Author's Note: Hi everyone! I hope you're doing well! Here's an update for all you lovely people! Please make sure to review and let me know what you think!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Manami Terumi is my character.

Fortitude

"It's a lot of everything really, but what can I really do about it? What can any of us do?" Shisui said as he looked up at the stars. Manami rested her head on his chest as he ran his fingers through her hair.

It was quite ironic, Manami thought as the very hands that have performed countless jutsu that have ended lives, was currently entangled in her hair and in the process of lulling her to sleep.

"Shisui-kun," She said as she bit back a sigh, "How many times do I have to tell you that you don't have to take on the weight of the world by yourself? Just because you're a skilled shinobi doesn't mean you're not a person. I wish you would stop torturing yourself for things that are out of your control." Manami told him as she placed a gentle hand on his cheek. Shisui instinctively leaned into her touch before shifting his head slightly to place a kiss onto her palm.

"I know, Manami-chan, I know." Shisui responded before he moved to gently nuzzle her neck.

Manami allowed herself a moment to believe his words before turning to face him, "It's the council again isn't? They're forcing you to marry?" She posed it as a question but they both already knew the answer.

For what feels like years, a heavy silence hangs in the air between them.

"I'm not going to let anything come between us, Manami-chan. I promise you that." Shisui said in a determined tone.

She knew he was determined to be with her, just like she knew the elders of the Uchiha clan would do anything and everything in their power to ensure that Shisui marry someone inside of the clan. Manami also knew that Aunt Mei would cover the entire Uchiha compound in lava if Shisui hurt Manami.

She offered him a small smile, before dropping her facade, "I would let you go." She whispered and she meant it. She would do anything if it was for Shisui's own good, regardless of the pain it would cause her.

In the blink of an eye, Shisui pulled her up and cupped her face between his hands. Her breath left her when she saw the intensity in his eyes.

"That's too bad, Manami-chan, because I will never let you go." He whispered, as the words flowed through the calm night, and the stars continue to shine, solidifying the legendary Uchiha's vow, his oath, to the emerald eyed kunoichi from Kirigakure.

Author's Note: Wow! We're officially 20% of the way through this story! Thank you so much to everyone who has stuck around this long and have followed, favorited, and reviewed this story! I really can't begin to tell you how much it means to me and how reading the comments really brightens up by day! To be completely honest, 2019 was rough but I'm determined to make 2020 the best year yet! I hope you stick around for more Manami and Shisui moments, and thank you for reading!