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Madara gaped blankly at his brother, trying to catch up with the utter absurdity of what Izuna had just said, “There’s a rumor going around fire country that I’m looking for a political spouse to bring wealth to the clan?” he said slowly, trying to wrap his head around that idea of an Uchiha ever marrying for anything other than love – or well, marrying someone they didn’t know, some Uchiha had marriages that weren’t based on being in love but on respect and shared values and the same hopes for the future and Madara had never though their relationships less for it (they often had much calmer time of things really). But this, a true political marriage where he was looking for anyone with enough money and a relationship was unimportant, would have made any of his kin cringe; relationships were important to the Uchiha and discarding or ignoring a spouse was an anathema to his people, relationships were important.
“Uh” Izuna said shifting awkwardly on his feet “yeah, supposedly you want wealth for the clan and are going to get married for it” the younger Uchiha winced at the spike in his brothers chakra; the clan really could use some money, but they weren’t that hard up, not enough to barter the most important thing in an Uchiha’s life. “the other rumor is that since Hashirama Senju just married you’re looking to do the same to even the balance again” Izuna added weakly, Madara groaned and dropped his head into his hands; for fucks sake, how word had gotten out about him and Hashirama being sort-of-friends as kids Madara didn’t know (not true, he was willing to bet someone that wasn’t Senju or Uchiha had finally gotten close enough to hear it when Hashirama started wailing about their friendship, damn tree couldn’t keep his mouth shut). “And how much of that is whispering that I’m in love with the oaf?” Madara asked grumpily, already bracing for insanity (as if he would fall in love with Hashirama, oh they had been friends and Madara still cared but Hashirama had very few of the things Madara would look for in a spouse; intelligence, skill, dedication, loyalty, kindness, and above all else the willingness to do anything for those he loved. Besides, Hashirama was way too much an idealist for Madara). “Ah, well, some? Not all of them” Madara bashed his head on the desk again “Well I guess thinking I’m in love with the imbecile is better than thinking the clan needs the money” he said gloomily, trying to find something good to come out of this.
Tobirama looked at Touka and felt his stomach twist painfully “Madara’s going to take a political marriage?” he ground out, Touka’s eyes were dark and sympathetic “Yeah, the Uchiha need some money is the rumor, it would make sense after the long winter.” Tobirama swallowed painfully “I didn’t think things were that bad for them” Touka twitched “It may be – with Hashirama married to Mito the power balanced changed, he might be trying to regain an equilibrium” she said grudgingly. Tobirama closed his eyes and focused on breathing, if Madara was – if this was about Hashirama – “I thought the Uchiha didn’t do political marriages” he ignored how plaintive his voice sounded and focused and the issue, frowning abruptly as something occurred to him “He’s going to marry someone that doesn’t love him? that’s dangerous with their bloodline, what can he be hoping to gain that is worth that?” Touka must have heard something in his voice as she stiffened, “Tobi…” “If he’s going to marry someone he doesn’t love it’s going to be me, someone that will take care of him and his clan and try to do what’s best. He deserves that. Also, I can use it for peace” Tobirama nodded firmly to himself, ignoring Touka’s pained expression. Luckily she knew him well enough not to argue to much “And when he doesn’t love you? can you live with that? You don’t even know what he is looking for in a spouse” Tobirama waved a hand, already turning the problem over in his head “Even if he doesn’t love me he will still be mine - at least a little and I can be closer to his chakra, that’s enough. As for what he needs, he won’t need an heir given Izuna and it would be foolish to pass down the Sharingan through someone with no loyalty to the clan so that takes care of the biggest problem.”
Moving to the desk he pulled out a bank page and started writing as he talked “As for what else he is looking for there is money – which I can provide if I just sell off some of the stuff I’ve picked up over the years” Touka sighed, sadness curling over her face “power he already has, even so I should prove I'm strong enough to be useful, so that won’t give him anything worth marrying out-clan for, so what other kinds of power? I need to look this up. I know he wants peace still, but I think he wouldn’t mind so much if I get it my way rather than Hashirama’s way, so that's something I can work on. Hmm, I’ll have to look some things up; if the rumors just say Madara is looking I still have time, but I’ll have to move fast” already absorbed in his thoughts he touched his cousin’s arm on the way out the door to the library. There was research to do.