Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The sun hung low in the sky as Izuna walked through the familiar streets of the Uchiha compound. Winter in the Land of Fire may not be as cold as the Land of Iron, but the air was chilly anyways. Instead of putting on some extra layers, Izuna kept himself warm using his chakra. He considered buying a snack from a nearby food stall, the thought of warm dango skewers tempting him, when he suddenly felt a familiar presence.

He spun around, kunai held in his hand pointed at Tobirama's neck. Tobirama stared at the kunai without flinching. “Hello, Izuna”

The Senju looked up from the kunai, his gaze not quite reaching Izuna's eyes. His head tilted to the side, “did I scare you?”

Izuna scoffed at him, “Of course not. Why are you being a creep anyways?” He narrowed his eyes, slipping the kunai back into his pocket.

A beat of silence passed between them. Tobirama’s lips quirked up ever so slightly. “Do you want to spar?”

Izuna felt a thrill of excitement at the suggestion. Fighting against Tobirama was always exhilarating. Izuna knew that, other than their older brothers, Tobirama was the only other shinobi strong enough to kill him; likewise, he was the only one who could take down Tobirama. Even during the clan wars, when their encounters were a matter of life and death, Izuna couldn’t deny the rush of excitement he felt every time they clashed on the battlefield. No one could match him like Tobirama did.

Izuna smirked. “Sure.”

“Meet me at training ground 20 in an hour,” Tobirama said, his voice serious as always. And with that, he vanished, leaving Izuna standing there.

Rolling his eyes, Izuna tried to hide his growing excitement. He paid for the dango skewer and thanked the vendor. Today was his day off, and he had been enjoying the peace and quiet, wandering through the village until Tobirama had so rudely interrupted. But now, thoughts of his former enemy turned rival occupied his mind.

As much as he hated to admit it, Izuna had missed these encounters. Since peace had been established between their clans, the opportunities to fight with Tobirama had become rarer, and he found himself craving the thrill of their battles more often than he liked to acknowledge. Tobirama was always busy, in his office writing on a scroll or buried in some book. The Senju a needed someone to put him in his place more often, and Izuna was the only one who could do it.

Without the threat of war, he didn’t need to worry about what would be of his clan if he were to lose to Tobirama. Of the lives he would inevitably take. Now they could spar to their heart’s content with nothing to lose other than pride.

When peace was first established, trusting Tobirama was hard, and his general distrust for the Senju didn’t help. They had fought too many times before, Izuna knew more than anyone how ruthless he could be. In his mind there was no way someone like him would accept peace. Tobirama thought the same of him.

Times have changed, he thought. He had gotten to know many things about his enemy that he would’ve never seen during battle. The slight furrow of his brows when he got frustrated with a scroll, the way his eyes widened just a little bit when he got really into a book, the way he fidgeted with a kunai when he was deep in thought. It was almost endearing

When the hour passed, he made his way to the training ground near the Senju compound. As expected, Tobirama was already there. 

“Hello,” Tobirama greeted without preamble. “I wanted to try out a new suiton technique I’ve been working on.”

Izuna raised an eyebrow. “So I’m just your guinea pig, then?”

“Yes.” Tobirama replied immediately, without a hint of irony.

Izuna rolled his eyes. “You’re unbelievable.”

They moved into position, each taking a deep breath as they prepared for the fight. Izuna’s heart pounded with anticipation as they made the sparring sign with their hands.

Izuna dodged the first strike aimed at his face, his sharingan spinning to life as he anticipated Tobirama’s next move. He couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face, the familiar thrill of battle washing over him. Tobirama’s movements were fast, but Izuna matched him blow for blow. This was what he had missed. The exhilarating rush of fighting someone who could keep up with him and didn’t hold back.

Tobirama aimed a low kick at Izuna’s legs, trying to throw him off balance, but Izuna jumped back just in time, his smirk widening. Tobirama’s eyes narrowed, trying to close the distance between them. His speed and aggression forced Izuna to stay on his toes. Izuna blocked the next punch, but the strength pushed him backwards. He recovered quickly, eyes glowing bright red, he managed to block the next strike and land a solid kick to Tobirama’s side, making the Senju grunt as he tanked the impact.

“Getting slow, Tobirama?” Izuna taunted.

Tobirama’s response was a fierce glare, followed by a torrent of attacks that had Izuna backpedaling. Izuna could tell that Tobirama was holding back his new technique, waiting for the perfect moment to catch him off guard. He watched Tobirama’s hands carefully, waiting for any unfamiliar hand signs.

Izuna let out a huge fireball, which Tobirama counterd with his usual suiton. Finally, Tobirama took advantage of the distance between them that their techniques had created to finally let out the new one. Izuna watched the unfamiliar hand signs with his sharingan. His eyes widened as he watched the biggest wave of water created with suiton he had ever seen. Where did he get all that water? Was there a river nearby? Did he take the water out of the damn moisture in the air?

His mind raced as the wave approached. Dodging such a massive wave at this distance would be impossible, and while it wouldn’t hurt too much, it would certainly be disorienting. He had to think fast if he wanted any chance of winning.

Izuna ran towards Tobirama, hoping that by closing the distance, he could avoid the worst of the wave’s impact. But as soon as he tackled Tobirama, the wave crashed into both of them, sending them tumbling to the ground. They landed in a muddy heap, the cold water soaking through their clothes as they lay side by side, staring up at the darkening sky.

For a moment, they were silent, both of them catching their breath and reflecting on the absurdity of the situation. Tobirama was the first to sit up, his usual calm demeanor undisturbed by the chaos he had just created.

“Did you like the new jutsu?” he asked, his tone completely monotone, as if they hadn’t just been swept away by a massive wave.

Izuna scowled, glaring at Tobirama. “It sucked ass.”

Izuna was annoyed, covered in mud and now felt cold as fuck. Even using his chakra to heat himself up wouldn’t be enough to stop the shivers. He thought about the mess he’d have to clean up once he got home. Mud was going to get everywhere, and he was going to have to take a long shower to get all the dirt off his hair. He was about to launch into a tirade of insults, but then he looked at Tobirama and froze.

Tobirama was smiling. Not the usual cocky smirk he wore when he was pleased with himself, but a soft, genuine smile that made Izuna’s breath catch in his throat. Sharingan flared into life unintentionally.

Tobirama laughed, a low, quiet sound that sent an inexplicable shiver down Izuna’s spine. It was such a rare sight; Tobirama, one of the most stoic shinobi he knew, giggling at him. He sounded cute. The thought startled Izuna, and he felt his cheeks flush. What the hell am I thinking? Tobirama was not cute.

Tobirama raised an eyebrow, amusement in his eyes. "Really? I thought it was quite effective."

Izuna’s sharingan flickered over Tobirama’s face, down to the way his wet shirt clung to his chest, the way his soaked bangs framed his face. He noticed how a droplet of water slid from Tobirama’s cheek down to his neck, he imagined tracing its path with his finger. Izuna’s heart raced as he realized where his thoughts had strayed. He needed to get out of there before he said something stupid.

"You’re an idiot, Tobirama," Izuna snapped, face flushed, his voice harsher than he intended. He pushed himself to his feet, mud squelching under him as he turned and stalked off toward his home, still shivering. The image of Tobirama, soaked and smiling, was burned into his mind, no matter how hard he tried to shake it. He turned off his sharingan.

---

Tobirama sat in the mud, watching as Izuna stalked off toward his home, leaving footprints on the wet ground. A rare smile played on Tobirama's lips. He found himself doing that more often when he hung out with Izuna, now that the war was over. He wouldn’t let it show in front of Izuna, but he really enjoyed their time together. His presence made him feel lighter. The memory of the wave crashing over them and the look of shock and irritation on Izuna’s face made his smile grow. He had looked kind of adorable. The word felt strange in his mind, especially when paired with Izuna Uchiha. But the absence of hatred in Izuna’s glare at him had softened him, made his annoyance more endearing than anything else.

Tobirama shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thoughts. Perhaps the cold and exhaustion were affecting his mind. The technique he had used had been powerful, draining even for him. He needed to return home and rest. He figured the technique would be more useful against multiple opponents rather than just one, anyway.

As he began his walk back to the Senju compound, his thoughts drifted back to the way Izuna’s eyes had roamed over his body after the fight. The sharingan’s gaze was so intense, so precise, that he could almost feel it burning into his skin. Those powerful eyes focusing all on him, tracing over his every movement, sent a shiver down his spine.

He pushed the thoughts away again, what was wrong with him? He and Izuna were rivals, nothing more. Even if the war was over, even if there was peace now, their relationship could never be anything other than the endless cycle of competition and rivalry it had always been. Izuna would never see him in that light. Tobirama was the White Demon of the Senju, a weapon of war. Izuna deserved someone who could offer him more than just battle and bloodshed.

Tobirama clenched his fists. He should focus on the jutsu, on improving himself, just as he always had. He walked into the Senju compound, Hashirama greeted him with a cheerful smile as he entered his house.

“Welcome back, Tobirama! How was your day?” Hashirama asked, slicing vegetables for dinner, “and why are you covered in mud?”

Memories from his spar with Izuna flashed through his mind again unwillingly, he smiled unconsciously. “It was fine, Anija.” Tobirama replied, attempting to maintain his usual stoic demeanor. But the tiny smile and the faint blush that accompanied it betrayed him, much to his annoyance.

“Fine, huh?” Hashirama’s voice was teasing, but his smile was soft. “You look like you enjoyed yourself. I’m glad, Tobirama. Peacetime suits you.”

Tobirama remained silent, trying to ignore his brother. He turned and headed for the bath, needing a moment alone to gather his thoughts. As he sank into the warm water, he allowed himself to think about Izuna, to imagine what it would be like to card fingers through his hair, to hold him close, kiss him. The thoughts made his heart race, and he quickly dunked his head under the water, trying to drown out the feelings.

This is ridiculous, Tobirama told himself firmly. He needed to stop letting his mind wander like this. It would only lead to disappointment. He had known Izuna was attractive since their clans were still fighting and him and Izuna constantly clashed on the battlefield, it was just an objective observation. But these strange feelings didn’t begin until they started hanging out once peace was established, Izuna’s mere presence being able to make his heart flutter. The feelings had only gotten stronger with time, and now it was almost impossible to avoid them, it was annoying. It didn’t matter when they started or how strong they were, because Izuna would never reciprocate these feelings.

After his bath, Tobirama changed into a clean set of clothes and joined Hashirama for dinner. They ate in comfortable silence. But Tobirama could feel Hashirama’s eyes on him, could sense the questions lingering on the tip of his brother’s tongue.

“So,” Hashirama began, his voice casual but his eyes sparkling with curiosity. “What happened today? You seemed…happier than usual.”

Tobirama stiffened, his grip on his chopsticks tightening. “It’s nothing,” he muttered, but the slight blush on his cheeks told a different story.

Hashirama grinned, leaning forward slightly. “Come on, Tobirama. You can tell me. I won’t tell anyone, I promise! I’m just happy to see you enjoying yourself.”

Tobirama sighed, knowing his brother wouldn’t let it go. He stared down at his food, his mind racing. They ate in silence while he debated if speaking of these feelings at all was a good idea.

His brother had a way of making him talk about things even if he didn’t want to. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ve been having these… thoughts... about someone. They’ve become too loud to ignore, and it’s confusing.”

Hashirama’s eyes widened in surprise, but they were full of understanding. “Go on,” he encouraged gently.

Tobirama hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest. “I’m worried they’ll distract me from my duties… and that I’ll ruin things with this person.”

“Is this person important to you?” Hashirama spoke gently, as if talking to a child.

“Yes.” He looked straight at Hashirama, voice still monotone. Another pause. “But I don’t think our feelings align, I’m not exactly the most likeable.” Tobirama said as if it was just an objective truth. He had never cared about his reputation, among his own clan or the Uchiha, he did what he thought was best for his clan.

“Tobirama,” Hashirama said softly, his voice filled with affection. “You’re not unlikable. And anyone who truly knows you would see that.”

Tobirama remained looking at him. “I don’t know if that’s true.”

Hashirama reached across the table and placed a hand on Tobirama’s, squeezing gently. “It is. And you deserve to be happy, Tobirama. Don’t let fear hold you back.” He smiled. “Regardless, you should be open about your feelings with this person. If you let them fester, they’ll only become drawn out bitterness, it’s better to face these sort of things head on. And who knows? You might be surprised at the outcome”

Tobirama didn’t respond, but the warmth of his brother’s words lingered in his chest long after they finished their meal. As he lay in bed that night, his mind drifted once again to Izuna’s flushed and irritated face after the wave hit them. Tobirama’s heart ached with an indescribable emotion. Hashirama’s advice rattled in his mind.

As sleep claimed him, Tobirama dreamt of an Uchiha with long hair and soft lips.

Chapter Text

Tobirama had never been the kind to let his mind wander. He was disciplined and focused, a perfectionist to his core. Whenever his mind fixated on a new project, he focused on it until completion. That’s how he had developed countless new techniques and became the skilled shinobi he was known as. The problem laid with his mind fixating on less important topics, taking his focus from anything else, which had never happened before. That’s how he found himself staring blankly at a scroll, his mind entirely preoccupied with thoughts of a certain Uchiha.

Izuna Uchiha.

He sat in his office at the Hokage tower. The spar with Izuna had been over a week ago, but the memory of it clung to him like a second skin. Izuna’s graceful movements, the way his breath had quickened after a nasty hit, and most vividly, the way he had blushed afterward. Izuna’s cheeks dusted with pink as they sat together on the muddy floor. It haunted him, making it impossible to think of anything else.

Tobirama had always enjoyed sparring with Izuna. He hated to admit it, but he had also enjoyed fighting him during the war, when their clans were still at each other’s throats. Izuna was the only one who matched him perfectly in battle, beating Izuna had been the driving force for developing some of his strongest techniques. The way Izuna anticipated his every move, while Tobirama seamlessly parried all of his, the rhythm of their fights felt more like a dance at times. Sage, he was starting to sound like Madara.

Thoughts of Izuna distracted him again. What is happening to him? Between Hashirama and him, he was supposed to be the logical one; but, images of the Uchiha smiling at him passed through his mind again and made his heartbeat quicken. He had never dealt with feelings this strong before, he was good at controlling his emotions, but this was entirely different. Like a new jutsu he couldn’t quite master, no matter how many times he tried.

These emotions had been distracting him from his usual work and his efficiency had decreased, his thoughts constantly interrupted by Izuna. But he also found himself smiling more often at the thought of him. Even Hashirama had noticed his change in mood. His brother, ever the optimist, seemed to find Tobirama’s distraction “sweet” rather than concerning. It was a good thing, he said, that Tobirama was smiling more. Even if his efficiency had decreased, the fact that he was happy was more important.

---

Tobirama, who had never allowed anything to distract him from work, was now plagued by thoughts of the Uchiha at the most inopportune times. He had tried to suppress these thoughts, but they only grew stronger. He had never been good at interacting with people, but that had never been a problem with Izuna. Their relationship was defined by the clashing of swords and snarky remarks. Now, he found himself struggling to form coherent sentences at the sight of him, his thoughts tripping over themselves in a scramble to make sense of the emotions he was experiencing.

It didn’t help that Izuna seemed to be everywhere. Whether they were passing each other in the hallway or walking by in the street, Tobirama couldn’t escape his presence. And every time they were alone together, Tobirama felt the tension between them growing thicker.

Even in the middle of a meeting he found his mind drifting. While Izuna talked about a proposal from the Hyuuga clan head, he recalled the way his lips had parted slightly when he caught his breath during their spar. Tobirama had barely heard a word, still focused on the way Izuna’s mouth moved when he spoke. He noticed Izuna’s gaze lingered on him for just a moment too long.

Tobirama sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was ridiculous. He was a shinobi; he couldn’t afford to be distracted like this. When he walked back to his office after the meeting, he could sense Izuna’s chakra trailing after him. He sat at his desk and looked at the papers he didn’t want to read, it wasn’t long until the Uchiha creaked open his office door.

“Tobirama,” Izuna’s voice was smooth, a little teasing as always. “You looked like you were lost in thought.”

“I was just—just…” Tobirama stammered. He stared at Izuna, eyes sharp. To anyone else he looked annoyed at being interrupted from paperwork, but Izuna knew him, they had fought face to face too many times for him not to. Izuna could tell there was something else bothering him.

Izuna raised an eyebrow, amused by Tobirama’s uncharacteristic stumble. “Just…?”

“Thinking,” Tobirama managed to get out, though it was hardly the eloquent response he’d intended. “About… things.”

“Things?” Izuna’s smirk widened, and he took a few steps into the room, closing the door behind him. “What kind of things?”

Tobirama swallowed hard, glaring at the papers scattered across the desk. His pulse quickened. Izuna’s teasing was nothing new, but the air seemed to thrum with tension. “Work.” Tobirama lied, his voice steady.

Izuna hummed, clearly not buying it. He leaned casually against the edge of Tobirama’s desk, his gaze fixed on the Senju with a curious intensity. “You’ve been acting a little strange lately, Tobirama. Are you sure everything’s alright?”

Tobirama could feel the weight of Izuna’s sharp gaze, as if the Uchiha could see right through him, even without the sharingan. His mind scrambled for a way to regain control of the situation, to push away the distraction that Izuna had become. But the more he tried, the more he found himself fixating on the curve of Izuna’s lips, the way his eyes seemed to glint with amusement and worry, it made his heart race.

“Of course,” Tobirama replied, though the words came out far more clipped than he intended. He shifted in his seat. “Just… a lot on my mind.”

Izuna tilted his head slightly, his expression softening into something almost tender, though there was still a playful glint in his eyes. “You know, you’re allowed to take a break, Tobirama. You’re not a machine, despite what you may act like.”

Tobirama’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles at his rival’s softer tone. He considered Izuna’s words. He had been so preoccupied with sorting out his feelings for Izuna and stressing over his loss in productivity, he tried to make up for lost time by doubling up on work. “I suppose you’re right,” he conceded, his tone more relaxed, though his thoughts were still a swirling mess.

Izuna straightened up and offered a small, almost shy smile, so unlike the usual confident smirk Tobirama was used to. “Why don’t we go for a walk? Clear your head a bit.”

Tobirama blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. Spending more time with the source of his troubles, outside the confines of work, was both exciting and terrifying. But before he could overthink it, he found himself nodding. “That sounds like a good idea.”

Chapter Text

They left the office together, the air outside the Hokage Tower felt crisp with the throes of winter. They should’ve put on a coat, but they were already outside so heating up with chakra would have to do. The village was bustling with activity, but the noise of the crowd seemed to fade into the background as Tobirama walked alongside Izuna. The cold air helped clear Tobirama’s head, their steps fell into a comfortable rhythm. For a moment, it felt almost… domestic. Almost like they were just two friends out for a stroll, without the years of fighting and bloodshed between them. Tobirama wondered if things would’ve been different if they had been born into this peace.

As they neared a quieter part of town with mostly civilians, an elderly woman struggling with a few heavy bags caught their attention. Without missing a beat, Izuna approached her, a bright smile on his face.

“Excuse me, ma’am,” Izuna said, his voice gentle. “Do you need any help with those?”

The old lady looked up, startled at first, but her expression softened when she saw Izuna’s kind smile. “Oh, you’re too kind, young man! I could use a bit of help getting these back to my house.”

Izuna quickly took a couple of the heavier bags, lifting them with ease. Tobirama hesitated for a moment before following suit, picking up the remaining bags. The old woman led them down the street, chatting amicably.

“Such strong young men,” she remarked, looking over at Tobirama. “You must be very popular with the ladies!”

Tobirama, caught off guard, gave a stiff nod, unsure how to respond. “Ah… thank you, ma’am,” he managed to say, his voice sounding way too serious for the situation.

Izuna chuckled, effortlessly keeping the conversation going. “We do our best to help out where we can,” he said smoothly, flashing a charming smile. The old lady beamed at him, clearly taken by his charm.

When they reached her home, she invited them in for tea, but both declined politely, saying they had duties to attend to. She thanked them profusely as they set the bags down inside her doorway.

“Such polite boys,” she said, patting Izuna’s arm fondly before turning to Tobirama, who gave another stiff nod.

As they walked away, Izuna couldn’t help but tease. “Did that old lady do something to have you glaring at her?” he smirked.

Tobirama huffed. “I wasn’t glaring. That’s just my face,” he muttered, eyes looking ahead. Izuna just laughed at him, eyes closed and head thrown back. Despite his annoyance, Tobirama thought it was cute.

“I’m just not good at small talk,” Tobirama admitted.

"And what are you good at then?" Izuna asked, leaning in slightly, his tone teasing. "Brooding?"

Tobirama's eyes narrowed, though there was no real malice behind it. "Thinking. Something I’m sure you’re unfamiliar with."

Izuna laughed again, the sound surprisingly light. "Touché.”

They walked in silence for a bit. Admiring the stalls stacked with food and other knick knacks. It was peaceful. Tobirama breathed in the chill air and thought about his former enemy next to him. It was weird to think of the nice young man that charmed old ladies as the same ruthless shinobi he had fought countless times before.

“You’re good at that.” Tobirama found himself saying before he could stop himself.

Izuna glanced over, raising an eyebrow. “At what?”

“Talking to people,” Tobirama replied.

Izuna’s eyes widened at the unexpected compliment, he smiled brightly at him. “It’s just something you learn when you interact with other people. You should try doing it more often.”

Tobirama shook his head, though a small smile tugged at his lips despite himself. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re hopeless,” Izuna shot back, though his gaze softened as it lingered on Tobirama’s faint smile. “But I guess that’s part of your charm.”

Tobirama glanced away, feeling an unfamiliar warmth in his chest. “You’re insufferable,” he grumbled, but it lacked any real venom.

“Yet you agreed to hang out with me,” Izuna teased, nudging him lightly with his shoulder.

Tobirama didn’t respond. The interaction with the old lady replayed in his mind. Izuna’s charm and kindness, it made Tobirama’s heart feel warm. It was a side of Izuna he wasn’t used to, but he found it very endearing.

They walked in comfortable silence. It was an unusual moment of calm, the kind of domesticity that Tobirama had never allowed himself to indulge in. It made his heart ache and long for something more. Something that he didn’t know how to ask for, something he wasn’t even sure Izuna would want. Would Izuna ever want to be with the White Demon of the Senju, the Bane of the Uchiha? Tobirama resigned himself to rejection, to a lifetime of pining for his former enemy, now closest rival—the only person who had ever made him feel like this.

Tobirama stole a glance at Izuna, his heart skipping a beat. Izuna looked relaxed, his usual guarded expression softened as he watched the villagers. There was something almost serene about him, Tobirama’s heartbeat quickened again at the sight. He quickly looked away.

As they walked, Tobirama found his gaze kept drifting to Izuna more often than not. He tried to be subtle, but Izuna was a shinobi, Tobirama knew better than anyone that Izuna could feel his gaze on him. Suddenly, Izuna’s head snapped to the side and they locked eyes. “What are you looking at?” Izuna arched an eyebrow, his cheeks were slightly pink from the cold. He looked even cuter, Tobirama mused.

“Nothing.” Tobirama hoped his rapidly darkening blush could also be blamed on the chill air.

“Tch. Sure.” Izuna looked ahead again. Tobirama found himself wishing those dark eyes had stayed on him, something he had never thought he’d want.

---

Izuna could still feel Tobirama’s intense gaze on him. He forced himself to look away before more heat crawled up his face. Tobirama’s red eyes looking straight at his. There was no fear of genjutsu there, no animosity, it made his heart stutter. It was a small but immensely significant show of trust to Izuna. They had come so far from the beginning of the village. Back then, their mistrust for each other and their clans had made long-lasting peace seem so unattainable. Tobirama looking into his eyes showed him so much trust, friendship, something the Tobirama of the past wouldn’t have ever showed Izuna before.

He looked at the people from different clans mingling around, as he walked side by side with who was formerly his biggest enemy. He suddenly felt silly for being so against peace for so long.

Tobirama’s hand brushed lightly against his as they walked, snapping him out of his thoughts. The contact was brief but it felt like a jolt of electricity through Izuna’s entire being, like the skin on his hand had been set on fire. Their fingers touched a couple more times, sending his heart into overdrive. He wondered if the subtle touches affected Tobirama the way they affected him. He tried to shake the thought out of his mind, focused on not letting his hand stray too close to Tobirama’s again, even as his heart ached to do just that.

When they arrived again at the front of the Hokage Tower, Izuna hesitated. He didn’t really want this to end, this small moment of calm, walking alongside Tobirama without the weight of their past hanging over them. He turned to say goodbye, and to his surprise, he found the Senju smiling—a genuine, unguarded smile that looked foreign on his face.

Izuna’s heart seemed to skip a beat at the sight. It wasn’t often that Tobirama smiled like that, so freely and genuinely. The fact that it was directed at him made Izuna’s chest tighten with an emotion he didn’t dare name.

“See you around,” Izuna said, his voice quieter than usual. Tobirama nodded before he walked away. Izuna stood there for a moment watching Tobirama walk back to the tower, rooted to the spot, trying to make sense of the rush of emotions that had overwhelmed him.

Izuna didn’t have much else to do when he decided to bother Tobirama after the meeting earlier that day, so he decided to walk back home to the Uchiha compound. The sounds of the village drowned out by his thoughts.

When he first entered Tobirama’s office that morning, he thought he’d tease his rival for being so distracted during the meeting and earn some snarkiness in return. Instead, he couldn’t help but find Tobirama’s uncharacteristic behavior endearing. The usually stoic and composed shinobi seemed almost soft, Izuna secretly found it adorable.

He had already accepted that he found the damned Senju attractive, but this was different, something deeper than just attraction. Izuna had become… attached to him. Perhaps spending so much time with Tobirama had fried his brain, because why was he blushing like an idiot over a Senju smiling at him? If he truly was as attached as he feared he might be, he wasn’t sure if Tobirama would feel the same. Madara wouldn’t be too thrilled about it either. His little brother in love with the White Demon of the Senju. Izuna laughed internally at that. Well in that case, his dear older brother would have to learn to deal with it.

Chapter Text

That night, Hashirama’s advice kept Tobirama awake as he laid on his futon. He couldn’t keep going like this, at this rate, his mind would be entirely consumed by thoughts of Izuna in no time. He would never get any work done, much less when the guy he was crushing on was technically his coworker. Sage, what should he do? Tobirama stared at the ceiling of his room.

The walk with Izuna stayed in his mind. His kind smile, his cute laugh, his charm that could woo old ladies. The way Izuna’s hand brushed against his own and he felt as if it burned; and not because of katon. Izuna would be the death of him, be it on the battlefield or not. It was becoming increasingly clear to him, he was falling for Izuna and there was no turning back. He needed to do something about it.

After a long moment of debating with himself, he decided to do as Hashirama said. If anija thought he should confess, then he would. He had always trusted his brother’s judgement, would follow him to the ends of the earth if he wanted to. Tobirama only supported the peace treaty between the clans because Hashirama thought it would be the best course of action, even if he was unconvinced. And Tobirama couldn’t be more grateful for that.

He sighed deeply. But how? Tobirama wasn’t the best at expressing himself, much less such personal and convoluted feelings. He thought about it for a long moment. After racking his brain for what felt like forever, he had an idea. He knew the Uchiha did courting rituals, he had vaguely heard Madara talking about it with Hashirama one day. The Senju clan didn’t typically participate in such things, but he was willing to do it for Izuna. It would also show his commitment to the peace between their clans, a Senju participating in an Uchiha tradition. He smiled at himself, feeling more at peace now that he had a plan.

The next day, Tobirama found himself sitting in the farthest corner of the library, his usual stoic expression firmly in place, with the permanent glare he seemed to have, despite the turmoil of feelings inside him. His eyes scanned the pages of a book on Uchiha traditions, but his mind was a chaotic storm of conflicting thoughts. The situation he was currently in feeling more and more insane by the minute.

Realistically, he knew he was unlikely to find reciprocation from Izuna. Who would want to be with the man known as the White Demon of the Senju, the one who had taken so much from the Uchiha? Izuna, for all his playful teasing and charm, was still someone who had suffered because of him. Tobirama understood that and didn’t regret it, he had done it all for his clan. And yet, that faint glimmer of hope refused to die, fanned by Hashirama’s insistent words.

Hashirama, with his ever-optimistic view of the world, seemed to believe in some impossible future where Tobirama could actually confess his feelings and not be met with the scorn he probably deserved. But as much as Tobirama respected his brother, he couldn’t quite see it. Not for himself.

Still, his thoughts wouldn’t leave him alone. Izuna occupied his mind more often than not, interrupting his work, distracting him during meetings, and even haunting his dreams. The idea of Izuna returning his feelings was almost too much to hope for, but Tobirama knew that some things needed to be faced head on, no matter the outcome. Better to confront it and move on than let it eat away at him. Regardless, he hoped to stay being rivals with Izuna despite of how their relationship changed, be that positive or negative.

That was how he found himself here, in a secluded corner of the library, researching Uchiha courting rituals with the same intensity he applied to any other project. His face, in spite of the embarrassment churning in his gut, remained impassive. Anyone passing by would think he was simply studying a new technique, not meticulously analyzing how to court the man who had once been his bitter enemy.

He immersed himself in the intricacies of Uchiha culture, something the younger him would’ve never thought he’d do. His father was probably rolling in his grave.

The book detailed the tradition of gifting an uchiwa, an integral part of Uchiha culture. Each design carried a specific meaning, from friendship to even proposals. Tobirama’s eyes lingered on the section about marriage proposals for a moment too long before he shook his head, trying to dispel the heat creeping up his neck.

The idea of starting with a simple gesture of friendship briefly crossed his mind, but Tobirama dismissed it almost immediately. If he was going to do this, he would do it properly, without hiding behind pretense. It was either all or nothing, and Tobirama wasn’t one to do things halfway.

Next, he looked for a book about the crafting of an uchiwa, a task that proved to be more intricate than he had initially thought. The level of craftsmanship required was astounding. He read through the instructions with the same seriousness he gave to creating new laws, mentally noting the materials and techniques he would need.

As the librarian checked out the book for him, Tobirama felt Izuna’s chakra signature near the library, a familiar presence that sent his heart racing despite his outward calm.

Without a moment’s hesitation, Tobirama took the book from the librarian, nodding his thanks with as much composure as he could muster, and then swiftly left the building. The instant he was out of sight, he used the hiraishin to teleport back to the Senju compound, heart pounding in his chest as he appeared in the safety of his room. He let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, the tension slowly leaving his shoulders. Who would’ve thought his shinobi skills meant for battle would end up being useful for his romantic tomfoolery.

As he placed the book on his desk, Tobirama’s thoughts returned to the task ahead. Crafting the fan would take time and a lot of effort, but it was something he was willing to do. If this was the way to convey his feelings, to finally get the thoughts of Izuna out of his mind one way or another, then it was worth it. Even if the outcome wasn’t what he hoped for, at least he would have tried.

-

Tobirama sat in the dim light of his lab, the room feeling much warmer with the beginning of spring. The nearly completed fan laid out on the table before him. The past several days had been consumed by this project, his usual work pushed to the side as he meticulously crafted and refined the fan. He’d gathered the finest materials he could find, ensuring that everything was perfect, or as close to perfect as he could manage.

He had approached this task with the same diligence and focus he applied to his research, making prototypes and drafts, constantly checking the book for guidance. According to the book, his fan should depict one of these specific flowers, that represented the blooming of a new relationship. It showed many flowers to choose from and their meanings. He chose the sunflower for its symbolism; adoration, respect, longevity, and loyalty. Tobirama hoped it conveyed his desire for a long lasting relationship and his utmost respect for his rival—the only person who had ever truly matched him on the battlefield.

The Hanami festival was fast approaching, a time when the entire village would gather to celebrate under the blooming cherry blossoms. The scenery during the festival would be beautiful, and it had become the deadline he had set for himself to finish the fan.

He hadn’t seen much of Izuna recently. Whenever Tobirama wasn’t working or out on missions, he was in his lab, bent over the fan as if it were the most important project he’d ever worked on. To anyone else, it would seem like he was immersed in developing a new jutsu, as it usually was whenever he shut himself in his lab.

But this was different. This wasn’t about power or efficiency or anything else that typically drove him. This was about something much more fragile, something that Tobirama wasn’t used to dealing with.

The uchiwa, now finished, was not as perfect as he had hoped. Some of the petals of the painted sunflower were slightly lopsided, and the leaves were a bit messy in places. Tobirama could easily pick out every mistake, every tiny flaw, after hours of obsessing over it. He sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

The book had reassured him that the effort was what mattered most, that the imperfections would show the authenticity of his feelings. But that did little to comfort him. His art skills had improved a lot thanks to all his prototypes and practice, so he was at least happy it looked decent, he hoped Izuna would appreciate the effort. He had never been one for the arts, yet here he was, crafting something with his own hands that he hoped would speak louder than any words he could manage.

The Hanami was only a week away. There was no more time to keep obsessing over the details. The fan was as good as it was going to get, and now, a new challenge loomed before him.

He had to ask Izuna to attend the Hanami with him.

The thought alone was enough to make his pulse quicken, but he couldn’t back out now. He had already come this far. Tobirama had never been one to shy away from a difficult challenge, this was something he had to do. Letting his feelings fester, as Hashirama had warned, was not an option. He needed to know, one way or another.

He glanced at the fan again, the sunflower standing out brightly against the delicate background. It wasn’t perfect, but it was real. The best he could offer.

He only hoped it would be enough.

Taking a deep breath, Tobirama stood, carefully wrapping the fan to protect it from damage. The next step was to find Izuna and invite him to the festival. The mere thought of it sent a fresh wave of embarrassment through him, but he forced it down. He had faced worse things than this, he could face this too.

The Hanami was close, and there was no time to waste. He just had to get through this final hurdle. Then, perhaps, he could finally find out if that small glimmer of hope he’d been holding on to was justified.

Chapter Text

Tobirama had spent the entire morning psyching himself up to find Izuna, he was going to invite him to the Hanami today. When he finally tracked down his chakra, he was taken aback by the sight before him. Izuna was in a training ground near the Uchiha compound, surrounded by a group of young children, all of whom were eagerly hanging on his every word as he demonstrated various taijutsu moves.

Tobirama stood on a nearby tree, observing with an uncharacteristic soft smile. Izuna was surprisingly patient with the kids, guiding them through their drills with a gentle yet firm hand. It was a side of him that Tobirama had never seen before, and it made his heart skip a beat. Who knew Izuna could be so good with children?

His observation was cut short when Izuna suddenly looked up, his sharingan locking onto Tobirama’s position with unnerving precision. “You know It’s rude to spy on people, Senju,” Izuna called out, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

Caught but undeterred, Tobirama allowed his smile to morph into a smirk. He jumped down from the tree, landing lightly on the ground, then walked towards Izuna and the children.

“My apologies, I didn’t mean to startle you,” Tobirama said, bowing slightly. The children hid behind Izuna, clearly intimidated by the presence of the infamous White Demon from their parents' stories.

Izuna’s smile widened as he threw an arm around Tobirama’s shoulders, causing the Senju to blush faintly. “Don’t worry, kids,” Izuna said cheerfully, “Tobirama’s just an idiot, he’s not going to hurt you.”

Tobirama glanced at the frightened children, and his heart ached at their tiny scared faces. He bowed again, this time deeper. “I promise on my life and this village, I would never hurt any of you.” His voice was sincere, the children looked at him curiously but still clung to Izuna.

Izuna gave the kids a reassuring nod, and they seemed to relax, albeit still cautiously eyeing Tobirama.

“I just wanted to talk with Izuna,” Tobirama said, straightening up. “I didn’t know he was a teacher,” he raised an eyebrow, sounding incredulous, never missing the opportunity to tease him.

Izuna scoffed, elbowing Tobirama in the ribs. “I’m a great teacher, just so you know,” he said with a playful grin.

Tobirama chuckled softly, unable to help himself, “I’m sure you are.”

Izuna then turned to the children, who were still watching the two adults with wide eyes. “You know,” he said, eyes gleaming with mischief, “Tobiarama has created a bunch of forbidden jutsu.” The kids gasped, looking up at Tobirama with wide eyes, the fear quickly turning into awe.

Tobirama blushed at the sudden attention, embarrassed being admired by a bunch of little kids. Izuna, ever the instigator, couldn’t resist smirking, “Maybe he can teach us one.”

At once, children’s eyes snapped back to Tobirama, their expressions filled with excitement as they swarmed around him. Their little voices begging him to teach them secret Senju techniques. Izuna laughed quietly to himself, thoroughly enjoying the sight of his rival being hounded by the group of eager children.

Tobirama tried to remain composed, he raised his hands in a placating gesture. “I’m very sorry kids, those are forbidden for a reason,” he glared at Izuna, who just laughed in return. “Even if they weren’t, they’re too high level for you.” He tried to sound as apologetic as possible.

The children’s faces instantly fell, excitement turning to disappointment, and Tobirama felt a pang of guilt. He quickly tried to think of a way to make it up to them. “What if I help Izuna teach you something simpler?” he offered. “To learn higher-level jutsu like mine, you need to be really good at the fundamentals first.” He adopted the most authoritative teacher voice he could muster, glancing at Izuna, who was clearly amused by the whole situation.

The children immediately perked up, their disappointment replaced with excitement again. Tobirama cast another glance at Izuna, who looked slightly impressed by his rival’s attempt to win over the kids.

Together, the two shinobi spent the next hour demonstrating simple taijutsu moves. Tobirama felt surprisingly at ease, helping the children perfect their stances and strikes. While the kids were awestruck by the skill of the two clan heirs as they demonstrated the moves.

As the lesson continued, they transitioned to shuriken practice. Without even realizing it, Tobirama had taken the lead, setting up targets in the trees and advising the children on the proper form. He spoke with a level of patience and care that surprised even himself, his usual stern demeanor softened in the presence of the eager young shinobi.

Izuna watched from the side, his heart swelling with a strange warmth as he saw Tobirama interacting with the Uchiha children. A reality he’d never imagined possible.

By the time the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden light over the training ground, the children could sense that their impromptu lesson was coming to an end. But they weren’t ready to let their two teachers go just yet. They came up with an idea that would definitely distract the two competitive shinobi before them for at least a little longer.

“Tobirama-sama! Izuna-sama! I have a question," one of the braver kids piped up, "Which one of you is stronger?” The kids immediately sprung into a debate over which one would win.

Some of the kids swore by their clan heir, while others thought their new Senju teacher would surely win. The two shinobi exchanged a glance, their competitive streaks flaring up despite themselves. “Should we give them a show, Senju?” Izuna asked, his smile challenging.

Tobirama’s lips curled into smirk, his eyes narrowing. “You’ll regret asking for that, Uchiha.”

With the children standing safely out of the way, the two rivals squared off. Tobirama took a deep breath, centering himself as Izuna did the same. They did the spar sign with their hands, with a nod, they launched into the fight. Kids cheered in the background.

Tobirama struck first, using the taijutsu moves they had been teaching the kids earlier. Izuna parried the attack effortlessly, his grin widening. “You’re getting slower,” Izuna teased, sharingan glowing bright red, his voice laced with amusement as he retaliated.

“Just giving you a chance to catch up,” Tobirama shot back, blocking each of Izuna’s strikes. Fists and kicks clashed fluidly.

Tobirama jumped back and used suiton to throw Izuna off balance. But Izuna countered with a burst of katon, the fire clashed against the water and covered the field in steam.

The children watched in awe as the two shinobi fought, their eyes wide as they tried to follow the rapid movements of their teachers. The fight was intense, yet the banter between Tobirama and Izuna remained lighthearted, as if this song and dance had been rehearsed through countless battles before.

Izuna dodged a particularly fierce strike by jumping in the air, then countered with a kick, which Tobirama narrowly avoided. Izuna smirked, “Distracted?”

Tobirama narrowed his eyes before running towards Izuna at the same time he used suiton. Izuna dodged the suiton easily, but was caught off guard by Tobirama sprinting towards him and barely managed to block the fist coming to his face. The force pushed Izuna backwards.

"In your dreams, Uchiha,” Tobirama grinned.

The fight continued, trading and countering blows. Before one of them could gain the upper hand, a voice cut through the air, stopping them both in their tracks. “What in Amaterasu’s name are you two doing?” Madara’s voice boomed across the training ground, his tone filled with annoyance as he walked toward them.

Tobirama and Izuna froze. The children, sensing the tension, quickly ran off, their giggles and chatter fading into the distance as they disappeared.

“We were just sparring because the kids asked us to,” Izuna explained, his tone slightly defensive, annoyed at his brother for interrupting their fun. Tobirama, equally annoyed, didn’t bother to hide his irritation.

Madara’s stern gaze softened ever so slightly as he looked at his younger brother, though his tone remained firm. “I thought you two had already broken the peace treaty with your dumb fights,” Madara sighed and massaged his brow. “Still, you two need to be more careful when fighting near the children,” he said, directing the warning primarily at Tobirama. Despite the peace between their clans, Madara still couldn’t fully trust the White Demon.

Izuna rolled his eyes, though there was a hint of affection in the gesture. “Stop being so overprotective, nii-san. It was fine.”

Madara simply glared at him, clearly unimpressed. “Whatever,” Izuna muttered, before grabbing Tobirama by the arm and dragging him away from the training ground. “Come on, let’s get out of here before he keeps lecturing us.”

Tobirama allowed himself to be pulled along, a small smile playing at his lips. As they leaped onto the rooftops, Izuna grumbled, “He needs to get it through his thick skull that I’m not a little kid anymore.” Izuna turned to look at Tobirama, and whatever he had been about to say died in his throat. The genuine, soft smile on Tobirama’s face made his heart melt. A blush rose to Izuna’s cheeks, barely visible in the fading light.

“Hey, follow me.” Tobirama said suddenly, his voice carrying a hint of mischief. Without waiting for a response, he bolted toward one of the taller buildings in the middle of town.

Izuna blinked in surprise, quickly regained his composure and chased after him, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn’t help but wonder what had gotten into his usually serious rival. But whatever it was, he found himself smiling as well, eager to see where Tobirama was leading him.

Chapter Text

As they reached the top of the building, Tobirama moved to the edge of the roof and sat down, patting the space beside him. Izuna followed and eyed him suspiciously, wondering what Tobirama was up to. Tobirama was still smiling lightly as he looked at him, which sent Izuna’s heart into a flurry again.

“What?” Izuna asked, trying to keep his voice steady, curiosity seeped through.

Tobirama cleared his throat, his gaze faltering slightly. “Well… you know the Hanami is next week.” He hesitated, a beat of silence while he gathered the confidence to say the next words. The weight of it building up like pressure in his chest. Izuna tilted his head to the side, patiently waiting.

“Would you… would you like to go with me?” Tobirama finally blurted out, as if saying it quicker would make the awkwardness pass faster. His expression remained serious, but his eyes held more intensity than usual, and his face was undeniably red.

Izuna blinked, caught completely off guard. Of all the things he’d expected Tobirama to say, this wasn’t one of them. He must have taken too long to respond because Tobirama shifted nervously. “Well then?” Tobirama pressed, his voice edged with an unfamiliar vulnerability.

Izuna, still processing the unexpected question, spoke before he could overthink it. “Why?”

Tobirama’s face faltered for a moment, his stoic demeanor slipping as he stammered out, “Uh- well, why not?”

Izuna realized that his question had come off as a rejection. Seeing the rare look of uncertainty on Tobirama’s face made Izuna’s chest tighten. He wasn’t used to seeing Tobirama like this. Not wanting to leave him hanging, he quickly added, “Sure, I’ll go with you. I just wasn’t expecting it.”

The relief that washed over Tobirama’s face was subtle, almost imperceptible to anyone else, but Izuna had spent years reading the minute changes in Tobirama’s expressions. The way his eyes softened ever so slightly and the corners of his mouth lifted just a fraction of an inch were as good as a full-blown smile to anyone else.

But then Tobirama actually smiled at him, eyes crinkling at the corners. Izuna felt that flutter in his chest he still didn’t know how to deal with. He decided he would never ever get tired of seeing that rare, genuine expression on Tobirama’s face.

“See you then” Tobirama said abruptly, standing up before Izuna could even respond. He paused for a moment, glancing back at Izuna with his usual seriousness. “Meet me under the big tree by the fountain. Remember to bring food,” he added, his tone almost comically monotone after the soft moment. He leaped off the roof, heading back towards the Senju compound.

Izuna snickered to himself as he watched Tobirama disappear into the distance, shaking his head in amusement. This was the same Tobirama who could be utterly ruthless in battle, who was now nervous and blushing over something as simple as a Hanami invitation. He found the contrast very amusing, a smile tugging at his lips as he stood up, ready to head back to his own home.

As he made his way through the village, Izuna’s mind replayed the scene on the rooftop over and over again. He hadn’t expected Tobirama to ask him to the Hanami, but now that he had, Izuna was really looking forward to it. Despite all their years of rivalry, there was something about Tobirama that had always drawn him in, something beyond just their passion for combat and their fierce competition.

That night, Izuna couldn’t help but think about what the Hanami might bring. Spending the day with Tobirama and seeing more of those rare, genuine smiles.

--

Tobirama reached the Senju compound just as Hashirama was setting dinner on the table. The warm, inviting smell of freshly cooked food filled the room, and Tobirama found himself relaxing in the comforting familiarity of home. Hashirama greeted him with a bright smile, and Tobirama automatically returned it. Hashirama’s grin widened, his eyes sparkling with delight. “Tobi, you’ve been smiling so much lately! I love it.”

Tobirama decided to ignore him and shook his head slightly, then sat down at the table. He picked up his chopsticks and started eating, grateful for the distraction.

“So?” Hashirama’s voice was expectant, his eyebrow raised as he leaned in, curiosity written all over his face.

Tobirama looked up confused, still chewing on his food. “Huh?”

“What’s got you so excited?” Hashirama’s tone was teasing but sweet.

Tobirama felt a pang of embarrassment. There was no way he could tell Hashirama the real reason behind his mood. Hashirama, with his big heart and even bigger mouth, would blab it to everyone in the village before the night was over. The thought alone was mortifying. But if he didn’t say anything, Hashirama would probably start investigating on his own, and that would be even worse.

He sighed, resigning himself to a half-truth. “I just invited someone to the Hanami.”

Hashirama gasped, his face lighting up with glee. Little flowers and plants sprouted from the table between them thanks to his mokuton. “Really?! That’s wonderful, Tobi!” His excitement was palpable, but then his expression fell, eyes wide with an exaggerated pout. “But… I thought we were going to go together.”

Tobirama stared at his borther in disbelief at the sudden switch in mood. His patience was already wearing thin, “You should go with Madara, then. I’m sure, you two have important Hokage things to do.”

Hashirama’s frown flipped back into a smile, “Oh, that’s a great idea!”

Tobirama sighed deeply. Both amused and annoyed by his brother's antics.

They settled back into their meal, and Tobirama thought he was finally in the clear, until Hashirama broke the silence again. “So, who are you going with?” His grin was mischievous, the kind that usually heralded trouble.

Tobirama groaned inwardly and decided to ignore him again, hoping the subject would die down if he didn’t give it any attention. After eating in silence for a bit, Tobirama was grateful his brother seemed to drop the subject. Before his thoughts were interrupted again by Hashirama again.

“C’mon, Tobi! Who could it be that made my little brother want to spend the Hanami with them instead of me?” Hashirama’s teasing voice was accompanied by an over the top display of sad puppy eyes.

“None of your business, Anija.” Tobirama said sharply, but Hashirama’s persistence knew no bounds. Before his brother could launch into another plea, Tobirama fixed him with a deadly glare. “Hashirama.”

“Okay, okay,” Hashirama raised his hands in surrender, though his smile remained as bright as ever. “I’m happy for you, Tobi.” Tobirama rolled his eyes, letting out a small huff. As much as Hashirama could be infuriating, Tobirama knew that it was because his brother loved him. They finished their meal in relative silence.

As Tobirama set his chopsticks down, he couldn’t help but think about Izuna. He imagined him having a similar conversation with Madara and almost laughed at the thought. Madara grilling Izuna about the Hanami in the same way Hashirama had done to him.

With dinner over, Tobirama stood up and gathered the dishes. His mind was still on Izuna, their upcoming outing filling him with anticipation. His brother’s antics were a small price to pay for what might come next.

Hashirama watched him quietly as he started to clean up, and smiled to himself. Whatever had sparked this change in his brother, he was grateful for it. Seeing Tobirama like this, hopeful and perhaps even a little in love, made all the trials they had endured to get here feel worth it. He would let Tobirama have his secrets, for now.

Chapter Text

The following day, Tobirama set out early to get all the necessary ingredients for the Hanami. Despite his usually calm demeanor, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, his nerves almost getting the better of him. He took a deep breath and took off to the market with a list of everything he’d need.

He walked through the bustling market, enjoying the peace that permeated the village. Tobirama felt a strange sense of contentment, the weight of the war finally not hanging over everyone’s heads. The streets were lively with vendors selling fresh produce, and families strolled about, enjoying their time together.

He took a moment to appreciate the unity that had blossomed after the long-standing feud with the Uchiha clan. It had been a gamble that he was reluctant to support, but looking back now, it had been the best decision for their clans, and for him personally.

Tobirama shook his head before he got lost in thoughts of Izuna again, bringing himself back to the present. He had a lot to do before meeting with Izuna during the Hanami.

His first stop was a food stall where he carefully chose the freshest ingredients for the bento boxes he’d take to the festival. Some vegetables, rice, fresh fish, and more.

Next, he visited a fabric store to purchase a new yukata. A deep blue fabric with intricate wave designs caught his eye. He never cared much for fashion, but he thought it looked nice. As he paid, the lady selling the clothes told him it complimented his eyes. He flushed and thanked her, hoping Izuna would think the same.

As he continued his walk back home, Tobirama couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement mixed with anxiety. He had always been confident in his abilities, but this was different. This wasn’t ninjutsu or kenjutsu. He wasn’t just preparing food and buying new clothes either. This was a gesture that could potentially change his bond with Izuna forever. The thought made his cheeks warm, but he pushed the feeling aside, focusing on the tasks at hand.

--

The day of the Hanami Tobirama woke up extra early to prepare everything. He gathered all the ingredients he had bought for his and Izuna’s bento boxes, as well as recipes for each part of the meal. Hashirama had left to attend to his Hokage duties for the festival, promising he wouldn’t bother him or try to figure out who he had invited. Tobirama promised to make some extra dango for him.

He stood in the quiet of the kitchen, the morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a bright glow over his workspace. He was a good cook and had the recipes on hand, everything should be alright, but he still worried about what Izuna would think. He really needed to take Izuna out of his mind until everything was ready or else he wouldn’t get anything done.

Tobirama prepared a classic Hanami spread, complete with dango skewers and some traditional favorites like blossom rice balls, inari sushi, and futomaki. He had also gotten an Uchiha recipe book to make something that would impress Izuna. He'd never made the spicy version of mitarashi dango before, but if he wanted to properly court Izuna, he figured he would have to adjust to the Uchiha’s notoriously spicy tastes. While he brushed the dango with the spicy glaze as the book instructed, his mind couldn’t help but drift to Izuna, thinking of his reaction. Focus Tobirama.

After arranging the bento neatly, he admired his work. The boxes looked beautiful, everything prepared with the same care Tobirama put into his research and experiments. He thought they looked delicious, he hoped Izuna would agree. He sealed them into a scroll and went downstairs to his lab to retrieve the fan he had worked so hard on.

He carefully sealed the uchiwa into another scroll. If everything went right, the fan would mark the beginning of his courting with Izuna. If Izuna accepted it, he’d have to get him some more courting gifts, then have dinner with his family. Having dinner with Madara to announce he was courting his brother would be interesting. If everything went right, they’d be officially dating according to the book. He didn’t dare think that far ahead.

He took a moment to steady himself before going to his room to put on in his new yukata. Tobirama took a quick look at his reflection in the mirror, deep blue fabric and red eyes staring back at him. He tried in vain to tame his spiky white hair, but eventually gave up. It was hopeless.

Once he was dressed and had everything he needed, including the sealing scrolls with the bento boxes and the fan, Tobirama left his house. Excitement and anxiety bubbled in his gut as he made his way to the meeting point where he was supposed to meet Izuna.

The sun was still high in the sky as he made his way through the streets. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom, and there was a sense of quiet joy in the air. The trees formed a canopy of pink above, petals fluttering in the breeze. He stood under the blossoms, trying to calm his racing heart before Izuna arrived. There was no turning back now.

Chapter Text

Tobirama arrived at the meeting point, under a sakura tree by the fountain in the center of the festival, a whole hour earlier than planned. He knew he was being overly punctual, but he couldn’t help it. Standing there, he had nothing to do but wait and stew in his thoughts for another hour. Anxiety buzzed under his skin.

All he could do was overthink all the ways the day could go, including the ways in which it could go wrong. If Izuna rejected him, would they go back to being just rivals? Or even worse, what if he wanted nothing to do with Tobirama? Then they’d never spar together again. Tobirama thought he would lose his mind in that scenario, how would he become a better shinobi without Izuna pushing him every step of the way?

He needed to calm down, so he sat down and tried meditating. He focused on the gentle flutter of sakura petals falling around him, forcing any thoughts of Izuna out of his mind. He concentrated on the chakra signatures around him. Tobirama felt the presence of the villagers bustling through the Hanami, the lively chatter of families, and even Hashirama’s powerful woody chakra next to the bright fire of Madara’s. And then he felt it, the fiery chakra that was so unmistakably Izuna’s, approaching the festival. Tobirama’s breath hitched. This was it.

Izuna was also early, by a whole half-hour. Tobirama took a deep breath, trying to steady himself as he waited for Izuna to arrive. He could feel him jumping around the trees, getting closer and closer to him.

“Did I keep you waiting, Senju?” Izuna landed from a tree gracefully in front of Tobirama.

Tobirama looked up at him and offered one of his small, but genuine, smiles. “You’re early, Uchiha.”

As he stood up, Tobirama’s heart skipped a beat the moment he fully admired Izuna. He wore a striped black yukata with a red obi belt. The dark yukata contrasted against his pale skin and framed his body gracefully. Tobirama’s eyes lingered on Izuna’s exposed neck, unaccustomed to seeing him without the usual Uchiha high-necked collar. He looked beautiful. Blush immediately crept up his cheeks.

“Follow me,” Tobirama said quickly, leaping to a nearby sakura tree and sprinting off in one direction, hoping Izuna wouldn’t notice his flustered state. Izuna followed without hesitation. Tobirama had scouted the area beforehand and had found what he believed to be the perfect spot for their… meeting? Date?

They arrived at the top of a hill, under the expansive branches of a grand sakura tree. The area was far enough from the rest of the festival that they were enveloped in tranquility, the sounds of the village reduced to a distant hum. Petals danced in the air.

“Woah, this is nice” Izuna’s voice broke through the quiet, his eyes lighting up as he took in the surroundings. Tobirama smiled shyly, pleased that Izuna liked the spot.

Izuna pulled out a picnic blanket and spread it on the ground. They both sat down and retrieved their sealing scrolls with the food. They exchanged one bento box each, and opened the boxes.

When Izuna saw the spicy mitarashi dango Tobirama had prepared, his eyes widened in surprise. “I didn’t know you liked these!” he said, grinning widely. Tobirama’s heart squeezed in his chest at the sight.

“I heard that you Uchihas like the spice,” he replied, trying to keep his tone neutral, though the warmth on his cheeks betrayed him.

Izuna happily grabbed one of the skewers and Tobirama followed suit, albeit with a bit more hesitation. As Izuna quickly devoured his dango, Tobirama took a moment before taking a bite. The dango was slightly sweet, but the gooey glaze was savory, with the spicy glaze adding an unexpected but pleasant kick. His eyes widened slightly at the taste, realizing that he actually enjoyed it.

“These are really good” Izuna ate another skewer in a flash, his gaze was alight with enjoyment. Tobirama found himself staring, a small smile growing on his face.

“Slow down,” he murmured, though his tone was gentle, almost affectionate. “You’ll choke if you keep eating like that.”

Izuna didn’t slow down. He shot Tobirama a mischievous glance between bites. “I’m fine. Besides, when’s the next time I’ll get food this good from a Senju?”

Tobirama shook his head, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips. There was something undeniably endearing about watching Izuna enjoy the meal so unabashedly, especially one he had prepared.

They ate in relative silence, each savoring the food. Tobirama had gone to great lengths to make sure everything was perfect, and it seemed that Izuna was enjoying the meal as much as he had hoped. Izuna’s contentment was evident in the small smiles and appreciative glances he shot Tobirama’s way.

After they finished eating, they stayed seated on the blanket, watching the sakura petals fall around them. Tobirama leaned back on his hands, gazing up at the branches above. The rare moment of vulnerability in Tobirama’s posture caught Izuna off guard, not used to seeing him so relaxed.

“You’re awfully quiet today,” Izuna remarked, a teasing edge to his voice.

Tobirama smirked, tilting his head slightly to glance at Izuna. “I’m just waiting for you to say something stupid.”

Izuna chuckled, shaking his head. “Oh please, like I’d give you the satisfaction,” a beat of silence as they watched a bird fly over them, “Though, I will admit, those dango were pretty good. You might be learning something from us Uchihas after all.”

“Don’t get used to it,” Tobirama shot back, though his tone was playful.

Izuna leaned back on his hands as well, mimicking Tobirama’s posture. “You know, I never thought I’d see the day when you, of all people, would be sitting here with me under a sakura tree, sharing food instead of trying to kill me.”

“Life has a funny way of changing, doesn’t it?”

Izuna turned his head to look at him, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Yeah, it does.”

They both fell into a comfortable silence, the light banter easing them into a sense of peace. The sakura petals continued to drift around them. For the first time in what felt like forever, Tobirama allowed himself to simply enjoy the moment, his worries and doubts temporarily forgotten.

--

After a long moment, Tobirama straightened up, inhaling deeply as he summoned the courage to take the next step. This was the moment he had been preparing for, the entire reason he had invited Izuna to the Hanami. Even if he faced rejection, Tobirama felt a certain satisfaction in having gotten to know this softer, more endearing side of his rival. He would treasure these moments, no matter how fleeting they might be.

“Izuna,” Tobirama finally spoke, his voice breaking the tranquil silence between them. Izuna, lost in thought, snapped his attention back to Tobirama.

“I have a gift for you,” Tobirama continued, his tone uncharacteristically hesitant. Izuna tilted his head in curiosity, his eyes scanning Tobirama's face for any clues.

With deliberate care, Tobirama reached into his pocket and retrieved a second sealing scroll. His heart pounded in his chest, and he fought to control his breathing, knowing full well that his face must be as red as his eyes. He set the scroll on the ground between them and, with a pulse of chakra, the seal opened and the uchiwa emerged from the paper.

Izuna’s eyes widened in surprise. Tobirama picked up the fan delicately and offered it to him. Izuna accepted it with equal reverence, holding it gingerly with both hands. The atmosphere between them became almost fragile, as if any sudden movement or sound might shatter the moment.

When Izuna recognized the fan for what it was, a courting fan, his blush deepened. Surely Tobirama didn’t know the significance of what he had just handed him. But as Izuna looked up, he caught sight of Tobirama’s expression; the slight pinch of his eyebrows, the burning intensity of his gaze, his whole face red. This was serious.

Izuna’s fingers lightly traced the intricate craftsmanship of the fan, scanning every little detail with his sharingan. Painted sunflowers adorned the fan’s surface, the meaning of it didn’t escape him. Respect, loyalty, and adoration. Had Tobirama chosen this design deliberately? Izuna looked back at him, the weight of the situation sinking in.

“Did you like it?” Tobirama’s voice was quiet, tinged with anticipation.

Izuna’s serious expression met Tobirama’s eyes. “Do you know what this means?”

Tobirama swallowed visibly. “Of course,” he replied, his voice steady, but heart racing. They stared at each other for a moment, the air between them charged with Tobirama’s unspoken confession.

After what felt like an eternity, Izuna took a deep breath and smiled. “I love it.”

The implications of the situation settled over them like a warm blanket, their hearts pounding in unison. Izuna was the first to break the stillness. He gently set the fan down, then reached out, grabbing Tobirama by the collar of his yukata, and pulled him into a kiss.

For a moment, Tobirama didn’t move, caught off guard by the suddenness of the action. The feeling of Izuna’s lips making his brain short-circuit. He had never done this before, unsure of what to do. He closed his eyes and placed a hand on Izuna’s shoulder, trying to ground himself and follow the movements with his mouth. The kiss was gentle at first, like Izuna was waiting for him to pull away. But Tobirama didn’t. He couldn’t.

His body felt like it was on fire, Izuna’s blazing chakra burning him from the inside out. All he could feel was Izuna—soft lips moving against his own and the fire inside him flaring in tandem with their movements. He had never experienced anything like this before, not even all the times he had imagined kissing Izuna felt anywhere close to this. His mind was lost in a haze, thoughts drowned out by the feeling of Izuna, Izuna, Izuna. Tobirama’s grip on Izuna’s shoulder tightened, his other hand making its way to Izuna’s waist. Just as he was beginning to find his rhythm, Izuna pulled away to catch his breath.

Tobirama instinctively leaned forward, chasing after Izuna’s mouth. They remained frozen there, breathing heavily. Izuna’s sharingan spun rapidly, inches away from his own eyes, burning their kiss into his mind forever.

In a burst of confidence, Tobirama leaned forward and placed a small kiss on the tip of Izuna’s nose. Izuna gasped, a playful look of mock betrayal crossing his face. His fingers threaded through Tobirama’s white hair lazily.

“I don’t think the courting book mentioned anything like this,” Tobirama whispered, still feeling out of breath.

“You’re such an idiot,” Izuna said with a mischievous smile before pouncing on Tobirama, pinning him to the ground.

Tobirama found himself looking up lovingly at Izuna, perfectly content with letting him stay there. “How so?” he smirked, the familiar spark of their rivalry glinting in his eyes.

Izuna leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a coy whisper. “I hope you know what you’re getting into, Senju.”

“Of course,” Tobirama replied, matching Izuna’s smug tone.

Izuna’s lips curled into a grin. They would always resort to their usual competitive banter, regardless of if they’re courting or not. He put a hand on Tobirama’s face, caressing the little red marks on his cheeks. Tobirama melted into the touch. The warmth of Izuna’s hand knocking down the walls he had spent his entire life building.

The playfulness hung in the air for a moment before they leaned in and met in another kiss, this one more heated, more frantic. Years of tension from the clashing of swords turning into desperation. They lost themselves in each other, rolling over the blanket, laughing softly in between kisses.  When they finally paused, Tobirama grinned, looking down at his Uchiha now laying beneath him. “Don’t think I’ll start going easy on you during our spars.”

Izuna’s eyes sparkled with challenge, “Good. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Their banter subsided as they lay there, tangled together under the sakura tree, exchanging kisses. Tobirama carded his fingers through Izuna’s hair as he had imagined doing before, playing with the long strands. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them, finally letting their guard down completely.

Tobirama knew that this was just the beginning, as he held Izuna close, he felt excited for whatever came next.