Moonlight Embers

A Tangle of Words and Emotions

The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over Konoha's streets, the soft hum of life filling the air—merchants calling out their wares, children laughing, the quiet rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle breeze. Tobirama walked with purpose, his mind buzzing with thoughts he didn't want to confront. The day had been unremarkable until Akari's familiar voice sliced through the mundane, her presence as sharp and persistent as ever.

"I heard you went out on a date. Is that true?"

Her teasing tone carried easily through the air, and Tobirama clenched his jaw without even turning around. He didn't need to see her to know the smug expression she wore. She was always like this—poking, prying, playing.

"My personal life is none of your business, and I don't appreciate you making fun of it," he snapped, keeping his eyes on the road ahead.

Akari's light laughter followed, an airy sound that grated against his nerves and yet, somehow, stirred something else deep inside him—something far more troubling. "Oh, come on, Second Lord. Don't be like that. I bet women are lining up to be the Hokage's new wife. Even if he is a pain in the ass."

Tobirama growled under his breath, his fingers twitching at his sides. "You're going to annoy me all day, aren't you, brat?"

"I'm bored. But you're free to leave."

He stole a glance at her, irritated by the easy confidence she exuded. And yet, even as he turned away, the image of her perched on top of him—teasing, smug, in complete control—flashed in his mind again. It had haunted him for days, creeping into his thoughts at the most inconvenient moments, driving him to distraction.

He stopped abruptly, frustration bubbling to the surface. Before he could think better of it, the words left his mouth. "Come with me."

Akari blinked in surprise. "Huh? Where?"

Tobirama hesitated, cursing himself silently. What the hell was he doing? He didn't know the answer to that, not really. But the thought of leaving her behind without some resolution felt... wrong. "Just... follow me, and you'll see."

To his dismay, she shrugged easily and nodded. "Fine, then."

His jaw clenched. Damn it, why did she agree so quickly? He turned sharply and started walking, gesturing for her to keep up. His mind was a tangled mess, his thoughts racing, heart pounding louder than it should have. He couldn't make sense of his actions, nor could he ignore the tightness in his chest as he heard the sound of her footsteps behind him.

"Hurry up. You're walking too slow," he grumbled, still refusing to look back.

"I have small legs, okay? Give me a break. Not everyone is huge like you."

He rolled his eyes, biting back a smile. "Huge, huh?" He glanced over his shoulder, catching the smirk on her face. "So, you've noticed."

Akari gave him a sidelong look, playful and challenging. "Isn't it obvious?"

Tobirama actually laughed—a deep, genuine laugh that surprised even him. Damn it, how did she keep doing this? How did she manage to needle her way under his skin and make him react in ways he didn't expect? "I didn't know you were paying attention, princess."

Her smirk faltered for just a second, her cheeks flushing a faint pink. "Wait, what did you just call me?"

He grinned, thoroughly enjoying her reaction. "You heard me, princess."

Akari shot him a narrow-eyed glare, her blush deepening. "Are you feeling okay?"

Tobirama's grin widened. "I'm not dying, if that's what you're asking."

The sight of her flushed cheeks pleased him more than it should have. He couldn't deny how much he enjoyed flustering her—it was a rare victory, and one he savored. "What's the matter, princess? Too embarrassed?"

Akari crossed her arms over her chest, clearly trying to regain her composure. "Just because you're the Hokage doesn't mean you can make fun of me whenever you want."

He shrugged, his smirk never wavering. "True. But being Hokage comes with some perks, princess."

Her playful expression faltered, just for a moment, and something more serious flickered in her gaze. "Then why don't you find someone to serve those perks for you?"

The question caught him off guard, striking a nerve he hadn't expected. The idea of someone else fulfilling that role—of another woman standing by his side—felt... wrong. Uncomfortable. Irritating.

His steps slowed, and without meaning to, he found himself speaking more honestly than he intended. "Damn, what are you suggesting I do?"

Akari shrugged, her tone casual but her words sharp. "Find a wife to annoy."

Tobirama's lips curled into a sneer. "I have no interest in marriage."

Her brow arched, her gaze probing. "Are you not interested, or are you just unable to find someone?"

His expression darkened, and the words slipped out before he could stop them. "Marriage is for idiots."

The silence that followed was thick and heavy, and Tobirama immediately regretted his words.

Akari blinked, her face carefully blank, but there was a flicker of hurt in her eyes that she couldn't quite hide. "Then I guess I'm an idiot."

Tobirama froze, frustration bubbling up as he realized how she had taken his words. "I didn't mean it like that."

She gave him a small, tight smile—one that didn't reach her eyes. "Sure you didn't."

Damn it. He hated this—hated the way his careless words had hurt her, hated the way she looked at him now, guarded and distant.

For a moment, they stood there in awkward silence, the lightness from earlier evaporating like mist in the morning sun. Tobirama struggled to find the right words, something that would smooth over the tension, but nothing came to mind.

He let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, Akari..." He trailed off, unsure of how to finish.

She shook her head, her smile softening slightly, though there was still a hint of sadness in her eyes. "It's okay, Tobirama. You don't have to explain."

But the thing was—he wanted to explain. He just didn't know how.