life nor your wife's. But I must implore you to respect her and uphold her." I understood the concern he had and I could also tell that he expected me to dismiss him or something to that effect. I placed my hand on his shoulder and assured him that I would do my best to give Kana a good life before parting ways with him.
The next day I had the pleasure of waking up to Hashirama banging on my door at an ungodly hour of the morning. We shared breakfast together before I got ready and headed to the shrine. There would be a small crowd of only immediate family for the ceremony and a larger reception later, from what I had heard.
I laid eyes upon Kana and my breath left me. She looked beautiful in her white kimono, her hair falling in soft waves and her lips painted. Her father stood beside her and spoke with me when I reached them. " As the leader of the Aikawa clan, I trust you to uphold the alliance. As a father, I worry. Please take good care of my daughter."
"I will do my very best to give her a good life Lord Masanori and I hope that both sides may flourish."
KANA POV
The ceremony breezed past me until suddenly I found myself in my room with my mother wrestling me into my Uchikake. "You must hurry! The guests have already arrived for the reception," she grumbled. I did not have the heart to argue with her or even reply and instead, I stared at the simple band that sat upon my left ring finger. I was married. Tomorrow I will leave my home, the place of my birth. I would never again get to fight alongside my clan members or spar with Koshiro or even cuddle with Chinami.
Mother snapped her fingers in front of my face, ushering me out of my room. "My humblest apologies, Lady Anzu," I muttered under my breath. We arrived at the hall where the reception would be held. Inside was an uncountable number of people, half of which I didn't even recognize. Everyone stood as I made my way to the front to take my seat beside my husband at the head table. I held my head high as I walked and released a sigh when I finally sat down and the conversations began once more. I also didn't spare much attention to the reception or the people that came up to congratulate us. I had never liked formal events and it made it even worse that I was in the limelight for this one.
At one point Tobirama leant down to whisper in my ear, "I didn't get to mention it earlier but you look absolutely radiant Kana," Which made me turn absolutely red. I can't even decide the reason why but it made me pleased to think that all the poking and prodding my aunts had forced me to endure had not been in vain.
The rest of the day went off without a hitch until it was time for us to retire for the night. While I had gotten more comfortable with Tobirama after speaking with him that night, we were by no means friends in my books. We had spoken a grand total of once on our own but by tradition, we were expected to share a bed and consummate the marriage on the first night. My heart pounded painfully in my chest as we reached the rooms we would be staying in for our final night at the Aikawa estate.
Inside Tobirama moved to one side of the room and began to take off his ceremonial robes and I did the same behind a changing screen, nervously keeping my back to him for as long as I could. Finally, when there was nothing left for me to distract myself with, I turned to see him watching me with his intense eyes. He sighed before speaking in a low tone, "please make yourself comfortable. There's no need to tire yourself out on my account. I could barely stop my knees from shaking but I made my way over to the bed and took a seat on the edge, my nightdress pooling at my ankles. Tobirama followed me until he was towering over me but I refused to crane my neck to look at his face. He let out another sigh. I was starting to realize that he did that a lot, probably when he didn't know what to say. His chakra was calm, not at all like mine which was a turbulent whirlpool. I had come to learn that Tobirama was an exceptional sensory ninja and had no doubt that he could sense my unease as well.
"I know what tradition says, Kana but I would rather not do anything that would make either of us uncomfortable," he said softly as he knelt before me so that we were at eye level. "I will not force you to do anything that you don't want to do and frankly, I'm not too eager myself. I would much rather us get a restful night of sleep and better get to know each other over time. Could it possibly be that you agree?" He said hesitantly, looking into my eyes. This was nothing like the Tobirama I had heard so much of from Koshiro and the rumours spread across the Land of Fire. He was made out to be an emotionless tactician, merciless in combat and strict in drilling when it came to his subdivision. Even at our first encounter, he had barely done more than glance at me. The gentle look in his eyes directed at me was disarming, so much so that all I could do was nod. We bade each other good night and lay down, beside each other but barely touching. I would know. Every part that made contact with him felt warm and it was a challenge to slow my heart rate. I lay there for a while, waiting for him to fall asleep but his chakra did not settle. In the end it was me that fell asleep first, the rise and fall of his chest lulling me to sleep.
When I next woke, the soft morning light was streaming through the window. I turned to see that Tobirama had already woken up, evidence left by the empty bed. My hand ghosted over the sheets which had a trace of warmth left, signifying that it must not have been long since he woke up. It dawned on me as I got out of bed that we would be leaving today. The thought alone trend my arms to lead and I took a shaky breath, trying to gather myself up. I will get through this, I thought, with steely determination. I won't let this change me, no matter what. I knew of the trials that lay ahead but if there was one thing I knew, it's that I would not let anyone constrain me. I may be wed but in the end, I will do everything in my power to control my own freedom, even if that means hiding a major part of myself. Just as I had finished changing I sensed grandma's presence outside of my door and heard a knock. I tried to settle my hair as much as I could as I made my way to the door and opened it to see her smiling face peering up at me.
"Oh my, imagine if your mother were here to see that hair. She'd throw a fit. Come child, let's see if we can tame the beast, shall we?" she said with a cheeky smile leading me to sit in front of a mirror.
"Grandma Fujita, what brought you here? Was there anything I could help you with?" I asked as she brushed through my hair, much more easily than I would have been able to.
"I may be old but that doesn't mean I don't know what's going on, child. I know that you're leaving today with the leaf people. I wanted to wish you in private before all the commotion."
And that small time that I spent with my grandmother. It was an everyday action that she did, something so mundane as brushing my hair but I cherished that time I spent with her. Eventually when we did have to leave the privacy of the room to the bustling of the main house. At the front of the compound was the company of leaf ninja along with my mother, father, sister, and Koshiro. It looked like Chinami was arguing with my mother while holding something long. As we reached them I realized that it was my staff.
"Mother, come one! You know that Kana needs to bring this. At least allow her to bring her own staff," her eyes lighting up when she saw me, "Kana, tell her! Don't you want to bring your staff with you?" At that lovely statement, a number of faces swung to look at me, with different expressions. Hashirama looked utterly surprised, his eyes enlarged and his eyebrows cocked upwards. Koshiro was in the back, trying not to laugh which made me want to smack the smirk off of his face. Mother's face was flushed with anger and Father stood beside sagely, waiting for my response. Tobirama's face was stern; he didn't seem surprised or angry, more like he was waiting to see what I would do.
"Mother," I began but I was immediately cut off before I could even say my thoughts.
"I forbid it! You will be a lady of a house Kana and I won't have you slandering your name by showing up to the village swinging a STICK behind you! It was your Father's choice to let you run rampant all these years, leaving me with responsibility for your upbringing. If you insist on bringing it with you then I will cease to be your mother and never speak to you again!" she said indignantly, her nose upturned. A weight formed in my stomach. I loved her very much, regardless of all the trouble, she made for me. But even after all that, I knew that I knew what I had to do. While the staff meant very much to me, I didn't want to leave on such bad terms with my mother, not knowing when I would see her again. All of the leaf guests looked a tad uncomfortable, trying to not look at the scene playing out in front of them. Tobirama still had his eyes set on her, unwavering.
"It appears that your Mother has a very strong opinion on the matter," Father spoke up. "But she appears not to know that I too have a strong opinion as well. For my dear daughter, if you bring the staff your mother will never speak to you again. But if you leave the staff behind, I will never speak to you again." Mother made an outraged cry before whisking off into the house. My heart filled with happiness and I hugged him tightly, whispering my thanks. Father apologized for Mother's outburst and we all said our farewells. Chinami had tears freely flowing down her cheeks and even Father got a bit misty-eyed. I refused to cry, knowing that I would see them again. After making many promises to write often and visit when I could we finally departed and the reality of what I was doing hit me in its entirety.
