#nalt

Kakuzu had thought nothing of it when his brother had ascended to a position on Takigakure’s council.  They had never been close to begin with, and there seemed little reason to interact more now, so it is with some surprise that he receives a summons from him to appear before the full gathered council, and their newly-appointed Kage.

His brother passes him a scroll, which he scans, briefly, eyes widening just a fraction, before he drops the scroll down onto the table with a flick of his wrist.  It falls, and its contents unroll for all to see.

“What sort of mission is this?”

“An assassination”

He is certain this is a terrible idea.  He is certain this is a terrible idea all the way through the blunt negotiations for a peace treaty, through the elaborate ceremony, and all the way up to when he is standing in front of “their” new bedroom, Senju Hashirama—beloved and powerful leader, founder of the first ninja village ever formed—at his side.  Simply taking a few steps forward would be the easiest way to complete this mission; it is not the first time Kakuzu would use seduction to lower a target’s guard, and the Senju is easy enough on the eyes.  And yet...

Standing at the threshold of their new bedroom, of their marriage bed, in formal robes stiff and unfamiliar, the doorway before him seems suddenly an insurmountable obstacle, and he cannot seem to will himself to take that first step.

Kakuzu jolts out of his thoughts when Hashirama laughs, and he feels a warm hand come down to rest on his shoulder.

“It’s been a long day, eh?” Hashirama lets out what must be an exaggerated yawn.  “Good night, Kakuzu,” he says, and Kakuzu has barely opened his mouth to reply when Hashirama leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to his forehead.  He then smiles and turns, disappearing further down the hallway.  Kakuzu watches him go, mind blank with static and feeling oddly bereft.