I just got my nails done and I'm ready to publisha nother chapter and then disappear for weeks again.

When they returned to Konoha, more than a month had passed after meetings with the nobles and every person in the capital who could help doing their part. Karen did not feel right doing nothing even though her guards were doing some cleaning up among the Daimyo's ranks.

So, she set about drawing up some processes, statistics and an inventory of things needed for reconstruction, something that was taking up too much of her time to the point of exhaustion. Tobirama was not fascinated by her initiative, but he fell silent at the idea that this was how she was dealing with her nightmares, her trauma and stress that she had forced out.

There is still a long way to go before she heals… she knows she needs special help, but it is not a priority. After crossing a series of trees to open her eyes to the view that makes her dizzy but enthusiastic, the girl grips tightly the armor of the person who carries her in his arms with hidden emotion.

"It's bigger," she manages to say just as they come down between the trees. Tobirama hums something amused at her comment only to look at Izuna.

"We have to go and report," the albino informs as he lands in an already cleared area. It's a shame that so many trees have been cut down… However, she knows that it was necessary for the growth that this space has had. Karen sees more people with peculiar features and other details that the albino doesn't let her investigate. "Do not wander," he warns just as she had started to take a few tentative steps towards some women with black hair and high hairstyles.

She blinks with a slight frown. "Uh?"

"We have to present ourselves to Hashirama," he says with a firm gesture, although she sees Izuna's smile on the side; so natural, like a complicit. "Do not say anything… idiot."

"I didn't say anything," the Uchiha replies with an entertained whistle despite his regal and cold expression.

She doesn't see anything abnormal about such a request. Karen feels it's only natural to go first with the leaders after a mission. "Alright." They cross the neutral space to where the tower can be seen. There is more movement; she sees various shinobi giving them careful gestures but keeping quiet.

Almost like the Uchihas and Senjus in their early days, which makes the civilian ignore her instinct to run and hide, clinging to her spot right in front of the men. Tobirama places himself at her side, as if guessing her growing crisis that he knows usually happens when there are too many people.

She blinks… it doesn't bother her so she keeps her stoic face all the way to the office she knows and can hear noise coming from. There is a meeting in session that is interrupted when she opens the door. She sees three strange men who give her a careful look, along with a silent Madara sitting right next to Hashirama.

Who gives her a soft smile that is very focused in her direction, until Tobirama clears his throat a little, drawing the leader's attention.

"Are we interrupting something?" The younger Senju gives a blank stare, typical of the man, placing her back subtly… Karen hadn't realized she was clenching her hands because of so many eyes on her in seconds, ignoring the gesture of the Senju leader.

"No, not really." Hashirama is the one who answers seriously. "I imagine you came to inform."

"Yes," Tobirama answers naturally. Karen sighs to raise her curious gaze to those who are still watching.

"Oh, I apologize…" The Senju leader sits up to stand next to the three foreigners. "You haven't been introduced. This is Nara Shikai," he points to a man with noble features with a huge high ponytail who releases a long lazy yawn and gives her a belatedly thorough look.

"Good afternoon," the Nara greets firmly, looking at the three of them. "I had heard a rumor… about a civilian who worked with you. It's a pleasure to meet you," he states, focusing on her.

Karen didn't think she would hesitate at a time like this; she had had meetings with Hashirama and Madara in bad moods… but this was a bit too much for her. "T-the pleasure is mine."

Hashirama sees the doubt on her face, interrupting the lazy ninja's growing curiosity to point to a blond with an equally icy expression and kind green eyes, who gives her a careful bow. "This is Yamanaka Inohi"

"Nice to meet you… I'm sorry for my partner's indiscretion," he accepts, squeezing the shoulder of the one who continues trying to discover her mind, which she appreciates wholeheartedly. Izuna snorts tiredly; she supposes he is not the type of person who sees the importance of the presentation.

The Senju leader now points to the largest of the three, who raises a good-natured hand and offers an honest smile. "And this is Akimichi Cho."

At least Karen sees the distinctive features of these new, more rooted clans, diverting her attention a little from the pressure on her chest. Tobirama looks at her, giving a careful gesture. "I'll be fine," the woman stubbornly says, accepting her position in this meeting.

The positive side of all this is that the three leaders left promising to return at another time, leaving them to talk about the mission they just completed.

At least the Hyūga issue was resolved, leading to the start of new negotiations.

"TheHyūga still have their doubts, but with politics tense due to the attempted coup, they agreed to consider restarting negotiations for the treaty,"Karen reports, ignoring the subtle concern of the closest men.

Starting with the point she can inform about.

"So…the treaty is still on, right?"Hashirama looks cheerful, but keeps a lot of his optimistic thoughts to himself. She notices it but it's better to divert this curious attention away from what's really focusing on.

Karen frankly agrees."Hitomi-san is happy with my intervention,"the girl recalls their meeting. "Considering what happened with the coup d'état, we still had time to catch up."

Hashirama looks at her softly."I'm glad you were able to contact them."

"She still held many of the meetings the Daimyo asked her to,"Tobirama interrupts before it gets weird. Karen nods from her spot while Izuna whispers some things with his brother in a plot she doesn't understand.

"Yes…many of the nobles were not happy, but it was to maintain the facade of true favor,"Karen sighs taking a scroll out of her things. "Shinji-sama is very grateful for the support… especially the support you sent."

"I'm glad to hear that." Hashirama doubtfully takes the scroll.

"He asked for you to read it and contact him," the civilian declares with a soft sigh. She remains expectant and anxious to leave this place.

"Alright," the Senju leader says to look at Madara who also takes the scroll to open it.

"He wants to recognize us as a village," the elder Uchiha relays with an incredulous expression on his regal face.

"It was only natural that he would consider it," Hashirama leans back on his hands. "Anything else to add, Karen?"

"No. The truth is that the rest of the darker subject… was handled by Tobirama and Izuna-san," the civilian answers. The man sighs to give his brother a nod. "Well, that will be all for now… rest, you need it."

"Yes." She smiles softly without saying anything else. Karen can't avoid that split in their relationship just when she turns around, unwilling to spend any more time between them. The albino follows her closely, leaving the three remaining men to talk about things that interest her little. "You don't have to come with me," she complains.

"There are more people. I am sure you will hide somewhere."

"Mmm…" She can't deny that small detail. It has happened to her before and she knows Masarato is not around to support her. "I'm sorry to be a bother," she comments again, remembering her growing anxiety.

The albino doesn't say anything but stays like her shadow. There is noise… looks and gestures that the girl can notice in those who continue working in their different tasks. Soon, they will have to put in more procedures and levels in the missions to add to the three additional clans.

Which makes her wonder… what kind of techniques will they have?

"I will talk to Hashirama about any internal modifications," the shinobi remembers just as they cross the entrance of the Senju compound. She snorts because, as always, he guessed her thoughts, which makes her roll her eyes.

"I was just thinking about the clans' abilities."

"That does not concern you."

"Thank you for reminding me that I am just a civilian."

"You are helpful in other things." The man doesn't lose his rhythm as he now looks at their house. Seeing Mito run to hug her was strange considering the drama she still hasn't faced after all this time and she sighs with the redhead looking her up and down.

Karen supposes Hashirama told her something about what happened…

"I will leave her to you," Tobirama says before disappearing immediately, leaving her at the mercy of a worried Uzumaki. She smiles… her friend is so sincere in her feelings that it makes her heart tighten. Not because she reciprocates the Senju leader's feelings, but because she believes she does not deserve so much attention.

Nevertheless, she lets herself go… for now she just puts it aside.

Not feeling so alone now.

Kaori is an attentive woman just as she spots halfway through the morning a cup of tea waiting for her next to the enormous patio that she missed. Karen cannot deny that she longed for this space of hers in a certain way, far from the noble glances and the bad rumors of the people.

She smiles, taking a sip as the old lady sits down to the side.

"The young master asked me to take good care of you," the eldest states with a thoughtful gesture; the girl supposes this had to be revealed somehow, which is bitter.

"I'm sorry for being weak," she complains, feeling the old hand on her head gently, like a child who needs comfort.

"You are not weak, girl… only, well… We are shinobi. You should not have been in the middle of all that," Kaori weakly responds, giving a careful look.

"I was just a burden," Karen reminds stubbornly. In the end, Tobirama himself said it, right? She was his burden and felt bad about it.

"You were not."

"..." Karen takes another sip of her drink.

"You are strong in your own way," the old woman declares with a light snort. She looks at the civilian with those eyes full of experience, far from what she can imagine… Now she wonders, why did she never have children? However, she stays silent to feel her hand now in hers. "Only you still do not see it like we do."

"Thank you," she accepts the words lightly. "Although I still don't believe it."

"You are the only civilian who has remained among us despite what has happened to you within our walls," Kaori reminds kindly, still sitting and looking around with pride. "Even so, you have not run away once. You have helped us and you have made young Tobirama… look less bitter."

"I don't think so." She doesn't feel so convinced about the last part, but Karen assumes it's better to just keep quiet in the face of the old woman's reprimand.

"Mito-sama talked to you last night, didn't she?"

"Yes, she hasn't let me go since I arrived."

"I see," the old woman laughs amused. "Mikami will get back this afternoon from her mission. I will tell her that you returned."

"Okay," she accepts, not so convinced. The girl wants to remain locked up inside, and not go out until all this is over and she can deal with it, but she continues to be haunted by ghosts that harass her sleep and keep her from truly resting.

Perhaps some company can fix it, right? In the absence of a psychologist or therapist.

She looks at the sky with a cup in her hand, better catching up on points to review… With her wedding in the next few months, Karen knows it will be chaos, which will monopolize all her attention… At least the Uzumaki talked about everything she has organized in her absence.

She hopes to speak to Tobirama about it soon, as life goes on… with or without chains to drag.

Another scar under her belt… Karen resigns herself to keep going.

It's the only thing she can do.

Author's notes:

Thanks for your comments. As you can see, Tobirama is being a bit protective of our OC… Is it because of the attack? Or something else? We don't know… We also don't know if he was the one who made the soup (maybe). Even so, little by little he is getting closer, not with protective intentions and realizing that there is something he is denying.

Karen, as always, prefers to ignore these attentions, attributing them to the fact that the man is caring by nature, sees her as a burden and takes care of her because she is a civilian… a surprise that she will get soon enough… or later, I don't know.

Again, thank you for your comments and kudos.

Author-chan out!