Finding Solace

Chapter 5

An understanding had fallen between them over the coming weeks since the raid. They had settled into a routine, neither wanting to push beyond the comfort they had found but Naruto wasn't the type to settle in this without a resolution. He smiled a bit as he headed into the laboratory to see Tobirama waiting for him. How odd? Last few weeks he hadn't shown up but here he was reading while he sat beside an open window. 

"Tobirama, you should have sent a hawk to let me know you visiting. I would have prepared tea," He closed the door before approaching his equipment and reaching under the counter to pull out a bag of white powder. 

"It wasn't of importance," He replied as he looked up at the blonde who had moved over to the wooden stove. "Allow me to cast a flame." 

"Aren't you a water-based shinobi, it seems you aren't a match," Naruto commented as he watched Tobirama light the wood. 

"I may not be proficient with flames as they are opposite to my primary water-based ninjutsu I do know the basics for survival purposes," Tobirama explained as he stood aside to allow Naruto to get a kettle on the flames.

Soon both were enjoying tea and biscuits. Tobriama looked over at Naruto and appreciated his beauty. "I must apologize for not being around these last few weeks."

"Tobirama we're trying to recover from what the Hatake clan did. I heard they also raided the Senju compound."

"They were quickly subdued and we even managed to interrogate one before he committed suicide," He recalled. "He did not reveal anything new about the clan so it was not a loss for us."

Naruto hummed quietly before reaching for a treat. "The Hatake clan are an interesting bunch, aren't they? They have been offered relief from other villages yet they choose to live in the wild. They're more like wolves in the wild. So far detached from society that they can't possibly live among others. They are territorial by nature."

"That is a good analysis of the situation but some things don't change. A Hidden Leaf is a group of different clans putting aside differences, coming together, and creating a safe space for everyone. Once the walls are built things will be much more peaceful."

"I would hope so, the children were so unsettled that day," Naruto sighed quietly as he placed down his cup and stretched, and got up to head over to his medical equipment. "Now I have to replenish stock because the attack nearly depleted it. So I may have to double the amount," He was off in his world as he spoke about replacing the products used while gathering herbs from the potted plants lining the walls.

"What is the nature of your relationship with Madara?" Tobirama asked, Naruto glanced over at him before smiling.

"I don't know what you're insinuating," Naruto chuckled. "I'm the Head Medic for his clan. Granted Mito and Hashirama brought me here to be a potential mate. But that's just it. A potential mate. I'm not given a guarantee that Madara will mate with me. I'm here based on his will."

"Disgusting Uchiha," Tobirama cursed softly, so softly Naruto shouldn't have heard it but he did. He didn't comment on it however, he decided to use Tobirama's prejudices to his benefit.

"Has he made advances?" Tobirama inquired as he raked his eyes over Naruto's body. Naruto stood up straight and swung his hips fully to one side in thought, the action was followed under the Senju's gaze.

"No, except for dinner after the raid. But it was more of a thank you than anything else," Naruto shrugged to himself. "I think we're remaining platonic."

Tobirama took this and felt a sense of relief. Why? Because he was interested in the blonde Uzumaki. Over these last few weeks, he's been observing Naruto and noticed that despite his no-nonsense personality he was friendly and warm. It was just that the mere mention of his cousin Mito made him upset. He didn't like being compared to her, nor did anyone asking him about her. He could get behind that since he didn't find himself fond of Mito as well.

"Would I interest you in a date?"

Naruto paused his actions and looked over at him. "Tobirama? Are you okay? This isn't in your nature, besides we're in-laws."

"While both those observations may be true I have become rather fond of you Naruto. These past weeks I've been seeing you slowly sink into this village and I don't want you to leave and if Madara isn't going to make a move then I will."

'And the plot thickens significantly,' Naruto thought as he made sure to keep his face blank as he stirred the large pot of healing compound. "Your brother will be unhappy. Mito will curse you and Madara will become far more offended by you."

"I'm only asking for a date, nothing more. You aren't in a relationship and you aren't being pursued by others. I am perfectly in line to ask you for a date," He had stood up, abandoning his cup of tea to stand over him. Naruto hummed to himself while he stared at Tobirama's chest before tilting his head up to look at him.

He could appreciate an alpha who was a forward one. "On one condition."

"Name it," Tobirama didn't hesitate to give in. Naruto noticed he was breathing in deeply and chuckled softly.

"If we are to date and I mean only date. You did not ask for courtship. That can wait if we find ourselves compatible," Naruto spoke as he folded his arms. "Then I need my own home. It doesn't have to be big but it must be accommodating. Somewhere extremely close to the Uchiha compound as I am their medic. Do that and we can go on a date."

"Consider it done."

Naruto showed an expression of surprise as Tobirama left him alone in his space to arrange what he asked for. Naruto didn't think he'd go through with it and he realized he might have just started drama by asking for a home. He chuckled as he got back to work.

Madara was providing counsel to Hashirama when Tobirama put forward his request to have his brother build a house near the Uchiha compound fitting for Naruto. Both men looked at him stunned.

"Pre-tell why have you brought this to me?" Hashirama looked at his brother who was still calm despite Madara's anger being felt in the room.

"Naruto has expressed his desire to move from the Main Household of the Uchiha clan. I find it odd for an unmated omega to live with an equally unmated alpha with no romantic intentions in place," Tobirama pressed before Madara grabbed him by his collar, a growl echoing in the room.

"Tobirama I do not know what you're doing but stop it," Madara warned as his eyes narrowed.

"I'm just fulfilling Naruto's request. He asked me personally to do this," Tobirama narrowed his red gaze. "If he wishes not to stay with an alpha who has made no attempts to swoon him then that's his decision."

Hashirama looked at his best friend. "Madara is this true?"

"That isn't up for discussion. What Naruto and I do in our time is between us," He responded as he released Tobirama. He left the office, probably to confront Naruto about this sudden change. Inside Tobirama and Hashirama stood in silence for a while.

"What are you doing?" Hashirama asked.

"Naruto just expressed his concern with me. You and Mito practically shoved him into an unfamiliar compound with an unknown alpha and expect him to be comfortable?"

"When you put it like that I see your point," Hashirama admitted.

Tobirama rolled his eyes which was out of character for him. "That poor male omega. Being trapped in that compound. Coming from a foreign land and being told that Madara is the potential alpha your clan has chosen. You don't see anything wrong here. Naruto should have a choice and his first choice is to get a home for himself."

"I feel you are insinuating much more with your words with this talk of choices," Hashirama leaned forward and placed his hands to prop up his head. "Naruto is here so that Madara and he can find common ground and hopefully become mates."

"But there is still more," Tobirama countered. "They aren't dating, they aren't even courting by all accounts anyone with interest in Naruto can walk right up and ask for a date. Even better is that Madara hasn't touched him so people are starting to whisper."

"Naruto is your in-law. You will do well to remember that," Hashirama warned.

Tobirama smirked. "It wouldn't be the first that either one of us has fooled around with family."