Your arranged marriage to a prominent feudal lord has always been a happy one or so you thought. When he suspects your lack of fertility, he takes up a mistress much to your dismay. Your sister, no less!
The overwhelming depression forces you into...
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... follow me down
Awake again. Confused once more. Sorrow finds you like an old friend. Pieces of memories fall into place.
Your hand raises to your neck. The texture of scarring greets the pads of your fingers. Your face turns to view the mirror beside you. Upon recognizing your shared bedroom with Tobirama, you wonder where you have fallen within the timeline.
Your mouth opens to speak but nothing comes out. There are rings around your eyes from lack of sleep. Your hair is shorter than usual, as if you attempted some cut and it had to be evened out. Your throat hurts and so does your stomach. Eyes are dried from overstimulation. Lips chapped from over-licking due to nerves.
'Is this me?'
You press a hand against the mirror, but it's stability weakens at the slightest tough, causing it to tumble. The sound of the metal frame scratching the floor echoes. You notice its descent too late and brace for the impact of it falling onto you.
But the impact never comes. You hear the puff of smoke instead as a large body stands over you, pushing the mirror back into place. Your gaze travels up and spots a broken Tobirama.
"Tobirama?" Your voice is hoarse and hurts to use.
He glances at the mirror with distaste. "I need to place this elsewhere. It's too much of a hazard." The mirror returns to its rightful position and Tobirama sits in front of it. In his hand, you spot a plate of cake and your senses yearn for it.
He detects your desire and smirks, "Will this whet your appetite?"
The plate slides over, and you are given a spoon. You tilt your head, "No fork?"
Tension looms over the room. You try to smile through it, but all it does is worsen his frown. He struggles with his words, but you can tell how he carefully chooses his verbiage. "You might hurt yourself again. The spoon is sufficient. If anything, I can help you."
You don't understand the extreme caution. That is until you look into the mirror again. The bandages have loosened and the scar from your attempt at death paints your décolletage. It seems to be healing well, but it reminds all of what you've done. It also reminds you that you still live in a nightmare.
"Thank you," you mumble as you begin to eat. The cake tastes like nothing but you down it quick to lighten his anxiety. He inspects every movement of the spoon, judging it as if it were some weapon that you must hold with delicacy.
Once finished, you provide the empty plate to him. He pushes it to the side and remains in his place. His eyes appear as empty as yours, and you can only assume that your actions on that day must have returned to his ears.
Though timid, you need to resolve your confusion. "Tobirama, what happened that day?"
He knows what you speak upon and answers you, his stare remaining on his lap. "You were half-dead, naked, and screaming for death. Sakumo brought you into the hospital, begging for them to save your life."
