Grand ceremony and silent estrangement
The joy of the inauguration of the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had not yet completely dissipated in the Hidden Leaf Village when another highly anticipated event followed - the wedding of Tobirama Senju and Aoi Uchiha.
This wedding was far more than a simple personal celebration. It was endowed with heavy political significance, becoming the most intuitive symbol of the alliance between the Senju and Uchiha people, and a living advertisement for Konohagakure Village to declare its concept of peace to the entire ninja world.
The joy of the inauguration of the first Hokage, Hashirama Senju, had not yet completely dissipated in the Hidden Leaf Village when another highly anticipated event followed - the wedding of Tobirama Senju and Aoi Uchiha.
This wedding was far more than a simple personal celebration. It was endowed with heavy political significance, becoming the most intuitive symbol of the alliance between the Senju and Uchiha people, and a living advertisement for Konohagakure Village to declare its concept of peace to the entire ninja world.
Konoha Village had been preparing for this for a full month. Everyone knew that this was no ordinary marriage, but a blood-bound alliance between two families.
Deep within the Senju clan's territory, Aoi sat quietly before a mirror, allowing her maid to try on the meticulously prepared white wedding gown. The pristine white kimono symbolized the bride's purity, blanketing her like fresh snow. The Senju clan crest was embroidered in silver thread, complementing the Uchiha fan emblem on the purple lining. This was a gown specially crafted for a marriage alliance.
"It suits you very well, Miss Aoi." The maid praised softly, but Aoi only saw a strange and gorgeous puppet in the mirror.
Uchiha Madara personally inspected every detail. His stern expression softened slightly when he saw his sister don the White Wedding Dress, and a flicker of elusive emotions flashed across his eagle-like eyes.
"Remember, you represent the dignity of the Uchiha clan." Madara's voice was still cold and hard, but the action of adjusting her headdress was unusually gentle.
Aoi nodded slightly, she understood the weight she was carrying.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside the Senju residence was equally solemn. Tobirama stood at the window, gazing at the outline of the village, which was already taking shape. He wore a traditional Monfuku hakama, the dark blue fabric embroidered with the Senju clan crest, and his silver hair stood out in the morning light.
"Are you nervous?" Hashirama had come behind him at some point, his smile filled with warmth of understanding.
Tobirama turned around, his face showing his usual calmness: "This wedding will strengthen the alliance and reduce possible friction in the future. Personal feelings are not important."
Hashirama sighed and patted his brother's shoulder. "But there's more to life than politics, Tobirama. Perhaps one day in the future, you'll find that this marriage isn't entirely a bondage."
Tobirama did not answer. His gaze once again turned to the window, where workers were building a ceremonial platform in the square.
On the wedding day, the central square of Konoha was decorated festively and solemnly.
The square was surrounded by flags representing the Senju and Uchiha clans, fluttering side by side, symbolizing the inseparable future of the two clans. A new red carpet, strewn with acorns symbolizing fertility and prosperity, stretched from the entrance to the central platform.
The guests were packed, representatives from every prominent clan in Konoha. The heads of the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi clans sat side by side; the children of the Inuzuka clan tried to control their excited ninja dogs; and the Aburame clan stood quietly in the shadows, keeping their distance from the surrounding commotion.
The most eye-catching thing was the envoys sent by the Daimyo of the Land of Fire. They brought congratulatory letters written by the Daimyo himself and expensive gifts, showing the official importance attached to this marriage.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, as the heads of both families and the highest leaders of the village, jointly presided over the ceremony. Hashirama, wearing the Hokage robe, greeted the guests with a broad smile, while Madara remained solemn, as if he were attending a military meeting rather than a festive wedding.
As the hour approached, the square suddenly became quiet.
All eyes were focused on the end of the red carpet. Uchiha Aoi appeared, clad in a pristine white kimono and a pure white tiara known as "Kakugakure," symbolizing her commitment to concealing her temper and obeying her husband's family after marriage. A thin white veil obscured her features, but not her graceful demeanor.
Madara stepped forward, extending his hand to his sister. There was a rare tenderness in his movements as he grasped Aoi's trembling fingers. He personally guided her, step by step, towards Tobirama Senju, who stood in the center of the square.
"The Uchiha clan will always support you." Madara said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, and the steady and powerful handshake conveyed silent support.
Through the white veil, Aoi gazed at the man who would become her husband. Senju Tobirama, clad in traditional Monsuke hakama, stood tall and straight like a pine tree, his silver hair gleaming in the sunlight. His expression remained as calm as ever, his crimson eyes betraying no emotion, as if everything before him were just another mission to be executed perfectly.
The ceremony was carried out according to the most traditional process.
Hashirama stood at the main seat, his voice loud and solemn: "Today, we gather here to witness the union of the Senju and Uchiha bloodlines, and to witness the beginning of the rebirth of the Hidden Leaf Village. This is not only the union of two people, but also a symbol of the ideal of peace that we all pursue!"
The crowd erupted in applause, but if one listened carefully, one could discern a complex mix of emotions – sincere blessings, reluctant acknowledgment, and the shadow of a feud that was difficult to completely let go.
The core part of the ceremony is the three-three-nine-degree drinking ceremony. Three sets of lacquerware wine cups of different sizes are placed in front of the newlyweds, symbolizing that they will share the joys and sorrows in the future.
When Aoi and Tobirama simultaneously raised the smallest wine glass, their fingers inevitably touched lightly. Aoi felt a shudder like an electric current at the point of contact. It wasn't a flutter in her heart, but an extremely nervous reaction from her body. She could clearly smell Tobirama's cool scent, a mixture of light ink and herbs.
"The first cup is a toast to heaven and earth," the emcee announced loudly.
They raised their glasses simultaneously and took gentle sips. The sake slid down their throats, bringing a burning sensation. Aoi felt her heartbeat like a drum, so loud she suspected everyone in the square could hear it.
"The second cup is to honor the ancestors."
Another toast, closer. Aoi noticed the movement of Tobirama's Adam's apple as he swallowed, his movements precise and controlled, as if he were performing some ritual.
"The third cup, toast to each other."
The last set of glasses was raised, their arms almost completely intertwined, their faces so close they could feel each other's breath. At that moment, Aoi finally met Tobirama's gaze. A flash of emotion flashed across those crimson eyes, too fast for her to decipher, before returning to her usual composure.
The 339-degree cup ceremony was completed, marking their official marriage to husband and wife.
Thunderous applause erupted once more in the square. Hashirama smiled heartily, and even Madara's lips seemed to curl upwards. Only Uzumaki Mito, standing nearby, keenly caught the fleeting look of confusion in Aoi's eyes.
The dinner was boisterous and grand, held in the largest banquet hall of the Hokage Building.
The long dining table was laden with a variety of delicious dishes, ranging from traditional Japanese cuisine to unique dishes from various ethnic groups. Waiters shuttled between the guests, promptly refilling the wine and dishes. In the center of the hall, performers performed traditional Noh and Kagura dances, but few truly appreciated these elaborate performances.
As the bride and groom, Tobirama and Aoi were like two carefully dressed puppets. They were arranged to sit in the main seats and complete various rituals according to the established procedures.
Tobirama was busy responding to the congratulations of the guests. His manners were impeccable, and he delivered logical and appropriate responses to each person. But beneath that perfection lay a distant, almost unapproachable air. He was more like the master of ceremonies at this banquet than a bridegroom immersed in joy.
Aoi sat quietly for most of the time, maintaining a proper smile on her face, accepting congratulations that were either sincere or insincere. The Shiromuku had been replaced with a more ornate and heavy formal kimono, with the combined Senju and Uchiha family crests embroidered on a deep purple background.
"Congratulations, Aoi." Mito came to her side, held her hand and whispered, "Time will heal everything. Give it a chance."
Aoi forced a smile, "I know. Thank you, Mito-nee."
Her gaze casually swept across the hall, catching sight of the clansmen seated in the Uchiha section. They toasted to her, their eyes unable to conceal their complex emotions. She also caught sight of the Senju clan, their polite yet reserved smiles.
In this feast, she seemed to belong to both sides, yet also seemed to belong to neither side.
What weighed even more heavily on her heart was that she and Tobirama had barely any direct communication throughout the entire dinner. Even the necessary interactions were relayed through others or through brief confirmations. They were like two birds tied to the same string, desperately trying to fly in different directions.
When the last guests left and the noise finally died down, the two, accompanied by their servants, walked towards their new house - an independent courtyard located in the Senju clan's territory, which was distant from the main house but not too remote.
The courtyard had clearly been meticulously maintained, with wedding decorations everywhere. Paper lanterns swayed gently in the breeze, casting a soft glow across the corridor.
Opening the door, one is greeted by a festive and luxuriously decorated Japanese-style room. A bright red mattress is spread across the tatami mat, and a golden folding screen depicts mandarin ducks playing in the water. In the corner, unopened wine vessels and a "three-night cake" (a symbol of fertility and good fortune) are placed.
However, when the door is gently closed, isolating the room from the outside world, those gorgeous decorations suddenly lose their meaning, leaving only empty forms.
An awkward silence hung in the air, heavier than any awkward moment at the dinner party.
The red candles burned brightly, illuminating the two men's equally uneasy expressions. Aoi stood by the door, her fingers unconsciously twisting the cuffs of her kimono; Tobirama walked to the window, pretending to inspect the workmanship of the window frame.
Long minutes passed, the silence broken only by the occasional crackle of a candle flame.
"...It's getting late, let's get some rest." Finally, it was Tobirama who spoke first, breaking the silence. His voice was a little dry, unlike his usual calm and composed self-possession.
"...Yeah." Aoi responded softly, almost inaudibly.
She walked behind the screen and began to untie the knots of her headdress and kimono. These tasks, usually performed by a maid, became extremely difficult now. When she finally took off her heavy outer robe, leaving only her thin inner garment, she felt a chill.
Tobirama had also taken off his outer haori, wearing only a white inner lining. They slept in tacit understanding, fully clothed, on the spread of bedding, with enough space between them for another person to sleep.
Inside the red tent, they could hear each other's breathing clearly, but they felt farther away than ever.
It was late at night, and the moonlight shone through the paper window, casting a cold spot of light on the tatami.
Aoi closed her eyes tightly, trying to feign sleep, but her senses were incredibly alert. She could hear Tobirama's steady breathing, so steady it betrayed the fact that he was equally awake.
At that moment, the illusion of reconciliation created by the grand wedding that day completely dissipated. What stood between them was the blood feud between their families, the cold nature of a political marriage, and the insurmountable rift in their hearts.
She remembered the appearance of Izuna's brother before his death, the gnashing of teeth with which her father mentioned the Senju clan, and the voices of dissatisfaction within the Uchiha clan who were dissatisfied with the marriage.
But she also remembered the sincere smile of her brother Hashirama, the warm encouragement of her sister Mito, and the children running on the streets of Konoha who no longer had to worry about going to the battlefield tomorrow.
Complex emotions surged in her heart, leaving her at a loss.
On the other side, Tobirama was equally sleepless. His mind was habitually analyzing the current situation, assessing the potential political impact of this marriage, and calculating how to maximize the use of this alliance to consolidate Konoha's stability.
However, when he heard the soft, suppressed breathing of Kui beside him, a crack appeared in his calm analysis. He remembered her trembling fingers as they drank together that afternoon, her silhouette in the archives, intently sorting through files, and the wisdom that gleamed in her eyes as she offered suggestions for improving people's livelihoods.
This wasn't the marriage he'd expected, nor the life he'd planned for himself, but as a realist, he knew he had to accept it and try to make the most of it.
"For Konoha," he said silently in his mind, using the phrase as a mantra to calm all the disturbances.
The night watchman's drum was beating in the distance, it was already the second watch.
The candle flame gradually dimmed, finally extinguished in the remaining wax. The bridal chamber fell into complete darkness. The two sober people lay beside each other, but it seemed as if there was an unbridgeable chasm between them.
This night was destined to be sleepless. The symbolic union did not immediately bring about a spiritual closeness. The road ahead was still long and filled with unknown thorns.
But no matter what, the day will always come.
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