Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“YOU’RE A WOMAN!?” Izuna shouted.

Standing on the other side of the table dressed in a shochikubai patterned kimono, Tobirama narrowed her eyes. “Do you take issue with my gender, Uchiha?”

“Not at all” Uchiha Kikyou interjected, “this is simply the first time that we have seen you without armor. We were under the impression that you were a man.”

Hashirama made a confused sound, “What on earth would give you that idea?”

Tobirama could feel Touka’s amusement and knew that she would be laughed at later.

As far as anyone outside of the Senju clan knows, Butsuma only had sons. It was an organic assumption that grew from a combination of the genderless armor that they wore, the fur mantle that Tobirama preferred to keep about her shoulders, and the oni mask that she took to wearing years ago as an intimidation tactic on missions.

Her short, cropped hair didn’t help matters, though she’s confident that the assumption would have stood regardless. Her anija’s hair was longer than most kunoichi’s, after all.

“T-the armor! Hair! Is this why you never spoke to me!?” Izuna shrieked.

“The battlefield is for fighting, not banter. You were spewing drivel to distract me. Why would I respond to such taunts?” Tobirama asked.

The Uchiha heir made a sound of frustration and Madara reached over to place a hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Calm yourself Izuna. This is the treaty signing. Time to put old grudges aside.”

“It’s not a grudge!” Izuna replied nonsensically before settling back in his chair with a huff.

“Hair? Armor?” Hashirama repeated, scrunching his nose, “I still don’t quite understand. But I suppose that isn’t important now. Though I am certain I mentioned my sister quite frequently during our childhood meetings Madara?”

The Uchiha clan head cleared his throat, “You did. But I…ah, you never told me her name.”

“Did I not? Ah well yes! Tobirama is my younger sister. I am truly blessed!”

“Anija. The treaty” Tobirama said.

“Right. Right. Let me just—” Hashirama leaned over to place his signature on both copies of the treaty, then passed it across the table for Madara to do the same.

With that peace was achieved and Tobirama felt some of the weary tension leave her, thankful that the long period of negotiations had ended.

 “Now about the Village—”

“Anija. We will have another meeting within the month to discuss the possibility of building a new settlement to house both our clans as well as any others that may wish to take part in the venture. But today is for treaty signing. Does it not seem appropriate to savor this momentous occasion rather than attempting to engage in discussions of future ventures?” Tobirama hissed.

Truly her brother’s infatuation with the idea is driving her nearly mad. Tobirama is used to her Anija’s enthusiasm, but he’s been talking everyone’s ears off for the weeks following the ceasefire. Anyone who stands still long enough is liable to be talked at and possibly cried on as Hashirama expresses his overwhelming joy at all his dreams coming true all over them.

Most of the Senju have taken to dodging their Clan Head whenever they see him coming, which leaves Tobirama or Mito to deal with him. If it continues, Mito may soon make herself a widow and Tobirama has no desire to ascend to Clan Head.

“But Tobi….” Hashirama whines.

She signs, feeling the beginning of a migraine gathering at her temples, “Why don’t you go thank the Uchiha Clan Head for his cooperation before he leaves.”

Hashirama smiles, big and bright, “Great idea! I haven’t had a chance to speak to him all day!”

Then the God of Shinobi leaps up from his seat, calling “Madara! Madara, we achieved peace! Just like we wanted when we were kids!” as he rounded the table and tackled the Uchiha Clan Head into a hug. The man had been rising out of his seat when Hashirama caught him. They both tumbled over the opposite side of the chair and into the dirt.

Tobirama tucked her hands into the trailing sleeves of her kimono as Touka sidled close to whisper in her ear “That was absolutely evil, little cousin. I approve.”

The Senju heiress offered her a secret smile from the corner of her mouth as she watched the two most powerful shinobi of their time wrestle in the dirt like children. Madara was screaming objections in a shrill voice radically different from his usual baritone while Hashirama ruined the front of his formalwear with his tears and snot.

The Uchiha had begun to react to the perceived attack on their leader but froze as they got a better look at the situation. The gob smacked look on Izuna’s face was particularly satisfying.

Tobirama decided to give it a few minutes before intervening.

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“Greetings Tobirama-sama.”

Tobirama turned from her contemplation of the blueprints for the city sewer system to find Uchiha Hikaku standing before her.

The man was a face with a name prior to the treaty signing, unremarkable save for his position as the third strongest Uchiha. Since then, he has been carrying messages between their clans and Tobirama has discovered him to be among the more rational of his kin.

That is probably why he was assigned to work with the Senju on plans for the Village. Much less likely to get into an unnecessary fight. As opposed to someone like Izuna, who seems to have taken the revelation of her gender as a personal slight for some unknown reason.

“Hikaku-san, greetings. Do the carpenters have need of me?”

“No. Senju Hashirama-sama is currently assisting them. I was hoping for an opinion on the placement of the primary administrative building. Should we zone the area at the base of the mountain furthest from the entrance for the administrative building or should it be placed where the main roads intersect for optimal accessibility?”

Tobirama paused to consider the question. While it is true that accessibility is important, so is security. Having the administrative building in front of the mountain would be optimal for the latter.

“I would say that it should be at the base of the mountain. Prioritize security over accessibility” she said.

Hikaku nodded and excused himself with a respectful nod.

Once he was out of sight, Tobirama sighed and cracked her neck to release some of the stress from her shoulders. With Hashirama leading the effort, construction on the Village was moving quickly. Not the least because he insisted on using his Mokuton to raise buildings from the ground.

Initially, Tobirama had scolded him because he raised houses without consideration for things like underground plumbing and electricity. These things take time and planning to get right. Hashirama ended up tearing down thirty houses after a thorough dressing down while the Uchiha representatives watched.

A few had offered to help with their katon, but Tobirama had rejected the assistance. “This is my brother’s mess, and he will clean it up himself!”

That incident began her reputation as a taskmaster, which was already known by her clansmen but began to make its rounds through the Uchiha as well. She could often hear the whispers when they didn’t realize she was close enough to overhear.

Luckily, that dressing down also prompted Hashirama to bother the carpenters whenever he wanted to help. Tobirama had already instructed them not to take any proposed initiatives from him and stressed that planning was the duty of the committee, not the Senju Clan Head.

One less headache and Tobirama didn’t need any further migraines.

 She hadn’t expected that dealing with the Uchiha would be so tiresome. Specifically dealing with Uchiha Madara. The man tended to lose his temper during planning meetings and start screaming. He also had a habit of objecting to almost every suggestion that Tobirama proposed. Izuna was a separate headache on his own, whining and shooting her dirty looks whenever she spoke.

Tobirama had never been one to tolerate idiocy. Especially when there is work to be done.

Thank the gods for rational people like Hikaku.

“How goes it sister?” Mito asked as she glided over to the worktable with a tray of drinks, setting one beside Tobirama’s hand.

“It goes” Tobirama responded, “thank you for the drink.”

“The men are rather overzealous, aren’t they?”

The Senju heiress laughed, “That they are. No respect for planning.”

“We are blessed to have those such as yourself, Touka, and Uchiha Kikyou to ensure they don’t get ahead of themselves.”

Tobirama grimaced, remembering the innocent smile that Touka graced her with when Senju Kenji returned from the woods drenched, cut up, and shaking.

The man was a known protestor of peace and had managed to get on the list of people to assist with construction of the new village. Whether there was intentional sabotage planned or if Touka merely took measures to prevent any vitriol from falling out of Kenji’s mouth, Tobirama doesn’t know, but he hasn’t made eye contact with Touka since. There also have been no further objections from him regarding peace.

“Quite blessed” Tobirama responded, dry as the Suna desert.

Now Mito laughed, undoubtedly recalling the same incident.

“Don’t overwork yourself sister. I’m off to deliver these refreshments to my husband. Perhaps there will be enough left for Madara as well.”

Tobirama was helpless against the grin that stole across her face at the passing remark.

Mito had taken a particular dislike to Madara upon meeting him. Watching her subtly bully him while he struggled to maintain angry indifference was truly a spectacle.

“Give Hashirama my regards” Tobirama said, returning to the blueprints.

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“You look like a white rabbit.”

Tobirama blinked at the kid – clearly an Uchiha given his chakra – standing at the base of the tree she was perched in.

“Is that so?” she replied.

“That is so” the kid said, “a very pretty white rabbit, though.”

Lips twitching up at the corners, Tobirama idly sealed her research notes into the tattoo on her arm and leapt down from her perch, taking care to land in a crouch so that she could look him in the eye.

“Thank you, I appreciate the compliment. My name is Tobirama. What’s yours?”

“Kagami!”

“Pleasure to meet you. What brings you here?”

Eyes sparkling with childish delight, Kagami launches into a tale about following a giant serpent, climbing a mountain, and crossing a river before spotting her in the tree and calling out. Tobirama listened and nodded, extending her senses out to the new Uchiha compound and didn’t feel any panic that could be attributed to a lost child.

“Were you with your family before you followed the serpent?” Tobirama asked.

“My cousin, Hana. She’s twelve. I’m six!”

“That is a good age. We should go find your cousin. She must be missing you.”

“But I want to look for the serpent!”

“How about I promise to show you my summons instead. I can promise that they are far more exciting than a serpent. After that, we can go find your cousin.”

“Better than a serpent!? Okay! Okay! Please, please, please show me!” Kagami cried, tugging on Tobirama’s pants to emphasize the words.

Chuckling, Tobirama nipped her thumb and slammed her palm to the ground. Fuyuko appeared with a sleek stretch before rising to her full height.

“Fuyuko, my apologies for calling you so suddenly but young Kagami wanted to meet you” Tobirama said.

The snow leopard’s gaze flicked to the child, she chuckled, taking a seat, and wrapping her tail around her paws. “A pleasure, young Uchiha.”

“So much cooler than a serpent…” Kagami breathed.

Both Tobirama and Fuyuko laughed.

“As promised, Kagami, it’s time to look for your cousin. Care to accompany us Fuyuko?”

“I would be happy to” she said, rising to her feet, “care for a piggy-back ride young Uchiha?”

“Yes!” the child shouted before making an awkward attempt to climb on. Tobirama took pity and lifted the child to sit on Fuyuko’s back, bracing his hands against her neck as they began to walk.

Kagami kept up a steady stream of chatter while Tobirama steered them toward the Uchiha compound, hopeful that someone would be able to direct her to the boy’s parents.

They ended up meeting Kagami’s cousin a few streets from the Uchiha compound, frantically searching for her younger kin. She stiffened when she noticed the snow leopard and the White Demon, but bowed deeply after Tobirama explained the situation, thanking her profusely for returning Kagami.

“Bye Tobi! Bye Yuko!” Kagami called over his shoulder as his cousin walked him back to the Uchiha compound.

After that, the child made it a habit to sneak out of the Uchiha compound and seek Tobirama out where they met. The Senju heiress made it a habit to correct the boy’s hand signs and keep him busy with small chakra control lessons.

Before she realized it, she had a little Uchiha toddling after her, calling her “Tobirama-sensei!”

Then he made friends with other clan children and started bringing them too.

Uchiha Kagami, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, Akimichi Torifu, and Utatane Koharu followed Tobirama like ducklings.

By this time, over half of the permanent residents had migrated from their old homes and settled in the village. In addition to the Senju and Uchiha, a few of the smaller clans and the Trinity Clans had also decided to move to the freshly minted Konohagakure.

With the accidental acquisition of her new students, Tobirama decided that it would be a good time to propose a young shinobi academy to the village council.

“That’s foolish” Madara said “how would we prevent bias from running rampant and causing preferential treatment to be given to one child over another? How could we be certain that the education these children receive would be better than what the clans can provide? Nothing in this proposal has merit.”

“As I said, instructors will be taken from every clan and assessed by the council to ensure that they are qualified. The council will also decide on the curriculum. The academy will teach the basics and anything additional can be taught by the clan at their discretion” Tobirama says.

“I am not against the idea as I believe it has merit, but what of practical skills? The children will need to be mission capable and theory is quite different from practice” Yamanaka Inokku asked.

Nara Shikajirou hummed thoughtfully, “Perhaps when they graduate they are assigned a mentor. They could shadow that mentor on missions and learn under supervision.”

“Er…depending on the skills of the mentor couldn’t that get them killed much more quickly than giving them missions suited to their skill levels?” Akimichi Choutarou asked.

“Not if the mentor only took low level missions more suited to the child” Tobirama said.

“People depend on mission pay, Senju!” Madara shouts, slamming a fist on the council table hard enough to rattle it. “It is unfair for advanced shinobi to be forced on low level missions just to hold a child’s hand.”

“What if mentors were paid to be mentors?” Sarutobi Sasuke said as he set his teacup back on the table, having snatched it up when Madara began raging to prevent spillage.

“Excellent idea Sarutobi-san” Shimura Daiki said, “We could also assign multiple children to each mentor. That would cut down on the number of mentors needed and ensure that we always have a full mission roster.”

A lazy smirk stretched across Shikajirou’s face as he turned to Tobirama, “It seems we have a framework. Shall we put it to a vote?”

“I believe we shall” Tobirama responded, “all in favor?”

All but Madara raised their hands. Hashirama actually raised two, which was ridiculous, but Tobirama was too grateful that her proposal was accepted to mind. She smiled and bowed respectfully, “I thank the council for hearing the proposal and will draw up a more detailed plan for dissemination and further review.”

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“Excellent proposal Senju-san” Shikajirou said.

The meeting had been adjourned and Tobirama was the first out the door, eager to get back to the administrative building and start working on a more detailed academy plan, but the Nara caught her just outside the door to deliver his compliment.

“Thank you, Nara-sama. I also appreciate your contributions. The idea of a mentorship program following graduation was inspired.”

Shikajirou smiled, low and lazy. “No trouble. Inokku was correct when he said that the idea has merit. It will also help the children of civilian families and those of small, unaffiliated families to both integrate and become better than serviceable shinobi for the village. Those like the Utatane and Mitokado.”

“I must confess that I never considered that angle. How astute of you to discover yet another benefit to this proposal” Tobirama said.

Shikajirou laughed, “If ever you find yourself with a bit of time and wish to play shogi, please feel free to stop by the Nara compound. I would accept the challenge gladly. Good day Senju-san.”

Chapter Text

“What are you doing?” Izuna asked.

Tobirama raised an unimpressed eyebrow, “What does it look like?”

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Sarutobi make a mistake in his kata and she turned to correct him, only returning her attention to Izuna when her student was able to repeat the correct motion.

“Are you…teaching kids? Wait, is that Kagami?” Izuna asked, pointing toward Kagami and Koharu sparring closer to the tree line.

“Yes, I am teaching them. Yes, that is Kagami.”

“Why did you not request permission before electing to instruct an Uchiha child?” Madara growled from his place at Izuna’s side.

“I did. From Asami-san.”

“She allowed that?” Izuna asked, sounding surprised.

“Yes. She requested to be present for the first few sessions and was satisfied with my teaching methods, allowing me to continue tutoring him.”

Tobirama had asked all her student’s parents to ensure that no one was uncomfortable with the White Demon teaching their child. Aside from Asami, who was understandably wary given the feud between the Senju and Uchiha, Tomura and Koharu’s parents were the most apprehensive.

Tomura, being from a small unaffiliated clan, left his parents both excited at the prospect of their son learning under a famous shinobi and skeptical of Tobirama’s methods given her reputation. The former won the argument.

As for Koharu, that was a bit trickier. She is from a civilian family that settled in Konoha to run a shop. They had her chakra tested out of curiosity and, when she showed enough promise, hesitantly allowed her to pursue the occupation.

Without the academy, Koharu would have been forced to apprentice under an existing shinobi or become a vassal to learn the trade, though she has technically achieved the former under Tobirama’s tutelage. Her parents actually looked relieved after meeting Tobirama, which she discovered was directly attributable to her gender.

Most of the world, including the civilians in Konoha, still thought Senju Tobirama to be a man. That, combined with the civilian view of women as homemakers, made the Utatane’s very reluctant. Seeing that such a famous shinobi is, in fact, a woman and the one training their daughter eased their minds greatly.

“Is that what happened with the others too?” Izuna asked.

“No. Their parents did not wish to sit in on any lessons.”

“I’m not surprised. Having one of the highest-ranking shinobi in the village offer to train your kid? I bet the Sarutobi and Shimura tripped over themselves to agree.”

Odd, that almost sounded like a compliment.

Madara snorted and Tobirama turned back to her students, not wanting to give the Uchiha the satisfaction of seeing her jaw clench.

One sharp whistle and they all stopped, sweaty and panting.

“Dismissed. Great work today.”

Six proud smiles met the pronouncement, and they bowed respectfully before wandering off in search of post training lunch.

Tobirama turned back to the Uchiha siblings and inclined her head, the base amount of respect, “Good day, Uchiha-sama, Uchiha-san.”

Then she turned on her heel and tugged on the hiraishin marker that she laid on her desk chair in the administration building. She still had work to do.

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Tobirama looked up from the mountainous stack of paperwork on her desk, fatigued from working for twelve hours without pause and desperately craving a cup of tea, to meet the eyes of the messenger who had thrown open her office door.

“Senju-sama, someone started a fire in the market and it has already engulfed several shops!”

She was already reaching for the hiraishin marker she placed on the roof of a building in the market before he finished the sentence and appeared mere inches from the inferno. Any longer and her marker would be gone as well.

“Suiton Korogaru mizu”  

A deluge trickled over the flames, slow and careful, yet still strong enough to make the building collapse in on itself. Tobirama is glad that there were no chakra signatures inside to worry about.

She leaps to the next roof, pivots, and slams through a burning window feet first. Water hisses in a controlled torrent around her body, turning to steam and forcing her to pull the neck of her shirt up to cover her mouth lest the combination of smoke and steam force the air from her lungs.

There are two chakra signatures inside, small, and young. She heads toward them and wrenches a flaming closet door off flimsy hinges before kneeling in front of the two children.

“Hello” she says, “I’m here to help you. Please grab onto me.”

Clearly terrified, the girl shakes her head and her brother clutches her tighter, shrinking back. There’s an ominous creek overhead and Tobirama reacts, scooping both up and making a dash for the window. She manages to twist her body to guard the children from the flames and lands in the alley between buildings.

With a quick burst of speed, she finds herself in the street, dropping the children and putting out her flaming clothes with suiton.

Then she turns back to the building and forms the dog hand seal.

“Suiton Suirō no Jutsu.”

The building is engulfed in a sphere of water. Tobirama breathes deep and focuses on the water dissipating slowly, precisely, to avoid creating more damage with the debris.

Once it was over, the building was a charred husk that was liable to fall over with a breeze, but none of the debris had spilled onto the neighboring buildings or alleys. Hopefully, it would be easy enough to pull it down section by section once everything was taken care of.

Tobirama turned back to the children, who were pale and smoke-stained, but alive. “It’s alright little ones” she said, kneeling in front of them “I’m sorry that I scared you, but you’re safe now and I will get you back to your family, alright?”

The boy nodded and Tobirama smiled, reaching forward to brush sweaty curls out of his eyes.

“Shimura-san” Tobirama said, addressing the closest shinobi as she rose to her feet, “Take these children to the hospital, instruct someone else to find their family and inform them.”

“Yes Senju-sama!” the man responded, looking flustered.

Tobirama smiled at the children again, “Shimura-san will be taking care of you. Everything will be okay.”

Then she turned on her heel and dashed back toward the blaze.

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In total, five shops were destroyed.

The fire started at the center of the market district and at a busy time of day, so it was a miracle that no one died, though there were quite a few injuries.

Tobirama glowered at the Sarutobi clan member who started it. The man visibly quailed under her glare as she hissed “Sarutobi-san, if my understanding is correct, you were showing off a new fire jutsu in the middle of a crowded street during a busy time of day. Your lack of control caused a stall to catch fire and, it being the height of summer and drought season, led to half the block being engulfed. Pray tell, what were you thinking?”

“Er…Senju-sama, I was thinking that I had enough control to avoid damage.”

“I see. You presumed that you had enough control with a jutsu that you yourself admit to just learning. Putting aside that we have training grounds for a reason, your hubris is truly astounding to me.”

Without taking her eyes of the Sarutobi, Tobirama addressed the other guilty party “Uchiha-san.”

Uchiha Ren straightened “Yes ma’am?”

“Was Sarutobi-san attempting to show off his new jutsu to you?”

“Yes…Senju-sama.”

“Was there any way that you could have stopped Sarutobi-san from performing the jutsu?”

“No Senju-sama. Jirō was too fast…”

Tobirama looked away from Sarutobi, pinning the Uchiha under her gaze and waiting until he fidgeted uncomfortably before looking away.

“This incident will be reported to the council. They will decide your punishment Sarutobi-san. Be grateful that no one died due to your hubris and be mindful of this the next time you decide to show off. Now, go to Military Police headquarters and report what you’ve already told me, both of you. Dismissed!”

She turned on her heel and strode toward her brother, who was surrounded by carpenters as they assessed the damage.

“Anija. I sent the perpetrator to Military Police headquarters to give a report. How is the damage?”

“Oh Tobi! Thank you. It appears that the damage is minor compared to what could have happened, thanks to you. We must clear away the debris before I can rebuild, but current estimate is that it shouldn’t take longer than a week.”

The Senju heiress hummed. “In that case, I will be off. Don’t hesitate to send a messenger if I am needed further.”

“Certainly! Though perhaps you should take the rest of the day off. You came back from a mission early this morning and hardly got any sleep before returning to your administrative work. Have you even eaten?”

“I did” Tobirama said, counting the dwindling stash of ration bars in her bottom desk drawer even though she knew Hashirama wouldn’t. “I feel fine Anija. There are a few items that I need to get through before the end of the day. After that, I will head home.”

“Okay” Hashirama said, sounding unsure.

He didn’t stop her as she strode away and she made sure to pass by the hospital, where she could feel the tiny chakra signatures of the two children. They were in the lobby, being embraced by a sobbing woman with long black hair and a sturdy man. All exuded relief and exhaustion.

Tobirama hiraishined back to her office, stretching her arms over her head to crack her back before leaning back over her paperwork. Once she was done, she would go home. Perhaps she would be able to pick up some blueberry daifuku from the shop down the street on her way.

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A little over a year after the first building went up, the construction on Konohagakure finished and all the planned residents moved in.

In addition to the Senju, Uchiha, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Sarutobi, and Shimura, several other clans also chose to migrate to the village.

Those include the Aburame, Inuzuka, and Hatake. The Hyūga have also expressed interest but are dithering due to their long-standing disagreement with the Uchiha.

There was also an election held after the council recognized that an individual making decisions is more efficient than a group. The leader would have the most responsibility and power for more immediate decisions but would still defer to the council when it came to things like new public works projects and the structure of the village.  Everyone, including civilians, was allowed to vote for the leader. Hashirama ended up winning by a landslide.

Not surprising given his sociability and penchant for shirking work in favor of walking the village and greeting all the residents by name.

Madara, unsurprisingly, came in second. He is Hashirama’s match in both skill and reputation, after all. But his surly personality, temper, and habit of glaring people down when he talks to them did not endear him to the civilian population.

So Hashirama is the first Hokage and Tobirama ascended to Senju Clan Head to avoid conflict of interest. Though she is more of a placeholder until Hashirama and Mito have children.

Someone in the carpentry guild, casually known as Hashirama’s fan club, suggested carving his likeness into the mountainside as a tribute and enough people agreed that the stonemasons got together with the more proficient doton users and began work.

Tobirama didn’t learn about this until they had already started and idly wondered when the village had lost their collective marbles. Though the constipated look on Madara’s face whenever someone brought it up almost made up for it.

Speaking of Madara—

“Senju!” he shouted, practically kicking her door down as he entered, red to the tips of his ears with rage.

“How may I help you, Uchiha-sama?” Tobirama asked, dry as the Suna desert.

She plucked her ink bottle and brush from the desk as he slammed a scroll down, rattling everything and making a few stacks of documents spill over onto the floor.

“What the hell is this?”

Tobirama set her things back down and glanced at the scroll, noting the breakdown of the ranking system that had been approved at the last council meeting.

“That is the ranking system that was approved at the last council meeting. As discussed, I sent you the document for implementation as you oversee the Military Police.”

“I know what it is! I mean, why is it so damn hard to read? Nothing here makes any sense.”

“It is in descending order from highest rank to lowest. Each section contains a different division. The first page of each section contains a diagram of the chain of command for that division.”

“Show me” Madara commands, pulling one of the uncomfortable visitor’s chairs across the room and settling in beside her. Tobirama barely held back a grimace at the presumption and the screeching drag of the chair against the floor.

“Alright. But I’m only going to explain this once, so listen up Uchiha—”

Several minutes later, Tobirama noted Madara’s slightly unfocused gaze and repeated herself to see if he was paying attention. He wasn’t.

Annoyed, she snapped her fingers in front of his face. “If you aren’t going to pay attention then you can figure it out yourself, Uchiha. I have other matters that require my attention.”

“I am paying attention!” Madara said.

“No. You’re staring into space daydreaming like a fool. Get out of my office!”

“Not until you finish explaining this convoluted thing!”

Bankrupt of patience, Tobirama made a hand sign, summoning a controlled tidal wave of water from thin air.

Madara, unprepared, was swept into the hallway. He sat up from the puddle completely drenched and sputtering. Tobirama simply closed her door and activated the privacy seals, returning to her desk to finish drafting yet another treaty with the Hyūga.

Chapter Text

Several weeks later, Tobirama entered her office to find a glass flower waiting for her.

It was a red tulip, meticulously crafted, dyed, and left resting in a simple glass vase to keep it upright. She stared for a long moment before reaching out to pick it up.

It was smooth and perfect to the touch, the color trapped between layers of glass. Chakra, warm like a simmering pot on the stove, wafted off the flower and touched her senses. The chakra of the maker. She placed the flower back in its vase and moved it to the edge of her workspace before settling down to her paperwork.

“Tobi!” Hashirama greeted as he barged into her office around lunchtime. “Let’s go eat! I heard that there’s a new ramen place that—”

He paused and Tobirama glanced up from her paperwork to see him staring at the glass flower with a strange blankness to his expression.

“Anija?”

“Where did you get that?” He asked.

“I found it on my desk this morning. Did you not leave it? I had presumed that it was either from you or one of my students.”

Hashirama slowly shook his head, “I don’t think it’s from one of your students.”

“What makes you say—”

“Heya Tobi-chan let’s go and get some dango~” Izuna sang, sliding through the still-open door.

“Don’t call me that Uchiha” Tobi snapped and Izuna, narcissistic grin plastered across his face, opened his mouth to respond before spotting the flower.

“Since when are you being courted?” He asked.

“What?” Tobirama responded, deadpan.

Hashirama made an angry wheezing noise.

“Yeah, that’s a courting gift” Izuna said, “I guess it must be the first one. Congratulations. Looks like someone finally found fancy in your ghostly looks and biting personality.”

“My little sister is among the prettiest in Fire Country” Hashirama snapped, “also I refuse to accept a courtship for her. I forbid it as Hokage. No one is good enough for her.”

Ignoring Hashirama, Tobirama looked at the flower with new eyes and felt…flattered. She had never received a courting gift before.

“What in Amaterasu’s name is going on here!?” Madara shouted, cutting off Hashirama’s impassioned lecture over Tobirama’s many good qualities. “Why are you being so loud that I can hear you across the hall. I have work to do you overgrown sapling!”

“Madara!” Hashirama whined, abandoning Izuna to bull rush his best friend and start crying dramatically into his shoulder.

Madara flailed and shoved a foot between them, holding the Hokage at a distance.

“Get off me you weedy bastard. What in all hell—”

“He’s upset because Tobi-chan got a courting gift” Izuna interrupted.

“Don’t call me that, Uchiha” Tobirama growled.

“That’s why you’re carrying on and disrupting my work?” Madara screamed, dropping his foot and grabbing Hashirama’s arm to throw him over his shoulder and into the hallway.

There was a hard thump and a whiny “owwww, but Madara—”

The Uchiha Clan Head swept out into the hall to keep yelling at Hashirama, leaving Izuna and Tobirama alone.

“So, do you want to go get dango or what?” Izuna asked.

Tobirama sighed deeply and agreed.

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The next day, Tobirama entered her office to find a piece of blueberry mochi cake. The box was stamped with the logo for her favorite bakery, and she eagerly dug in. Not too sweet, just how she likes it.

“You seem to be in a good mood today Tobirama-sama” Hikaku commented after his daily infrastructure report concluded.

“Do I?”

“Indeed. Did something good happen?”

A smile touched the corners of her lips, “I suppose you could say so. I slept well last night and had a breakthrough with some of my research so the day is starting on that good note.”

“I’m happy to hear so Tobirama-sama. You also have a training session scheduled with Kagami and the others this afternoon, don’t you?”

“Yes. I’m planning to start their water walking lessons.”

“I look forward to hearing about it from Kagami later” Hikaku said with a grin.

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The gifts continued. More sweets. A box of tea from the capital. Bouquets of live flowers.

After two weeks, a glass gardenia appeared on her desk with the same hearth warm chakra peppering it like fine seasoning. She took it home and placed it beside the tulip on one of her bookshelves.

One day she left to attend a meeting and returned to find a bento box. It was wrapped in a beautiful furoshiki with embroidered koi of every color swimming upstream. There was tamagoyaki omelet alongside cabbage salad, rice, and smoked fish. The food tasted as amazing as it looked and Tobirama felt absolutely giddy all day.

People begin commenting on her good mood. Her students say that she seems to have more energy. Touka and Mito note that she is smiling a lot more. Hashirama still sulks when he thinks about someone courting Tobirama, but he has begrudgingly admitted that it can’t be all bad if it makes her happy.

Then, suddenly, the courting gifts stop.

The first day, Tobirama is disappointed, but understands. Perhaps they are on a mission. She continues to think so the day after, and the day after that, and the day after that. By the end of the second week, she accepts that there will be no more courting gifts and feels inexplicably sad.

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“What in Amaterasu’s name is that?” Izuna asks as they step into Tobirama’s office.

The sun is just rising and it’s normal for Tobirama to be here so early. Izuna only accompanied her because they have to hash out a few minor security details for the Hyūga delegation’s visit later in the day. He had complained endlessly about having to wake up early throughout their trek from the Uchiha compound to the administrative building.

Tobirama sighs and approaches the pile of courting gifts laid out over her desk.

“Someone spread a rumor that I’m courting. Things like these have been showing up for the last two weeks.”

She grimaces as she picks up a packet of Sakura mochi, much too sweet for her tastes. Alongside it are three bouquets of roses and a small box of overly sweet confections. Tobirama dumps the flowers into the trash, stacking the vases behind her desk as she sits down and starts organizing her paperwork.

“Would you like the mochi or confections? I don’t plan on eating them.”

Izuna whistled, “That was cold as ice.”

He takes one of the visitor’s seats as Tobirama scoffs. “I have no interest in such superficial gifts.”

“What happened to the suitor that gave you the glass flower?”

“I don’t know. I assume that they lost interest.”

Izuna hummed thoughtfully but allowed Tobirama to bring discussion back to the security details.

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Tobirama donned a kimono for the meeting with the Hyūga delegation and stood alongside the other Clan Heads while Hashirama greeted the Hyūga Clan Head, Hyūga Yuto-san.

He was a sturdy man with a solid build and normal chakra levels, all to be expected from a Hyūga. Their fighting style tends toward close combat because of their dōjutsu and they put more emphasis on chakra control than reserves.

After the official greeting, they all sat down at the negotiations table.

“After reviewing the latest agreement, we find no fault in it. Under these terms the Hyūga wish to officially join Konohagakure.”

Hashirama beams and stands to shake Hyūga Yuto’s hand, “We welcome you.”

After the agreement is signed by both sides Tobirama steps forward.

“There is an unclaimed plot of land on the eastern side of the village that would be ideal for your new clan compound. It is easily defensible and far from the village walls. We have carpenters and stonemasons to assist with the construction but ask that a few representatives oversee the construction to ensure that the buildings are tailored to your needs and preferences. Do you have any concerns regarding the location?”

“Would it be possible for us to see the location in person before agreeing?” Hyūga Yuto asked.

“Yes, that is possible. Would you like to see it now or would you prefer a later time?”

“Would tomorrow be suitable?”

“That will be suitable. I shall meet you in front of your accommodations tomorrow morning to escort you to the site.”

The meeting ended soon after. Not much progress could be made before the Hyūga visited their new compound and approved the site so that construction could begin.

Tobirama returned to the administrative building to retrieve some paperwork from her desk. While rifling through the stack on her desk the door opened to admit a startled-looking Yamanaka Isamu.

The boy is an administrative clerk who works in the records department, a few years younger than Tobirama herself and a cousin of the main branch. He was also holding a small candy bag decorated with pink lace.

“Ah…Senju-sama. I was just…” he trailed off, cheeks turning crimson.

“Have you been leaving me gifts?” Tobirama asks.

He nods awkwardly, hesitating at the door before making the decision to step inside and close it behind him. He approaches and holds out the bag to her with a formal bow. “Would you be willing to accept this? I—as a sign of courting.”

“Another already carries my favor. I appreciate the thought, but I cannot accept.”

Isamu remains bowed for a few more moments before straightening, his smile rueful. “I suspected so, Senju-sama. If I may speak frankly your beauty is so striking that I found it difficult to believe you were unattached. But I had to try. Thank you for answering honestly.”

Then he leaves.

Tobirama collects her papers and goes home, moving the glass tulip to her kotatsu.

The last rays of sunlight peek through her open window and hit the flower. Beams of light in red, green, and yellow reflect off the piece and onto her floors, walls, and ceiling. She rests her chin on her palm and gazes at the colors until the sun sets and plunges her home into darkness.

Then she begins working on her paperwork.

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Tobirama foregoes armor when she meets the Hyūga the next morning. She decides to wear her blacks. It’s casual enough while being easy to move in. Izuna accompanies her in his usual black pants and funnel collared Uchiha shirt.

She doesn’t miss the disgruntled looks on the faces of a few of the Hyūga when they observe their dress. Judging by Izuna’s simmering irritation, he noticed as well.

“Please follow me Hyūga-san.”

“Excuse me Senju, would it not be more proper to address Yuto-sama with the correct honorific?” one of the Hyūga entourage asks.

“We are both Clan Heads and therefore equals in Konohagakure, so the address is correct” Tobirama responded.

“If anything, Hyūga-sama, your address of Senju-sama is incorrect” Izuna says, “both due to her status as a Clan Head and her status as one of the founders of this village.”

Tobirama resisted the urge to sign, having expected the tension between Izuna and the Hyūga but hoping that it could have at least waited until they got to the building site. Tensions between the Hyūga and Uchiha aren’t as legendary as those between the Uchiha and Senju, but they are still significant.

“Senju-san, may I ask how you can be Clan Head if your brother is still able?” Hyūga Yuto asks.

“It was determined that my brother would step down as Clan Head if he was to take up the mantle of Hokage. It would be a conflict of interest otherwise.”

“Indeed. I see wisdom in this. Will it be your heirs that become Clan Head after you then?”

“No. The children of my brother and Mito-hime will be heirs to the Senju clan. As for the mantle of Hokage, that was decided based on a vote by the collective and will be decided again after my brother retires.”

“What an interesting way to choose a leader. I would never have conceived of it” another Hyūga said.

“It is a new world in Konohagakure, Hyūga-sama” Izuna responded, “I personally prefer it.”

Hyūga Yuto’s eyebrow raises in interest, “Truly? What is your favorite aspect of the village?”

Izuna smiles and proceeds to regale them with tales of everything from the food to the company. While he’s engaging the Hyūga, a member of their party manages to approach Tobirama. He’s older, most likely an elder, and begins the conversation with “Senju-sama. I have never heard of a woman being head of your clan before. Congratulations are in order for that achievement.”

“Thank you, Hyūga-san. It is my understanding that you currently have an heiress, is that correct?”

“No. We have an heir. Unfortunately, Ayame-sama does not possess the disposition to be Clan Head. Her brother Hiroki- sama is more suited.”

“That is unfortunate. In addition to the Senju, the Inuzuka and Hatake currently have female Clan Heads. The Uchiha also have a history of female Clan Heads. Our academy accepts both genders. Any who wishes to be a shinobi may attend. It is by no means mandatory, but the choice is there. I will say that I enjoy seeing more women becoming kunoichi and hope to see more in the future. Do you think that Ayame-san would still wish to become a kunoichi?”

“She has expressed interest in it” the Hyūga said, much quieter after having his attempted misogyny derailed.

“Perhaps she can speak to one of my students, Utatane Koharu. She is currently attending the academy and may be willing to give an objective appraisal of the coursework.”

“Ah…perhaps. I don’t think that I’ve heard of the Utatane clan though. Do you know where they hail from?”

“The Utatane’s are a civilian family, but Koharu has chosen to become a kunoichi and currently studies both through the academy and under my tutelage.”

“Apprentice to a renowned figure such as yourself. One would almost consider that an unfair advantage.”

“No more unfair than being born to one of the most powerful clans in Fire. If anything, she is working to compete with the advantages of her peers. She is admirable to keep up with both an Uchiha and an Akimichi in that regard.”

The elder laughed, though it sounded strained. “Too true, Senju-sama. Now, if you will excuse me. I believe I just heard Uchiha-san discussing the best place to purchase dango and must admit that is relevant to my interests.”

Tobirama smiled, sharp and cold, “Izuna-san is quite knowledgeable about these things. Nice to speak to you Hyūga-san.”

The elder slunk back to the group and Tobirama took a careful breath, knowing that she would have a headache by the time this was done.

Chapter Text

“Sanctimonious assholes!” Izuna snarled when they returned to Tobirama’s office.

She all but collapsed into her desk chair, rubbing her temples in a vain attempt to alleviate the headache that she knew she would get from having to deal with the Hyūga for so many hours.

Izuna collapsed into the visitor’s seat, one leg hanging over the armrest and his arm thrown over his eyes.

“Why are you in my office Izuna?” Tobirama asked.

“Because I need to cleanse my palate after all that bullshit. Did you hear that one elder say “this will do” in the snottiest tone when we finally got to the building site? Do they not understand that is a good piece of land that we are just giving to them? The nerve.”

The Senju Clan Head waved her hand dismissively, “Yes, yes. But the Hyūga are well known for that kind of attitude. We knew what we were signing up for, especially after all the negotiations.”

Izuna groaned, “I had to stay late for three weeks going back and forth with the metal smiths to see how much could be traded for silk. Three weeks. Stupid Hyūga and their stupid silkworms.”

“If we can increase trade with the capital by producing silk, it is a win for us” Tobirama says.

“Aniki and Tree-san had better appreciate all this” Izuna growls, “they aren’t the ones that have to deal with them.”

Tobirama hummed in idle agreement because dealing with the Hyūga in person was far worse than written negotiations between them had been.

“Do you think we can get them to buy us dinner tonight as thanks? Maybe the fancy place that just opened in the market.”

“I have work to catch up on and don’t have time for—”

“I heard that they have amazing shioyakizakana. Mackerel, sea bream, saury, salmon…”

Tobirama hesitated, “…I may be able to make a little time for such a trip.”

“Awesome” Izuna grinned, “I’m going to go get Madara. You go find Tree-san. Tell him that they’re paying.”

Tobirama couldn’t resist her smile as she stood. Izuna was already halfway to the door, throwing it open and screaming Madara’s name at the top of his lungs.

There was a loud crash and Madara shrieking “Izuna!” in the shrill way he did when surprised or embarrassed.

Tobirama laughed as she passed Madara’s office, seeing the Uchiha Clan Head sprawled out on the floor surrounded by books and scrolls, rubbing the fresh bruise on the crown of his head. She was treated to his startled look a moment before she continued down the hall toward her brother’s office.

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The next morning Tobirama arrived to find the usual pile of gifts on her desk.

She scowled and reached out with the intention of sweeping them to the side with her forearm only to pause. Among the usual trinkets was a box. It was wood. Undecorated, but smooth and lacquered.

Curious, Tobirama lifts the lid.

Resting in a bed of red velvet is a double-sided dagger. The blade is black, with a grip made of bone, and a dragon meticulously carved up the guard and spiraling across the grip. It’s a water dragon, clearly patterned after one of her most distinctive jutsu.

She curls her hand around the grip and marvels at the perfect fit. It’s perfectly balanced and has perfect weight. It’s also covered with the hearth warm chakra that she’s missed in the weeks since her original suitor stopped leaving her gifts.

Tobirama grins, feeling giddy as she practices a few test swings, pushing a little chakra into the blade and startling when the metal vibrated under her fingers, humming like a purring cat.

In addition to the perfect balance and weight, the blade is a chakra blade. So rare that Tobirama has only seen one other in her life and never held one.

She pushes more chakra into the blade and feels it accept, grin widening as she imagines the possibilities and eager to go to her lab and experiment. But alas, work calls. She sweeps the rest of the courting gifts into the trash and places the beautiful dagger on her desk, seriously considering leaving early so that she can get to know her newest weapon.

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Her new weapon sees battle for the first time a week after she receives it.

Luckily, the leather maker had finished the sheath she commissioned, and she steps out of Konoha with her team and her dagger strapped to her thigh.

While enroute to meet with the client, Uchiha Masahiko makes a strangled noise.

“What was that Masahiko-chan? You bite your tongue?” Inuzuka Anzu asks.

“Please don’t call me that” Masahiko begs, voice still thin and distressed.

“If you aren’t feeling well tell me now. There’s still time to return to the village for a substitution” Tobirama says.

“Ah, n-no Senju-sama. I just…that dagger”

“What of it?”

“No, I just…are you perhaps courting?”

“Putting your hat in the ring Masahiko?” Anzu teases.

“I—of course not! Not that you aren’t highly desirable Senju-sama, I just—I, your suitor would kill me!”

Anzu cackled, as much of a shit-stirring harpy as Touka. “Highly desirable huh? So, you would offer a proposal if given the chance then?”

Masahiko sputtered.

Nara Kenshin only sighs in exasperation. Probably thinking them all troublesome.

“I suppose that you know who Senju-sama’s suitor is then? Care to tell us how?” Anzu asked.

“I don’t—not who it is, no. But for the Uchiha a dagger is a common courting gift. We all have some measure of skill with glasswork and metalwork. It’s how we train children to control their fire. Gifts are generally made by the suitor and gifted to their intended. Not always—sometimes things are purchased, but that is seen as…lazy.”

Anzu hummed thoughtfully, “I know the Hatake give daggers as a declaration of intent. Is it the same for the Uchiha?”

“Not usually. Weapons are generally gifted later in the courting process and, ah, wearing or carrying them is seen as…acceptance.”

The conversation petered off after that, but Tobirama had heard enough. Apparently, her suitor is an Uchiha. That certainly narrows the options down.

Even better, they are attacked shortly after picking up their client. He is a noble traveling with his wife and young babe to the capital. The man is the son of a high-ranking member of the Daimyo’s inner circle, set to succeed his father when the man passes. A high priority client.

That’s why the Hokage’s sister was sent. Normally, Izuna would have been sent along with her, but he was already dispatched on another mission when the order came down for this one.

The twenty mercenary-nin that try to get the drop on them attack in a mountain pass. Exactly the kind of place one would expect an ambush.

Kenshin stays beside the carriage containing the family, using his Kageshibari no Jutsu to stop the attackers long enough for Anzu and her nin-dog, Kōki, to tear into them.

Masahiko breathes a great fireball at the idiots crowding in front while Tobirama does the same with a water dragon toward the rear.

Then she scatters her marked kunai and draws her dagger. The first man goes down with a clean cut to the throat, head neatly severed. The second gets a dagger to the chest and it punches a hole straight through him. The third has his neck broken after she catches his head between her thighs and twists her hips at the right angle to end his life.

Before long, they stand in the wake of the battle with only minor cuts and bruises.

Tobirama doesn’t bother wasting chakra on such minor injuries, choosing instead to direct the coachman and armed retainers to move.

Ghost white, they comply.

Tobirama idly wipes the blood from her dagger on one of the corpses before sheathing it, stroking her fingers lovingly over the dragon’s head before letting go and continuing her mission.

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Tobirama supposes that Anzu, Kenshin, and Masahiko spread the word when they returned to the village because the paltry courting gifts stopped appearing on her desk.

In their place, bouquets of fire lilies and savory treats. Another bento with a dragon furoshiki. A tama-kanzashi with a metal stick and a bright red glass ball on the end.

Tobirama idly ran her fingers through her hair. She hadn’t gotten it cut in months and it had grown past her shoulders. She has been considering cutting it, but now…

The Senju Clan Head gathered her hair at the back of her skull and slid the kanzashi in place. A perfect fit.

Hashirama was visibly dismayed when she showed up at the next council meeting wearing it.

Then came Mito’s birthday.

As a princess of Uzushio, marrying Hashirama took Mito away from the court life that she’d grown up in. She never regretted it, of course, but she did confide to Tobirama that she liked to throw huge birthday parties for herself because she enjoyed entertaining.

Hashirama indulges his wife and the Hokage residence becomes overrun with what feels like half of Konoha once a year.

This year, Touka helped Tobirama get ready. The Senju Clan Head would normally wear a kimono with no hair ornaments, makeup, or jewelry. The bare minimum of what can be considered acceptable.

Instead, she donned her freshly purchased kimono, colored black and decorated with churning ocean waves and cranes. Her cousin grinned like a satisfied predator when she saw it.

Tobirama pulled her hair back with the gifted kanzashi, tucking a comb decorated with silk fire lilies into the hair on the right side of her head.

Touka painted Tobirama’s lips crimson and dusted her cheeks with blush, insisting that would be all she needed.

“Your suitor is going to fall over dead” her cousin said as she stepped back to see the result.

The Senju Clan Head looked herself over in the mirror and hummed in agreement. “Are you hoping to catch someone’s eye as well, cousin?” Tobirama asked, eyeing Touka’s yellow peony kimono and golden kanzashi.

“Perhaps, though I think you should be focusing on your own suit tonight little cousin.”

She handed Tobirama the fan that Hashirama had gifted her when she came of age, powdery blue silk between metal spines and decorated with plum blossoms. Touka also grabbed her own, patterned with peafowl feathers against a dark green backdrop.

They shared a smile as they left the Senju Clan Head’s residence.

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“How lovely to see you Tobirama and may I say that you look beautiful today” Mito greeted.

“Thank you, Mito. You look outstanding yourself” Tobirama said.

As expected of an Uzumaki hime, Mito was dressed in a golden kimono embroidered with a rendering of Uzushio in its glory. Complete with rolling waves and the Uzumaki spiral in the center of her back.

Tobirama pulled back her sleeve and unsealed Mito’s present from her tattoos, handing the carefully wrapped gift to her nee-san. It was gratefully accepted and left at the gift table as Mito escorted her inside, gracious enough to leave her with Hashirama before going to greet more guests.

“Tobi! You look so beautiful! Just like Mother!” Her brother shouted, trying to hug her.

Tobirama neatly sidestepped and caught to collar of his haori to keep him from crashing into the refreshment table. “Anija, please practice restraint.”

Hashirama whined and complained, but perked up and waved when he caught sight of Madara and Izuna entering.

“Madara! Izuna! How are you?”

“The same as I was when you asked me that earlier Hashirama” Madara groused, hands tucked into the trailing sleeves of his kimono.

“Good evening, Tree-san. Congratulations to your wife.” Izuna said. He looked and sounded bored, but both his eyebrows rose when he looked past Hashirama to see Tobirama.

“Uh…may I ask who you might be? A cousin of Hokage-sama’s perhaps?”

“Very amusing, Izuna” Tobirama deadpanned.

“Wait…Tobi-chan!?”

“Stop calling me that” Tobirama hissed, resisting the urge to smack him over the head with her fan.

“Wow I didn’t even recognize you. I mean, it looks nice, but I don’t think I’ve seen you in a kimono since negotiations with the Hyūga. I know I’ve never seen you in makeup.”

She snapped her fan open halfway, twisting it in a half circle, then snapping it closed. Both to vent the sudden self-consciousness that Izuna’s words prompted as well as her frustration with him.

Hashirama wheezed, covering his inappropriate laugh with his hand. “Tobi!”

She grinned and fanned herself lightly as a non-apology.

Both Uchiha looked confused, but Touka appeared over Tobirama’s shoulder before either of them could ask, fanning herself.

“Greetings Uchiha-sama, Uchiha-san” Touka purred, kohl-lined eyes flitting between both before landing on Izuna.

The Uchiha heir visibly stiffened, glancing Touka up and down before returning her grin. “Senju-san, how nice to run into you here. May I say that you look ravishing tonight.”

“You may” Touka demurred, “you don’t look bad yourself, I say, care to come with me to get a drink?”

“With delight” Izuna responded, offering her his arm. Touka, shockingly, took it and they disappeared into the crowd.

“Wait…” Hashirama said, breaking the stunned silence, “when did they…?”

Madara sighed, bone deep and weary. “He’s been acting strange for months. I should have known that it was that harpy. She’s precisely his type.”

Tobirama didn’t say anything, but she did wonder why her rival had such strange tastes. Before she could contemplate it too deeply, there was a soft tap on her shoulder, and she turned to face a Hatake that she’d never met before.

He was objectively handsome, with the same silver tresses distinctive of his clan, a defined jaw, and a roguish grin that emphasized his fangs.

“Senju-sama” he purred, “I have never had the pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Hatake Kenta.” He took her hand and brushed a kiss across it, “It may be presumptuous, but may I get you a drink?”

“Yes, that is quite presumptuous” Tobirama responded, taking her hand back, “I’m afraid that I am not available for a drink, thank you for the offer and I hope that you enjoy the remainder of my nee-san’s celebration.”

Tobirama turned back to Hashirama and Madara, not bothering to watch the rejected Hatake storm off in a huff. Both men were red faced, eyes following Kenta as he disappeared back into the crowd. It made sense for Hashirama to be upset, overprotective brother that he is, but why would Madara…?

“Anija, calm yourself” Tobirama said.

“But—”

“I am the Senju Clan Head and your sister. It makes sense that men would approach me. A marriage would be very advantageous for them.”

“What scum” Madara growled, “and those are not good reasons to initiate courting. The nerve!”

Tobirama raised a brow, “Were it not for the peace and Hashirama’s preferences, I would have been promised in an arrangement long ago, Madara.”

The Uchiha Clan Head snarled, though she could barely hear it over Hashirama’s cry of “No one is good enough for my sister! No one will marry her if I have a say in it!”

“I will never understand arranged marriages” Madara said, “the Uchiha do not force our clan members into such horrible arrangements. Love and affection are sacred. We do not take them lightly.”

Tobirama hummed thoughtfully, “I heard that the Uchiha give glass and metal that they forged with their own hands as courting gifts. Is this true?”

“Yes” Madara said, “it reflects the suitor’s dedication. What they forge tends to be tailored to the tastes of the recipient.”

Odd that Tobirama would receive glass flowers. She’s never been particularly fond of flowers. Perhaps her suitor didn’t know what else to forge.

“That is a unique custom” Hashirama comments, “the Senju have traditionally relied on arranged marriages, though that has fallen out of practice in recent generations. Now courting generally includes going on outings, getting to know one another. When the suitor is ready to propose, they present their intended with a ring.”

Pulling back his collar, The God of Shinobi proudly shows off his wedding ring on a chain around his neck. “Mito and I were arranged, but I still courted her. I wish that I could wear this on my finger for all to see, but then I run the risk of breaking it if I get called to action.”

“Wait…the Senju do not give their intended gifts?” Madara asked.

“Not necessarily” Hashirama responded, “it is done, though not commonly.”

Someone touched Tobirama’s elbow, and she turned to see Kagami grinning up at her.

“Sensei! You look so pretty!”

She smiled, “Thank you, Kagami. You look quite handsome yourself.”

“That’s what mom said! She said it about Saru and Homura too.”

Both boys were standing behind Kagami, red faced, and Tobirama chuckled. She reached around Kagami to ruffle their hair, “She’s correct. You are all quite handsome. Have you seen Torifu, Koharu, and Danzo?”

“Torifu is sick and couldn’t come. Danzo is coming with Koharu.” Kagami gestured for Tobirama to lean down and, when she did, whispered “I think Danzo has a crush on Koharu. Kind of like the one that Saru has on you Sen—”

“Kagami!” Hiruzen shouted, grabbing the other boy by the front of his kimono and shaking him with savage embarrassment.

“Be mindful of your behavior here, boys” Tobirama warned, though she had to hold her fan in front of her face to hide her amused grin.

The gods have truly blessed her with both the peace and such energetic students.

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After saying goodbye to her students, Tobirama set about greeting every Uchiha in the building. Many, like Hikaku and Kikyou, she already knew. Others, like Uchiha Haruto and Uchiha Sota, she’d never made the acquaintance of. They’d looked visibly uncomfortable speaking to her even with Masahiko as a buffer.

Tobirama knew that peace couldn’t soften all past grievances, but it had been a long time since she had to face them so openly. She supposed that it was to be expected after how many she had killed during the war. She wasn’t nicknamed the White Demon for nothing.

Which begged the question of why her suitor would choose her? Of all the prospects in Konohagakure, why Tobirama?

She is a renowned taskmaster, often regarded as cold and unfeeling, mistaken as a man for most of her life…really, why? Especially considering that her pigment makes her exotic at best and freakish at worst.

Yet her suitor had not only chosen to court her but also gone so far as to discover her favorite foods and leave savory sweets that she actually enjoyed eating. There is truly no comparison between her suitor and the others who left her superficial gifts.

Given what Madara said about the Uchiha taking courting very seriously, it makes sense for her suitor to be an Uchiha. They put genuine effort into their courting and successfully captured her interest.

Now, if only she could find them and formally accept their suit. Even after greeting most of the Uchiha, none of their chakra was the warm hearth chakra that peppered her gifts. None of them were her suitor.

Tobirama sighed and slipped out a side door and into the cool early spring air, idly fanning herself as she searched for the bench that her brother had grown so that Mito could sit and enjoy the fish in the koi pond.

When she found it, she was surprised to see Madara already sitting there.

“Uchiha-san” Tobirama greeted.

“Ah, Senju-san” Madara said, sounding startled.

Curious, Tobirama took a seat on the opposite side of the bench, studying Madara out of the corner of her eye and wondering if, perhaps…

She unsealed the dagger from her tattoos and said “I received this as a courting gift. One of your clan members expressed surprise when he saw it on a mission and stated that it is a sign of Uchiha courtship. Is that the truth?”

Madara stared at the dagger, wide eyed, before nodding and clearing his throat. “Yes. A weapon is typically the last courting gift. If the intended accepts and carries the weapon to battle, then…they are accepting the suit.”

“I was unaware” Tobirama said, channeling chakra into the blade and listening to it hum over the chirping of evening insects.

“To be honest, I would very much like to know who gave me this gift. I would like to meet them and perhaps court them in the Senju style. Then, after some time, I can see myself accepting their suit.”

“Truly!?” Madara exclaimed, sounding shocked.

“Truly” Tobirama confirmed, “this person has obviously tried very hard to win my favor and I must say that they have succeeded. I find myself…intrigued and perhaps a bit taken.”

Now Madara looked even more shocked. Like Hashirama had hit him over the head with one of his mokuton limbs during a spar.

Taking advantage of his distraction, Tobirama reached out to touch his hand. There it was, the hearth warm chakra, burning hot but still gentle enough not to singe.

Tobirama resealed her dagger and moved closer, smiling, and curling her fingers around Madara’s.

“Ah, I see” she said over his red-faced sputtering, “so it was you. In that case, Madara, would you like to join me for a drink?”

He nodded and Tobirama stood, not letting go of his hand.

Before he could follow she leaned down and brushed a kiss to his cheek.

“Thank you for the gifts, Madara. I enjoyed them all and look forward to spending more time together.”

Happiness bubbled in her chest and through her veins. She laughed and tugged Madara back toward the celebration, never having imagined that she could enjoy such a thing in her life.

But something tells her that having Madara with her might make it more enjoyable.