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Izuna looks up into the clear night sky.
It's beautiful, filled with a thousand stars, and they shine with a cold clear light.
They're only a distraction from what's really holding his attention though.
Even as he sits on the engawa, Hashirama-san walks past him and down into the garden.
The evening is still warm, though of course not as hot as it was during the height of summer, and there's really no need for the haori that the man drapes over nii-san's shoulders. Despite that, Izuna's brother doesn't reject it, instead leaning into his lover and tilting his head up for a kiss.
Izuna wants to frown at this blatant display of affection but he can't - not really. Nii-san and his wife, Hashirama-san even... they're just so good together.
They fit.
Them and their son, it could not be more obvious that they're a family.
A family that Izuna is not really a part of.
Nii-san would never turn him away, of course not, but even Izuna can see there's no room for him there.
And that's the way it should be.
He tells himself that, and he means it, even as he knows that jealousy dwells within his heart.
Oh he doesn't want Mito-hime, and he definitely doesn't want Hashirama-san!
But he wants what nii-san has.
He wants love.
Where is the person for him?
A few steps away, under the sakura trees, Izuna can see Tobirama and Hikaku talking, their faces serious and intent. What are they discussing he wonders, his newest friend and his oldest? A patrol? A new mission?
Each other?
His Sharingan flares as he instinctively reaches for understanding, and they turn to look at him.
Both equally sensitive to the flow of his chakra - thanks to Hikaku's long familiarity and Tobirama's sensory abilities - the contrast between their expressions is amusing. Tobirama's eyebrow is raised, curiosity mingled with the alertness that always keeps him ready for battle, but Hikaku frowns ever so slightly with disapproval.
It's to be expected of course, the price of overusing the Sharingan is high and Hikaku worries about him, but Izuna holds his friend's gaze steadily in an effort to reassure. Hikaku's own Sharingan flares, obviously making sure that Izuna is not using the Mangekyō, before it goes quiet, the red fading into black.
Izuna lets his sleep as well, having no more need for it.
He has the answer to his question after all.
Hikaku and Tobirama go back to their conversation as if he had never interrupted, and Izuna chews on his lip.
No, they're not lovers, nor are they courting.
But there is something there, just the beginnings of it.
Interest.
There's no reason for them not to be intrigued by each other, the wall that separated the Uchiha from the Senju came down with nii-san's marriage to Mito-hime, and the two clans are not enemies any longer. At the same time, Izuna feels the impulse to stomp over there and wedge himself between them.
And he knows exactly why.
It's ridiculous, and he calls himself a fool, but Izuna makes a promise to himself that he will try.
If he wants what his brother has, he'll have to work for it.
But that's alright.
He's never been afraid of hard work.