Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Tobirama met her soulmate when she was eleven, though it technically wasn’t the first time they’d met.

She’d been running a courier mission and was on her way back when she’d sensed a familiar chakra signature. It was weaker than usual, fluctuating in a way that she didn’t like, moving fast along the border of Senju and Uchiha territory with nearly twenty unknown chakra signatures not far behind.

Tobirama was tempted to ignore it. Knew that she should ignore it. But a year before she had accepted Butsuma’s orders and followed Hashirama to the river. She’d discovered him meeting an unknown Uchiha. She’d carried that knowledge back to their father and returned with him to ambush them.

She didn’t regret it. If she hadn’t done that then the Uchiha would have killed Hashirama. But it did deal a blow to her relationship with her brother. The unshakable trust that Hashirama once held in her was fractured. She caught him looking at her with mistrust when he thought she wouldn’t notice. There was a wariness in the way he spoke to her sometimes.

She didn’t regret it, but it did…ache, on occasion.

So, with that remembered ache in her heart, her feet turned toward the fluctuating chakra signature instead of away.

Tobirama had learned to cover her hair and as much of her skin as she could when she was on missions, lest she stood out too strongly against her surroundings, so she was able to conceal herself well as she approached the skirmish.

Uchiha Madara had apparently decided to stop fleeing and take a stand. He was holding on well despite being faced with more than a dozen unknown shinobi, spitting fire and sending those foolish enough to meet his eyes into an illusionary prison that locked their limbs just long enough for him to slit their throats with a kunai.

Tobirama skirted around the enemy’s back line, picking off the rear guard. They noticed after she killed the sixth one and she ripped through another three with much less finesse when they came at her. The rest were dead when she turned around, reduced to cooked cadavers by the conflagration that is Uchiha Madara.

The Uchiha heir listed from one side to the other, weight concentrated on his left leg. Was the other one injured?

“Who…are you?” he asked, sounding confused and wary.

At that moment, Tobirama’s mark lit up with warmth.

She’d once asked her mother what finding her match would feel like. “A gentle warmth. Like sunshine against your skin.”

It was like that, but more. It was like spring reaching out with gentle fingers. Leaves unfurling and flowers blooming and life surging through her limbs and veins. It made her breath catch and her hand jerked up to rest over her heart, over the words that she knows without looking have rewritten themselves in black ink.

Madara tensed at the sudden movement, hand flexing around his kunai.

Tobirama lifted a hand “Not an enemy” she breathed, trying to speak past the lingering warmth flickering like starbursts in her veins, “we need to go. Find somewhere safe.”

Madara dropped the kunai, “Wait, you’re—”

“No time. Come with me” Tobirama interrupted, hesitating a moment before marching up to him, grabbing his wrist, and pulling him along.

She knew of a hovel nearby. It had probably been an animal’s home once upon a time. Probably a bear given the size. But now it was vacant, partially caved in, and just big enough for them to slip into. It was also very difficult to notice from the outside. Tobirama herself only knew of it because she’d happened upon it by accident two seasons ago.

Madara’s chakra was still erratic and, though he made a good effort, it was clear that he was having trouble walking. The moment they entered the hovel, he stumbled and Tobirama tried to catch him. His weight still managed to knock her into the wall and Madara slurred out an apology, pushing one hand against the rock to try and take some of his weight off her.

She ignored him, maneuvering him to the ground using the momentum of his fall.

Nothing immediately stood out to her. No tears in his clothes. There was blood, but none of it seemed to be his.

“Can you tell me what happened?” she asked, “I need to know what they did to you.”

“Ambush” Madara slurred, eyes closed, breathing growing more and more erratic, “some kin’ of poison.”

“Where?” Tobirama demanded.

“’nkle”

Tobirama uses her own kunai to slice through his pant leg, loosening the sandal without bothering to slide it off. There's a cut, too clean to have been anything but deliberate, on Madara’s ankle. It’s disturbingly close to his achilles tendon. Probably painful but not permanent if left to heal properly.

Tobirama leans close to smell the cut, silently thanking her mother for her Hatake nose.

‘Slightly sour. Some kind of moss…’

Tobirama grabs a vial from her mission pouch and pulls the cork off with her teeth, dumping half of it on the wound before forcing Madara to swallow the rest. It’s an antidote for the latest strain of Hagoromo poisons. Every Senju with any sense carries a vial just in case, these days. Either the Uchiha are uninformed or don’t have the means.

Madara is unconscious but his breathing and complexion are improving, so Tobirama takes a moment to just…look.

She’d seen him at the Naka River, but she’d been more focused on Izuna.

He’s much bigger than Izuna. From what Tobirama remembers from the intelligence reports, Madara is two years older, so that would make sense. But Madara seems more muscular, less willowy, than Izuna and even most of the Uchiha that Tobirama has seen on the battlefield.

He also keeps his hair longer than most too. Not pulling it back like Izuna does. It’s a mane of uneven spikes, clearly shorn and burnt off in places. Tobirama clicks her tongue and reaches for it, undoing knots and tangles just like she does for Hashirama when he makes a mess of himself.

Her Anija’s hair is silky and obedient. Madara’s is coarse and defiant, rebelling against her as she tries to wrestle it into braids. She’s halfway done when she notices three chakra signatures, clearly Uchiha, heading fast in their direction.

‘Probably following our traces’ Tobirama thought, cursing herself for being careless and not covering them.

She let go of the half-done braid and bolted, not stopping until she was back within the Senju clan compound.

She never mentioned the skirmish to Butsuma or Hashirama.

Though she’d initially acted because of Hashirama, it had ceased to be a motivator once Madara spoke her words. Her body just…moved.

Part of her felt disgraceful and disgusted with herself. Regardless of whether he’s her soulmate or not he’s still an Uchiha. An enemy. Moreover, she was better than that. Losing her head in the field. Making mistakes. Leaving a trail.

She didn’t know what would happen the next time they saw each other on the battlefield.

It turned out that she need not worry. A skirmish along the border the next week gave her the answer. Madara and Hashirama met on the battlefield. The Uchiha heir didn’t throw so much as a glance in her direction. Nothing had changed.

Madara’s decision was the correct one. The logical one.

It still made something heavy settle in her chest if she thought about it for too long.

Tobirama did her best not to think about it.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

Years passed and Tobirama grew into the moniker of the White Demon of the Senju.

She became Hashirama’s right hand, ruthless where he was merciful, cold where he was warm, the perfect complement to her brother.

Skirmishes with the Uchiha continued, though her brother made increasingly blatant pleas for Madara to consider peace. Tobirama tried to convince Hashirama to offer something more concrete than idealism, but he continued to insist that Madara would see his reason eventually.

Tobirama wasn’t certain of that.

All the intelligence she’d read on Madara and the Uchiha painted them as passionate but logical. They were reported to be quite emotional, which was unusual for any Shinobi clan let alone a noble one, but they did listen to reason when it was sound.

If Hashirama was unwilling to try her way, there was little that Tobirama could do. So, she took to the battlefield every time there was a skirmish and always found herself facing Izuna.

Aside from their brothers, they were easily the strongest among their respective clans. It only made sense that they would face each other. If not, one or the other would tear through the enemy like rice paper.

Tobirama didn’t necessarily enjoy facing her soulmates sibling. Izuna, unlike the majority of the Uchiha, was lightning-natured. As a water-natured Shinobi, one wrong move could mean instant death for Tobirama.

As the White Demon, Tobirama often heard whispers both from within the Senju and outside that she is a monster. Cold and unfeeling, even by Shinobi standards. Wraith-like appearance. The Herald of Watery Death on the battlefield.

Imagine if they knew that not even her soulmate wanted to be matched to her.

Tobirama didn’t have regrets. She didn’t allow herself to. There was no room for that in duty.

But she thought that she might regret it if she killed Izuna. How monstrous would it be if she killed her soulmate’s brother?

She knows how it would feel for her if Madara killed Hashirama and she knows that she would likely seek his blood in return until the day she died. So, she researched new jutsu in her spare time, working hard to stay just far enough ahead of Izuna to stay alive while not killing him.

It was difficult. Izuna is a skilled Shinobi. He also seems as determined to kill her as she is not to be killed.

Then it happens.

Tobirama knew that it would one day.

Izuna channels his lightning into a chakra blade on the battlefield and the recoil from their swords meeting sends Tobirama flying. Her back hits a rock, knocking the wind out of her, but she doesn’t have time to catch her breath. Izuna is already on her.

Her body moves instinctively, hands flashing through signs, spitting a water dragon in Izuna’s face.

He pivots on his front foot and skirts around the dragon, conjuring fox fires in return.

Tobirama slashes her hand and the dragon explodes. Steam, hot enough to burn, coats the field. She won’t win like this. Izuna will always have the upper hand in low visibility.

She thumbs the catch on her weapons pouch and draws one of her new kunai, the special ones that had taken her years of careful research to prepare.

‘As good a place as any for a field test’ she supposes, lobbing three into the fray.

“Kunai?” Izuna’s disembodied voice says, somewhere in the steam, “As if that would do anything to—”

Tobirama activates the hiraishin and appears at Izuna’s back. She’s bare handed, intending to disarm him, but he swaps his blade to his left hand and stabs back. Izuna has never been adept at handling his sword with his non-dominant hand and Tobirama idly notes that he must have been practicing because the movement is textbook perfect.

It would have been perfect enough to slide between her ribs if she hadn’t caught the blade, hand coated in chakra, and turned it back on him.

Then she’s standing over Izuna’s body as the steam dissipates, an odd sense of detachment settling in her bones and mind that she’d thought was long trained out of her.

It doesn’t last long. She forces herself to move, to drop to her knees and place glowing green hands against the wound.

A kunai comes up and she barely catches Izuna’s wrist before it goes through her eye. Only manages it because of the awkward angle, actually. She’s not foolish enough to look at his face, well knowing the dangers of his eyes given the number of times he’d caught her in that gaze when she’d been green and fresh to battle, but can tell from the way his chakra is fluctuating that he’s angry.

“Will take…you with me…” Izuna breathes, then coughs.

Tobirama breaks his grip on the kunai and tosses it away, placing her hands back against the wound.

“You’ll be going nowhere.”

She reached out with her chakra, jabbing the sea of forestgreenlife, in the closest approximation of a tap that she could manage. Hashirama appeared at her side a moment later.

“Tobirama, what—”

“No time Anija. Help me.”

With Hashirama here, Tobirama poured all her focus and chakra into the wound.

The blade hadn’t impacted the intestines or stomach, but it had ruptured a kidney and nicked one of the lungs. While Tobirama worked, the lung collapsed. Hashirama, working alongside her, swore. Izuna choked and wheezed as blood entered the collapsed lung, his skin turning gray with lack of oxygen.

Tobirama forced the blood from the lung, dragging it back as gently and forcefully as her control could manage while also stemming the fluids from the ruptured kidney.

“Tobirama—”

“Yes.”

“Madara. Hold him.” Hashirama commanded.

Gloved hands settled on Izuna’s shoulders at the same moment that Hashirama ripped the sword from Izuna’s body. Tobirama ignored the screams, forcing the blood from the lung as her brother healed.

“Done” Hashirama said.

“Ruptured kidney” Tobirama responded.

“Infection?”

“Not yet.”

“Someone get me bandages and water!” Hashirama shouted as Tobirama worked on drawing urine and toxin from the kidney. It flowed from the wound in a mess of black sludge.

“Tobirama” Hashirama said, and she glanced away long enough to see that her brother had made a bowl of wood, which she gratefully dumped the mess into.

“Ready” she said, stepping back enough to allow Hashirama to place glowing green hands on the entry site, gradually pulling back her control as flesh knitted itself back together until it was entirely in Hashirama’s hands.

One of the Senju moved forward with a basin of boiled water and a rag, which she took and set beside Hashirama. He grabbed the rag one-handed, the other still preoccupied healing, and started cleaning. Another Senju hovered nearby with bandages and salve to finish the job.

Izuna had fallen unconscious at some point in the procedure. Probably better given how angry he’d been. The fool would no doubt exacerbate the wound trying to kill them had he been awake.

Tobirama turned to Madara, who was still holding his brother’s shoulders, gazing intently at the rapidly closing skin. “Keep the wound clean. Watch for redness or swelling, take him to a healer if you see the smallest sign” she said, instinctively averting her eyes when Madara turned to look at her.

“Done!” Hashirama chirped as he finished tying off the bandage, “We should end things here today Madara. Take your brother home.”

Tobirama stood and called a retreat. The battlefield, locked in an unofficial ceasefire from the moment that Izuna had fallen, came alive again as the Senju disengaged and retreated to their side of the border.

Tobirama remained until only herself and Hashirama were left, the rear guard, only stepping away when she judged that her fellow clansmen were a sufficient distance away.

She did not look back. She could tell from his chakra that Izuna is alive and probably fine. That was good enough.

Chapter Text

The Senju receive a ceasefire and a request to negotiate a treaty within the week.

Hashirama is so thrilled that he breaks Tobirama’s door in his enthusiasm to share the good news with her.

Tobirama assumes that Madara’s sudden change of heart is because he owes Hashirama a debt for saving his brother. The Uchiha are honorable enough to want to repay such debts, according to the intelligence reports.

It does seem to be a gray area given that one of Hashirama’s clan members was the one who injured Izuna in the first place, but Tobirama decides to take what she can get, as any good Shinobi would, and helps Hashirama pen a reply.

The timing is a bit difficult given that they are also in the final stages of negotiations with Uzushio for Hashirama’s arranged marriage to one of their Princesses, but if they can finalize the ceasefire before leaving then Tobirama shouldn’t need to stay behind to guard the compound and risk offending the Uzumaki with her lack of presence at the wedding.

The Uzumaki are an easygoing sort, but they also value direct family ties. It’s unclear whether Tobirama staying behind to defend their home would be understandable or offensive to them.

So, in deference to this problem and Hashirama’s enthusiasm, they schedule the ceasefire signing with the Uchiha for the following week.

Tobirama was expecting Madara but was surprised to see Izuna, who should still be resting but seems stubbornly insistent on staying beside his brother and glaring daggers at the Senju from across the table.

They may have taken offense if any of them had been looking at his face. Old habits and all that. Tobirama could only tell because she could feel the irritated crackling of his chakra.

“Madara!” Hashirama greeted, “Our dream is finally coming true!”

“Anija” Tobirama interrupted, “The ceasefire.”

“Right, right” Hashirama agreed, adding his signature to both copies with a flourish before passing them to Madara, who signs them with much less panache.

While they wait for the ink to dry, Hashirama takes the opportunity to speak with Madara, trying to catch up on the last decade of small talk. Tobirama must pinch her brother under the table when he starts to mention his upcoming marriage and he gives her a wounded look that she meets with a hard stare.

‘I don’t care if Madara is your friend Anija’ Tobirama thinks, ‘we do not inform non-allies that we will both be absent from the clan compound for weeks.’

Realistically, it’s not even a good idea to inform allies of their absence. Information like that leaking could lead to them returning to a burnt-out husk rather than their home. Tobirama has explained as much to Hashirama numerous times and hopes that the look on her face accurately conveys the reminder. It appears to, as Hashirama swiftly changes the subject.

Tobirama can tell that everyone is relieved when the ink is dry. The Senju delegation is used to Hashirama’s…sociability, but the Uchiha are not. The relief they exude when it’s announced that they can leave is hilariously juxtaposed to the flickering unease in their chakra over the past hour.

Tobirama would have attributed that to unease at being around their ancestral enemies and perhaps that was true at the beginning, but that was gradually replaced by dismay the more that Hashirama filled the silence with chatter.

To some extent, Tobirama was grateful for her brother’s chatter. It kept her from needing to interact with the Uchiha, most especially Madara.

She knows precious little about her soulmate in general, but one thing she has always been aware of is his chakra.

As a sensor of great strength, Tobirama can reach across Fire Country if she chooses. She often did so when training her range as a child and, after meeting Madara, she would search for him.

It was curiosity as well as the odd sort of draw that she’d discovered came from being soulmated. From it, she learned that he is a conflagration on the battlefield. There, his chakra burns hotter than any other, fire-natured to the core with an underlying talent for wind that only fuels those flames.

But off the battlefield it simmers to a steady blaze. Still undeniably strong, but more like hearth fire than hell flame. It surges and banks with his emotions. Warmer for happiness, cooler for contentedness, a low flame for sadness.

Tobirama, admittedly, spent too much time stretching her senses to the Uchiha compound and searching him out to know all that. As a child, she’d been embarrassed by it, as an adult with a better understanding for how soulbonds work, she’s much more understanding with herself.

Madara also has very nice chakra. Perhaps the nicest she’s ever felt.

“Tobirama” Hashirama said, hand falling onto her shoulder during their walk back to the Senju compound.

“Yes Anija.”

“Thank you for all of your help” he said, smiling sheepishly, “I have no head for paperwork, and you got this together so quickly. I still can’t believe that our dream is finally coming true!”

Our dream. Yes.

Hashirama continues to gush about the future the entire walk back. Tobirama listens.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

The trip to Uzushio is leisurely, by Shinobi standards.

Uzumaki Arashi-sama had insisted that the wedding be in spring, so the weather was pleasant, especially at the coast.

Tobirama had never been to Uzushio, but it matched the reports exactly.

The island could be spotted from the mainland, but it looked unimpressive until you drew close enough to see the buildings made of sand-colored stone and walkways inlaid with shells. A central road five buildings wide bisected the village and was crowded with countless street vendors, all with pitched tents of varying colors.

Half of the people wandering about had hair in various shades of red. They smiled, spoke with their hands, and laughed uproariously. Tobirama felt like she’d landed on an island of Hashiramas.

Their guide, a stone-faced fellow with plain brown hair who introduced himself as Ebisawa Nori, led them through the streets. He didn’t seem dismayed when Hashirama stopped every few feet to speak with the artisans and merchants, but Tobirama tried to hurry her brother along anyway.

Upon arriving at the Uzumaki’s primary residence, similar to the Fire Daimyo’s residence but smaller and made of stone with shells embedded in the same style as the streets, they are ushered inside and bade to wait in an ostentatious meeting room.

The head of the Uzumaki clan is both the leader of the Uzumaki and the Daimyo of the Land of Whirlpools. Most small Shinobi clans who inhabit this area have already sworn fealty to Arashi-sama and the Uzumaki. Not that there are many given the size of the country.

Tobirama images that, should Hashirama’s dream of a ninja village with all the warring clans of Fire living in peace come to fruition, it might look something like this. But all the Shinobi clans of Fire together would be more than the population of the Land of Whirlpools even if you count the civilians. So, it might not be a fair comparison.

While they waited, an attendant brought them tea. It was of the highest quality. Likely sourced from the markets. Not unexpected given that the Land of Whirlpools is a trade hub and extremely wealthy because of that.

Hashirama drank gratefully, exchanging pleasant words with the attendant. The man was clearly uncomfortable and tried to politely excuse himself numerous times, but Hashirama wasn’t having it, asking after his family and hobbies endlessly.

Tobirama allowed it because Hashirama is clearly nervous. An outsider wouldn’t be able to tell, but Tobirama could feel small spikes in his chakra. Like thorns popping out of a vine or stones working their way to the surface. Things that prickle unexpectedly and are generally uncomfortable. That’s what Hashirama’s chakra feels like when he’s nervous.

“Anija” Tobirama said after the attendant managed to escape, “All is well.”

That’s as close as she would get to reassurance outside the Senju compound and Hashirama knew that. He tossed her a forced half smile and started tapping his fingers against the delicate porcelain of his cup. The fidgeting was a habit that Butsuma had tried endlessly to train out of Hashirama, but never quite managed.

Tobirama let it continue until she heard footsteps approaching. Then she cleared her throat, clicked her own fingers against her cup. Hashirama got the message and set his cup down just as the doors across from them slid open.

“A pleasure to see you again Hashirama-sama!” Uzumaki Arashi said, dropping to sit seiza opposite them, “I hope that you didn’t wait long.”

“A pleasure to see you too Arashi-sama!” Hashirama returned the greeting, “The wait was pleasant. As was our trip through your markets. Ebisawa-san was an excellent guide.”

“Nori is quite excellent” Arashi-sama nodded, “He is one of my most trusted aids and I see that he continues to prove his capabilities daily. I’ve little talent for planning the way that Ebisawa does, I’m afraid.”

He seemed sheepish at the admission, lifting a hand to run it through his long red hair. Tobirama may have thought him lying but he’s infamously honest and they are allies; there’s no reason to deceive them. Especially because Hashirama will be marrying one of his daughters.

Speaking of his daughters, they’d filed in beside Arashi-sama. Four girls of various ages.

The youngest looked about twelve and the oldest twenty. From the reports, Tobirama knew that it was still being discussed which one would be Hashirama’s wife, but it had been narrowed down to the eldest, Mito-sama, and the second eldest, Kaiya-sama.

Kaiya-sama was the more colorful of the two, dressed in a light pink furisode with a variety of flowers and shapes decorating the fabric.

Mito-sama, comparatively, was elegant. Her hair was long, the same blood-red as Arashi-samas, and pulled back by a simple hair stick. Her furisode was blue and understated. It was enough to compliment her beauty but not overwhelming like Kaiya-sama.

“I can relate” Hashirama said, bringing Tobirama’s attention back to the conversation. “I would be utterly lost without Tobirama. Speaking of, I would like to introduce you. She has been handling duties at home and hasn’t been able to come and meet you until now. She is my sister and most trusted right hand, Senju Tobirama.”

Tobirama bowed low, “Greetings. It is a pleasure” she said.

“The pleasure is mine!” Arashi-sama replied, looking genuinely delighted at their acquaintance.

“It’s fortunate that you were able to come. I’ve also brought my daughters.”

He introduced them and Tobirama was pleased to note that she’d surmised who was who accurately.

“Hashirama-sama” Arashi-sama says, “I would like to get straight to the point. The Senju and Uzumaki clans have always been amicable. I love my daughters dearly and hesitate to hand them over to anyone, but I have come to respect you and would be proud should one of them choose to marry you. However, I must emphasize choice. My daughter Kaiya has volunteered herself. Do you accept?”

Hashirama smiled and Tobirama felt the thorns in his chakra smooth, the nervousness dissipating, “I do accept. It is an honor to be thought worthy.”

Arashi-sama clapped his hands together, beaming, “Excellent! In that case, we shall prepare. The wedding should be ready in three day’s time.”

Fast by other standards, but not the Uzumaki. Courting and weddings tend to be quick affairs with them. After generations of goodwill between them peppered with infrequent political marriages, the Senju were both aware of and used to this odd tradition. Thus, Hashirama and Tobirama merely sat and listened to Arashi-sama detail the preparations.

It mirrored what was described in the family records of their great-grandmother’s wedding. The only difference would be that the wedding night will be postponed until their return to the Senju compound to allow the bride to travel more comfortably.

But it was still within Tobirama’s expectations. If all goes well, they’ll be back in the Senju compound within three weeks.

Chapter Text

The Uzumaki celebrated for the next three days.

Preparations for the wedding were still underway, but there was general merriment and revelry from the moment that Arashi-sama announced it.

Tobirama couldn’t help but be drawn into the pre-celebration. As a visitor, it would be impolite to refuse all social offers while in Uzushio. That led to her being drawn into a drinking competition with several of Arashi-sama’s aids on the first evening.

Ebisawa Nori was also present, stone faced as he sipped at his glass of umeshu. Tobirama tried some from the same bottle and must admit that it is excellent. Though she didn’t enjoy it for long.

Uzumaki Kanami, one of Arashi-sama’s nieces, had insisted that umeshu wasn’t a proper drink and replaced it with sake. The Uzumaki are heavy drinkers, and they’d challenged Tobirama to a drinking contest.

Kanami was the last holdout, folding under the table with five other contestants after the tenth bottle. Tobirama switched back to umeshu after that. Ebisawa Nori poured her a glass, inclining his head with a newfound respect.

Tobirama is glad that she’d discovered how to remove toxins from her blood by leeching them out of her sweat glands. It’s always easier to do with an incision and she doesn’t like using her sweat glands if she can help it because it tends to dry her skin out, but in this case, it was necessary to remain discreet.

She excused herself after the umeshu, intending to return to her rooms and turn in for the night, but detouring briefly to search out Hashirama. She’d lost sight of him hours ago and wanted to ensure that he wasn’t getting into any trouble.

Tobirama doubted that he would, but it never hurts to make sure.

Much to her surprise, she pinpoints his chakra in the room that he was given. It’s also clear that he’s awake and anxious, more than he was earlier. As anxious as the day that he took Butsuma’s mantle.

Concerned, she knocks on his door, and it takes him almost a full minute to answer. When he does, he’s in rumpled night clothes with a frazzled look about him. Tobirama doesn’t bother waiting to be invited, merely shouldering past and closing the door behind her.

“What happened?” she asked.

Hashirama twitched, a full-bodied movement, “Nothing” he responded, voice high.

Tobirama crosses her arms and stares him down. He makes a point of not looking at her, choosing instead to go to his pack and fiddle with one of the front pockets, seemingly pretending to go about his bedtime routine.

“Anija” she says.

“It’s really nothing” he stammers, “pre-wedding jitters is all. I mean, Tobi, I’m going to be getting married.”

She studied him for a long moment before exhaling and taking a seat beside him. “Everything will be fine Anija.”

He nods jerkily, biting his bottom lip like he has more to say but is struggling to keep it inside.

Tobirama waits, but he doesn’t speak. After almost an hour she excuses herself, making sure to let him know that she’s next door if he decides that he wants to talk further. He acknowledges that but never comes to speak with her.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

Hashirama is a mess in the morning.

No one aside from Tobirama notices, because her brother is an excellent actor when he wants to be, but she can feel it in his chakra and see it in the strain that appears around his eyes when he thinks no one is looking.

She begins to wonder if it will be a problem, but the anxiety completely disappears after lunch. Now he feels more resigned.

Tobirama would love to ask him, but he dodges her every attempt to see him alone. Arashi-sama’s aids have also complimented her alcohol tolerance to everyone who would listen. That’s given her quite the reputation among the Uzumaki. As had her discrete inquiries about sealing. That led to her being approached by some elders who requested to see the hiraishin.

With all the people approaching her, it’s easier for Hashirama to avoid her.

Though she will say that she’s built several good relationships in the time leading up to the wedding. She’s met several important people, including all Arashi-sama’s daughters, though that may have been by design.

Uzumaki Mizuho-sama was the first to approach, asking after the Senju and Fire Country. Tobirama gets the impression that she’s never left Uzushio but would very much like to.

Uzumaki Haruka-sama and Uzumaki Mito-sama both approached together, both asking questions about the hiraishin.  

Uzumaki Kaiya-sama was last. She approached at the end of the day, seeking Tobirama out when she was on her way back to her rooms and requesting a short audience. The timing was masterful and well planned. She asked about Senju clan traditions, most particularly those involving soulmates.

It’s an understandable concern. Some clans, like the Hatake, place much emphasis on soulmates. The Uzumaki are quite loose on the concept. Soulmates can be romantic, platonic, or nothing at all. As for the Senju, soulmates mean nothing. Political marriages are all that await anyone of the main line and Tobirama tells Kaiya-sama as much.

She seems relieved to hear that but quickly changes the subject, clearly eager to learn all she can about the clan that she’ll be marrying into.

Tobirama doesn’t give her anything confidential. That will wait until the ink is dry on their marriage license. But she tells her all that she can, no doubt confirming much of the information that the Uzumaki intelligence has already provided in addition to their historical records.

It’s an amiable discussion and Tobirama finds herself appreciating her future sister-in-law for taking the time to gather information. She’ll make a fine wife to her Anija.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

“Attention all!” Uzumaki Arashi-sama intones, standing at the base of the shrine to address the masses, “there will be a small change in the ceremony today. As many of you know, my daughter Kaiya was meant to marry Senju Hashirama-sama and renew the long-held bond between our clans but, rather than Kaiya, my daughter Mito shall be the bride this day.”

He gestured to the back of the crowd, and everyone turned to see Hashirama and Mito-sama making their way to the shrine. He wore a black montsuki with the Senju clan symbol while she wore an intricately embroidered white shiromuku and wataboshi. Both were smiling.

Throughout the san-san-kudo and well into the reception, Tobirama wondered what could have possibly happened in twelve hours to change the selection of bride. Both participants seemed happy with the arrangement and Kaiya-sama, who Tobirama greeted along with her other sisters at the reception, didn’t seem even slightly upset.

It wasn’t until they departed the next day that Tobirama got her answer.

“Tobi! Mito and I are soulmates!” Hashirama gleefully announced.

Mito-sama smiled, “It is a pleasure sister-in-law. I do hope that we’ll get along well.”

Tobirama returned the sentiment, resolving to interrogate her brother for the details at the next available opportunity.

Chapter Text

Hashirama and Mito were inundated with congratulations the moment that they stepped into the compound. Tobirama wasn’t worried about her new sister-in-law. They’d conversed on the journey back and she’d found Mito-sama to be more clever than Kaiya-sama, who was already quite impressive.

Still, Tobirama resolved to watch carefully in the following weeks to see who would approach Mito-sama. Whether to attempt to manipulate her or twist her to their own agendas. Any who weren’t repelled by the new Clan Mother would be taken care of by Tobirama herself.

She shared her plan with Touka, who wasn’t as certain as Tobirama was about Mito-sama.

“I know she’s an Uzumaki, but she looks so…delicate. A flower without thorns.”

“There are thorns” Tobirama assures her cousin. “They are sharp enough to cut. Mito-sama will be a worthy Clan Mother and she’ll be one much sooner and easier if we help her.”

Touka’s red-painted lips were still turned down in a frown.

Tobirama knew she didn’t believe it yet and Tobirama herself didn’t have much evidence to back her assumptions. But she could sense steel in Mito-sama’s spine when they spoke. The woman would have become the next head of the Uzumaki clan after her father if not for this marriage.  Unlike the majority of the Uzumaki, she was quieter, sharper. A senbon among wooden clubs. Both destructive and not to be underestimated, but the former more tactical. A quiet death that no one would see coming.

She proved that within a week.

Elder Fuji had been a bur in everyone’s sandals for a long while. But the old man had cemented his power while Butsuma was still Clan Head and Hashirama couldn’t force him to retire without a justifiable reason. He was among the loudest supporters for the continued feud with the Uchiha and clung to the old ways like an infant to a blanket.

Being the leader of the largest faction that opposed to Hashirama, it was immediately noticed when he was late for the next meeting. It was going to be a long one. They needed to cover everything that had happened while Hashirama and Tobirama were gone.

Tobirama already had the gist of it from Touka and a few others who’d kept watch. She knew who had been scheming and who needed to be reminded of their place. But the formality of a public meeting is still necessary and Elder Fuji was late.

He came in part way through Hashirama introducing Mito-sama, his new wife, soulmate, and the new Clan Mother.

Some of the old biddies glared at him for his rudeness but he didn’t acknowledge it, merely shuffling to his empty spot with a barely tolerable bow to Hashirama and a noticeably deeper one to Mito-sama.

Tobirama focused on the look on Elder Fuji’s face. He was paler than normal and looked almost terrified of Mito-sama. But surely not? The man is too narcissistic to feel fear and has a rather low opinion of women in general. He was the loudest voice of protest when Tobirama was made Hashirama’s right hand.

Throughout the meeting, Elder Fuji fidgeted, pupils dilating to the point that Tobirama wondered if the man had become a drug addict in the time they were away.

Elders Riku and Aika, Elder Fuji’s strongest allies, seemed to notice as well. As did Elder Kaede, who didn’t smirk behind her silk fan, but Tobirama could tell that she wanted to.

Just before the meeting ended, Elder Fuji stood so abruptly that he nearly tripped over the hem of his kimono. “I do have something to announce” he said. “I shall be retiring effective immediately.”

“Elder Fuji what- “

“You are a pillar of the Clan, what reason- “

Both Elder Riku and Elder Aika fell silent when Elder Fuji slashed his hand in their direction.

“It is my opinion that I have grown old and need to retire. The fresh buds shall take over in the place of this withered old tree.”

He was addressing the crowd but staring straight at Mito-sama.

She stared back, looking utterly relaxed, elegantly at peace in her world.

“If that’s how you feel” Hashirama said. “I thank you for your years of distinguished service and wish you a restful retirement.”

Elder Fuji bowed again, “Thank you, Hashirama-sama and…Mito-sama.”

Then he was out of the room faster than Tobirama had seen him move in years, leaving the door open in his haste.

“I suppose this meeting is adjourned then” Hashirama announced, standing and offering his arm to Mito-sama.

She took it and rose to her feet as elegantly as a blooming flower after the rain before leaving with her hand tucked into Hashirama’s elbow. The others began to stand, bodies cracking and creaking with old age.

Elder Kaede was the last out. “Our new Clan Mother is superb” she whispered behind her fan, dark eyes twinkling with mischief as she glanced at Tobirama. “What will she do next.”

A lot, as it turned out.

Most of the women in the Senju clan fell in line. The few surly bitches that refused were ostracized to the point that they had to beg for Mito-sama’s favor. Some went so far as to do it on their hands and knees in semi-private settings that always became less private once the groveling started.

Tobirama knew that Mito-sama was cleaning house and had worked out most of the how’s and why’s, but not all, which was very impressive.

“Okay” Touka admitted a month into Mito-sama’s residence. “You were absolutely correct about Mito. Did you hear that she made Arata cry?”

Indeed. The notoriously spoiled grandson of Elder Riku who often took credit for other’s work and threatened them into silence with his grandfather’s name. Tobirama had been building a case against him for a month, but none of his peers were willing to speak against him and he was just smart enough not to leave a paper trail.

How Mito-sama made him cry is unclear, only that she had. The consensus is that the boy wasn’t cut out for the promotions that his accolades had earned him. Too much stress. He’d submitted a request to be demoted and Tobirama took great pleasure in reassigning him to basic missions earlier that morning.

Touka outright cackled when Tobirama relayed this to her. “The Uzumaki don’t have a reputation for viciousness, but the Princess has entirely perfected it.”

Tobirama privately agrees. Mito-sama’s political acumen is on par with some of the savvy courtesans in the Daimyo’s court. Perhaps better given that she’s also employing shinobi techniques.

“She’ll do well here” Tobirama reiterates.

This time, Touka agrees.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

Even with Mito-sama performing beyond expectations as the new Clan Mother, Tobirama is still busy.

Prior to leaving for Uzushio, Hashirama had sent correspondence to all their allies about the ceasefire. They’d all written replies. Some were sent with couriers that politely demanded an audience with either Hashirama or Tobirama. Touka, left in charge by Hashirama, had allowed the more diplomatic Keiichiro to politely reject the couriers.

“A ceasefire has been signed by both the Senju and Uchiha with plans to continue negotiations further in the coming months. We thought it prudent to inform you of the change and shall keep you informed of any relevant details in the future” was what Keiichiro said.

‘Relevant details’ meaning anything that could impact their other alliances, naturally. No need to give the full story. The Uchiha seemed to agree. Tobirama’s information network didn’t hear so much as a peep about Izuna’s injury or the reason behind the ceasefire, though the ceasefire itself was a huge topic of discussion.

In addition to placating their allies, Tobirama also had to arrange the next meeting with the Uchiha.

She’d coached Hashirama into offering to write the first draft of the treaty at the ceasefire signing. Madara’s eye had twitched violently, and his agreement was clearly hesitant, but he did agree. Half the draft was already done before the ceasefire. Tobirama finished the second half before leaving for Uzushio and handed it over to Touka.

As promised, Touka had run the document through the gauntlet of Elders and brought it back covered in edits. The vast majority were from Elder Fuji, Elder Riku, and Elder Aika.

Tobirama omitted Elder Fuji’s edits entirely and removed or edited any others that might prove offensive to the Uchiha. It was difficult and time consuming. By the time Tobirama finished, her candle had burned down to the wick and sunlight was streaming in through her window.

She took the finished product to Hashirama because he was likely the most well-versed in Uchiha culture within their clan. Most Shinobi clans are secretive, but the Uchiha are particularly so. They are recognized by the Daimyo as one of Fire Country’s Noble Clans, so there should be more known about their habits, but they keep well to themselves.

After an incident several years ago that almost cost the Senju their tentative alliance with the Hyuga Clan, Tobirama has become more cautious about cultural differences between the Senju and their allies. Thus, asking for Hashirama’s advice despite his utter lack of skill in such matters.

Within ten minutes of handing over the documents, Hashirama started tapping his fingers against his desk while he read. That escalated into him leafing through the documents while he paced the room. He mumbled the words while reading. When he was halfway done, he insisted that they break for tea and almost fell asleep when he started again.

It took him all day and Tobirama was forced to stay there with him. She knew if she left he would likely fall asleep at his desk and never finish.

That done, she turned her attention to the pile of reports, missions, guard rotations, and various other minutiae that had accumulated in their absence.

Touka and the others had made a valiant effort to put a dent in the massive stack. Tobirama appreciated that. But there are many things in the clan that can only be solved by Tobirama herself and she wanted everything sorted before their next meeting with the Uchiha.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

A week later, they arrived at the designated meeting place for the first treaty negotiation.

Hashirama had insisted on bringing Mito (who had been adamant that Tobirama drop the honorific and refer to her casually). Mito smiled demurely when it was brought up, but Tobirama had been around her enough now to note her excitement.

Tobirama wasn’t excited.

“Madara!” Hashirama called the moment that the Uchiha delegation arrived.

Madara scowled, “Hashirama.”

“What has you in a mood?” Hashirama asked, skipping toward Madara and reaching out. All the other Uchiha tensed. Madara just slapped Hashirama’s hand away.

“What on earth are you doing?” Madara asked.

Hashirama fanned the slapped hand dramatically. “I was trying to smooth the crease in your brow. If you’re not careful, you’ll get wrinkles.”

Madara’s scowl deepened and he opened his mouth, probably to start screaming, but Tobirama spoke: “Anija.”

Hashirama pivoted, “Right, right. Madara! I want to introduce someone.”

Mito glided forward, the fan she’d been using to hide her amused smile snapping closed. “It’s a pleasure, Uchiha-sama. Hashirama has told me much about you.”

Madara looked like he’d been hit over the head by a mokuton branch. He recovered and bowed. “I’m afraid you have the better of me then. I haven’t had much contact with Hashirama in the past few years. You are…?”

“She’s my wife!” Hashirama announced loud enough for everyone in Fire Country to hear.

Madara straightened and smiled. “Truly? Congratulations to you both.” His chakra flickered with genuine happiness.

“We are quite fortunate” Mito demurred.

They exchanged a few more pleasantries before they moved on to negotiations. Tobirama produced the finalized document and tried not to flinch when she felt their chakra flare as they activated the sharingan, presumably to make reading the treaty faster.

The part of Tobirama that is fundamentally curious idly wonders if one of the functions of the sharingan is stimulating the mind’s ability to comprehend.

She'd discovered through teaching Senju children that people have different learning styles. Some can’t comprehend written instructions while others can read something on a page and make a passable attempt to replicate it. They all have different reading speeds as well. She's hypothesized that this is related to brain chemistry, but hasn't had the time to research it further. 

The Uchiha keep the details of their kekkai genkai close. All that Tobirama has are notes from generations of Senju experiences and intelligence.

Given that a few of those assert that the Uchiha received their kekkai genkai from a contract with a demon, Tobirama assumes that they aren’t entirely accurate.

But her understanding of the sharingan is that they speed up visual processing and can impose illusions on any who meets their eyes. There are different levels of proficiency, but they don’t seem to be entirely based on the level of the shinobi. Uchiha Hikaku, for example, is strong enough to fight Touka but is reported to have eyes as strong as Izuna’s.

If the sharingan does speed up visual processing and influences the brain chemistry associated with learning, the Uchiha would be exceptional scholars. If Tobirama could artificially replicate the visual processing of their kekkai genkai, it would also help her juggle all of her projects more efficiently. 

“This is unacceptable” Madara said, drawing Tobirama’s attention from her idle musing. “Give the Senju part of our land for nothing? On top of that, you want the area where most of the herbs that we use to make dye are growing?”

“Not for nothing” Tobirama said. “You can see that we are offering to trade the rights to a mine that we have.”

Madara snorted, “That mine has been dry for ten years. It’s as good as worthless.”

“Then what would you have in exchange for your land?” Tobirama asked.

“Nothing. The land isn’t available. Instead, we should simply open trade. The Uchiha propose that we sell you our dye at cost for a year. In exchange, you sell us your ore at cost for a year.”

“That is agreeable” Tobirama said.

One of the Uchiha handed Madara a brush. He struck the old sentence and added the new. Tobirama noted that he had excellent penmanship. It flowed so gracefully. Nothing like Hashirama’s chicken scratch.

It continued like that for a while, with Madara nitpicking the treaty and Tobirama patiently negotiating. By the end she was approaching the limit of her diplomacy.

It was a relief when they dispersed after hours of discussion. The Uchiha took the treaty with them, undoubtedly to run through their own gauntlet of Elders, and a follow-up meeting was set for the next week.

Tobirama had a throbbing headache behind her eyes when it was over and was seriously considering sending Keiichiro in her place for the next meeting.

Chapter Text

“That is quite a task” Mito said, setting her tea down with a stiff grace that let Tobirama know that she was rattled.

Touka didn’t bother to hide her shock, swearing colorfully before downing her tea like a shot. “Absolutely mad, more like” she said.

“Would you be willing to do it?” Tobirama asked Mito.

Her sister-in-law considered for a moment before nodding.

“You do realize that it’ll be our heads if this gets out, right?” Touka said.

“We’ll need to make sure it doesn’t, then” Mito said.

Touka turned to stare at her, then at Tobirama. “You’re both mad” she declared, “but I suppose I’m mad too. I’ll help.”

“Excellent” Tobirama said, “I suppose you already have someone in mind, Mito?”

“Kikyou shall do nicely” she responded, “though I presume you knew that I’d say that.”

Tobirama did, but she chose not to respond and took a pointed sip of tea. Mito muffled a laugh behind her hand.

Uchiha Kikyou is one of the members of the Uchiha delegation, known widely throughout Fire Country as the Red Crane. She isn’t to be trifled with, but she and Mito got on immediately upon meeting. Mito had wisely developed that relationship. She even went as far as to write to her on occasion outside of the treaty meetings.

“Kikyou is wise. I’m sure she’ll listen. It’s entirely possible that she’ll report to Madara though.”

“There’s nothing we can do about that” Tobirama responded.

“If she does, this plan could backfire” Touka warned.

“Sometimes it’s necessary to gamble.”

“Hashirama is terrible at gambling” Touka said.

“I’m not Hashirama” Tobirama replied.

Touka gave her a nod, conceding that point.

“We also don’t have the time to let this happen organically. It needs to be encouraged if we don’t want to fall behind.”

“That’s why I agreed” Mito says.

Touka heaves a sigh, “Mad, the lot of us.”

Tobirama privately agreed.

The conversation turned to idle topics and Tobirama waited a respectable ten minutes before excusing herself.

Mito removed the privacy seals that she’d engaged for the discussion and Tobirama’s eyes lingered over them on her way out. Her sister-in-law caught her looking and offered to go over them in more detail later, to which Tobirama agreed.

Most of Tobirama’s knowledge about sealing came from sparse scrolls that she’d hunted out of the clan records. Those came from the Uzumaki who married into the Senju in the past. The rest was trial and error.

Mito seemed to believe Tobirama was quite good at the practice. Had even suggested that she would make an excellent master if she chose to study in Uzushio for a few years.

Tobirama could never do that. Hashirama and the Senju need her. Seals are intriguing and useful. Tobirama enjoys studying them. But she could never make it her life’s work the way some Uzumaki do. She has too many other projects and duties that demand her attention.

While trudging back to her room to wash away the mission grime, Tobirama was stopped by Keiichiro.

He looked more frazzled than she’d ever seen him. His clothes and hair were a mess. He had dark circles under his eyes. There was a wild look about him and his hands made the paperwork he was holding tremble.

“Are you ill?” Tobirama asked.

“No ma’am” Keiichiro answered promptly, “I simply heard that you had returned from your mission and wanted to provide you with my report of all that I handled in your absence.”

She took the reports from his outstretched hand. “Excellent. I’m mandating that you take three days of rest and return to work once they’re done.”

Keiichiro blinked, long and slow. “I couldn’t possibly- “

“I am mandating that you take three days of rest and return to work once they’re done” Tobirama repeated.

“Y-yes ma’am” He stuttered, bowing jerkily before turning to leave.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

By the time Tobirama had cleaned herself and her gear, it was dark outside.

She’d approached Mito and Touka the moment she returned from her mission because she’d assumed that their discussion would take longer. Fortunately, they’d both agreed quickly. That means that Tobirama has plenty of time to go over everything that happened in her absence before tackling work again tomorrow.

She lit a candle and sat down to read the documents that Keiichiro left with her.

Most of it was mundane. Small tasks of little note that Tobirama read through quickly.

The transcript of the latest Uchiha treaty negotiation was by far the largest in the stack. In fact, it was half the stack. After reading through it, Tobirama could understand why Keiichiro was so agitated.

The negotiations were stretching out far longer than Tobirama anticipated. If that mission to the Land of Lightning didn’t require utmost stealth and discretion, she would have delegated it to someone else and remained to attend the negotiation. But Tobirama is unquestionably the best at stealth among the Senju. She was the clear choice.

She also had other intelligence that she needed to gather in that area.

Regardless, it caused her to miss the negotiation.

That was the fourth time that the Uchiha and Senju sat down to negotiations. It’s already been six months since Izuna’s injury.

There have been longer treaty negotiations but there’s no reason that these negotiations should stretch for this long. According to Keiichiro’s notes, the fourth meeting was essentially just rehashing the third meeting and arguing over the same three clauses that have been a bone of contention since the second meeting.

This wouldn’t be unusual if it weren’t for Mito ousting Elder Fuji. Elder Riku was also being quiet after his grandson’s demotion. Only Elder Aika could speak up, but she was too timid to do so without some kind of support. All the other Elders were either Hashirama’s supporters or neutral. They made small suggestions and edits but largely left it to Hashirama.

According to Hashirama, Madara desires peace. Even if he’s fending off dissenters within the Uchiha he is still Clan Head. The amount of pushback and circumlocution is unusual. It’s as if they don’t want peace at all.

Tobirama once again wonders why Madara sued for peace to begin with.

Hashirama claims that they are friends that share the same dream, but shinobi make their living from lies. The intelligence that Tobirama has on Madara is also pathetically inadequate. Some accounts paint him as dangerously short-tempered and unpredictable while others characterize him as rational and authoritative.

From what Tobirama has seen in their meetings the latter seems to be truer. He does show sparks of temper and annoyance, but he doesn’t act on them. In fact, the only breach of decorum that he’s shown is being too direct in his commentary and Tobirama actually appreciates that about him.

Regardless, none of that tells her why he sued for peace.

The only logical conclusion is that it’s for the sake of appearances. The Senju showed mercy and the Uchiha are making a token effort to mend fences. Perhaps they expect that negotiations will steadily cease after a time, the ceasefire will expire, and they’ll be back at each other’s throats again with the ready excuse that they tried in good faith and weren’t able to negotiate because the Senju are too unreasonable.

If that’s the case, Tobirama is glad that Mito and Touka agreed to her request.

The tides needed turning and if circumstances wouldn’t turn them, then Tobirama would.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

The fifth treaty negotiation occurred a week after Tobirama returned.

As usual, the Uchiha hemmed and hawed about the same three clauses. Tobirama, as usual, attempted to talk them around to it.

“No matter how many ways you try to reword it you are still asking us to provide you with clan secrets” Madara growled. “We have agreed to exchange materials, but sharing the details of our metal crafting is out of the question.”

A headache had formed behind Tobirama’s eyes a half hour ago.

She’d been contemplating whether the Uchiha really wanted peace since she returned from her mission and it seems that she has her answer. Arguing with Madara is a waste of her time.

“You requested that we provide you with the formula that we use to make our navy dye and think it unreasonable that we offer it in exchange for the details of your metal crafting?” Tobirama asked.

“A single formula that we will use to dye our own cloth. We will not market it or sell the fabric. That is not worth the details of our metal crafting.”

“Then what would you exchange?”

“I have already proposed an additional discount on metalwork-“

“And I have stated that is insufficient” Tobirama said, aware of how incredibly rude it was for someone of her status to speak over a Clan Head during negotiations and not caring.

Hashirama brought his palms together in a resounding slap that shattered the uncomfortable silence that descended after Tobirama’s breach in etiquette. “I believe that we should break for lunch, we’re all quite hungry” he said.

“An excellent decision, Senju-sama” Uchiha Kikyou agreed.

“Uchiha-sama, would you like to join myself and Hashirama?” Mito asked.

Senju Keiko appeared at Tobirama’s elbow as she began to rise from her seat and slipped a scroll into her hand. Given the urgency, Tobirama expected it to be important and stepped away from the others to read.

It was only the details of the privacy seals that Mito had promised her.

Tobirama returned to the negotiations table as everyone was sitting back down. Hashirama beamed when she took her seat beside him.

“I propose that we strike these three clauses from the document” Hashirama said, pointing out the points of contention on the page. “They’re impeding progress, and I would like to finalize this treaty.”

“I agree” Madara responded after a long moment of contemplation.

“Wonderful!” Hashirama enthused. “In that case, we shall draw up a final draft and we can reconvene in a week for a final review and signatures.”

“That is agreeable” Madara said.

Tobirama felt both relieved that the situation was resolved and unreasonably irritated at Madara.

That feeling followed her home and sat up with her that night.

A week later, dressed in a kimono that Mito had insisted upon, Tobirama was still irritated.

But the treaty was signed and that is what matters.

Chapter Text

The plan that Tobirama approached Mito and Touka about is rooted in the premise “the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

For a feud as long and vicious as this, it would take time for the animosity to die down. They might not see true cooperation between the two clans in their lifetime if they didn’t act. That wouldn’t do for Hashirama’s dream of peace. Things need to happen faster.

The easiest way to unite two previously feuding enemies was for a stronger outside enemy to appear and force them to fight it together.

The Senju and the Uchiha are among the strongest Shinobi clans in the Land of Fire. Aside from petty squabbles here and there, their feud was the only thing preventing the Shinobi clans in Fire from a unified alliance.

Every other clan is either allied with the Senju, the Uchiha, neutral, or too small to make a difference.

However, the same premise that could unite them also presents danger.

Tobirama traveled to the Land of Lightning after whispers of a decrease in the number of battles between Lightning Shinobi reached her ears. She went to check herself and, while peace talks between them haven’t begun yet, it seems that they’re heading in that direction.

It’s understandable. When word of the treaty between the Uchiha and the Senju reaches the other nations, they will become the bigger threat that encourages those Shinobi to stop pointing their kunai at each other and start pointing them at Fire Country.

Of course, this will take years. Tobirama could allow the Senju-Uchiha alliance to grow organically. But the sooner they unite into the village that Hashirama dreams of, the better their advantage. It is also Hashirama’s dream and Tobirama’s duty as his second is to make his vision a reality.

To accomplish this, both clans would need to feel threatened from the outside. It’s easy enough to spread rumors among the Senju and Tobirama expects that both clans will come under fire from outside enemies who feel threatened by the treaty and try to sabotage it. That will create unease among the clan and from there it’s only a matter of spreading whispers about joining the Shinobi in Fire into a single unit as their Clan Head dreamed.

The problem is that it would be impossible for Tobirama to do the same in the Uchiha clan without an accomplice within their ranks.

It is true that she could only target the Senju and have Hashirama begin collecting clans willing to join forces. The Uchiha will eventually join. But if the Senju and Uchiha are together from the beginning, the unification effort will go more smoothly. It will also prevent distrust from forming between them. From the outside, the Uchiha could take the Senju unification effort as them assimilating other clans and building power. It could be seen as threatening.

Therefore, it’s better to work with the Uchiha from the beginning.

Planting a spy in the Uchiha has proven impossible. Generations of Senju have tried and failed. So Tobirama needs an accomplice within their ranks.

But she is the White Demon. It’s no secret that the Uchiha revile her, and she can’t blame them for that. So, she’d gone to Mito and Touka.

Mito was perfect because she’d only recently married into the clan, was quick witted, and had the skill to play political games with her opponents. She’d even had the foresight to develop an acquaintanceship with Uchiha Kikyou, the infamous Red Crane.

So Tobirama approached them, and they’d acquiesced much more quickly than she’d anticipated.

She’d honestly expected more pushback. If word of this plan got out, they’d be ostracized at best and executed for treason at worst. That is part of the reason that they’d agreed to leave Hashirama out of it.

If they were caught, he would be exonerated by not having known about it. His reputation would be stained by the betrayal, as a Clan Head is expected to notice when his subordinates are plotting against him, but it would be nothing compared to if he were complicit.

Hashirama is also too enthusiastic about his dream. He can keep secrets, but Tobirama doesn’t trust him not to get too excited and speak of this plan in the open for all and sundry to hear. Especially because it’s likely that Uchiha Kikyou will inform Madara of this plan after Mito approaches her about it. Hashirama wouldn’t be able to resist gushing about it with his old friend if given the opportunity.

It makes Tobirama uneasy that this plan hinges on Madara’s acceptance, but there’s nothing for it. If he rejects it then they will be behind the curve when the time comes, but Tobirama has already begun planning for that.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

Princess Mito, we agree to your proposal.

K

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

Tobirama thwarted three attempts to sabotage the treaty in the first month. The most impressive was the coordinated attempt by the Hagoromo that would have succeeded if not for Mito’s close relationship with Uchiha Kikyou.

Madara was said to be particularly angry at the attempt given that it involved poisoning Izuna.

Tobirama happily provided all her intelligence on the Hagoromo through Hashirama. Her brother passed it on along with the recipe for the latest antidote developed by the Senju.

If anything, the incident drew the formerly warring clans closer together. Tobirama would have been grateful to the Hagoromo if they weren’t such vipers.

It also revealed that the Uchiha have little in the way of healing and medicine.

Tobirama had suspected as much for years.

The Senju are advanced in medical research and jutsu both because of Hashirama’s mokuton and their general predisposition toward it. The Uchiha, in contrast, seem to be less well off than other clans. Even their pharmaceutical knowledge leaves much to be desired.

That led Tobirama to suggest (through Hashirama) that the Senju provide medical treatment and training to the Uchiha. Treatment would be an act of goodwill. For training, they would need to exchange their metalworking techniques.

The Uchiha, naturally, declined the training. They declined the healing too. But Hashirama, aggressive kindness in full force and impossible to refuse, managed to convince them to accept medications to help with their wounded.

Soon enough, Madara was placing orders for medical necessities. As were the trinity clans, who held off on interacting with the Senju due to their alliance with the Uchiha.

“All to our benefit” Tobirama said.

“It’s going better than expected. We’ve hardly needed to do anything” Mito commented. “We will need to get proactive soon though, things are becoming stagnant.”

“How are the rumors coming along?”

“Swimmingly” Mito replied, “Kikyou-san is quite good. I’m impressed.”

“I’ve been hearing the whispers around the clan” Touka said. “They’ve also reached as far as the Aburame from what I understand. Not outside the Land of Fire yet though.”

Mito snapped her fan open, “I shall let you know when word reaches Uzushio. Then we can be certain that it’ll spread to the four corners.”

“I appreciate it” Tobirama says, dipping her head in a grateful bow to Mito and Touka.

“Think nothing of it” Mito responded, “this is my home now too.”

“Should we begin spreading more rumors?” Touka asked.

“Wait a bit. Let this one sink in first” Tobirama said. “All in good time.”

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

Both the Senju and Uchiha received a summons from the Fire Daimyo the next day.

It wasn’t unexpected. A treaty between the Senju and Uchiha could be seen as a military threat to the Daimyo. Summoning both Clan Heads to feel out this new dynamic is only reasonable. Tobirama would do the same if placed in that position.

“Not to worry” Mito said, smiling behind her fan “I suspected that this summons would come as soon as word reached the Palace. I shall ensure that things go well.”

Tobirama bowed, “Thank you. I will protect the clan in your place.”

Hashirama helped Mito into the carriage that the Daimyo sent and gave Tobirama a jaunty wave before climbing in after her.

‘He seems awfully relaxed…’ Tobirama thought as she turned away from the disappearing carriage.

Aside from this being an important diplomatic mission, there is also the fact that Mito and the current Fire Daimyo are cousins. Familial relations are important regardless of designation but particularly so for the nobles of the court and the Daimyo’s family.

So long as Mito is with Hashirama it should be fine, but Tobirama still felt unsettled for some reason.

TCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCTCT

“Tobirama!” Hashirama wailed as he spilled out of the carriage upon their return two weeks later. “Why didn’t you mention that Hisahito-sama and Mito are cousins!?”

He tried to drop both hands on her shoulders, likely meaning to shake her, but Tobirama slapped them away. “It was detailed in the documents that I provided to you when we were discussing your arranged marriage” Tobirama said. “It isn’t my fault that you didn’t read them.”

“I read them!” Hashirama protested.

Tobirama crossed her arms and looked at him in a way that made him fidget.

“Husband” Mito called, “some help if you please.”

Hashirama was there in an instant, taking Mito’s hand to help her down from the carriage. She turned to the coachman and smiled, “We do appreciate the escort. You are dismissed.”

The man dismounted, bowed deeply, then climbed back onto the driver’s seat and departed. Evidently Mito had made an impression upon him. He was also certainly a spy for the Daimyo given how quickly she dismissed him.

“Let us go and enjoy tea, sister” Mito said, “It has been almost a fortnight, and I would like to catch up.”

TCTCTCTCTCT

“Should we inform my husband of the plan?” Mito asked later that evening.

They’d gone back to the Clan Head’s residence after Mito and Hashirama returned. Tobirama gave a brief on everything they’d missed. Then they had a hardy dinner and Mito consistently refilled Hashirama’s sake cup until he’d passed out drunk.

They summoned Touka after tucking him into bed and were sitting around a kotatsu with Mito’s privacy seals humming around them as they discussed.

“Not yet” Tobirama said. “Let’s wait until we’ve accomplished our goal. Then there will be no fear of reprisals.”

“Princess, do you honestly think Hashirama would be able to keep his mouth shut about this?” Touka asked.

Mito paused, then tilted her head to concede the point, “He is still the Clan Head and a Shinobi. He is the only major player who doesn’t know at this point.”

“I take it that you were able to speak with the Daimyo privately, then?” Tobirama asked.

“Yes, and it went quite well. He agreed with our opinion and offered his cooperation.”

Touka whistled, taking a swig directly from Hashirama’s sake bottle, “You are amazing Princess.”

“Thank you” Mito said, sounding composed though her chakra hummed with pleasure at the compliment.

“I would prefer not to request help from the Daimyo if we can help it” Tobirama confessed, “the price he requests may not be one we can pay.”

“I wouldn’t worry about that” Mito said, “I asked what he would demand in return, and this is what he gave me.”

She slid a folded note across the kotatsu.

Tobirama picked it up and skimmed the contents.

“…This is indeed doable.”

She passed the note to Touka, who wrinkled her nose. “The only part I’m not fond of is the request for a permanent Shinobi bodyguard for his son. Who would volunteer for such a thing?”

“More like, who is skilled enough within the Senju clan and would also do such a thing” Tobirama said. “I’ll think on it, but in the worst case I could take on the duty.”

Touka snorted, “This clan would fall apart without you.”

“I’m not so sure of that. Between you, Mito, and Hashirama, I believe it would continue running just fine. Especially with the treaty in place.”

She’d once been concerned that the clan would be impacted if anything were to happen to her, but she’s confident after watching Mito that her sister-in-law could fill her shoes quite nicely. It’s reassuring.

It may even make the founding of Hashirama’s village easier if they let it leak to the Uchiha that Tobirama died on a mission, though Tobirama didn’t voice that thought aloud.

“What about young Itsuki?” Mito suggested.

“He’s too young.”

“But that makes him trainable. My cousin did specify that he wanted someone to guard his son, but he didn’t say that he needed that guard immediately.”

Tobirama pondered this for a moment, “I may have something else to offer.”

“What might that be?” Mito asked, clearly interested.

“I came upon some interesting documents while I was in the Land of Lightning. It seems that they are making great headway in their infrastructure and architecture. I acquired them because they would be useful when we build Hashirama’s village. Perhaps the Daimyo would be interested.”

Mito smiled sharply, “I do believe he would be, given the state of the Capital at this moment. I’m not sure that the promise of his backing is worth such a boon though. We should ask for additional financial assistance as well.”

“I will bring the plans that I obtained for your review, but I do believe that you’re correct.”

Mito’s chakra was a sea of calm and satisfaction. She plucked her tea from the table and took a dainty sip. “I shan’t be telling Kikyou-san about my discussion with my cousin. She’s Shinobi enough to figure it out once he acts. I would rather it not be directly connected to me.”

The Daimyo’s note went up in a puff of smoke in Touka’s hand, the result of what little katon she was capable of, and she wiped the ashes on her pants before taking another swig of Hashirama’s sake.

“When does Daimyo-sama plan to act?” Touka asked.

“He didn’t specify, but I presume that it shall be after winter.”

“We have a lot of work to do before that, then” Touka commented.

“Quite true, but all in due time” Mito responded.

Tobirama nodded in agreement and the conversation turned to idle clan gossip that she mostly tuned out. Mito and Touka had developed a fondness for such idle gossip and grown closer because of it, but it had never meant much to Tobirama.

They excused themselves after another hour. Touka had a mission in four hours. Mito needed to rest. Tobirama still had work to get done.