Echoes of Distrust
Chapter 3: Echoes of Distrust
The air in the Senju council room was charged, both with tension and with the scents of each of its members. Unlike other clans, the Senju maintained a tradition: scents were not allowed to be controlled during council meetings. This, according to ancient customs, ensured honesty and transparency among its members. In the end, scents betrayed true emotions.
Hashirama, with the strong and slightly earthy scent of a calm alpha, glanced sideways at his brother Tobirama, whose scent was drier, almost mineral, a reflection of his silent displeasure. In the center of the room, five elders watched Hashirama with glances that oscillated between distrust and resignation.
–"Send a messenger?"– exclaimed Sawarama, a beta with a firm demeanor and a stern look. His neutral scent, similar to dew, intensified with irritation. –"Hashirama, you know very well that the Uchiha are… different. They don't care about peace. They are war machines, not humans."–
Hashirama stepped forward, keeping his voice firm. –"I can't accept it, Sawarama. Madara and I grew up sharing dreams. He's different. Maybe not all Uchiha are like that, but he... he understands what I want to achieve."–
–"Madara?"– cut in Kurarama, another alpha advisor whose scent was harsh and evoked the smell of freshly turned earth. –"That Uchiha is a beta, and we already know how his clan works. If he wasn't eliminated it's only because he's considered 'fit'. Tell me, Hashirama, can you trust someone who may have had to kill his own family for not being betas?"–
Tobirama crossed his arms, and his scent became more pungent. –"I agree. We cannot forget how they, with that strange dojutsu, the sharingan, outclass us in combat. And what do we really know about them? We barely know what the sharingan is or how it works. Hashirama, the Uchiha are unreliable. They don't even openly show their alphas and omegas."–
Hashirama sighed, but didn't give in. –"That's precisely why we need to try. There's no end to this war as long as we let ourselves be carried away by fear. Not all Uchiha can be like that."–
A low but firm voice interrupted, and the entire council turned their gaze to Ararirama, a beta with a cold and calculating expression, whose neutral scent was barely perceptible. –"And what guarantees do we have that they will even respect the messenger? Hashirama, you may have good intentions, but the Uchiha are… too secretive. If they reject us, who will stop them from attacking with more fury?"–
Hashirama clenched his fists. –"Ararirama, we have all lost loved ones in this war. I am no stranger to that pain. But I do not want other children to lose the same as us. If we do not try now, we will never know if there is another option."–
A silence fell over the room, and the aromas mingled in the air, a jumble of resignation, irritation, and a slight hope. The elders exchanged glances, and finally, Sawarama spoke again.
–"Well, Hashirama,"– he said, his voice betraying tiredness. –"We are not convinced, but… we respect your desire to try a different path. You can send a messenger to the Uchiha. But I warn you, if this attempt fails, we will make the decisions from now on."–
Hashirama bowed his head in gratitude, his scent reflecting the peace he felt knowing that, at least for now, the idea of peace had not been lost.
Tobirama, on the other hand, shook his head, his scent growing harsher, reflecting his disapproval. –"You're playing a dangerous game, brother. I hope your feelings for Madara don't cloud your judgment."–
Hashirama replied with a slight smile, but in his eyes was a determination that no one could deny. –"If I don't try, I'll never be able to live with the peace I so desire."
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Third parameter of this omegaverse world: scent control is a skill that is learned after the presentation and is difficult to learn especially for alphas and omegas, scents can betray the emotional state of a person and it is one of the reasons why clans do not allow omegas to be shinobi in general since they are more emotional than the other secondary genders and their scent can end up giving them away on a mission, during heat or heats it is impossible to control your scent on your own, betas have the ability to control scents and lack heat or heats.