I finally finished my final exams (if I pass all of them) so now I should have more free time to write.
The wedding will take place on a huge patio right in the middle of the compound. The standing decorations are so different from every event she has witnessed so far with her busy schedule.
Karen has to admit that things are noticeably over the top. There are white flowers everywhere with large matching lamps, along with a forum in the background among various chairs.
Traditional, like everything in this culture.
"Wow... they really applied themselves," she comments as she carries a pot with similar flowers in pale colors whose meanings in this reality indicate prosperity and a good future for the couple.
Kaori looks just as ecstatic, so focused on everything going well that she smiles sideways.
"Yes... This is the first wedding. It is not every day that the clan leader does not get married."
"Well, yes," the civilian laughs at the point given by the old woman. The flowers are placed right in the middle of the forum. "Is there going to be some kind of priest?"
"Oh... well, we shinobi do not have religion, but for these events the priest of the temple was already brought by escorts," the old woman explains."
"Escorts?"
"Yes. Young Tobirama-sama was among them. He will not take long to arrive so do not worry," she laughs amused, hitting her shoulders. Her hands hurt from the effort, but she doesn't complain.
She is used to hard work... especially when working in the garden.
Karen keeps up.
"Ka-ne!" Someone hugs her on the knees. Little Matsuo greets her with a wide, adorable smile that melts her, even if he shortens her name due to the lack of pronunciation of the 'r'.
"Oh, little one... you should not do that. You could make her fall," the old woman scolds, noticing her loss of balance. From the mockery of the other children who accompany him, she assumes he's playing with a group his age.
"Don't worry, Kaori-san. I didn't fall."
"You are a civilian, not a kunoichi like the others," the old woman frowns now looking at her and then at the child. "So, consider it, Matsuo-kun."
"Y-yes." He looks embarrassed, with a gesture worthy of someone who is taking on a tough mission.
Being a civilian on these occasions is annoying... they treat her as if she was going to break.
"I'll be fine," the woman says ruffling the boy's hair. "Your Oka-san?"
"She is... with Oba-san," the boy blinks twice. "She... why is she so sad?"
"MMMmm..." Karen sees that her friend has reached the peak of her traumas. Even she couldn't sleep the night before just remembering that it would be full of drunk people.
Tobirama gave her a list of warnings that she made sure she didn't forget.
"She... just needs time," the civilian assures, squeezing his shoulders. "That's why you have to help her feel better... by being good."
"Uh..."
"What else is happening?" the older woman tilts her head, seeing that something else is bothering the child.
"She... does not want me?"
"She loves you. Why do you say that?" she questions because Mikami was always firm in her love for her son, despite his conception.
"She... was talking... yelling at Oba-san... about... Ryu... and me." He blinks innocently. She assumes that the tension in the family has come to a high point as a result of the post-traumatic stress that the weight of the event and so many redheads around entail.
"She's just tired... but she wouldn't say anything bad about you."
"Uh..."
"When she gets better and you get older, maybe she will talk to you about it."
"Karen-san," the old woman warns with an audible sigh next to her. She had remained on the sidelines for some time but there are still things about the culture that they are willing to hide. The child blinks between the two. "Go finish helping the northern area, Matsuo-kun," she orders drily.
"What did I say?" she asks just when it is certain that the kid is gone. The civilian sometimes does not understand the hindrances, like when Madara's visits are at her house... something that the old woman points out when there are no men at home.
An overreaction from her point of view, because it's just work and the old lady is accompanying her, isn't she?
"You should not tell him that. Mikami-san... she should not say anything."
"But... the kid will eventually find out. It's better if it comes from her."
"His family... is important for the development of the child according to the traditions of the family," the old woman explains firmly, speaking about a topic that was putting off the truth.
"Kaori-san, that's something Mikami should think about." Karen is firm in her point of view. "The boy is aware of things, and that man's family should not demand anything else of what they have already taken from her... he raped her."
"Do not say that," the old woman shushes. "Sometimes, your type of thinking is so complex," she snorts indignantly to start walking. "I hope that will be fixed just when you marry into the clan."
"I don't think so," the girl assures, not caring if she's spoiling her companion's existence. Outside of her traditionalist thoughts, she is a good person.
She just puts a lot of effort into making her do things she's already starting to take on.
Like marrying her off, for example, although that was more of a matter of Hashirama and political pressures.
She has heard that Mito faced large numbers of men in certain jobs, that she sometimes leads important meetings with her father as one of the few women who hold an active position in bureaucratic society.
However, she can't help but laugh when she sees her in a nervous state when she goes to see how she was before the wedding started.
She is looking in the mirror, standing there with large headdresses matching her beautiful braided red hair and a completely white yukata with luxurious embroidery. She had seen it hanging since it was finished, but seeing it put on, Karen notices that the curves lift it up.
She chuckles as she enters. "Mito-san, don't be so nervous," she says standing behind the woman who doesn't take her eyes off her reflection.
"I am not."
"You are."
"Alright, yes," the redhead sighs, turning to face her. "I... what if he does not love me?" she questions harshly as if she knew her answers.
"He does," she shrugs because she knows the man is in love with someone, and smiles seeing her friend's surprise. "Just be confident." Completely misinterpreting the romantic interest of said leader in favor of his fiancée.
Wrong... but she doesn't push herself in observing.
"But..." She looks at her reflection again. "I... I am afraid it is not true."
"Why do you say that?" Karen asks, not knowing that she was moved by her security. It wasn't that bad last night.
"I talked to him..."
"Oh..." She doesn't say anything, because she wasn't aware of that part.
"He said..." she sighs longingly. "That he would try to do everything in his power to make sure I am happy."
Karen resisted the urge to slap herself in the face just for the stupidity of a groom saying those things hours before his wedding. What was going through the leader's mind? Was the nerve messing with him? She doesn't know because she hasn't seen him, which makes her question his logic.
"What..." she stops talking to look at her. "You... have you ever fallen in love?" she questions, remembering what exactly the happy boyfriend said to her days before.
"No," she quickly answers. "I never took an interest in that."
"But now you are getting married," she frowns doubtfully at her prompt response. Her mistake... so she sighs to take the hand of the person staring at her.
"Not until I met Tobi," she laughs at the blatant lie with a certainty of being faithful to what she is saying. "It can seem foolish, something that came out of nowhere... when I wasn't looking for it."
"Oh..."
"It was never my goal. As I told you before, it just happened."
Mito looks at her for a long time. "What if... Hashirama is in love?"
"..."
"Not with me." After a slight silence, the redhead releases her to gaze at her. "Would you... do something against me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I told you before... about the danger that you represent," she then accepted with confidence in a tone different from the friendly one she had used until now, more similar to that first meeting.
Where she was clear with her comments.
"You are my friend." She tries not to feel offended by such an argument. "One of my closest ones here."
"Mph..." she snorts ironically. "He... I do not know..." She keeps some comments to herself, searching for something in her eyes. "I guess nothing has changed since then," she mocks.
"Huh?"
"For being older... sometimes, I do not understand how you work, from what I see."
"Don't doubt your fiancé... not now."
"I know you told me so... only now I do not know what to think."
"..."
"I... I will be a Senju..." she states with a fire in her eyes. "I will love him... with all my heart." She looks into her eyes. "Come what may," she says with a double tone that is not usually understood by the civilian, who smiles.
"That's the best thing you've said so far." She tries to lighten the atmosphere with said comment. The woman laughs to see how her assistants begin to enter to put the finishing touches, while she leaves to finish putting on her yukata.
With a strange feeling about it.
What exactly did Mito mean?
The yukata is so different from that of her own event. It is more subtle and modest in soft tones that enhance its foreign features, paired with simple headdresses that do not stand out too much, so as not to overshadow the bride.
"Wow... you look good," someone calls just as she steps out. Seeing Madara all dressed up is notable, being a special guest as a friend of the groom.
"Thank you... you combed your hair."
"So early and yet so aggressive."
"I'm not aggressive," the girl complains about his out of place comment, but it was noticeable and the first thing that came to her mind when she saw that always wild mane of hair a little more subdued, as she walks towards the exit. Her escort has not come so she assumes Tobirama will be a little late.
Considering his mission to bring the priest, it makes sense.
"Perhaps," the man makes way with his biting accent.
"So?"
"Well... so direct."
"You are not."
"A little," the man mocks without losing his sarcastic rhythm to continue along the way. "I just wanted to know if you wanted to give words of support to the groom... he's nervous."
"Uh?" She blinks at the comment.
"What?"
"It's nothing. I just didn't think you were really worried about him... it's adorable."
"I'm not worried about him?"
"Really?"
"Forget it," the Uchiha complains with a bitter look. His steps are soft considering the one who walks slower than any of the trained shinobi in that place.
He does that sometimes, when he has things to ask about reports and things like that, which tells her how important this is.
"I'll go see him..."
"Will you?"
"Yes. How nervous is he?"
"...You will find out," the man shrugs with a hidden tone.
"What are you planning?"
"I'm not planning anything," he assures.
"You silence tells me otherwise," she tilts her head. "I hope you don't ruin your friend's wedding."
"I won't ruin it..." He whispers that last part in a very shinobi way that she doesn't hear well, which makes her frown. "I just know that he's too stupid to take what he wants."
"He's not stupid, he just sees the logic," she shrugs. "Love is that complicated."
"Mph... that's nonsense."
"I don't think so."
"Of course... tell that to the idiot."
"Uh?"
"Don't ask. You know, I don't know how to measure your intelligence sometimes."
"So I've been told," she says, not at all offended and accustomed to the bitter man's direct way of speaking. "However, you're not here to give me compliments, but to ask me for help. Do you want me to bring him something?"
"...Like what?"
"Water to help calm him down or tea."
"Nah, your presence is enough to make him see his..." he sighs. "The bastard is very idiotic. Seriously, I don't know how he doesn't dare."
"Madara-san, you are saying strange things."
"No, I'm just desperate that he's such a moron." The Uchiha looks at her. "But I hope this clarifies his ideas," he shrugs walking among the people who begin to take their places. Karen sighs... "Won't you becoming with me?"
"No," the Uchiha accepts cheekily, standing at the beginning of the hallway that she knows well leads to the Senju's office. One that Tobirama usually uses since the former sometimes works in the neutral office.
"Seriously, I know you're onto something," she frowns at the shameless laughter of the infamous Uchiha leader. There is no one there since many of the guards or assistants are outside receiving the different guests. Same with the Uzumaki. They are all anxiously awaiting the beginning... the confirmation of their pact.
She walks a little more, approaching the door. "Hashirama?" she hesitantly questions standing at the edge of the door. She hears a thud inside that sets the alarm to enter. "Hashirama?!" she blinks, seeing the man blinking at her with a strange surprise in his eyes.
It is fortunate that he is dressed up, although she sees that the final yukata is almost in place.
"Wow... Madara-san told me you were nervous, but I wasn't expecting this," Karen accepts, carelessly approaching to help him, but the man was already up as soon as she closed the distance.
"That idiot," he growls reluctantly to look at her. "I... you shouldn't be here."
"I know, but he assured you that you were anxious, and he wasn't lying. You still haven't finished getting ready!"
"I only need the last yukata," the man laughs with a tension in his shoulders.
"I know, I'm underestimating your shinobi skills," the woman mocks. "But you know... this is your day, your wedding!"
Hashirama doesn't say anything. He purses his lips, turning to take the yukata and arrange it to his shape in the blink of an eye. "Ready!"
"Show-off," she complains, as it took hours for her to get ready, and her makeup was more moderated this time. The man's amused laugh resonates after days of not hearing it.
That makes her blink twice as a phantom tensions in his shoulders disappears.
"What?" the man asks before her gaze.
"It's been a long time since I heard you laugh like that," the woman states. "You know... everything will be alright, seriously." She approaches him, hitting his chest with confidence. She sees those eyesanalyzing her.
"I... I'm not nervous about the wedding?"
"No?"
"No," he accepts easily. "I'm just... doing it out of my duty."
"Don't say it like that. Mito-san loves you," the woman complains, sighing and watching how the man has the nerve to caress her cheek slowly. "Hashirama? ...You shouldn't do that," she hits his hand easily.
Although it does not move since her strength is zero next to his... the sensations are disturbing and uncomfortable. "Hashirama?" she insists due to the man's little interest in walking away after such a strange move.
She may be over 30, but she wasn't expecting this.
Not from a young shinobi.
"I... will always regret it."
"Don't say that..." She feels bad for Mito at the harsh words of the confused groom.
Karen attributes his wrong behavior to the pressure of the wedding.
"I'm saying it to you," the leader chuckles, happy that she didn't walk away. Karen frowns wanting to question such an attitude. However, she freezes just when the male hand stops on her cheek and his thumb traces her lips delicately, feeling their heat... She steps away scared with her alarmed thoughts.
Karen doesn't blush but she stands there, not knowing how exactly she should react.
It's easy to take her distance when the man is so distracted in his actions, looking at that hand with a pitiful smile for whatever thought is passing through his mind.
"I have never seen you so nervous," the man says with a light mockery to smile cheekily. She blinks processing the so out of place comment, as if it were coming from someone who's playing a bad and practical joke on her.
She wasn't aware of such a strange sense of humor.
Karen feels her fury increase by that demonstration. Nevertheless, she stops from saying anything when the man kisses the thumb that was previously touching her lips. She does nothing... she remains frozen for what is not said.
Blinking hard at who continues to admire her.
"Don't worry... I'll never do anything to harm you," the man assures her given her uncomfortable face and tense silence. He approaches but she takes a step back for safety and dignity.
She keeps her distance from him in case he does anything else... for her friend! For himself!
"I won't ask you to treat me the same either."
"Hashirama... What's going on in your head?" she questions with a harsh, reprimanding tone.
"Everything... and nothing." He looks sadder than before, which makes her feel sorry for a few light seconds and it's reflected on the woman's face for such words expressed by the man.
There is silence. The people outside the premises are oblivious to what is happening inside that room, where Karen wants to ignore and pretend that this did not happen.
And this weakness in friendship that the civilian has is taken advantage of by the shinobi, who dared to make use of his speed and appear in the blink of an eye right in front of her.
He grabs her face and carelessly presses his lips against hers in a matter of seconds. Karen feels scared... alarmed by such an action from the always noble man, whose friendship helped her survive all this time.
She never expected this. She wants to move away just when the offending tongue searches for something in hers, expanding a feeling she had never experienced before. Biting him was a firm idea in her head, but she stops just when he releases her, eager for more. His breathing is light, and he doesn't walk away with her face still in his rough hands.
She feels the callus... the warmth that once comforted her transforming into absolute confusion, wanting to get out of his grip without any success despite those confused seconds.
Karen uses her hands as an obstacle that is ignored when another kiss is delivered, passionate and disturbing. She closes her eyes out of inertia at how suffocating it's starting to get... it lengthens pitifully until it ends in a soft movement.
Those bright eyes reflect her... and Karen just remains silent with the palpable wetness of their exchange. He cleans her, his fingers passing beneath her lips carelessly.
"I will never do anything to hurt you... I apologize for that; I just needed it to endure what is coming."
"Hashirama... You...?"
"What are you doing?" someone knocks on the door. Seeing Tobirama was something she didn't expect to see, with a gesture of salvation. The man was already next to her, carefully pushing her away. "Hashirama!" he warns dangerously.
"It's alright... I... I'm sorry about that."
"You..." The albino frowns.
"It's time to go... I think Mito is waiting for me, right?" The man laughs lightly, putting on a happy mask just when she saw the frustration, the sadness being blatant at the fact of not being able to take what he wants.
Was this what Madara was referring to?
"Karen?" Tobirama takes her out of her thoughts. He sees her lost and doesn't know how to react... because she sees her anger in those red eyes with something else that she now doesn't bother wanting to express.
"He..." she tries to say but she just wants to cry.
"You are an idiot," he sighs, noticing his mistake, uncomfortable with her reaction in spite of having already seen her shed tears before.
"I... I didn't think..." She feels so sad about this... something that was easy to see, being thrown like that in her face without a care.
"It is not your fault," he sighs without leaving her side, still dirty... even with his ninja uniform and blue armor, his face reflects all the frustration and emotions that he would not normally express.2
Karen just hugs him; her only lifesaver in the sea of emotions that she didn't know how to express. She had never experienced this... that is why she avoided love! Because it is so complicated, confusing and it takes away your sense of security.
Will she be able to look at Mito's now? How will she work with Hashirama? "Y-you knew," she accuses just to get away from the albino man who sighs, not feeling guilty. "YOU KNEW!"
"You were the only one who didn't," someone says from the background. Madara watches firmly.
"This is your fault." Tobirama now shows part of his irritation to whom he gives a half-hearted smile.
"You know why I did it."
"You had no right."
"It was his decision, Tobirama," the Uchiha carelessly accepts and looks at her. "But I see... that this is more complicated than I expected..." He sighs disappointedly and leaves, not feeling any remorse for what he did.
Karen feels so stupid. She covers her face, not wanting to go outside, but she is carried by a bitter Tobirama. "...?"
"You need to have your makeup fixed." The albino takes her out quickly, squeezing her into his armor. It's been a long time since she was carried like this. She sighs, trying to act normal when Kaori sees her.
"What happened?!" She looks at her with accusation. "It took me so long to put on your makeup!"
"She looked pretty," Tobirama explains carelessly, making the old woman look at them with different eyes. Karen would turn around in surprise if she weren't so bitter about what happened. Many are no longer in the house; people begin to walk away, gathering where the wedding will take place.
She doesn't want to go, but she sees that the albino will wait for her until she finishes doing her things because his presence is important due to the political wight, especially with the last-minute arrival of the Daimyo.
Kaori looks excited about her non-existent grandchildren as she quickly fixes her makeup. She stays quiet, like a robot, not knowing what to express about this whole matter.
Worse than a bad meeting, than a bad project... than her confrontation with the council.
She closes her eyes so that her eye shadows can be adjusted. Her thinking is chaotic as she clings to the hand of a silent Tobirama. What should she do with what she found out? What did Hashirama gain by putting her in this predicament?
Seeing him get married wasn't painful... but knowing that Mito wasn't loved was.
This is not what her friend expected. She purses her lips, remembering her nervousness. She already suspected it... but how did she not notice?
"Do not think too much about it."
"Easy for you to say," she bites angrily at who remains at her side. Both of them are at the front, speaking in whispers that she is sure are not being heard.
"Just leave it."
"Mph..." She would like to say more things, but she just stays silent. She looks into the distance, not focusing on this whole event and hoping this is just a phase. Her heart hasn't shaken her... but her concern about losing a good friend has.
Hashirama... he deserved to be happy, but not with her.
She doesn't love him.
Author's notes:
As you will see, it will be difficult for Karen to pretend that everything is normal now that Hashirama realized that he was not loved by her. He does not want to force her, nor does he want to force her to respond to his feelings when he was never clear.
It was more of a desperate outburst of his own heart that made Hashirama decide to steal a kiss from her, clarifying that now... his heart had no owner. He was hurt and he is sure he will make Madara's life miserable for this... but it served to continue with the original plan, with a warm sensation on his lips that gave him even more anxiety.
Tobirama knew about it, and even if he felt irritated, he didn't say anything else when he saw her so affected. His brother is usually considerate, but he sees that he underestimated the love he has for her. He didn't like seeing her like that... so he acted like her shadow all night, warmer than before. This had been the reason why he didn't want them to see each other. Especially alone.
Madara, on the other hand, wanted his friend to stop being so idiotic, but he didn't count on Karen not loving him. It's hard to know what that woman is thinking... she's not like the others.
Earning the hatred of both Senjus.
Mito knows that something happened, but she keeps quiet. It's her day... and she should be happy.
Thanks for everything.
Author-chan out!