#Izuna's blossoming spy network

[autoauthor]

@doveywovy's latest post [link] reminded me of (one of) my own mermaid AU(s) so I thought I'd write it up now. Absolutely adore their writing.

Tobirama is a mermaid kept in captivity.

He was rescued by Hashirama when he was very young, and has formed a sort of familial attachment. He is the only one Tobirama will not try to drown.

Tobirama's albinism as well as injuries sustained before capture means he's unable to be released into the wild. Thankfully Hashirama's friend, Madara has a marine facility Tobirama can be kept in.

One day, Madara's college-aged little brother comes to visit. Of course, he didn't tell anyone he was stopping by and took various "caution" signs as light suggestions. Leading to him peering over the edge of Tobirama's pool.

Of course he ends up pulled in.

Tobirama manages to drag him to the bottom of the water - using his greater mass to bring him under. With no one around, this may be his first actual human kill.

Izuna's instincts take over. Not his survival instincts or even fear - his instincts as a bratty and scrappy little brother used to being tackled and roughhoused with.

He elbows Tobirama right in the gills.

Then, he curls up at the bottom of the pool and extends his legs to launch himself towards the surface.

Izuna, grew up with a pool in his backyard, a lakeside vacation home, and trained hard enough to be captain of his university's swim team. Still, he would've never escaped if Tobirama hadn't become enraptured with his figure swimming towards the light with his loose hair trailing behind him.

Yeah, he's in love.

Izuna may be small, but he can fight, is beautiful, and is a much more graceful swimmer than the other humans.

Madara chews out Izuna for being so reckless, of course. And for the first part of his visit, they steer clear of even the room Tobirama's enclosure is in.

Eventually, Madara has to go check in. Tobirama's leaving large portions of food uneaten. He's also being downright loud - coming up to the surface of the water several times a day to cry out. Hashirama is starting to get worried.

Madara has some undefined veterinary experience so agrees to take a look, and Izuna trails behind him out of boredom. Which leads to Tobirama being even louder and actually going to the pool's edge when they arrive. He usually lurks under the surface when he sees Madara or anyone new.

Eventually everyone catches on that he's courting the younger Uchiha.

He tries giving Izuna portions of his food and also to convince him to get into the water. He even snaps at Hashirama if he thinks he's too close or being too friendly.

Madara warns that he's still a wild animal and it's no less dangerous. Izuna, who is again, a little shit, only wants to do it more now that he's been told not to. So he ends up slipping in for a dip.

Tobirama doesn't try to drown him again, but begins swimming around him - slowed due to his injury. Izuna decides that he'll practice some synchronized swimming (he was NOT paying attention when his brother described mer courting rituals). Tobirama is thrilled that his affections were returned. Someone has to let Izuna know that they're pretty much married in mer terms.

However, Izuna was only visiting for a few months while mers mate for life. He's also your typical carefree young-adult with a promising career. While Izuna is off doing sports anime shenanigans, Tobirama is refusing food and damaging his own scales.

On the flip-side, when he does visit, he does things like hand-feed Tobirama bites of his sushi and run his hands over his scales. They also still swim together (to Madara's dismay).