Moonlight Embers

Beneath the Moonlight

That same night, the forest around the riverbank was alive with the rustling of leaves and the gentle hum of distant creatures. The air was cool, and the moon hung low, casting pale silver beams through the thick canopy above. The tension between Akari and Tobirama had only simmered during their earlier encounter—but now, it had reached a boiling point.

They clashed beneath the shadows, words cutting deeper than blades. One moment they were trading insults, and the next, Akari found herself caught off guard, her defenses lowered for a fleeting second—long enough for Tobirama to pin her harshly against a tree.

Her back hit the rough bark with a thud, the cold bite of the night air grazing her exposed skin. He had her wrists locked above her head, his grip strong and unrelenting. His crimson eyes reflected the moon's glow as he leaned closer, smirking with that maddening, arrogant sneer she hated so much.

"Are you scared of me?" His voice was low, mocking. His cold expression twisted into a cruel smile as his lips curled upward in amusement.

Akari's Sharingan flickered to life instinctively, her crimson eyes swirling with purpose.

Tobirama's smug expression faltered for a brief moment, surprise flashing in his icy gaze. But just as quickly, the smile returned—sharp and full of contempt.

"And what are you going to do? Threaten me with your Sharingan?" His words dripped with sarcasm, daring her to act.

Akari clenched her jaw, her heart pounding against her ribs. "You're the one attacking me."

Tobirama let out a short laugh, leaning in closer until their noses almost touched. "Attacking you?" He tilted his head slightly, his silver hair catching the moonlight. "I'm just silencing you. You were the one who provoked me, and now you want to play the victim?"

Her breath hitched, his proximity overwhelming as he pressed his body against hers, locking her firmly against the tree. His cold hands gripped her wrists tighter, making her wince slightly.

"I'm not a child, and you're not my father—nor my husband!" Akari hissed, her anger barely masking the vulnerability beneath it.

Tobirama chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest. "Could've fooled me. You act like a spoiled brat," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement. "The most naive and childish person I've ever known."

Akari's Sharingan dimmed, fading back into her usual dark irises. She could feel the heat rising to her face, both from frustration and something she couldn't quite name. "And you," she whispered bitterly, "are the rudest man I've ever met."

She stared at him, her anger dissolving into something raw and painful as tears welled in her eyes. Her voice wavered slightly. "Why do you hate me so much?"

Tobirama froze as he saw the tears spill down her cheeks, glimmering under the moonlight. For a moment, he faltered—something in him shifted, as though he hadn't expected to see her cry. But instead of pity, it only irritated him further.

"You really think tears will change anything?" he sneered, raising an eyebrow as his grip on her wrists remained firm. "You're stubborn, childish, naive, and a constant thorn in my side. That's why I hate you."

Her chest tightened, but she refused to look away from his piercing gaze. "Then why do you keep coming back?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Why do you always find me?"

Tobirama's jaw clenched. He hated how that question made him feel. He couldn't answer it—not properly.

"I don't know," he muttered coldly, the annoyance creeping into his voice. "But it pisses me off."

Akari wiped her tears roughly, refusing to show any more weakness in front of him. His eyes followed her movements closely, and for a moment, she saw something flicker behind his cold demeanor—something she couldn't quite place.

"Did those tears make you feel better?" he asked, his mocking tone returning as he tilted his head.

She didn't answer, glaring at him instead. His gaze lingered on her, scanning her face, her damp cheeks, and the fire in her eyes that refused to die down.

"You look so weak right now," he said, his voice quieter but no less harsh. "Pathetic, even."

Akari inhaled sharply. "So what?"

He chuckled, his smirk widening. "Even now, you're trying to act tough. It's amusing, really."

She closed her eyes for a brief moment, exhaustion settling in her bones. "Just leave me alone, Tobirama." Her voice was low, almost defeated.

But instead of letting her go, he leaned even closer, his chest brushing lightly against her back as he whispered into her ear. "Why do you think I would?"

Akari's heart raced, a confusing swirl of emotions tightening in her chest. He was so close, too close, his breath warm against her skin, his presence overwhelming.

She turned sharply to face him again, her wrists still trapped in his grip. "What is your problem with me?" she demanded, her voice stronger this time, anger simmering beneath the surface.

Tobirama's expression darkened, and his smirk disappeared. "Right now? My problem is that you're more annoying than usual."

His cold, calculating eyes bored into hers. "And," he continued, his voice dropping an octave, "I thought you already knew—being rude is just what I do."