Moonlight Embers

Pride and Conflict

The week stretched on like a lifetime for Akari. She buried herself in the familiar rituals of the Uchiha compound, determined to preserve her pride and refuse to confront Tobirama. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions—anger, hurt, confusion, and a trace of longing she refused to admit. Every time she caught herself thinking of his confession, her pride roared louder, urging her to stay strong. If Tobirama truly cared, he would come to her. She wouldn't stoop to seek him out, not after his betrayal of her vulnerability with his careless admission of another option.

Madara, meanwhile, was a storm waiting to break. His anger simmered dangerously, and the Uchiha compound felt the weight of his fury. He met with clan elders, scrutinized every eligible Uchiha man, and rejected them all with scathing disdain. None were good enough for his sister, but anyone—anyone—was better than Tobirama Senju. He paced his quarters late into the night, muttering curses against the Hokage and promising himself he would find a way to sever any connection between his sister and the Senju.

Tobirama's own days were no less turbulent. His mind was consumed with conflicting emotions. Akari's fiery spirit had captivated him in a way he couldn't explain. She was a force of nature—unyielding, proud, and unafraid to challenge him. Yet the proposal from the Hyuuga clan loomed over him. As Hokage, his duty was to maintain alliances, not to indulge his personal desires. The logical choice was clear, but logic felt hollow when he thought of Akari's tear-streaked face.

At the breakfast table, Hashirama couldn't ignore his brother's sour mood.

"What did you do with Madara?" Hashirama asked casually, but the glint in his eyes betrayed his curiosity.

"I didn't do anything with that Uchiha," Tobirama answered coldly, focusing on his tea.

"Well, that's not true. He seems to hate you more than usual. What happened? Did you do something to his sister?"

Tobirama's jaw tightened. "If you already know, why bother asking me?"

Hashirama leaned back, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "I want to know if what he tells me is true. Did you make his sister cry? Why?"

Tobirama sighed heavily. "I confessed to her."

"That made her cry? I find that hard to believe. Akari is Madara's sister. That woman broke two ribs and a leg in battle and didn't shed a tear. What could you have said to make her cry?"

Tobirama hesitated, his frustration mounting. He glanced at Mito, who sat silently at the table, but she quickly dismissed him.

"Don't look at me. I don't want to know," Mito said, sipping her tea.

Tobirama sighed again, his voice quieter this time. "I admitted that I have another woman in mind."

Mito choked on her tea, while Hashirama stared at him in shock.

"What?" they exclaimed in unison.

"I thought you didn't want to know," Tobirama said to Mito, trying to deflect.

"I didn't think you would be so insensitive as to tell the woman you confessed to that you have another option!" Mito shot back, her voice rising.

"I was honest with her," Tobirama defended.

"Do you love her or not?" Hashirama pressed.

"Of course, I do," Tobirama snapped, his frustration evident.

"Then why say something like that? What other option would you even consider?"

"The Hyuuga clan made me a proposal," Tobirama admitted.

"You're going to leave the woman you love for an arranged marriage?" Mito asked, her tone incredulous.

"It's a good option. I'm the Hokage. I have to consider the entire situation, not just my feelings," Tobirama explained.

Hashirama shook his head. "I understand your position, brother, but you shouldn't have said that to her, not right after confessing."

"I was honest—"

"You were an idiot," Mito interrupted, standing abruptly. "That's what you were."

Tobirama watched her storm out, stunned by her outburst. "What's gotten into her?"

Hashirama chuckled, standing to follow his wife. "That's the beautiful thing about women. They take on each other's pain. Now they're both mad at you. Congratulations and good luck." He clapped Tobirama on the back and left, leaving the Hokage alone at the table.

Tobirama sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair. "Women. They're going to drive me crazy."

.

The days passed slowly. Akari avoided the village streets where she might encounter Tobirama, burying herself in clan affairs instead. Her pride shielded her, but her heart ached in the quiet moments. Tobirama, too, found himself glancing toward the Uchiha compound more often than he cared to admit.

Both stubborn, both hurting, yet neither willing to take the first step toward reconciliation. The village around them carried on, oblivious to the storm brewing between two of its most formidable individuals.