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Issue #1: Shinobi Shenanigans: Fling or Fiance? A Deep Dive Into The Relationship of Uchiha Izuna and the Nidaime
For years now Konoha has bore witness to the contentious relationship between Senju Tobirama, our beloved second Hokage, and Uchiha Izuna, Captain of the ANBU guard. Recent times however have seen the pair in much more intimate situations leaving the question on everyone's mind; what are they?
Izuna's eye twitched, annoyance coursing through him. This was the very last thing he wanted to be dealing with today, the very last. He could be at home, enjoying the one free day he and Tobirama have together, instead he's here having to deal with this mess.
"Well?" Hashirama asks, reaching out to nudge the newsletter closer to Izuna. Beside him, Madara arches an eyebrow at Izuna as if to say he too is interested, which was frankly just rude of his brother.
This whole meeting was absolutely ridiculous and he doesn't owe either of them answers. This was Tobirama's office now, Hashirama wasn't the Hokage still and therefore Izuna isn't required to answer anything. Years spent in service to the elder Senju however leave Izuna feeling like he owes him something though.
Taking a deep breathe, Izuna forces himself to calm down and answer.
"It's all rumors," he says, defaulting to his and Tobirama's preferred method of discretion.
Izuna had long ago come to the realization that they were more than just coworkers in the village, more than just friends too. He loves Tobirama and he knows the same could be said in turn, yet neither had taken steps to publicly share that with anyone.
There is a lot that would come with it, with people knowing, and Izuna has learned that he loves the privacy that came with forming peace. The elders of the clan hardly look into his life or ask him questions and he likes it that way, wants to keep it that way. Besides, he doesn't care to see the knowing looks his brother and Hashirama will give them any time they're left alone or working together.
"I don't know, it's all pretty compelling information baby cat," Madara says, and Izuna bristles in annoyance at the nickname. "Things Hashirama and myself have noticed as well."
"Of course it is, we're friends," Izuna says, crossing his arms over his chest.
This was going to lead to all sorts of unwanted attention, he just knew it. He could already see Hashirama and Madara wanting to make plans like marriage and children and double dates and all manner of other things Izuna is sure he and Tobirama want little to do with.
"Look, if anything changes I promise you'll both be the first to know," Izuna adds, doing his best to look innocent and as if he wasn't just lying his ass off to the pair of them. "All of this is just…shinobi gossip."
He taps the newsletter once before picking it up. After this stupid meeting he's going to go out and hunt down every issue of this damn newsletter there is and burn them.
"Is that all?" Izuna asks and without waiting an answer gets up and leaves. He's got important things to do, like hunt down all the issues of his newsletter and then interrogate Tobirama on why he didn't sense anyone watching them so closely.
As the door swings shut behind him, Hashirama lets out a soft amused laugh.
"Do you think they'll ever find out who wrote it?" Madara asks, looking at Hashirama with a knowing smirk.
"Oh I don't know, I doubt it," Hashirama answers, relaxing back in Tobirama's chair. "I suspect it will take two or three more issues before they come clean to us."
"And will you be writing those too?" Madara asks.
Hashirama chuckles and nods. He wouldn't allow it any other way.