Ashen Waters

Word had gotten out (because of course it had, shinobi were worse gossips than the Daimyo's court.)

The Hyuga heiress was glaring daggers at Tobirama while still trying to swoon Ichiro out of their 'courtship'. Tobirama didn't mind the anger in all honesty. (He had felt the same when he saw Madara talking to one of the visiting nobles. (And when Tobirama's self esteem was still garbage. Not that it is perfect now, but he has better coping mechanisms to help.) And Ichiro was over the moon to see that her crush liked her back!)

"Madara, how could you! You knew I liked Touka!"

"And you waited this long to do something about it? I thought you'd just given up!" To be honest, he thought that his brother actually might have. So hopefully after the truth was out, he'd just ask her on a date already. 

Touka had cackled at him last night after Hashirama had confronted her about it. (She'd been out on a mission right after they 'exchanged' gifts.) (The 'new' naginata was just an old one she had refurbished, now with the Konoha symbol etched onto it.) She had flipped Hashirama off and he moped to the first Uchiha he saw this morning; Izuna.

"You have to pull out of this."

"I have already begun the courtship rituals in accordance with both clans' traditions. My efforts have been reciprocated in turn."

"But-"

"I am truly sorry otouto. The final gift was accepted." Madara was maybe using this as payback for the years of Izuna arguing the peace over wanting to beat Tobirama at least once first out of pride, and a mix of all of his and Tobirama's dates that Izuna had crashed/ruined over the years. Purposefully publicly embarrassing them for no reason other than he was bored. Though his brother had only insinuated they were dates when they clearly had been talking about village related things. Neither of them had been big fans of PDA anyway so pretending they were work dinners was easy.

Izuna was silent with hard eyes that Madara could feel he was restraining from turning red. The glistened for a moment before he spoke. "Just… treat her right and I will force myself to grow to live with it. You hurt her though, and you're dead."

"I promise to treat my Senju partner with the utmost respect and adoration befitting of them and myself."

"That is….all I ask… Heh, I really thought you still had that small crush for Tobirama."

"I talked to the man enough for that to change." Yeah, he's amazing and I fell in love with him instead.

"I think I am going to go sit by the pond for a bit. Need anything of me before I go?"

"No, take the rest of the day to yourself if you'd like, your share will be taken care of. I truly am sorry for this otouo. I meant you no lasting harm." Izuna just half shrugged as a response and left.

My truest hope is that this teaches him to stop procrastinating! He is the worst with deadlines! How do you forget to pay the damn construction workers! Almost set the whole piping development in sector 4 back a whole month!

It was an hour later that Hikaku walked in.

"So the rumors are true. A few of my precious people are courting. Not to who I thought though."

"If you're about to argue with me for choosing a Senju," He flashed his eyes red for one moment, "you should just leave."

"As my clan head I would never disagree with you so boldly. As your cousin though, I have to question why? She is the highest ranking female of the Senju, did Hashirama set it up for more of a peaceful show?"

"You think so lowly of me that I'd politically marry? Our clan is not in the dire straits it was when I considered that option that one winter. No, my Senju is smarter than they let on, a smug grin hidden by a facade. Deadly with their blade and quick witted in battle. They help my chakra settle and they are very family oriented."

"You are really into her then."

"My Senju is my world. Never forget that."

"I see. My apologies cousin. I only wish the best." Madara waved him off in feigned annoyance. Well, somewhat feigned. Would they have said the same if it was Tobirama?

----------------------------

"Tobirama, are you sure this is what you want?"

"Of course it is, why do you ask Anija?"

"Well, you never had shown interest in having a partner before… Are you being forced by the elders? You know you don't have to listen to them anymore, right?" And wow. He'd wish Hashirama had noticed the elders trying to control him again once they got things running in the Tower officially. Would I have told him about the marriage then? When was the last time he came and just talked to me in private instead of throwing his cheeriness at me in a hug?

"The elders stopped being my concern as authority figures 3 years ago. I want this Anija."

"But your chosen partner-"

"Uchiha, I know. But you have to understand the relationship we have outside the office is different from the one you see."

"Ichiro-san helps you with records and the missions desk. I know. It's just that-"

"You thought I was going to say Madara?"

"H-How did you know? Do you-"

"Anija, no. Although Madara and I do talk about many things, are friendly on many fronts and do not cause building damage anymore, I am not seeking to court him at this time. My chosen partner, my Uchiha, is passionate, keeps me grounded with my ideas, and reminds me to take care of myself. Their chakra is soothing to mine. It's calming. We may not show how we feel in crowds, but I never was a fan of that kind of thing now was I?"

"No, I guess not. You sound happy otouto. I… I support your choice. As long as you are happy. That is all I ever wanted."

"Thank you Anija." Tobirama went back to looking over a budget proposal he was putting together for a special forces unit. Madara had him ensure mental health checks that there was zero way around no matter how much someone tried to avoid it. And by no means was anyone who was not at least 16 minimum allowed to be in it without serious repercussions. He'd ask Mito about a seal array to help with that. Something so uncrackable that no one that didn't meet those criteria could even wear the masks, which would be as unbreakable as Madara's gunbai thanks to his ability to study his husband's favorite weapons for hours on end. Pouring himself into figuring out the layers upon layers of seals inlaid into the Uchiha artifact.

"Tobirama?" His older brother's eyes looked unsure for a moment.

"Yes Anija?"

"Do you think it is possible to meet weekly for tea? Us I mean. I let all this get away from me," he motioned his hands all around himself and the room, "and I feel like I stopped looking at you otouto. I am sorry if that is too little too late."

"You are my Anija. I know how you get in your ideas from the roots of your determination to your treetop head in the clouds. Tea would be wonderful. Wednesdays at 8? I can show you my garden." Something in Hashirama's expression was puzzled.

"My Uchiha's idea for me. Keep me grounded from my science and remind me of the natural order. Has been quite relaxing. I am quite proud of my bonsai."

His brother smiled a sad half smile and turned to leave.

"Oh and Hashirama, if you think you can try and skip out on any of your paperwork with the excuse of our tea, then I will sick my and Madara's students on you at random for the next week." The look of object horror on Hashirama's face was priceless and he was so glad Ichiro was hiding in the corner to record it for him to later show Madara.

The little hellions had a reputation for pranks that had the ever lazy Nara keeping on their good side. Especially after the group had figured out how to make it rain on the man whenever he had tried to take a nap the week after he pretended to forget he would help with the missions desk. Ichiro had spent that whole day dealing with the reports by herself and they were not going to stand for it.