by: ClaudeAI

The great hall of the Senju palace had been transformed for the wedding feast, despite the late hour and the day's harrowing events. Word of the successful ceremony had spread quickly, and the essential nobility who had remained in the capital during the forest expedition had worked tirelessly to prepare a proper celebration for their returned monarchs.

Madara stood beside Hashirama at the high table, still wearing his wedding attire, though both of them showed signs of the afternoon's battle. A small cut above Hashirama's left eyebrow had been carefully cleaned and bandaged, while Madara's midnight blue silk bore a few tears from when he'd helped move injured soldiers.

"I can't believe they managed all this in just a few hours," Madara murmured, taking in the decorations that somehow managed to incorporate both Senju and Uchiha colors and symbols.

"My people are remarkably resourceful when properly motivated," Hashirama replied, raising a goblet of wine. "To think they did this while not knowing whether we'd return alive."

"They had faith in you."

"In us," Hashirama corrected gently.

At the lower tables, the combined courts mingled with cautious politeness. The shared danger of the day seemed to have broken down some barriers, though Madara could still see the uncertainty in many faces. It would take time for his true identity to be accepted, but at least tonight there was a foundation of mutual respect to build upon.

Izuna sat at Madara's right, looking pale but determined to participate in the festivities. He'd managed to stay conscious through the entire battle and journey back, though Madara could see the exhaustion around his brother's eyes.

"You should rest," Madara said quietly.

"And miss my brother's wedding feast? Absolutely not." Izuna raised his own goblet, though Madara noticed it contained water rather than wine. "Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on you. Make sure you don't do anything too sentimental."

"Such as?"

"Such as whatever you're about to do right now," Izuna said with a knowing smirk.

Before Madara could ask what he meant, Hashirama stood and raised his goblet, drawing the attention of everyone in the hall.

"Friends, allies, family," Hashirama began, his voice carrying clearly in the sudden quiet. "Today has been... eventful."

A ripple of quiet laughter went through the assembly.

"We came together to witness the joining of two kingdoms, two peoples who have been enemies for far too long. What we found instead was proof that there are still those who would choose hatred over hope, violence over peace."

His expression grew more serious. "But we also found something else. We found that when we stand together, we are stronger than any force that would divide us."

Hashirama turned to look at Madara, and the warmth in his eyes was visible even to those at the far tables.

"King Madara of the Uchiha, my husband, my partner in this great endeavor - today you showed me what it truly means to have an ally. You could have fled when Danzo's forces surrounded us. You could have put your own safety first. Instead, you stood with me, fought beside me, and proved that this alliance is more than just words on parchment."

He raised his goblet higher. "To King Madara, and to the future we will build together!"

The toast was echoed throughout the hall, and Madara felt heat rise in his cheeks at the open affection in Hashirama's words and the approval he saw on so many faces.

When the noise died down, Madara stood as well, his own goblet in hand.

"When I came to this kingdom," he began, "I expected to negotiate a political arrangement. A marriage of convenience that would end a war neither of our peoples could afford to continue."

His gaze swept the assembly, taking in Senju and Uchiha faces alike.

"What I found instead was a man who rushed to my brother's side when he was poisoned. A king who demanded justice for crimes committed against guests in his own palace. A husband who stood with me today against those who would tear down everything we're trying to build."

Madara's voice grew stronger. "I will not pretend this will be easy. There will be those among both our peoples who cannot accept what we've done here. There will be challenges and setbacks and moments when we question whether this peace can truly last."

He turned to face Hashirama directly. "But I have never been more certain of anything in my life. This alliance, this marriage, this chance for something better - it's worth fighting for."

"To King Hashirama," Madara raised his goblet, "and to the peace we will build together, one day at a time."

The second toast was even louder than the first, and when it died down, the musicians struck up a lively tune that seemed to wash away the last of the evening's tension.

..................

As the feast continued around them, Madara and Hashirama found themselves with a rare moment of relative privacy at the high table. Most of the other nobles had moved to smaller groups scattered throughout the hall, leaving the newlyweds to speak quietly.

"Tired?" Hashirama asked, noting the slight slump in Madara's shoulders.

"Exhausted," Madara admitted. "But oddly content as well."

"Oddly?"

"I keep expecting something else to go wrong. Another crisis, another threat, another reason why this won't work." Madara's smile was rueful. "It's strange to just... sit here and be happy."

"You're allowed to be happy, you know," Hashirama said gently. "Even kings are permitted moments of simple joy."

"Are we? Sometimes I think we're expected to be perpetually serious, always thinking of our duties and responsibilities."

"Our first responsibility is to our people. And our people need us to be whole, healthy individuals. That includes being happy when circumstances allow." Hashirama reached over and covered Madara's hand with his own. "Besides, I rather like seeing you smile."

"Careful, or people will think you're actually fond of your husband."

"I am fond of my husband," Hashirama replied without hesitation. "More than fond, actually."

The simple declaration sent warmth spreading through Madara's chest. "Are you?"

"Very much so." Hashirama's thumb traced across Madara's knuckles. "In fact, I'm beginning to think this marriage might be the best decision I've ever made."

"Even considering it nearly got us both killed today?"

"Especially considering that." Hashirama's expression grew more serious. "Madara, what happened today... it showed me something important."

"What's that?"

"When I thought we might die, when Danzo's men were closing in and it seemed like everything was lost, do you know what my strongest emotion was?"

Madara shook his head.

"It wasn't fear for myself, or even regret for the alliance failing. It was the thought that I might lose you before we'd had a chance to really be together." Hashirama's voice was quiet but intense. "That I might never get to know you properly, to build something real with you."

Madara felt his breath catch. "Hashirama..."

"I know it's early," Hashirama continued quickly. "I know we've only known each other for a week, and most of that has been crisis and confusion. But I need you to know - this isn't just political for me anymore. It hasn't been for days."

"It isn't political for me either," Madara replied softly. "I think... I think I started caring about you the moment you sent your own doctor to heal my brother. Everything since then has just been me trying to convince myself it was still just an alliance."

"And now?"

"Now I'm done trying to convince myself of anything except the truth." Madara turned his hand over so their palms were pressed together. "I care about you, Hashirama. More than is probably wise, certainly more than I expected. And yes, it terrifies me, but I'm tired of letting fear make my decisions."

Hashirama's smile was brilliant. "Good. Because I was rather hoping you'd say something like that."

"Were you?"

"I was. In fact, I was hoping you might be amenable to a suggestion."

"What kind of suggestion?"

Hashirama glanced around the hall, then leaned closer. "The kind where we slip away from our own wedding feast and spend some time alone together. As husband and... husband."

The implication in his words was clear, and Madara felt heat rise in his cheeks even as anticipation sparked in his chest.

"That's... that could be considered scandalous," Madara said, though his tone suggested he wasn't particularly concerned about scandal.

"We're married," Hashirama pointed out reasonably. "I think we're allowed to be scandalous with each other."

Madara looked around the hall, taking in the relaxed atmosphere and genuine celebration. Izuna was engaged in animated conversation with Mito and Tsume, while Tobirama was actually laughing at something Hiashi had said. For the first time since arriving in the Senju kingdom, everyone seemed genuinely at ease.

"They won't miss us for a while," he murmured.

"Probably not," Hashirama agreed. "And if they do, they'll understand. It is our wedding night, after all."

Madara made his decision. "Lead the way, husband."

The word felt strange and wonderful on his tongue. Hashirama's answering smile was soft and full of promise.

They slipped away from the high table as unobtrusively as possible, though Madara caught Izuna's knowing smirk from across the room. His brother raised his water goblet in a small salute, and Madara felt a rush of gratitude for the understanding in that simple gesture.

As they made their way through the corridors toward their shared chambers, Hashirama caught Madara's hand.

"No regrets?" he asked, echoing the question that had become something of a refrain between them.

"None," Madara replied firmly. "Only anticipation."

"Good," Hashirama said, bringing Madara's hand to his lips and pressing a gentle kiss to his knuckles. "Because I intend to make very sure you never have cause for regret."

The promise in his voice sent a shiver of excitement through Madara, and he quickened their pace toward the chambers they would now truly share as husband and husband.