Thankfully, he happened to catch the flash of hurt that flickered quickly across Izuna’s face. The Senju wasn’t a fool, he realized almost immediately how badly his words could be taken so he was prepared somewhat for the fury and venom that dripped from the shorter man’s voice.
“Don’t be stupid, it’s not like that.” Was it like that? He’d tried to convince himself it was but deep down; even Tobirama knew that to be total bullshit. He knew this wasn’t about Madara…not really. This was all about his own selfish desires. He had wanted to see Izuna again…wanted to have him back in his life. So he’d gone against the very natural order of the universe to see him again.
Against all common sense, all morality and his own better judgment he’d still brought him back. Senju Tobirama wasn’t a selfish man by nature but this man had always managed to make him want more than he was allowed—more than was safe to want.
“Yes, I brought you back for your brother’s own sanity but that wasn’t everything. I had to see you again even if all I could have was your anger and venom towards me.” He said softly, that tremor of emotion making his voice waver ever so slightly.
His fingers twisted and clenched in the material of his pants but Izuna’s challenging words proved to be too much. Afraid of him?! Never…afraid of what he might do for him...well that was a whole different matter. One pale hand finally shot out and caught the Uchiha’s arm and dragged his hand up to press against the hollow of his throat where above his chest plate. That vulnerable spot where armor didn’t cover and where it would be so easy for the Uchiha to act on his homicidal urges if that was what he desired.
“I’m not afraid of you, Izuna. And if you feel like you have to kill me to make up for what I did, then do so.” Theoretically, Tobirama knew if he died then his resurrection would fall apart to nothing but dust and ash once more without his chakra to sustain it. But Izuna didn’t know that and Tobirama wasn’t going to tell him. Let him take his revenge if that was what he needed. “Go ahead, I won’t stop you.” Even in this, baring his throat to a potential enemy, the pulse that beat beneath that pale skin was strong and steady because he apparently had ice water flowing through his veins. Or maybe he truly would accept dying at Izuna’s hands without protest or a fight. Who could tell for certain?
no subject
“Don’t be stupid, it’s not like that.” Was it like that? He’d tried to convince himself it was but deep down; even Tobirama knew that to be total bullshit. He knew this wasn’t about Madara…not really. This was all about his own selfish desires. He had wanted to see Izuna again…wanted to have him back in his life. So he’d gone against the very natural order of the universe to see him again.
Against all common sense, all morality and his own better judgment he’d still brought him back. Senju Tobirama wasn’t a selfish man by nature but this man had always managed to make him want more than he was allowed—more than was safe to want.
“Yes, I brought you back for your brother’s own sanity but that wasn’t everything. I had to see you again even if all I could have was your anger and venom towards me.” He said softly, that tremor of emotion making his voice waver ever so slightly.
His fingers twisted and clenched in the material of his pants but Izuna’s challenging words proved to be too much. Afraid of him?! Never…afraid of what he might do for him...well that was a whole different matter. One pale hand finally shot out and caught the Uchiha’s arm and dragged his hand up to press against the hollow of his throat where above his chest plate. That vulnerable spot where armor didn’t cover and where it would be so easy for the Uchiha to act on his homicidal urges if that was what he desired.
“I’m not afraid of you, Izuna. And if you feel like you have to kill me to make up for what I did, then do so.” Theoretically, Tobirama knew if he died then his resurrection would fall apart to nothing but dust and ash once more without his chakra to sustain it. But Izuna didn’t know that and Tobirama wasn’t going to tell him. Let him take his revenge if that was what he needed. “Go ahead, I won’t stop you.” Even in this, baring his throat to a potential enemy, the pulse that beat beneath that pale skin was strong and steady because he apparently had ice water flowing through his veins. Or maybe he truly would accept dying at Izuna’s hands without protest or a fight. Who could tell for certain?