Making You Mine

A Tempting Proposal

"Ah! [Name]-sama is awake! Go and fetch Tatsuo-kun quickly!" commanded Konami.

Umiko nodded and left the room to find Tatsuo. [Name] had been asleep for at least four hours, and the sun was setting with its beautiful array of warm colors.

"Am I in my room, Konami?" [Name] asked.  

"No, Tatsuo-kun brought you here to separate you from Izuna-sama. It was your wish to not speak to him, correct?"

"Ah...that's right..." she said quietly.

Umiko returned with Tatsuo following behind her, and the two maids left the room to leave them alone. Tatsuo sat on his knees beside [Name]'s bedside and bowed down to her.

"I apologize for knocking you out without your permission, [Name]. But Izuna-sama was approaching us, and I knew you didn't want to see him, so I acted without considering what your possible feelings would be."

[Name] remained silent at first and stared straight ahead at the bare walls. She was grateful for Tatsuo's quick thinking, but the problem was still there. She knew she would have to face it eventually, but for now, she still wanted to run away from it.

"It's fine, Tatsuo-kun. I would have avoided him in some other way too. You may rise your head now."

Tatsuo obeyed her order and noticed the dullness in her eyes. Her eyes no longer possessed the shiny and bright look like it did in the past. 

"Etto...may I ask what you plan to do as of now?"

"I will not selfishly place my clan's alliance with the Uchiha clan at risk, so I will just bear with it. Things will change between Izuna and I though." she responded nonchalantly.

"[Name]...you are surprisingly calm despite everything that occurred today. Are you really fine with everything? I'm a little worried..."

"I don't have a choice. My whole marriage to Izuna was based on a possible alliance with the Uchiha clan only. I'll just wear a mask  and continue the role as his wife for the sake of my clan. After all, it is my duty..."

Tatsuo placed a hand on [Name]'s shoulder and furrowed his eyebrows in distress. "That's not true, Izuna-sama chose you to be his wife! There must have been something that we misconstrued. I'll go and-"

"It's fine, Tatsuo-kun. I should go and report to Aniue-sama, I forgot to do that a few hours ago, so if you will excuse me," she said as she got out of the futon and reached for her black cloak.

"[Name], wait!"

[Name] stopped and turned to look back at Tatsuo. She noted that he looked nervous since he was fiddling with his hands.

"If there's anything that you ever need, just let me know. I will always serve and stay by your side no matter what you decide to do." he declared.

[Name] stared at Tatsuo and sighed. "I am thankful for your loyalty, but why? Why are you willing to do anything for me?"

"My sister's death will not be in vain. It sounds a bit strange, but whenever I am around you, I can almost feel her presence..." he replied sheepishly.

[Name] shook her head and offered Tatsuo a small smile. "I guess I am not as lonely as I thought I would be then..."

And with that, [Name] left the room and headed for Madara's office.

Once [Name] reached the door to her brother-in-law's office, she held onto her breath and knocked on it twice. Madara shouted out a "Come in," and she let herself enter the large and organized office room.