Sorry for the delay! I've been real busy with school and my personal life. Also, on the meantime I've created a tumblr account where I post all my works, but not only that! I also upload other stuff like fanarts, edits, memes and additional things like covers, polls... My user name is luchicm04, if you want to check it out.
The engagement has not made his routine change significantly; his work is ordinary between bureaucracy, processes and numbers that have long been entrusted to him, leaving aside the classified and shinobi matters. Hashirama is a person who has been able to give a start to that woman.
At first it was curiosity, then dept for the treatment they gave her when she was just an unexpected traveler from such a faraway place. Karen is not ordinary... not like the other kunoichis, much less like the civilian women he has dealt with.
She is noble without being too noble, organized, intelligent and attentive.
With her common terrors... with her way of overcoming things.
He has been watching her since she arrived... and he can't help but feel that his heart is tightening with an emotion that he keeps deep inside his heart from the eyes of inexperienced people... from her. But not from Madara, who arches his eyebrow in amusement at him in his sullen way, observing him carefully after a meeting.
Karen had left with an attentive Tobirama, willing to continue with her own work and review the agreements that he had asked her to give them a new perspective. The Hyūga was trying to join with certain conditions, and both the Nara clan and its allies had also begun to seek the benefits of this alliance.
But that was the least of his worries. "Don't say anything."
"For the Sage's sake... you are stupidly obvious," Madara rolls his eyes crossing his arms, sitting there in his office with a sadistic look, having fun at the expense of his feelings.
He doesn't blame him... but this just makes him huff.
"..." Hashirama does not give him any comments.
"Tell me, are you really not going to do anything?"
"No."
"Tobirama sees your intentions."
"They are not bad."
"I know, but seriously... friend?" he mocks with a light laugh. "Even Izuna told me about the engagement. For a moment he thought that you..."
"I will not leave Mito."
"I know, but..." he snorts slightly. "It wouldn't be not rare for you to have... lovers."
"My father never had children outside of his marriage with my mother."
"Yes, but nobles usually do it."
"As you said, nobles. We are shinobis... there is no point in overthinking things."
"Mmm... you're an idiot."
"I'm not."
"However, I won't judge you if it benefits my clan. The alliance with the Uzumaki will give strength to our bases, with your marriage."
"Mmmm..."
"That's why you haven't left her, right?"
"Madara... don't go there." He gets a little depressed seeing how his friend knows him so well. "Tobi... he promised to protect her."
"Are you satisfied with that?"
"That's enough for me."
"If you say so," Madara shrugs. "As long as she marries into our clans, that's fine. Karen-san has shown to have a good head, even though she is a civilian... with interesting concepts."
"I told you."
"Izuna feels that she is too unrealistic, and the council is still upset about adding her in external consultancies." He said the last part awkwardly given how new the word is in the vocabulary of the passionate clan. "But her points have denoted the capital leak."
"Yes." He is proud of those optimistic comments.
"I hate you for marrying her into your clan... I'd rather have her within mine."
"Madara."
"What? I'm not lying. Your move in front of the Daimyo to promise her to your brother was smart. If I had been faster... I assure you, Izuna wouldn't let anything hurt her."
"..." Hashirama frowns, not being able to imagine Karen marrying into another clan other than his own.
"But that's not the point," the man with wild hair raises his hands with an amused laugh. "If something happens..."
"You already said that."
"It's just an idle comment," the cheeky Uchiha accepts, proceeding to focus on reviewing some missions requested for them to work together.
Tobirama and Izuna will soon go on another mission. Hashirama is sure he could handle it for now, until someone else is able to cope with the hatred that still lingers.
Teamwork is difficult... but he believes in a future where they will be able to cooperate.
He smiles. Hashirama sees that this dream is so notorious... and if it weren't for her, he wouldn't have achieved it in the best way. His friend is now his ally, formerly his enemy... he laughs internally.
And even if he can't marry her... having her working by his side is not so bad, even if it hurts his heart... even if he wanted more, he wouldn't do anything... because he is faithful to his word and Mito deserves his respect.
She has waited so long for him.
He knows.
She loves him.
Although he... doesn't know how to feel about it.
Tobirama accompanies her. Many of the clan whisper, but do not have the courage to point out anything even though the engagement was long awaited by so many. Him, not so much, taking care of everything since Karen is not usually very observant in details outside of regular work.
She is incredibly intelligent and organized, but when it comes to things like the engagement and surely the wedding, she is not so excited about carrying it out... and in some ways, it bothers him.
But he won't say anything.
"You know you don't have to come with me." Karen brings him out of his thoughts with her light voice and a snort worthy of someone tired of his presence. That tone irritates him, but he only raises his eyebrow. "The garden is not that far away. And Kaori just needs some tomatoes and vegetables."
"I have time."
The civilian rolls her eyes. "By the way, Mito-san mentioned that the fabric is finally ready."
"Mmmm..."
"She said Mrs. Kyoko will be excited by the quality and softness it possesses."
"The yukata... is important."
"I know," the woman shrugs. "At least it will be comfortable."
"You could have more of that fabric. I shall tell them to make everyday clothes for you."
"There's no need."
"..." Tobirama doesn't say anything. He will ask for extra clothes for the girl anyway... even though she is modest, it is normal for her to want more yukatas.
"Tobirama, I'm serious."
"We have a lot of fabric."
"Will you also get more for you?" she asks, looking at him from top to bottom. The shinobi is unfazed because his standard clothing is all black. He is only missing his usual armor, which he has begun to stop using within the compound and the alliance region.
Of course, he is still waiting to be attacked by some Uchiha, but the few he has seen outside their area only look at him with slight tones of revenge that they do not dare to carry out due to the value of the contract with their clan leader.
He still hasn't gotten very used to this peace.
However, his brother has managed to make the change.
"I am fine like this," he replies with a dry tone.
"Seriously... won't you be wearing more comfortable clothes at home?" the woman questions his appearance with an incredulous tone. Tobirama remains thoughtful at the mention of 'home' but keeps it to himself.
"I do not need it."
"Well... if you buy me more, you will also make matching ones for yourself," the girl states easily. "If not, then... I won't accept the new yukatas."
"That is not something you can decide."
"Come on... You have decided everything about the house, the wedding and engagement date... at least let me have a say in your clothes." Her tone is irritated, but he sees that the woman stores much of the bitterness that she wants to let out.
Sometimes Tobirama wonders when he stopped wanting to dissect the girl and became so accustomed to her presence that he began to read her very well, and what her life must have been like before reaching this point.
Nevertheless, he won't ask. It's not his business, even when he sees her so sad...
It bothers him.
"Do what you want," he bites bitterly.
"Yes!" she applauds amused, starting to plan to visit Kyoko together. He rolls his eyes. He is not interested in being part of her own agenda, but he allows himself to be dragged... at least to the garden, where many greet them.
He feels comfortable. People no longer treat her badly, not even as a foreigner, so he leaves her after a while of making sure that things will go well.
He doesn't know how, but he always ends up getting involved in things that should interest him little.
Whatever... Tobirama decided to go back.
Being added to a mission with that stupid Izuna wasn't strange. The strange thing was that he didn't want to leave.
At least, he hopes to finish before his brother's wedding.
He wants to be on time.
Kaori was the caretaker of the boys of the main line, from the time Butsuma was in charge until his eldest son rose imposingly as the undisputed leader of the clan. Such a strong man...
She is so proud of him... almost like his mother would have been.
Unfortunately, Rukia didn't live long after the birth of her last child.
"Kaori-san?" someone calls, taking her out of her thoughts, which makes her blink to focus on that civilian that she has welcomed as her new charge at the request of her adorable leader and his brother.
"Oh, good morning," she greets with a soft smile.
"Is there something wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong, Karen-san," the old woman assures with a motherly smile. "Have you already had your measurements taken?"
"Yes. Thank goodness Kyoko-san knows Tobirama's," she laughs amused by some strange memory that she surely had with the man. Who would have thought that she would be so attentive to send him to prepare matching yukatas.
Although she is not sure that Tobirama is comfortable with it, because she knows how stubborn he is and how used he is to being in his war clothing. At least he has stopped using the armor as he always did.
A pleasant change that she suspects the civilian has a lot to do with.
"Yes, I am sure he would not go on his own."
"I know."
"By the way, how did you convince him?" she asks curiously with a gesture to the civilian who continues her way to the kitchen. Soon it would be time to eat, so they both usually spend time in that place.
It is larger than in the previous house and surely Hashirama's brother prepared it knowing his future wife's quirks... cute from her point of view.
"Oh, that's not a strange story," the girl says with a simple laugh. At least she has left that depression about missing her family... one that she tried hard to hide, but this old woman has years of experience as a nanny and a capable kunoichi.
She is easy to read.
"It is not?" she encourages her curiosity to be calmed.
"Well, he said he would make me yukatas."
"Oh really?"
"Yes. I told him no, unless he made some for himself."
The olw woman laughs amusedly, conforming something she has been thinking for a while. "Oh... that would have not worked before."
"No?"
"No. He is very obstinate."
"I've noticed it."
"At least he listened to you."
"Yeah. Also, the Daimyo and Mito have brought a lot of fabric. I'm thinking about making yukatas for Matsuo, Mikami and you, too."
"Not at all. That would be a waste for the bride and groom, so keep the fabric to yourselves."
"Uh?"
"It is a tradition that what is given is for the use of the family... which I hope grows soon," she says, imagining small children around the beautiful patio that has been arranged for the civilian.
Her maternal and grandmotherly instincts are thrilled, so much so that she ignores the woman's tension over such a comment.
Excited for the future...
Butsuma and Rukia would be proud of this... She prefers to think so.
Mikami owes her so much despite their sullen beginning. Teaching etiquette classes, she became her appreciated and valued person... like a sister who is willing to protect her from everything that could hurt her.
Even if she doesn't realize that she is supporting her, she will have her back.
So, she did not avoid looking with slight doubt at the woman with a sad expression on the edge of the river that runs so close. It is not strange to find her here thinking. Kaori lets her be despite the dangers around.
Despite the years, the trauma makes her doubt anyone of the opposite gender.
"You should not be alone," she scolds lightly, starting to walk towards the rock which is being occupied by the civilian. She blinks in recognition.
"Uh... Kaori-san told me it was fine."
"I know, but you have to be careful. Not everyone is like Hashirama-sama and the others."
"You almost sound like Tobirama."
"Do I?"
"He told me the same thing... but with more jabs," she laughs carefully, as clear as she usually is, and strong in her own way that makes her proud.
"Mph... He will be your husband. It is normal that he cares for you."
"Yeah." She seems indifferent to the marriage.
"Now that Kaori-san is not here, you know you can tell me what really worries you," she points out because her engagement is so strange, considering their previous interactions and how she is.
Although she is oblivious to the feelings of her leader's brother, she knows her friend is oblivious to love.
She never saw her fall in love with anyone even though the council was persistent in caging her. That it was Tobirama who managed to do it is not abnormal, considering their work together, but it still seems weird and sudden.
No matter how many years have passed since he met her... there is still something missing.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your marriage," the kunoichi states directly. "And the appearance of the Daimyo."
"Uh..."
"It has something to do with it, right?"
"..." Karen looks at the sky from a distance. The noise of the river is relaxing while the forest dances to the sound of that soft summer air. "I... I don't know what to tell you."
"The truth."
"I can¡t."
"..."
"That's the only thing I can tell you. Hashirama assured me that it was better if only a few people knew."
"I see." She sees the tension in the girl's gesture... and even with those little words, she understands what this is about. A false engagement? A lie? She may not notice it, but she knows that Tobirama... might not be indifferent to it.
For a moment, though, she thought that Hashirama would break his engagement with the princess of Uzu for the civilian.
Perhaps she imagined it.
"By the way... Matsuo-kun?"
"He is now beginning to train his chakra system." Bitterly, she wrinkles her nose at the treatment of that man's family towards her son.
Karen doesn't say anything.
"I am working on it. It is not that bad," she tries to convince her friend when she noticed her annoyance. Her ways are still unusual in her eyes, but not odd within the clan.
Even if he was punished... seeing her son reminds her of Ryu's sin.
"I'm sorry I reminded you of something so sad."
"Do not worry... it is something I have to overcome, right?"
"..."
"For Matsuo," the kunoichi accepts with a laugh to sit next to her. The river is not such a bad place to relax and rethink what she will do next since soon, together with other women, they will begin working on missions paired with the Uchiha clan.
She is scared... she wants revenge... but she left that behind a long time ago to carve a path without war for her little one.
He does not deserve to grow up in fear of dying so young, like her brothers... like her cousins... like her parents.
A world of peace that her friend has achieved together with her leaders, a dream she never thought she could have and hold on to... getting rid of the bitterness of working with her former enemies.
For their happiness.
Around the patio, Karen looks at the girl who is on the verge of collapse. Mito is such an expressive woman that since she declared that they will be something akin to sisters, she became highly eloquent, making her laugh as their integration becomes natural.
She doesn't know what to feel, because she doesn't know what to feel about her upcoming wedding either.
But that's the least of it.
"Come on, Mito-san. Everything will be alright."
"I... my brother and father have not arrived!" the redhead exclaims. Koari easily brings some tea to chuckle amused and disappear on the spot.
"They will be arriving soon, no?"
"Well, yes," she huffs. "But Tobirama is also missing. That idiotic Hashirama sent him on a mission."
"It was necessary."
Mito frowns to mutter other things under her breath.
"Come, sit and have some tea," she says while sipping another bit of her drink. Things have been so calm and with tentative alliances coming... life isn't so bad.
She reflexes lightly with the weight of the marriage beginning to take root in her conscience. With Tobirama's words that day... it is more enjoyable, although she still feels the sadness of remembering her family.
More so considering her next birthday...
Mito still remains her elegant self, taking a sip of the hot drink. "I cannot get enough of this tea."
"It's good. Madara-san brought it the last time he came."
"Does Madara-san visit you?"
"Not much. Only when he is passing by or when he leaves a meeting, really."
"Oh..."
"Why?"
"Well, you will marry Tobirama."
"Yes," she blinks without understanding what the problem was.
"You are a civilian."
"Uh-huh."
"Wow... it shows that you do not see the issue in this."
"There is nothing wrong in that."
"Maybe not where you come from," Mito giggles amused. "You are engaged. Having a friendship with someone like Madara..."
"I see." Karen reflects on the comment logically, taking into account the culture in which she is participating. "He is a good friend."
"I know that they extended protection to you as a clan," Mito admits. "I must say that I did not expect that from the Uchiha."
"Really?"
"Yes. They have almost adopted you."
"...Tobirama didn't explain it to me like that."
"Well... he will probably tell you another way," the woman says amused. "For a civilian, you have many alliances."
Karen doesn't reply anything. She looks at the stars a little more without thinking enough about things... it's for the best.
For now, she will remain expectant about what comes from the future... an uncertain one.
Author's notes:
An external chapter with different points of view. I hope you enjoy it. Hashirama's wedding will be here soon, an awaited event along with other things.
As you can see, many have different opinions regarding Karen. Some are better than others, but no one is willing to let her go any time soon, and she doesn't realize it.
What will happen? Will Karen notice? Will Hashirama do something? Will Tobirama clarify his strange feelings, or will he continue to deny it? Although I'm sure he hasn't even realized it... because of how annoying it is to accept something he doesn't want and he never thought he would have, even though he was forced to go along with this engagement.
Covering him with his duty to this peace that his brother has worked so hard for... There's no one more blind than he who refuses to see, isn't that right?
Thanks for your comments.
Author-chan out!