Moonlight cast long shadows across the shoji screens, painting silvery streaks on the tatami mat where Uchiha Shisui knelt in perfect seiza. The familiar burn in his legs had long since become a comfort, a reminder of countless nights spent in his uncle's private chambers. Madara sat across from him, every inch the king despite his advanced age, his hands steady as they cradled the chawan with practiced grace. Steam rose between them like secrets.
"Are the arrangements proceeding?" Madara asked, his dark eyes fixed on the garden beyond the open screens.
The petals of the fire lilies floated in the night air, standing out like a sea of fire from the lanterns in the garden, and Shisui fought the urge to stand and close the doors against the chill that threatened his uncle's health.
"Indeed, ojisan. Sasuke has shown remarkable acceptance of the match." Shisui's hands moved with practiced efficiency as he poured more tea. "Neji-denka's portrait seems to have particularly impressed you. Furthermore, my cousin understands that, as allies, we must strengthen our alliance with the Moon Nation."
A ghost of a smile touched Madara's lips. "The Hyūga have always produced beautiful children. Like moonflowers in the night garden, they say."
"And equally delicate, some whisper," Shisui added carefully, watching his uncle's reaction.
"Yet moonflowers survive the harshest storms, do they not?" Madara's gaze shifted to him, sharp despite his old age. "Speaking of marriages, what of your own future, nephew? Haruno Sakura has proven herself worthy of her master's legacy. Tsunade-hime speaks highly of her abilities."
Shisui set down the teapot with deliberate care. "I intend to marry within the clan, Heika."
"Ah," the king had said, his tone knowing. "That wouldn't involve a certain pair of cousins, would it? Yuuta and Itachi have caused quite a stir among the court gossips."
The mention of those names had made the crown prince's heart race in his chest. "The throne will be mine," he said, his voice firm despite the softness of his tone. "And when I take my place as ruler of the Fire Nation, I want them both at my side."
Madara studied him over the rim of his cup, the steam curling around his features like the very threads of fate. "The path you seek is treacherous, nephew. Three hearts where tradition demands two, and all within the sacred bloodline…"
"The bloodline will be strengthened, not diluted," Shisui countered. "And the throne secured with loyal hearts."
The king set down the chawan, the soft click against the lacquered tray like a seal upon their conversation. "Then you will need more than just determination, my nephew. You will need cunning, strength, and above all, patience."
A cool breeze stirred the hanging scrolls, and in the garden, a nightingale began to sing.
"About the Earth Nation? What has Kisame discovered?" The Fire King had changed the subject, the matter of his favorite nephew's marriage being put aside for now—there was another, more important matter at the moment to discuss.
The tea ceremony was not only to discuss Sasuke's impending marriage to the omega Hyūga—the Fire Royal Family delegation was preparing to depart for the Lunar Festival in the Moon Nation, where Sasuke and Neji had properly met before the official ceremony in the Fire Capital—there was also the political issue in the Earth Nation, a disagreement over the succession.
"Kurenai-hidenka is determined to fight for her daughter's birthright, but there aren't many supporters, while Shimura-kakka seems to be gaining support to assume the regency of Konohamaru-denka," the crown prince replied, concern flooding him over the matter at hand.
"A bold move," his uncle sounded almost impressed, "considering Asuma-denka's suspicious death. Has the mercenary been found?"
Shisui shook his head, "No, ojisan… Hidan is still conveniently missing."
"Proving Danzō-dono's involvement in Asuma-denka's sudden death will be very difficult," Madara muttered, his sharp dark eyes, tired with age, resting on the sacred flowers of his nation through the shoji doors. "And if he hasn't already disposed of the mercenary, he won't let the witness to his crime live, after all, Hidan may very well turn on him at some point…"
Shisui nodded. "Danzō-dono is a respected Elder of the Earth Nation Council, a direct pupil of the late Tobirama-heika... As for Kurenai-hidenka, she doesn't have anyone with power on her side, unless Tsunade-hime returns to her rightful place on the Council, after all, Hashirama-heika's granddaughter has a lot of influence."
The eldest alpha had torn his eyes from the fire lilies in the garden to stare at the dark orbs on the crown prince's face. Shisui had remained motionless on the tatami floor, having long ago developed a second skin under his uncle's searing scrutiny—he always seemed to be watching you with a keen attention, as if he had four more eyes and more. Madara-ojisan always seemed to read other people's movements and absorb them to use against them—and the king had taught Shisui to do the same, knowing that his nephew would need all the cunning he needed, in addition to his own intelligence, when he sat on the Dragon Throne.
"Given the circumstances, I don't think it's unlikely that Tsunade-hime will return, though, but Kurenai-hidenka shouldn't count on it either," he said, "Tsunade-hime has always been unpredictable. And Jiraiya-sama? In the midst of this uncertain scenario, I think he should pause his questionable research."
Shisui almost laughed at his uncle's obvious disdain for Jiraiya-sama's peculiar taste in writing erotic stories. Kakashi-dono found such literature to be a work of art, but then again, the heir to the Hatake clan had always been a poorly disguised pervert.
"Yes. It's a possibility."
His uncle said nothing for a moment, the wrinkles on his aged face deepening with the way he frowned.
Finally, Madara let out a sigh. "Help me get to my futon, nephew."
The younger alpha stood up, ignoring the numbness in his legs from having remained in the same position for too long, and helped his uncle to his feet—his vigor had long since left him. His body was failing him as the moons passed, but his mind remained sharp as a newly forged katana.
He laid his uncle down on the futon; covering him with the blanket up to his heart, then making sure to close the shōji screens; the red lanterns lit in the chambers gave off a warm glow, while his uncle's favorite incense burned.
Shisui had longed to witness this scene for a long time, but he knew that his uncle would not live forever—the moment Uchiha Madara closed his eyes to this world, Shisui would have to take responsibility for the clan, the throne, and its people.
The prince hoped to honor the legacy that his ancestors and his uncle had built; above all, he hoped to be worthy of being called the Fire King.