Moonlight Embers

A Stubborn Heart

Tobirama's patience had worn thin. The news of Madara actively seeking suitors for Akari had reached him that morning, and the thought sent a jolt of something uncomfortably close to panic through him. Pride warred with reason, but the image of Akari with another man—a Uchiha, no less—was unbearable. Rationality had governed his decisions for as long as he could remember, but now it faltered, buckling under the weight of his feelings.

He found her near the edge of the forest, seated by a quiet lake. The water mirrored the vibrant autumn foliage, but the serene setting was at odds with Tobirama's stormy mood. Akari looked up as his presence disrupted her solitude, her expression shifting from surprise to something colder.

"What do you want?" she asked, her voice sharp.

"You need to stop this," Tobirama demanded, ignoring her frosty tone.

"Stop what?" she replied, feigning ignorance, though she knew exactly what he meant.

"The meetings. Madara's ridiculous search for a husband," he said, stepping closer. "It's unnecessary."

Akari rose to her feet, meeting his piercing gaze with her own fiery defiance. "Unnecessary? My brother is only looking out for me. And if you won't make a decision, why shouldn't I meet other men? At least they know what they want."

Tobirama flinched, her words striking a nerve. He had come to confront her, but now he found himself on the defensive.

"I—" he began, but the words faltered.

Akari crossed her arms, her patience clearly thinning. "Well? Have you made up your mind?"

Silence hung heavy between them. Tobirama's jaw tightened, and he looked away, unable to answer.

Akari's voice rose, tinged with anger and frustration. "You expect me to wait for a man who doesn't even know what he wants? I'm not some child, Tobirama. I have a future to think about, too."

"I don't want to see you with those men," he said, his voice lower but no less firm.

"Then decide, Tobirama," she snapped. "Otherwise, don't come to me with your demands."

The tension crackled like a storm ready to break. Neither willing to yield, they stood locked in a silent battle of wills before Akari turned on her heel and walked away, her head held high despite the anger burning in her chest.

Tobirama remained by the lake, staring at the rippling water. Frustration gnawed at him—not with her, but with himself. He had failed her again.

.

Later that evening, Tobirama sought Mito's counsel. He found her tending to a small garden behind the Senju compound, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to his turmoil.

"May I speak with you?" he asked, his tone unusually hesitant.

Mito glanced up, wiping her hands on a cloth. "Of course. What is it?"

Tobirama hesitated, his pride resisting even now. Finally, he admitted, "I don't know what to do."

Mito raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.

"It's about Akari," he said, the name heavy on his tongue. "And the Hyuuga proposal."

Mito sighed, setting aside her gardening tools. "Tobirama, marriage isn't something you can solve like a political problem. It's not always rational—it's also about the heart."

He frowned. "But as Hokage, my decisions must be rational."

"That's true," Mito agreed, "but marriage is more than a duty. It's a partnership. This is the person who will have your children, who will carry on your legacy. Someone you trust, someone who will stand by you through everything. Are you sure you want someone you don't love?"

Tobirama said nothing, the weight of her words sinking in.

Mito pressed on, her voice gentler now. "If you think you could love the Hyuuga girl, then choose her. But if you know you won't, then you already have your answer. You're smart, Tobirama, but you're also human. Don't let your fear of making the wrong choice blind you to what you already know is right."

Her words left him silent, but his mind churned. The Hyuuga proposal offered stability, but it didn't stir his soul the way Akari did. He couldn't ignore the fire she ignited in him, no matter how much he tried.

Mito rested a hand on his shoulder, her voice steady. "You've already hurt her, Tobirama. If you love her, don't let your pride or your fear keep you from her. Otherwise, you might lose her for good."

Tobirama nodded, though his expression remained conflicted. He thanked Mito quietly and left, her words echoing in his mind as he walked into the night. For the first time, he began to consider not what was expected of him, but what he truly wanted.