"What are you doing here in Tsusui village? Shinobi?" After witnessing their crests a boy with a short sword approach teens Kawakana and Tobirama from behind. Quickly turning around Tobirama gave the sandy haired boy an intimidating red eyed glare. The boy lowered his sword, his hands shaking as he held the short sword. A divine smile crossed over Kawakana's ever soo sweet face. She approached the boy, kindly, "Sorry for our intruding, little village boy... But we are just making our way to Taki lake..."
Her spunky beauty made the boy Benkei blush. Kawakana said kindly, "I apologize, Do you know the way there?"
The boy looked startled, "N-No, Yes! I will show you! As long as he doesn't try to hurt me! I'm only twelve years old!"
Kawakana smiled again as the boy's face toned flushed red, "Well, then... Show us the way."
The boy glanced at Tobirama's glaring facial before resting his gaze Kawakana again. "I-I-I guess, but... He has to promise he won't hurt me?" Benkei looked back and forth between the girl and boy. Kawakana smiled at the boy as Tobirama gave her an amiable nod, "I am controlled ."
"So what's your name? Little boy?"
"I'm Benkei Ishikawa, Give some respect, lady! One day I will be a powerful samurai!"
Tobirama said analysing the boys appearance and his smell of rice and seasoning, "A son of a chef? Becoming a samurai? You have my best wishes."
Kawakana supported Benkei, "Tobirama, Don't step all over this boys dreams."
"I'm not... He's more likely to inherit his father's skills and business than to become a samurai."
The boy stuck out his tongue at Tobirama, "You want to fight me? Albino meany?"
Kawakana held the boy in place by his head, "No one is fighting anybody."
She motioned to the boys to lead the way, "Come on, show us a route to Taki Lake."
It was just a little before midnight when they reached Taki Lake, a lake encased in a natural rock formation that took up most of the valley just north of the town of Tsusui. The lake was dark, and the sky was blackened by a thick, dense, forest that grown throughout the town. The brush was silent save for the occasional chirp of a bird. It was then, as they made their way through the trees, that a light appeared before them.
The glow of fireflies littered the air around them, The fireflies simply hovered around them glowing brighter and brighter until the area was thick with the bright glow.
The two boys were quick to duck as several of the fireflies flew through their path, lighting up the trail in front of them.
The fireflies then formed into a growing circle around them, disappearing from the corners of their eyes, Kawakana looked around excitement on her face.
Several more of the fireflies then flew down, coming to rest.
"Little Benkei."
"Yeah!"
Kawakana showed the boy off, "You can return to Tsusui now."
"Alright then, I'll go, now. See you both when you return! Why did you both come here? To do disgusting teenage stuff?"
Kawakana looked down at Benkei and gave a slight nod of her head. She acclaimed trying to get him to leave them, "Yes, disgusting naughty teenage stuff and we're going for a swim."
"Fifteen years olds are soo gross." The boy made an intense disgusted face, and he looked up at her unapologetically then left.
They slowly walked up the pebble beach. The moon was low in the sky, barely enough to cast a light on the ground. Occasionally, the moon would illuminate the forest to their right or left, it was eerie. The only noise to be heard was the crunch of the sand under their sandals as both sat down in the sand of the lake shore.
"Tobirama, I never thought I would see you like this, but... I ... Ummm."
"I told you no two weeks ago before. We are still at an age where we can find a different way to show that we like each other. I already told you I'd never touch you below your waist." Tobirama smiled at Kawakana. "I don't want to put you in danger."
"Sorry, I've asked something I shouldn't have." She frowned shaking her head, "My mind gets too carried away in my own dreams of the future and fantasies."
"What are you trying to say?"
"Maybe once our brothers rediscover the dreams and finally achieve peace they had wished as children then maybe we can finally be together." She desperately cried.
Tobirama said looking at her, "However this will take years to achieve."
"But it might never happen." Kawakana said softly. "It is only a matter of time before we must part ways."
"If there is a chance then we will take it. I promise years after this separation I will find you again." Tobirama assured her. Kawakana smiled up at him. "Thanks, Tobirama."
Tobirama lifted her chin and kissed her softly before pulling her into a gentle embrace. Kawakana closed her eyes and kissed back, her dreams could come true, but she knew that it was one thing to wish and another to achieve. Wishes made in vain were usually abandoned.
Kawakana raised up to her feet, taking off her clothes so that she only wore her underwear and top, "I'm going for a swim, Join me if you wish, Tobirama."
She dove into the water, swimming far out until she reached a huge rock, dangling off the edge. As she came up for air, she looked back to Tobirama who seemed soo far away from her now. She peered down at herself to see that the water had striped her of her under garments. She screamed out as if her life was in danger, "Tobirama! Help me!"
Thinking she had been attacked by something in the water Tobirama ran across the water to assist her. He eventually reached her, her body turned towards him with her arms reaching out towards him. He yelled, "Kawakana!"
She began to panic and screamed, "Tobirama! Help me!"
With all his strength fueled by adrenaline he lifted her out of the water by under her shoulders. She burst into his arms, hugging him tight with her arms and legs. He said, "You're safe, Kawakana." He held her as she cried into his chest, "Tobirama... The water took my clothes..."
Feeling her nudity against him he hid away his blush, "I'll find your robe." he promised her.
She apologized as he carried her back to shore, "You must've thought I was dying, I'm soo sorry, I'm just causing you needless trouble."
Tobirama remembered when Hashirama lost his underwear swimming in the river one time, His elder brother was soo embarrassed. He said, "Just don't make a scene because you lost your clothes."
"I feel soo insecure around you in nature like this... Who knows who's watching us." She said, pressing against him, "Thank you though for consideration."
He took her back to shore where Kawakana robed herself in her summer yukata. She sat down on a rock where Tobirama joined her. His arms wrapped under her arm pits where he pulled her into his embrace.They faced each other as the moon set.
She gasped as a salty gust brushed her cheek. "Thank you."
He bestowed her with another kiss, this one longer and more passionate. He pulled her closer, pressing his body against hers. She sat facing him on his lap, her fingers messaging his scalp.
"Kawakana..." he whispered, as she watched the orange moon rising, shining on the waves.
They were silent for a while, just listening to the waves and the song of crickets, before she suddenly gave him a mischievous look.
Kawakana cleared her throat, turning her head. "Why is it so hard for you to express yourself?"
"Because it's... awkward, I suppose." Tobirama could not find the proper words to describe his sentiments. The truth is, there were too many emotions that he could not express himself.
"Awkward, huh." Kawakana crossed her arms.
"Yes. So awkward, in fact, that I threw myself at you..."
"Tobirama, I am not like the Senju girl who you spend time with as well."
"Okay, then you really are not? Possessive?"
"I'd kick her butt if she hurt you," she boasted.
Her reply made Tobirama smile, blushing himself. Kawakana felt her own cheeks get warm and she stood up. Tobirama stared at her, slowly lifting his left hand and caressing her hair. "You are cordial."
"You Senju idiot..." she laughed. "Let's go back to Tsusui."
"Lead the way, Uchiha maniac." Tobirama stood up and followed her.
In the dark forest, behind a tree hid Madara. He had tracked his sister here with the help of his hawk Sora. He watched them in silence. Feeling a tap on his shoulder he turned with a dagger in hand.
"Long time no see, Madara." Whispered a familiar voice. It was Hashirama who kept his weapon at his hip, behind him a fearsome brunette girl.
He whispered back sheathing his weapon, "What are you doing here? Hashirama?"
"Doing the same thing you are."
Tōka watched on, She commented, "I should've known."
Hashirama gave her a pat on the shoulder, "I'm sorry, Tōka."
She rolled her green eyes, "It's fine."
Hashirama grinned at both Tōka and Madara. He joked suggesting, "I guess we will be planning a wedding sometime in the future."
Madara did his best not to laugh. He said, "I highly doubt that's going to happen."
Tōka moved slightly forward towards the direction of the lake. She felt Madara grab her shoulder pulling her back, "You will not go out there, make a scene and attack my sister."
"You can't stop me, Uchiha." She resisted Madara. "Your sister is not the one I'm angry with."
Hashirama soothed the tension, "Tobirama is not worth your anger, Tōka."
She backed down, "You are right."
Madara looked at the two with a curious expression, looking more at Tōka than Hashirama. He then looked over the dark forest and back at them both. Madara gave her a warm smile, "It is pleasant meeting you Lady Tōka," He displayed a gentlemanly introduction, gracefully bowing as if completing a dance, "I am Madara, heir to the Uchiha clan."
Tōka grunted crossing her arms, "I see why this Madara Uchiha was your childhood friend, Hashirama, You both are goofballs."
"Yes, we are both like that," Hashirama agreed. He gave Tōka a sincere smile. Madara, on the other hand, did not. His smile lingered a little too long, "Unlike Hashirama, I am more than a goofball, You will find out soon."
"I see, a highfalutin pretty boy..." Tōka snorted crossing her arms. Maybe it was just that she was tired or just not that interested, but she didn't buy his act for one minute. Hashirama returned his gaze and looked at her seriously, not quite ready to smile either. He thought, 'True.'
"A highfalutin pretty boy? ... I am that attractive and arrogant, Thanks for the compliment." Madara retorted honestly, leering at Tōka. She watched him with interest, trying to gauge if he was serious or not.
After a few seconds she blushed, "Uchihas certainly have a way with words."
Madara grinned placing his hand on his side, "And Uchihas are soo much more than good looks and piercing gazes."
Tōka rolled her eyes and sighed, "I don't have time for this nonsense. Can we please focus on spying on the two?"
Madara shrugged, "Fine by me." But Tōka could sense his lingering gaze on her, and she couldn't help but wonder what kind of game he was playing.
Tsusui village down river from lake Taki. A quiet civilian village known for it's Fushigi teahouse and fishermen of very fortunate catch. There was something preternatural about the river intersecting the two sides of Tsusui that made the fishing industry here soo successful. The fishing staple provided the tea house and all the citizens with abundance of food for all. This town supported itself on fishing so therefore they were less reliant on outside suppliers. Most people who lived here followed the local Chief, himself a Tsusui native and owner of a successful fishing business. Almost every house had a small patch of land to grow a vegetable garden and kept a few rams and many chickens. More in land larger farms for products such as red beans and rice. As this territory was important to the regional food supply the daimyo stationed samurai here to guard the village from foreign attacks. Kawakana hummed energetically as both ventured through, She held onto Tobirama's hand.
Once he stopped walking he turned to her. "Let's go to the tea house first."
He was interrupted by the welcoming call of an old man. The man stood behind a grill grilling fish skewers. A gentle smile animated his aqua blue eyes, his white whiskers long and his hair pulled back. He wore off white commoner's robes with blue wave prints and an apron.
"Welcome!" he repeated his greeting to both of them. "How are you two today? I see you two from a distance."
Kawakana grinned, and waved. "Yeah, we've just been here getting some grub."
"Yes, As all on their way to Taki." said the old man, "Be my guest and have your fill of Tsusui."
Tobirama bowed, "It's nice to meet you... I am Tobirama of the Senju."
"Tobirama of the respectable Senju clan." said the old man as he put the fish on the grill and smiled. The newly weds smirked, leaning in close, making small talk. The old man gazed down fondly at the ancient fishing rod supported by a strap on his back. He offered the couple food, "Here, Take this on the house."
"I will pay, My elder." Said Tobirama, offering the old man a currency plate. Kawakana gave him a playful nudge. "Don't be rude, He offered you a welcoming gift."
"Unlike you, I'm not a kleptomaniac."
"Welcome back, Senju, To Here to fish again at lake Taki."
Tobirama turned to the origin of the voice. The two stopped to talk to the two other villagers, a slightly overweight girl and a man with a round shaved head.
"Hai." said a young woman, bobbing her head.
"Haha. Salutations, Remember me? I'm Benkei of Tsusui, now this is my new bride Sayuri." said the bald man. He reached out to shake their hands. "You'd remember her."
"Oh it's you again Benkei." said Kawakana. "It seems like you've grown up quite a bit, and you are married!"
He turned to Tobirama, Whispering in his ear, "I heard you married Kawakana."
"Yes, She is my bride. We married yesterday." Said Tobirama with an annoyed face.
Benkei frowned, acting like a drama king, "Good, I married Sayuri and avoided an affliction of a broken heart."
Kawakana patted his bald head, "I had trouble recognizing you because of your lack of hair... Now I see, You are still that sweet little boy, Benkei."
"Don't try to seduce me! A married man!! Uchiha Kawakana." His face boiled red. Kawakana giggled and nudged Tobirama's side with her elbow. "Haha, aren't you funny Benkei."
Tobirama nodded, in a monotone voice, but he was smiling under it, "He should move to the capital to partake in theatre."
"Haah." Benkei kept whining as he put on his ever present work expression. He put on his apron and began to prepare the fish.
Kawakana and Tobirama talked back and forth, gesturing to each other and their experiences of their years apart, a meaningless conversation that only existed for the sake of their hosts.
The old man wished sauteing the fillets, "Young Tobirama, Kawakana is a beautiful pearl. Take good care of her."
"Yes, Elder, My bride will be fine in my care." He inquired, "What of Sayuri? Benkei?"
"All these years she grew on me so one day I married her. Sayuri really is the first and only girl I've had any interest in... After Kana, Of course."
"Yes, she's definitely the best." Sayuri returned from the old grill master, holding Benkei's arm, "There you are, Sayuri."
She turned to her companion with a blush. "So...it's official now? You are married."
Kana ate at the kabob the old man gave her. "That's right."
Sayuri suggested, "It seems so lonely without you and Tobirama around, Maybe now that you both are finally together you could visit Tsusui more often."
"I would really like to see this town again, and perhaps catch up on your lives." Kawakana smiled at her.
Benkei continued, "But you have to promise to not make any dramatic displays of affection like you both did at the fireworks festival last time you were here."
"Of course." Tobirama cracked a sarcastic smirk, "When it comes to the sudden whims of Kawakana... I cannot promise you anything."
"You were jealous? Dear?" Asked Sayuri.
"They were all over each other, My love. I didn't know what to do."
Kawakana took a mild offense, "All we did was make out."
As the food grilled before him, Benkei claimed raising his spatula, "You scared my grandmother!"
"You should be nicer to our guests, Benkei." Warned the white haired old man.
Benkei put his hand to his forehead, "Ummmm, Sorry, grandfather."
His elder kicked him out of his grilling position, "Go now, eat your lot! Grand-son!"
"Yes sir." Said Benkei, munching on a bite of his kabob. Kana cackled.
He finished up his kabob and settled his eyes on Kawakana, his hands fidgeting. "What are you thinking, Benkei?"
"Sayuri is pregnant, I was thinking... So what will you name your first child?"
Kawakana was speechless, Tobirama answered for her, "If a son ... Shīsārama."
"Eee! That is so cute." Said Sayuri.
Tobirama pursed his lips. "The name will belong to our first son."
Sayuri gave Kawakana an expectant look, "Soo you two are expecting..."
"We just got married yesterday." Said Kawakana.
Tobirama finalized to the young married couple, "Kawakana and I shared the nuptial bed on our wedding night so such is not within in the realm of impossiblity."
"How was your first night like? With Tobirama like? Kawakana?" Sayuri whispered in her ear. "I heard that Senjus are good in bed."
Kawakana blushed intensely remembering the night before. She whispered back, "The rumors you heard were right... Senju men know how to please a woman." She revealed more, "My first night was amazing."
Tobirama suggested taking his wife's hand, "Come, Kawakana, We must make it to lake Taki."
"Make sure not to loose your clothes again swimming in lake Taki! Kawakana!" Benkei reminded her as Tobirama dragged her off.
"Don't remind me!" She cried out, "That was soo embarrassing!"
There Tobirama and Kawakana left Tsusui village making their way north to the lake.
The path was not an easy one, with the thick forest making it hard to see and the uneven ground slowing their pace. However, Tobirama led the way confidently, his instincts guiding him towards their destination.
As they walked, Kawakana couldn't help but feel grateful for Tobirama's presence. He was her rock, her anchor in this unpredictable world. Without him, she would have been lost long ago.
Finally, after what seemed like a few minutes of walking, they emerged from the forest onto the edge of lake Taki. The water sparkled in the sunlight, the gentle waves lapping against the shore.
Tobirama let go of her hand and sat down, beckoning for her to join him. "I will test out the rod you gave me, Please sit with me."
Kawakana sat down next to him and breathed in the fresh air. She felt at peace here by the water's edge, She said getting up, changing her mind, "The day is rather hot... I will take a dip in the water."
Easily she dropped her robes to the ground, then undressed her undergarments. He watched her for a moment before moving to another spot abundant with fish. To a far shore from where she cooled off in the water.
As Kawakana began to swim, the fish were quickly distracted by her, making a short distance away and then quickly swimming back. Tobirama couldn't help but to smile as she came back to him and sat down next to him.
But then something even more amazing happened. She looked at the water, she looked up at the tree covered sky, she looked at him.After last night she could not look at him the same way. Her dream had changed him. Kawakana said softly, breaking the comfortable silence between them. "Thanks for bringing me out here, Tobirama,"
Tobirama smiled back at her. "It's my pleasure, Kawakana."
Kawakana blushed at his words, feeling a warmth spread throughout her body. As they continued to sit in silence, she couldn't help but think about how Tobirama made her feel.
As he leaned in to kiss her, the water in the pond below them rippled and the fish swam around them. They were the only two in the surrounding area. Once he felt the hook and bait of the rod being tugged at he began to reel in the fish.
"A fish?" Kawakana asked as he pulled it out of the water. It was an abnormally large one with gold mottled scales. Tobirama never came across fish like this fishing at Taki. He smiled at her, showing off his pearly white teeth. "The fish is... unusual..." he said as he set it down in front of her. "This is not a common species of fish."
She watched him carefully drain the water from the catch. He wiped away the fat droplets of water clinging to the fish as he hung it on a hook at the end of a stick.
"It will be nice for dinner though," she said as he finished cleaning off the fish and placed it in a bucket. He wiped the stick clean, and, after a moment, nodded at her.
Smiling, he turned around and began to fish once more. After he cast his line he pulled back on the rod, extending it, preparing for another bite. And then he began to reel in and his smile broadened. This was the third or fourth fish he had caught, she noticed. The size of his catch didn't seem to diminish at all, though she knew the man had probably had to fight the fish when he was younger. It did not seem to bother him that he had caught a larger or a smaller bottom feeding fish, although she supposed it was just a matter of piscary tastes.
He inspected the fish, moving it from side to side. "It's in good condition."
As he moved his hand, his hand grasped the sizable fish, placed it on the sand, The pisces tumbled on the shore, limp.
Tobirama broached the subject tentatively, "Kawakana, what about your mangekyo sharingan eyes?"
She glanced downward at the fish, murmuring, "I have no intention of utilizing the dojutsu. It's better if my siblings remain ignorant of their existence."
"Quite reasonable. If I may inquire, how did your brothers activate their own mangekyo sharingans?"
"Through combat and its resulting emotional injuries. I've never set foot on a battlefield myself… It all seems rather nonsensical."
"If they discovered how you obtained your newfound abilities, how do you think your brothers would react?"
"They'd simply snicker at my unorthodox path to power."
Tobirama nodded, understanding the complex dynamics of sibling relationships. He knew that it was difficult to gain acceptance from one's family, especially when one strayed from the expected path. "Well, it's good to have such powers, even if you don't use them," he said, changing the subject back to the fish. "I've caught enough for today. Shall we head back?"
She nodded following after him, "Yes, If a future situation requires it I will use my sharingan."
Kawakana nodded in agreement, and they began to pack up their gear. As they walked back to Tsusui, Tobirama couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for the young woman walking beside him. She was wise and independent in her own unconventional way. He made a mental note to keep an eye on her and help her in any way he could.
As they approached Tsusui, hand in hand, sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the land.
