Otouto
This is a big, big time AU fic. Certainly off canon a lot so give it a try before deciding to hate, but if you don't like…let me know.
Please read if you want. Review if you want.
Still own nothing. Nothing.
Chapter One
Hashirama never expected to feel himself breathing again, but here he was. He never expected to see his brother doing the same by his side, but there Tobirama stood. His younger brother looked just as shocked as Hashirama felt.
"Aniki?" Tobirama murmured as he glanced around the dark surrounding they stood within, "What is going on?"
"I don't know, but we are very much alive in our real bodies," Hashirama admitted before jumping as a familiar being stood before the two suddenly, "Hagoromo-sama?"
The Sage of the Six Paths sighed loudly as he gazed at the two brothers.
"I've been trying to uncover the hatred that seems to haunt the ones that possess the sharingan," Hagoromo stated without greeting the two Senju, "What I thought was a natural curse of hatred that ran through the Uchiha bloodline from the sharingan due to the rivalry between my sons was incorrect. The Uchiha were not cursed by hatred. It was something else that I uncovered too late."
"I don't understand," Hashirama said as he glanced to his baffled brother, "Why is it that Otouto and I are here and how does that relate to the Uchiha clan?"
"I called you here to ask for your help," Hagoromo sighed as he crossed his legs and seemed to be hovering in midair, "The Uchiha were not cursed by hatred. They were cursed by being split in half by the sharingan. The poor creatures were never whole once the sharingan awakened."
"What?" Tobirama demanded, "Hagoromo-sama, you speak in riddles."
"I've been unfair," the sage grumbled, "I turned my back on a clan that I thought had overstepped their boundaries, but the people were suffering. People like Madara."
Tobirama hissed as his brother grunted as if hit in the gut.
"Madara?" Hashirama questioned, "What do you mean? How was Madara suffering? Did I miss something that could have helped my old friend?"
"You didn't miss anything, I did," Hagoroma continued, "The Uchiha lost their hearts, their trust, their fully rational mind once the sharingan awoke within each individual. Most Uchiha were able to maintain sanity because their hearts were sealed within someone close once the curse took effect. The quote that Madara kept saying about two sides becoming one. That wasn't about clans or setting up a 'perfect' world…that was about becoming a whole person again. Obito's heart was sealed within both Rin and Kakashi. Once Obito reached out to the two he healed himself. Itachi's heart was given to his brother and his determination to keep Sasuke safe kept him more rational than most of his clan. Sasuke's heart was sealed in Naruto. He became whole when he allowed himself to acknowledge that he and the Uzumaki were friends, but Madara's heart was sealed in his brother."
"And I killed Izuna," Tobirama gasped as puzzle pieces began to click into place, "So…are you saying that all those years…that whole war…we were fighting half a person?"
"That was all Madara, but without the capability to see reason or trust anyone. He was unable to feel or understand love," the Sage continued as Hashirama frowned, "That man was in emotional agony for most of his life and the poor sap didn't even know it. He died without having a chance to know how to live. I should have found this out sooner and ended the curse attached to the sharingan. That is why I've awakened you two."
"How so?" Hashirama asked before stepping back in shock at hearing a small cry from behind the Sage, "Why did that just sound like a baby?"
"Come."
Hashirama and his brother followed the Sage as Hagoromo led them to what looked like a cradle made of crystal.
"Is that…oh, my God," Hashirama breathed, staring at the whimpering infant as the babe squirmed unhappily in his blankets, "Madara? This infant has to be him. This is Madara."
"It is and…," Hagoromo began before grunting as Hashirama flashed past him to scoop up the crying child, "I see."
"There, there, Madara," Hashirama cooed, patting the child's tiny back while cuddling the baby close, "You're okay. Shh, Little One."
Tobirama stared at the sniffling baby and his brother before leveling a look on the Sage.
"I made Madara's decision for him, but Obito and Itachi wanted to remain with their loved ones on the other side. I've ended the Uchiha curse and retrieved Madara's other half to help him be whole again," Hagoroma admitted, "That little one is Madara, but he's got a new chance at life since he can never be split again. A new life without a curse attached or an abusive father that tore him up inside."
"And this applies to my brother and I, how?" Tobirama pushed as the sage sighed while Hashirama glanced up to listen carefully.
"I made a mistake in allowing the Uchiha to suffer as long as they did, but I allowed this child to suffer the most out of the entire clan over the years. I want to right my mistake," Hagoroma insisted, "Madara will have this second chance and he needs a new family. One that can teach him love, understanding, and kindness. Perhaps…two, older brothers that can look after him and train him the way a shinobi should be trained, firmly and with compassion."
"I'm in!" Hashirama eagerly agreed, rocking the baby in his arms, "Please, Tobi? Help me raise Madara. We can help him learn to be a great shinobi who fights for the right reasons. You and me, Otouto."
"Madara is a monster," Tobirama denied, stepping away at his brother's hurt expression, "Aniki, you can't be serious."
"He's an innocent baby," Hashirama pointed out, tilting his arms to show his brother the sleepy boy in his arms, "Look, Tobirama. This is not a monster. Mada-chan is just an infant."
"One with no prior memories," Hagoromo blurted as the brothers glanced at the man, "This is truly a fresh start for Madara. He also was given his brother's eyes. Izuna insisted when I approached him with this idea in the pure lands. Madara has a chance to be able to have a rational mind to make correct decisions with the strength he will grow into. His two sides have come together and he will be happy with a family that loves him. I have decided that this will happen for this boy. Will you two be that family?"
Tobirama groaned at the look of pleading his brother was giving him. Raising Madara as a little brother? The silver-haired man glanced at the dark-haired child in Hashirama's arms. Madara had fallen back to sleep while sucking on a fist.
"Please, Tobi?"
"Only if you stop calling me by that stupid name," Tobirama growled before grunting as his brother pulled him into a one armed hug, "Get off."
Hagoromo hid a smile as the elder brother seemed to dance a small jig in place as he beamed at the baby he held. Madara would know love. The sage had chosen well.
"You will live in Konoha," Hagoromo decided, "I have sealed half of your chakra. Your time as leaders in that village is over, but your chakra will unseal in times of emergency. Kakashi Hatake, the sixth Hokage, has already been informed to expect you. Raise Madara well and help that child know some peace finally."
Hashirama and Tobirama gasped as they found themselves in the Hokage's office without warning or even a word of farewell form Hagoromo.
"Hello," Kakashi grinned out before scowling, "Was it you, Hashirama-sama, that came up with the idea for this ridiculous hat?"
"I thought it looked strong and fetching," Hashirama sighed, leaning over in depression.
"He's strong, but stupid," Tobirama mouthed to the Hokage as Kakashi chuckled, "Stop it, Aniki, before you wake the baby up with your bad mood. I am not doing diapers. If I'm going to be roped into this then you are the diaper brother. Period."
"Fair enough," Hashirama easily agreed before growing weary as Kakashi came over to look at the child, "Not too close to my littlest otouto, Hatake-san."
"I won't hurt your new brother," Kakashi promised, smiling at the baby, "He's so little. I never expected Madara to be such a tiny infant."
"Too tiny, if you ask me," Tobirama frowned out, "He looks like a child born prematurely."
"I agree," Hashirama hummed, "Mada-chan is a bit too small. I'd like for him to be seen by my granddaughter to make sure he is healthy. Is Tsuna-chan still in the village?"
"She is," Kakashi agreed, reaching to stroke the downy hair on the babe's head, "You two will live in the Hokage estate with me until you set up a home of your own. I know of your chakra and have no plans to allow Konoha to use you as a couple of weapons. Those days are over for you two. Hagoromo-sama was very clear that you all be left alone to raise this child. I do not think that it is wise for ones to know that this is the original Madara. I think shinobi angered with Madara, who do not know of the curse that split him, will come after him now that he is vulnerable."
"True," Hashirama breathed, looking troubled, "Okay. So we'll change his name. Hm. Madara will be known as Madirama, Madi for short, and his last name will be Senju since we have adopted him as our brother. What do you think, Tobirama?"
"Ugh," the man groaned, turning away with a glare, "Whatever."
"Jealous," Hashirama mouthed to Kakashi as the Hokage hid an eye roll, "We'll need baby supplies. Madi-chan is going to need a lot of things until he gets bigger. What season is it? Does my baby otouto here need another blanket to visit Tsuna?"
"It is spring and fine for the blanket that is wrapping Madi-chan," Kakashi assured, "Somehow Hagoromo-sama filled my bank account with monies that are meant for you and your new family, Hashirama-sama. We'll get those monies set up in an account of your own. I've got to go to a meeting, but one of my guards will show you to Lady Tsunade. You might remember him and he has also been told the whole truth. He'll keep the secret."
Kakashi opened his door as Sasuke Uchiha stepped into the room. The younger man glanced at the two nin before looking at the baby in Hashirama's arms.
"Hn," Sasuke grunted, cocking his head, "Tiny thing, isn't he?"
"Madirama is tiny, but strong," Hashirama sniped irritably, "Don't insult my baby otouto."
"Madirama, huh? So this is what grew into the Madara we fought against," Sasuke continued, ignoring the elder Senju, "Doesn't look much of nothing now, hm?"
"No baby looks like more than a weak creature at birth," Tobirama pointed out as his brother turned another pleading look on him, "Fine, Aniki. Sasuke Uchiha, this child is a part of my family now so show some respect."
"Hai, Tobirama-sama," Sasuke agreed quickly as the two Senju blinked, "I'll be that boy's jonin teacher when he reaches genin. I will train him to use the sharingan now that my clan's bloodline limit doesn't tear one in half any longer. That is good for any children that I will have one day and any that Madara has once he is grown."
"Madirama Senju," Kakashi corrected as the young Uchiha's eyes narrowed, "It is safer, Sasuke-kun. You must realize that no one can know that this is Madara Uchiha reborn, right?"
"They will know his proper clan when his eyes awaken," Sasuke pointed out.
"They will know he is an adopted Uchiha, not Madara," Hashirama insisted, "Madi-chan must be protected from ones that would be nervous that he is being given this second chance. Only we four and Tsuna will be allowed to know the truth. I will protect Madi-chan from any and all. That is my duty to my baby otouto as his eldest brother."
"This is a little weird," Tobirama drawled as his brother glared at him, "I never, ever, ever liked Madara. How am I going to be his older brother?"
"Easily," Hashirama sniffed, "You are going to forget Madara and only focus on Madi-chan. This baby is not Madara. Madi will never be Madara. That man was shaped by his circumstances and the curse which is sad, but unchangeable now. Madirama will be shaped by us, Otouto. Sasuke-kun, please take me to my granddaughter. I wish for Madi-chan to be examined to make sure he is healthy since his size is making me a little nervous. Here, Tobirama, hold our brother."
Tobirama glowered at having the infant placed in his arms. Kakashi helped the younger Senju brother adjusted his hands to support the child better. Madi-chan grizzled slightly at being shifted, but settled down against his new brother's shoulder rather quickly.
"See? Not so bad," Hashirama chuckled as his brother glared, "You are already a very good aniki, Tobirama. I knew you would be since you always took care of me."
Tobirama grumbled within his mind as he followed after Sasuke and Hashirama, but had to agree that he'd had a lot of practice caring for others, which did include his elder brother.
"Are you kidding me?" Tsunade blinked once she opened her door and saw who was standing there, "Jiji?"
"Hi, Tsuna-chan," Hashirama greeted, scratching his head nervously, "I see that Hagoromo-sama didn't really let you know what was going on, huh?"
"No, he didn't," Tsunade agreed, glancing to her great uncle and blinking, "Is that a baby? Why do you…never mind. Get in here. Spring is on its way, but it is a bit too cold still to have a child that tiny out in the weather."
"I knew Madi-chan needed another blanket," Hashirama grumbled, lifting the infant from his relieved brother, "I hope he hasn't caught a chill. Poor baby."
Tsunade led her relatives in and nodded at Sasuke as he stepped is as well. The blonde was instantly left speechless once her grandfather explained to her what was going on.
"That's Madara?" Tsunade gasped, looking at the sleeping child.
"No. This is Madirama Senju," Hashirama insisted, "This is your newest, great uncle and the truth of his lineage must be kept a secret."
"Ah. Of course," Tsunade breathed in shock, "I'll not tell a soul, but how strange is all of this? Never thought I'd see the day that I'd see an Uchiha become a part of our clan, no offense Sasuke-san. Split in half, huh? Well, let me see the baby. He looks too small."
"That's what I said," Tobirama finally spoke as his great niece nodded at him.
To be continued…
