Beyond Sin (Naruto)

March begins today. It was a very warm day.

Fuyou and Hashirama were strolling along the willow walkway that Hashirama had built.

The yellow-green color of the newly sprouted willow leaves is dazzling.

She looked up at Hashirama beside her, who also looked at Fuyou. Their eyes met and they both smiled. The gentle Hashirama looked even gentler in the beautiful willow scenery.

I think it was last summer when I walked this path...I thought I would never walk it with Hashirama again.

"You can choose any outfit for the reception that suits you, Fuyou."

Hashirama wanted to hold the ceremony as soon as possible after deciding to get married, but Fuyou persuaded him to hold the ceremony and reception in May, when the new leaves are beautiful. However, Fuyou never expected that she would end up leaving the village on May 1st with Madara.

"Yes. But I really want to keep it small, so I'm not too particular about the outfit. I think it's okay to wear the same outfit for the reception too."

"Fuyou, that won't do. This will be a surprise for everyone in the village, so it has to be a gorgeous outfit that makes a huge impact! Something incredible that will highlight your beauty to the fullest!"

"Haha... no, no. I think being frugal would make a better impression on the people in the village."

Fuyou had once broken off her engagement with Hashirama and was living with Madara, which led to further slander and jealousy at the girls' school. Because there must have been people outside of the girls' school who felt the same way, Fuyou asked Hashirama to announce their marriage after the ceremony, which he agreed to, but she wanted to lessen the hurt Hashirama felt from having his bride run away.

Fuyou's heart was once again weighed down with guilt for deceiving Hashirama, and she dropped her gaze to her feet.

There I saw dogtooth violets in bloom.

... Dogtooth violets. I think their flower language is "first love" and "enduring loneliness"...

Fuyou's first love was Hashirama, and the person she was waiting for while enduring the loneliness was Madara.

However, what Fuyou sees now is the reality of Hashirama, who surrounds her with love.

As long as I wish for it, that reality may continue into the future.

Fuyou no longer knew what was truly important to her.

"What's wrong? You're looking like that. Is there something that's bothering you?"

Suddenly realizing that she had a very sad look on her face, she looked up in a panic.

"It's okay. I was just feeling a bit sad that I'm going to be leaving school soon..."

"That's true... but maybe a girls' school wasn't the right fit for you. I still think it would have been better for you to become a teacher at the academy. Even though it was your alma mater, it must have been difficult for you to have such a bad experience. I always heard about it from Itsuki... I'm sorry."

"No way. I was just happy to be able to do my dream job as a teacher. Thank you."

Even though she said that, Fuyou remembered her most enjoyable teaching experience as teaching the children in the Uchiha territory.

Unfortunately, I didn't encounter many girls with innocent smiles like those of those girls at my girls' school. That was my only regret.

◆

The last day of girls' school.

Even after Fuyou's final class ended, there were no expressions of regret from the students, and the scene remained the same as always.

Maybe what I wanted to tell them didn't get through to them...

Fuyou gathered up the rest of her belongings and left the teachers' room.

Then, four students were there waiting for Fuyou, carrying flowers and a furoshiki.

"Professor Fuyou!"

They all run over to Fuyou at once.

As Fuyou stood frozen in shock, a student holding a bouquet of flowers handed it to her.

"Thank you so much, Professor Fuyou. We are really glad that we joined your cooking club."

"The dishes that you teach us are very popular at home. I wish you had taught us more different dishes.... Here is the inari sushi that the four of us made. Please try it."

"Your talks have always been very helpful. Even if my parents have chosen the path for me, I have hope that I can live life with my dreams in mind!"

"We are your biggest fans in this school! And you are our lifelong mentor. Thank you so much."

The four were students who had joined the cooking club that Fuyou had started after school. She was happy that they had joined the club, even though there were only students who didn't like her.

"...So everyone felt that way. I'm so happy...Thank you. Thank you so much..."

Fuyou shed big tears and hugged the bouquet and the furoshiki containing the inari sushi.

All four of them hugged Fuyou and cried.

The four of them continued to wave goodbye to Fuyou from the windows of the school building until she left the school gates.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

At this moment, Fuyou realized that a teacher should not just teach something to his or her students, but should also learn from them and help them grow.

I hope that one day I will be able to use these feelings in my work as a teacher again.

◆

"Fuyou, you don't have to work so hard. You have to prepare for the wedding, so why don't you just relax at home?"

Itsuki said with a troubled look on her face to Fuyou, who was making miso soup in the cafeteria inside the Konoha Village Headquarters.

"Thank you, Itsuki-chan. But it's only lunchtime, so it's okay. Rather than just sitting around at home, I want to be of some use to the village, for Hashirama-sama, and for Itsuki-chan."

Fuyou began working at the restaurant in the headquarters of Konoha Village, hoping to make amends for her sins against Hashirama, and to be of some use to the village.

And with Itsuki's offer to become Fuyou's maid falling through, she began working again in the secretarial office at the village headquarters.

It was discussed that not having maids was a problem, but at the senior officials' meeting it was agreed that Tobirama would continue to live in Hashirama's mansion as before, and that they would be able to live without maids.

Fuyou's resentment towards Tobirama had almost completely disappeared.

Although he cannot forgive the attempt to take his life, it is an undeniable fact that it was thanks to that that he was able to meet Madara.

And because he had loved Madara with all his heart, he had also come to know the pain of loving someone, and he felt like he understood Tobirama a little better.

"Fuyou! What's on the menu today?"

Hashirama walks over with a big grin on his face.

"Hokage-sama. It's written there so all you have to do is read it. Fuyou is busy too."

"But you're having a fun conversation with Fuyou."

"I'm fine. Hey, Fuyou?"

"Hahaha. It's okay, Itsuki. I'm not making it all by myself."

"I can see that everyone is happier since Fuyou started coming over. Not only does the food taste even better, it's a feast for the eyes! However, I do feel a bit conflicted about someone other than me eating Fuyou's cooking."

"Huh. Even Hokage-sama thinks things like that. Surprising. I thought you were just an ultra-philanthropist."

"Well, Fuyou is my wife after all."

Hashirama said to Itsuki in a low, embarrassed voice.

"It will be done soon, so please wait a little longer."

Fuyou deftly arranged small bowls of spinach dressed in sesame seeds, then went to check on the other dishes with the three middle-aged women at the back.

"That's good. Fuyou, I was wondering what would happen if you quit school, but you seem to be doing well."

"Yes. I was surprised when you said you wanted to work here, but it's encouraging to know that you're needed outside of your home too. That's good."

"Home cooking by the Hokage's wife. That's extremely appreciated. How about we raise the price?"

"Wahahaha. As expected of Itsuki! What a great thing to say!"

The cafeteria opens for business, and ninjas start coming in one after another.

Fuyou stood at the cashier's office and received money from the ninjas. When handing over the change, she gently touched the bottom of the person's palm to prevent the change from falling out. Hashirama looked on with a clearly dejected look on his face, his shoulders slumped. Itsuki, who had been watching the whole thing, said to Hashirama:

"Even though you can have your meals delivered to the Hokage's office, you still come here every day because you're worried that Fuyou will be hit on or sexually harassed, right?"

"...N-No way! All the ninjas in the village are... gentlemen."

"That's easy to understand. Ah! That person was just touching Fuyou's hand!!"

"Fuyou! I'll pay the bill!"

Hashirama shouted, standing up.

"Huh?"

Itsuki was beside him, astonished. In truth, he also went to the diner every day for the same reason as Hashirama...

The ninjas in the dining hall opened their eyes wide and stopped eating with their chopsticks to focus their attention on Hashirama.

Hashirama goes to Fuyou's place and stands at the accounting desk.

"Welcome. I'm sure you had a hard time with your mission!"

"Maybe that guy is really stupid..."

Itsuki is worried about Fuyou marrying such an innocent man.

"H-Hashirama-sama! Please stop. What's wrong all of a sudden?"

Both Fuyou and the other ninjas waiting for the bill stood frozen in confusion.

"Fuyou, let me help you. You should rest."

"You idiot!!"

Tobirama, who had been watching the whole thing from the entrance to the dining hall, yelled with his arms crossed and a shocked look on his face.

"Oh, Tobirama! Perfect time, you help out too!"

"How can a brother who always just pays the bills without thinking about it be the one to do the accounting? Or rather, he should think more carefully about his position as Hokage! I'm sorry everyone... Fuyou, please continue with the accounting."

"Ah, uh, yes."

"…After all, Tobirama is the only one who can play the straight man to Hashirama. Yep."

Itsuki watched with a wry smile as he poked at his sesame-dressed spinach.

As Fuyou continued paying the bill and Hashirama and Itsuki watched while they were eating, Tobirama, who had just left, approached Fuyou with something in his hand.

"?"

Hashirama and Itsuki looked at each other, still holding their chopsticks.

"Yes, use this. It's more hygienic than receiving money by hand, and you don't have to worry about dropping coins."

Tobirama handed a wooden tray to Fuyou.

"I see! I hadn't noticed that. Thank you, Tobirama-sama."

Fuyou smiled happily and gently took it with both hands.

"...Normally, someone would notice something like this...Hmph."

Tobirama looked away, a little embarrassed, and reached into his pocket, pulling out some coins and placing them on the tray.

"One serving."

"Oh, yes! Thank you."

Hashirama and Itsuki were watching the whole thing, fascinated and impressed.

Itsuki in particular felt pathetic and depressed, wondering why he had not realised such a simple thing.

Before long, Tobirama had picked up some food on a tray and, before we knew it, he had walked over to Hashirama and Fuyou's table and sat down.

"As expected of Tobirama-sama. Wouldn't it be better for you to be Hokage?"

"Tobirama! I never even realized that move was possible! I see!"

"You guys didn't notice? How stupid... That means there's no need for you to come here every day to keep watch, so you can just eat and work in the Hokage room, brother."

"Well, I guess that's true... but even so, I'd still rather eat my meal while looking at Fuyou's face..."

"shut up."

Hashirama looked dejected as usual. Itsuki ignored him and continued eating.

◆

The peach blossoms have bloomed, the wind is no longer cold, and the cherry blossom season is fast approaching.

The relationship between Fuyou and Hashirama, Tobirama, and Itsuki seemed to be improving with each passing day.

Hashirama was happy that he and Fuyou had made their pact and would soon be officially husband and wife. He was also pleased that the village was growing steadily, with other ninja clans coming to Konoha to inspect the village system in an attempt to copy it, and that the foundations of other villages were also being established.

Tobirama's guilt towards Fuyou never faded, but deep down he was very happy that Fuyou had become Hashirama's wife and not Madara's, and that he could be by her side. And his job as a strategist and advisor supporting his foolish brother the Hokage was truly his calling, and although it kept him busy he found it rewarding.

On the day when Itsuki and Fuyou made love, Itsuki was seriously considering planning to take Fuyou and leave the village. However, just as Fuyou had said, when Itsuki looked at her, Itsuki could tell that she cherished and loved Hashirama more than ever before. Fuyou realized that it would be better for her to marry Hashirama, who had become Hokage, and for her to stay by his side as more than just a best friend for the rest of her life.

On the other hand, Hibiscus...

The scent of wintersweets from the garden drifts into the room.

In the large mirror, Fuyou appears dressed in a pure white wedding dress.

Hashirama also appears in the photo, placing his hands on Fuyou's shoulders.

"...It's beautiful. What a nice outfit. It suits you well."

"···thank you."

The costume has a left-side collar embroidered with silver thread, and the collar is unbuttoned so that the base of the neck can be seen. The sleeves, which widen towards the wrists, are made of multiple layers of thin silk, which are also embroidered with silver thread. The hem of the skirt falls straight down, and the back hem is long and draped.

"You're right! You look like a total princess. It suits you so well! I'm so glad you chose this costume."

Itsuki is crouching next to me, looking up at the hibiscus.

"Thank you, Itsuki, for helping me choose."

The scent of the wintersweet flowers carries on the wind and becomes even stronger.

Fuyou felt as if she was about to burst into tears at the sight of the scent and her own wedding appearance.

"Only a little over a month left...it goes so quickly. I'm sad that Fuyou is going to get married. Plus, Hashirama-sama is a total idiot, so I'm really worried...sigh."

"Hey! I'm the Hokage. An idiot can't become Hokage. So I'm not an idiot."

"That's it, that's it! I'm not even aware of it..."

"Itsuki, you're exaggerating. After all, Hashirama is Hokage after all."

"Fuyou, you're the most rude one. I wonder if it's okay for two people to be so naive..."

"Itsuki, you're here, and Tobirama is here too, so it'll be fine. Ahahahaha!"

...That's good. Thank you, Itsuki-chan and Hashirama-sama.

Fuyou, who was almost in tears, was able to laugh at the exchange between Itsuki and Hashirama.

However, Fuyou's confusion deepened further into the labyrinth.

A peaceful and warm life living with the people I love. The joy of being useful to the village of Konoha... I don't want to throw that away.

Fuyou begins to feel hesitant about leaving the village with Madara and living an uncertain life.

...Which one should I choose, Madara or Hashirama?

It goes without saying that choosing Hashirama and continuing this life would be a happy one.

But what about Madara? He lost both his parents and siblings, and was abandoned by his own people.

Who else could love, support, and be by Madara's side other than Fuyou?

"If Madara-sama were to return to the village, I would not choose either Hashirama-sama or Madara-sama.

Even if I lost the love of both of them, if Madara-sama and Hashirama-sama could hold hands again, I would let go of my love without hesitation...

Fuyou's desires and resolve only grew stronger, but she still couldn't come to a conclusion.

◆

At last, the cherry blossoms have bloomed.

Even in the village, the main topic of conversation was the predicted full bloom of the cherry blossoms. Everyone seemed to be having fun, discussing what to do about cherry blossom viewing this year, where the most beautiful cherry blossoms are, and so on.

"Um, Tobirama-sama... can I just say something?"

Fuyou called out to Tobirama, which was unusual for her. Tobirama closed the book he was reading.

"I don't care. Whatever."

"There's a favor I'd like to ask... but it's okay if it's not okay... um..."

"What? If you think it's no good then don't say it."

"...I see. I'm sorry."

Fuyou timidly tried to leave the room.

"Oh come on! Just tell me! I'm sure you're curious!"

Tobirama is still unable to be honest with himself and ends up making sarcastic remarks to Fuyou.

"I want to be trained in swordsmanship... like in the old days."

"What? What is an unmarried woman saying? What if she gets hurt? My brother will get angry."

"It's okay. The only skin exposed in my wedding dress is around my neck and face."

Fuyou said, pointing to her face and the back of her neck.

"That's not the issue. I refuse."

"It doesn't have to be a serious fight like before. Just the form will be fine. Is that okay?"

"If it's just a form...But why do you want to practice swordsmanship with me so badly now?"

"I want to settle this... with the past."

"...."

Tobirama was speechless as he stared at Fuyou. It was clear that Fuyou's words were loaded with a lot of meaning, and they carried a lot of weight.

Fuyou also stared intently into Tobirama's eyes with a serious expression.

"Okay, then, just the mold."

"thank you."

In the garden, the snow willows are blooming beautifully like a waterfall, and the hibiscus trees are finally starting to sprout new leaves.

Recently, the temperature has risen sharply during the day and the weather has been sweaty, and this day was no exception, being a very warm afternoon.

For the first time in a long while, the two of them put on their swordsmanship uniforms and went out into the garden.

"Let's go with the first three forms. Sounds good."

"Yes. Thank you very much."

The two men put their swords together. They count to three and begin their exchange of blows. It is merely a standard exchange of blows, not a battle in which the winner is decided.

The two of them continued the form in silence.

Fuyou's eyes were serious, as if she was in a serious fight.

His eyes were exactly the same as they were that day.

But Tobirama remains unfazed, quickly looking away from those eyes and continuing his kata.

Sweat was glistening on Fuyou's forehead. It was due to the warm weather and the fact that the fit was even tighter than it looked.

Tobirama didn't even break a sweat, and his expression didn't change.

This is the final movement. From here on, it's a form of strong striking.

Bang, bang, bang!

The swords clash several times and then remain still.

"I forgive you. So, Tobirama-sama, please forgive me too."

"You think I'll forgive you?... That's a serious misunderstanding."

"?"

"There is nothing for me to forgive you for, ever."

In the past, Tobirama had suppressed his love for Fuyou and refused to acknowledge it.

However, her feelings of love only grew inside the lid, and she ended up self-destructing. Fuyou was not to blame.

Tobirama had been aware of this ever since he'd found out that Fuyou was alive.

Since then, Tobirama has regretted, worried, and suffered from his own actions.

But now, at last, I was able to accept it as natural.

And I was able to put it into words and convey it to Fuyou.

"...Thank you, Tobirama-sama."

Fuyō said with a relieved smile.

Tobirama stared at that smile in silence.

"Tobirama-sama, as expected. You're not even sweating. But it's hot, isn't it? I'll bring you some cold water."

Fuyou wiped the sweat from her face with the sleeve of her surgical gown and headed to the kitchen.

...I wonder if I'll be able to laugh honestly with Fuyou from now on...

Tobirama stared at the sword in his hand and muttered to himself.

◆

Cherry blossoms...Once they bloomed, it didn't take long for them to reach full bloom.

The moon is already visible in the still bright evening sky.

Bathed in the setting sun, the cherry blossoms shine brilliantly, with the shadowed areas glowing pale blue.

Fuyou stood alone beneath the cherry blossoms, gazing up at the moon floating beyond the forest.

As a chilly wind blew through the air, cherry blossom petals flew into the air all at once, brushing against Fuyou's face and hair.

Fuyou's mind was made up.

"I'll follow Madara-sama."

Interacting with the people of the village, living a warm life with Hashirama, Itsuki, and Tobirama, the joy of being useful to the village - none of these were things Fuyou wanted to give up.

However, the more things he didn't want to let go of, the more his heart ached when he thought about Madara, who didn't have the same things. Sometimes the pain in his chest became so severe that he could only curl up in pain, unbearable.

Perhaps there was some sympathy for Madara there as well.

But above all else, Fuyou couldn't imagine a life without Madara.

No matter how much fun, how peaceful, how secure things were, there would come a day when everything would feel empty without Madara. That's what Fuyou felt.

And the only one who can understand Madara now and support him is himself.

On the other hand, she couldn't completely erase the faint hope that being with him might make Madara want to return to the village someday.

Fuyou closes her eyes.

In the still-unceasing cold wind, Hibiscus' hair flutters, and the cherry blossom petals fly up, wrapping around Hibiscus. Then she turns to face the setting sun and opens her eyes.

Fuyou's amber eyes were shining gold, and there was strong determination in them.

After seeing the sun setting over the mountain ridge, Fuyou started walking.

Fuyou walked carefully, step by step.

"Let's leave what we have left unforgettable until the day we can meet again."

Fuyou looked straight ahead and before you knew it, she was running, heading back to the mansion where Hashirama was.

◆

The mountains are overflowing with life as the new greenery deepens. The last Daphne flowers are swaying, as if sad to see the end of spring.

On this day, Fuyou took a day off from work at the restaurant and came to Madara's house. She was there to do the final tidying up and pack her things to leave the village. She put the bare necessities into her bag.

"This too..."

I quietly placed the soap I had bought on the hot spring trip I took with Itsuki the other day into my bag.

"Hehe... Itsuki, you were mistaken for a handsome guy at the convenience store. That was fun..."

I held back the happy memories and the painful feelings deep in my heart. I decided not to cry.

Madara's house had all of its clothes, tableware, bedding, and household items stored away, and the vases, cushions, hanging scrolls, etc. had all been disposed of. There was only a table and a chair in the room.

...Now that I think about it, when we moved here together was probably the happiest time of my life...

I couldn't help but think about such things. I shook my head to clear the thought.

I stood up and packed my things and locked them inside the sliding door near the front door.

Four more days until I'll be reunited with Madara.

Fuyou clenched her sweaty palms.

Will he be able to reunite with Madara safely?

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