I always felt that Karen and Mito had similar personalities. However, how will Hashirama's insecurities affect their friendship?
Getting used to a new place is complicated for people. She notices it in the days after the move, with sharp eyes waiting to be betrayed regardless of the space being huge. There are many trees, new houses and children who are starting to break from their own routines altogether with their work.
Being a shinobi makes this difficult to accept, even though they have taken this step.
The Senju and Uchiha have begun to have routines together.
Karen has to admit that the initiative is powerful, so she sighs looking at this beautiful place that has been adapted for meetings. It is high, and with various rooms that are used for the bureaucratic tasks of different missions.
A strange functionality starting to work.
"You should not have come," someone calls behind her while she picks up various scrolls with an absent thought. People, despite how difficult this is, have begun to plan things, like their engagement next week and Hashirama's wedding within a month.
Time is relative... the emotion is notable... things are not that bad.
"I had pending matters with Madara-san," Karen sighs without turning to see whom is her future husband. An awkward situation that has managed to work between both of them.
Although her routine is strange... and a bit apprehensive.
"Leaving the compound is dangerous."
"They are our allies."
"Not everyone is Madara or Izuna," Tobirama scolds, standing next to her with his arms crossed making his point clear.
"I know that, but I won't gain anything by staying locked up. And besides, Hashirama didn't think it was bad."
"Mmm..." He shows a slight frown in his flat face. "You are a civilian. Leave these tasks to a kunoichi."
"Not everybody understands the processes and future plans, and Hashirama also asked me to review some type of contract or pact with another clan interested in joining."
"It is not your business. I can review it alone."
"Tobirama, you have enough with other processes. Don't take on everything." Karen finally turns to look at him, with her hands on her hips. She arches her eyebrow with a slight frown. "Just because you are a shinobi doesn't mean that you don't lack sleep. Plus, you are handling everything about the engagement."
"You do not know the traditions."
"But I can learn. Like your language."
"It is not the same. Besides, Kaori-san does not mind me taking care of that part."
"It corresponds to me," Karen purses her lips. "I don't know what's wrong with you. Lately, you've been very..." She makes some exaggerated gestures without understanding how this person's mind works. So apprehensive about letting her do much. "And I don't want to be locked up again... I'm no longer your prisoner."
"You are not a prisoner."
"Tobirama," she snorts, tired of this strange interaction. "You know, I don't want to argue now... How are things going?" She focuses her attention by taking part of the scrolls that she must review. "Are the Uchiha already being trained in first aid?"
"I feel it is unnecessary."
"Tobirama, they are our allies."
"They are Uchihas."
"I thought you were over this," Karen frowns, feeling the scrolls being snatched away. "Hey! Those are mine. I'm going to review them at home."
"I will accompany you."
"You have a meeting with Hashirama and Madara in a bit."
Tobirama ignores her, walking next to her at the speed of a civilian that she knows exasperates many. Karen is tempted to snatch the stuff back. However, just as they leave the main building right in the middle of the two compounds, Izuna gives them a hard greeting.
"Karen-san," he greets formally. He is no longer so distrustful of her direction and the formality has increased since she returned with the treaty of the Daimyo and they moved. Although they do not meet much, respect is beginning to grow, and it is pleasant.
"Izuna-san," she replies in the same way. Tobirama grits his teeth.
"I thought I wouldn't run into you," the Uchiha growls in the direction of the bitter white-haired man.
"Likewise."
"Mph... Ni-san asked me to come deliver this, Karen-san. See if you can review it," he frowns, handing a paper to the girl that was almost snatched away by the shinobi.
"Oh, Hashirama told me that maybe you would ask me for help with some budget things. I didn't think you would decide that quickly, considering that you don't know me." The civilian now understands what was given and that although the information is not deep, it is clear what is being asked for.
"Ni-san wants you to start reviewing it. Hashirama-san assured me that you could," he states with a certain air of doubt.
"Alright, I'll show up tomorrow."
"Tomorrow, you have to try on yukata samples," Tobirama cuts daily.
"Your girlfriend will be fine, albino," the Uchiha grunts reluctantly, offended by his doubt. Karen doesn't believe it's what the man thinks, so she snorts tiredly. Is it necessary to pretend so much? She hasn't gotten used to them calling her girlfriend.
She doesn't feel that way... but she keeps quiet.
"Fine... I'll show up tomorrow at... 11 a.m.?"
"I'll tell Ni-san," Izuna frowns. "Idiot," he says in the direction of an albino who does not hesitate to throw a kunai without fear of retaliation, demonstrating a more hostile relationship than that of Hashirama and Madara. One thing which she had analyzed before.
"I shall talk to Hashirama. He should not have done this."
"Tobirama, it's okay. Besides, with you in charge of many things, my work has been reduced."
"You do not have to do it."
"I don't want to stay at home." She doesn't mention the bitterness that all these preparations cause her conflicts because of how emotional she has felt since the bucket of the true weight of a marriage fell on her head. Karen feels too old for the shinobi, but she has no longer touched her own insecurities.
It's better to disregard them and think that it is the only way to avoid being forced to be part of a harem.
Tobirama looks at her, but no longer says anything, leaving her inside the main complex... in a house that will soon belong to both, although they still live separately.
A rare dynamic that she will not point out.
Mito is a remarkable woman and an imposing figure whom she had forgotten about until that morning when she arrived with two huge scrolls that she carried with ease. So far from their first interaction, with a big smile that shone at such an early hour.
Karen blinked lost, not knowing what it meant to have her at the door of her cozy home, being brought to the tearoom with an amused Kaori.
One of the few women who still helps her with tasks as simple as the tea ceremony. One that she has begun to enjoy in silence.
"I thought you wouldn't come until the end of the week." It's not a complaint, just a casual comment just when the lady sits down across from her, and the tea is served.
"I did not want to wait," as formal as a lady should be, she points out with a subtle smile. "Besides, I wanted to bring you some gifts as congratulations on your engagement."
"Oh, I see."
"Also, Ni-san is upset because you did not choose him."
"It wasn't my intention."
"Do not worry. Although it would be nice if you wrote him a letter today, to clarify the matter."
"Uh..."
"I will talk to Hashirama and Tobirama about it, so do not worry about Ni-san thinking otherwise."
"..." Karen didn't really know what to say. With so much happening in a short time, she had forgotten the strange interest of the heir of the nation of Uzu, so she simply limited herself to sipping her tea elegantly, without starting some kind of talk.
"You have learned the tea ceremony very well."
"Yes, Mikami-san taught me."
"I see... You do not look very excited about your engagement."
"I am. I'm still becoming aware of it." She lies, since this is the important part of why she doesn't sleep well. Karen sighs to smile at her. "Besides, with your wedding soon, my nerves are nothing, right?"
Mito blushes furiously. "I... well, yes."
"I imagine that's why you came earlier."
"Yes, I have come to see the last details," the redhead accepts. "And..." She looks at her for a long time.
"Do you need help?"
"No."
"That's good, because both Tobirama and Koari have come to the conclusion that I am not very useful in traditional terms in this whole process," she complains, causing a shrill laugh from the noble visitor, which makes her blink twice.
"Sorry... I just, well... you said it so naturally."
"I don't have to hide the obvious. I don't see the use of wearing two dresses for the event, nor I am a big believer in your type of religion either."
"We are not religious like civilians," the redhead states without removing her enthusiasm. "But that is not the point, is it?"
"No."
"I told you so because, well... I have always wanted a sister, and you will be my brother-in-law's wife, so I thought that perhaps I should improve our relationship." She shows honesty in her comments.
"Even if I'm a civilian?"
"Yes. At that time, I was sincere in being friends despite my first contact with you."
Karen blinks, noticing the woman's embarrassment. She smiles. "Well, we will be family, right? Senjus." She gets carried away by such a comment, making her fall over herself with contained emotion, leaving behind the appearance of a noble lady with a big smile that she has not removed.
"I am glad to hear that. Having a sister..." she points out without shame, starting to talk about her plans and how the wedding has been waiting for her for a long time. She chuckles. It's emotional and she sees now that she was really so nervous about it. Soon marry the love of her life.
At least one of the two brides is looking forward to her fate... Karen doesn't know what to really feel.
She is looking at the sky just when Mito goes to her guest room escorted by an amused Kaori due to the extra help. She sees that Tobirama doesn't really know much about all this, from the girlfriend's point of view, and Mikami has been busy with a mission she didn't tell her about.
At least Matsuo is well treated with the neighbor he was left with, since with his parental grandmother, even if they have not cut ties, her treatment is cold and cordial. A very separate drama that she does not share with her, considering the conception and everything that came with it.
"You look thoughtful," someone calls. Hashirama looks happy, raising his hand with a light wave.
"I am," she says, receiving him with a smile. "I imagine Madara held you for a long time."
"He is still dubious about the arrangements you suggested."
"They're not many."
"I know, but he has doubts about the shinobi applications. Tobirama had to explain it to him."
"I'm sorry I didn't help more."
"You were useful. At least, you recognized the money leak."
"Did I get anyone in trouble?"
"No, we just realized that we need honest merchants within our contracts."
"You didn't kill them... right?"
"No, we just talked to them."
"..."
"We may be shinobi, but we do not murder civilians for now," the young man mocks, standing next to her. "Mito?"
"She is very tired. She's sleeping in the guest room."
"Does she suspect anything?"
"No."
"Mmmm..." Hashirama sighs, looking at her face. "It is necessary if we want this to be convincing."
"I know. I just, I don't know... I feel lost in all this," she sighs frustrated. "Plus, Tobirama has been acting strange..."
"He's just... concerned."
"Concerned? That is something I would never expect to see in him, you know."
"He can be bold, somewhat oblivious and very apathetic," the older brother points out amusedly. "Just... give him time."
"Mmm... I've been here for more than two years, Hashirama. This hasn't gotten any easier, especially with the whole wedding thing."
"I'm sorry about that."
"We've already crossed that bridge," she snorts, still indignant at such a solution. "As Madara said, this is not my culture. There are many things that, although unfair, I must abide by."
"..."
"Getting married just... I don't know... I feel like it's a strange dream."
"I know you never thought about this."
"No... less considering my age."
"Your age doesn't matter. Besides, you don't look older than 30."
"I appreciate your sincerity, but I suppose that has a lot of influence on the type of life I had. Without children, without extra worries other than my job and family..." She makes fun of the irony of all this that she thought would never happen. Karen looks at the stars with longing. "It's not your fault... just let me get through this my way," she looks at the man next to her who only snorts.
He wants to say something... "Hashirama?" someone calls. Tobirama looks a bit serious from her place.
"Tobirama... Mito arrived early."
"Oh," he looks more relaxed. "Karen?"
"Nothing happened. She just brought a lot of gifts," the girl smiles. "You should see them, there are some that would interest you. Although I feel it's too much fabric for us."
"Fabric."
"Yes, Kaori said that the wedding yukata could be worked with it. Mito has offered to make them after her wedding," Karen said easily, ignoring the tension of the man next to her. Hashirama looks sad but doesn't say anything.
"I'll leave the soon-to-be married alone." With a mischievous tone with sad touches, Hashirama pushes her towards a Tobirama who barely holds her because of how surprising and strong he is.
"Hashirama, it's a façade," she complains just when the young man has left, leaving them alone and with her still being held in the arms of the person who helped her.
"..." The albino doesn't say anything.
"What?"
"Nothing..." the man grumbles reluctantly. "Sleep," he orders.
"Mph..." She frowns with an audible sigh to leave, entering the house under the gaze of whom is behind her. She doesn't feel like continuing with this, so she continues her way. She looks at the camera whose battery finally died after some time.
This reminds her of her family and how she wishes this was a dream, because the engagement made her remember how alone she feels despite the congratulations and a full complex to celebrate their next step. One she would not want to take... one that in the past she thought she would enjoy with her family.
One that she will never see again...
Author's notes:
The engagement is here already! Karen is almost officially a Senju. However, she doesn't feel as happy as she should be because it's a facade... something that shouldn't have happened, but it did... so the poor thing won't be able to get out of this without causing stuff.
What will happen? Who knows.
Thank you for your kudos and comments.
Author-chan out!