Matsu did not want to go to the front lines. Clansmen stumbled into the gate, some supporting their comrades on their shoulders as other carried back uncovered bodies. The smell of metal, blood, and urine permeated the air and traveled so far into the compound that everyone knew that their loved ones were back from the battle. Family members flowed out of the streets, helping to tend to some of the wounded while keeping an eye out to see if they could spot their father's or sister's corpse being lined up near the wall.
Matsu sat silently on one of the many rooftops, eyes staring straight at the gate as he patiently waited to catch a glimpse of their brothers. Iku used his hands to shield his eyes as the sun beat down on their backs. It was an unusually warm day, but their mother still made them wear long sleeves and a high collar. Swallowing, Matsu felt a rock settle in his gut as he watched an older woman help her wounded daughter inside the house. She was covered in blood, still wet and dripping off of her onto the dirt road. Matsu felt sick when he realized why. The girl's right hand was missing, the open wound where her elbow should be was hurriedly bandaged and the blood had already soaked though. Scooting over a bit, Matsu's shoulder brushed against Iku and he felt a little less nauseous.
Whenever the warriors returned to battle, Iku liked to go out and wait for their brothers near the gate. He did not mind the smells and the cries that came from being this close to the gate when people first arrived. Days like this always felt like an eternity to Matsu though. Every deep red gash that exposed pearly white bone and every mangled dead body was a stark reminder of his future. Well not just his future, Matsu glanced at his twin, their future. Iku's eyes were focused on the gate, ignoring the horror of everything around them. He was only concerned with spotting their older brothers. Sighing, Matsu tried to be more like him and tune out the bad, but as soon as his eyes landed on the gate, they would drift back to the old man crying over the body of his son and the piles of blood in the street. His heart rate was rising, and Matsu put a hand over his chest in a futile attempt to calm down. It was shameful to be feeling this. Nausea and fear and desperation at the sight of open wounds and carnage.
Matsu had been in battles before. On patrols they would encounter a Senju or enemy that boldly wondered to far into the territory. He also encountered a few bounty hunters and collectors as well, hoping to make off with the Sharingan. The battles never lasted long, they would fight, but Kinpu would usually end the fight within moments of getting involved. There was never any real danger, Iku was by his side and Kinpu was only moments away. It was different out there, the battlefield sounded chaotic and confusing. Father often told Matsu after a bout of training that he could not rely on the strength of his brothers to keep him safe out there; he needed to be strong enough to protect himself.
"Ah there they are!" Iku jumped to his feet and pointed to the last few Uchiha shuffling though the gate. Their father stood proudly, covered in filth but a firm, determined ferocity blaze in his eyes. Madara, Izuna, and Inaba followed closely behind him, their clothes were torn and they were absolutely filthy. Their eyes lacked the fire of Tajima's. Iku leapt off the roof, soaring through the air for a moment before running up to his returning family.
Tajima's eyes widened a bit when he saw Iku running towards them, Matsu trailing behind him only two or three strides. Though he would never admit it outloud, it eased his heart to see their concerned faces pop up every time he returned home from a mission or from battle. It was sweet, and it showed that they still cared for him, even if he was rather hard on them. It was for their own good though, and even if one day soon their eyes would lose that innocent shine and start to burn with resentment for him, he would do what was best for them. Even if it meant they might grow to begrudge him much like their elder brothers already did.
"Father, you're home!" Iku gulped in air as fast as he could, smiling though the burning sensation in his lungs. Matsu jogged to a stop behind him, his breathing even as he did not sprint as fast as his twin.
"I thought you weren't due back till next week?" Matsu did not meet Tajima's eyes, but instead stared at the loose bandages around Tajima's forehead.
"Things changed." Tajima curtly replied and then turned his back on the twins to face his three other sons. Iku pouted, one of his cheeks puffing out in frustration as Tajima ignored him. Inaba stood stiffly, barely paying attention as his black eyes focused on a pregnant wife wailing over the body of her husband. The body was covered with a brown sheet, and only his feet poked out. Her dark purple curls spilled over her shoulders as she crouched over his body, her sobs wracked her body with every inconsistent gasp of air until another woman, old and grey, dragged her away.
"Go home and tend to your injuries, I'll see you all tonight." Tajima paused and turned to look at Inaba, who was still looking far away. "Inaba," Tajima's voice was gentle, and Inaba flinched when his eyes met his Tajima's, "You did well." Inaba's small hands balled into fist, and he tilted his face down so no one could see the tears slipping out of his eyes. Sighing, Tajima reached out, paused, and pulled his hand back to his side. Turning on his heel, he walked away to find one of his Captains.
Iku and Matsu stood awkwardly as Inaba continued to cry. Placing a hand on the center of Inaba's back, Izuna tried to comfort him silently. Standing by their side, Madara's hands were balled into fist, and his jaw was tight. He was by far the least injured, but rage explode in his stomach with every hiccupping sob that Inaba let out. It tore his body to pieces to see the innocence another one of his brothers stolen away on the battlefield. It was Inaba's first time out on the front lines as they faced off against the Senju. The clashes between the Uchiha and Senju were legendarily brutal, with high casualties on both sides guaranteed. The three brothers tried to stay close together when they engaged the enemy, Madara keeping a close eye on Inaba as he stumbled though his first battle. Closing his eyes, Madara let out a ragged breath and relaxed his hands. This was not the time to be angry. The twins were lost and anxious looking at the normally lazy and awkward Inaba sobbing as snot ran down his face. A small breeze came from the north, and Madara took one more breath before taking a few steps towards Inaba.
"Inaba, look at me," Madara tried to sound sure and strong, but his voice cracked, hopefully they would not notice. Inaba whimpered, rubbed his face with the back of his hand before he looked at Madara, tears still rolling down his fat ten year old cheeks. Madara placed his hands on Inaba's shoulders, his finger's digging into Inaba's flesh, "Everything is going to be ok." That's what Madara wanted to hear when he came home after his first battle. Everything is going to be ok. He was safe. No one else was going to die today. He could put down his sword.
But while that line may have worked with Izuna after his first battle, it did not work for Inaba. Letting out a small wail, Inaba lunged into Madara's arms, his fingers digging into the back of Madara's red armor. Freezing up for not even a moment, Madara wrapped his arms around Inaba and held him tightly, trying to suppress his own tears. He could not see them, but he hoped that Iku and Matsu were doing ok, and seeing Inaba break down like this would not scar them before they were forced into battle. Izuna stood off to the side, but then walked over to the twins and took each of their hands as he tried to lead them away, but Iku would not move. For once he was silent, rooted to the stop as Inaba sobbed into Madara's chest, his tears cleaning the dirt from his chubby face. Matsu felt absolutely nauseous, and squeezed Izuna's hand in his. They were only two years apart, but Izuna always seemed so much more mature than him, and he felt safe with Izuna by his side. Almost as safe as he felt when Iku was standing right beside him.
Inaba's heart was in his throat, and his legs felt heavy and tight at the same time. Everything pulsed around him, but Madara squeezed him in his arms and he could breathe just a bit easier. He did not dare close his eyes, or else the images of the day would overwhelm him. Inaba did not want to see the initial clash between the Senju and the Uchiha, where the Uchiha to his left was impaled by a spear, blood gushing from his mouth as he dropped to the grass. Inaba did not want to remember the way his arms screamed in protest as he blocked an attack with his sword, the large Senju man, pushing down on him with wide, hyper focused eyes. Inaba thought he was going to die as he arms began to shake under the man's superior weight, but then the man screamed and fell to the side, six kunai sticking out of his back. No, Inaba did not want to think about those things. All he wanted to do was stay here, in the Uchiha compound, safe.
"Inaba," Madara was coxing him, but Inaba could not move. "Inaba we need to go home and get cleaned up." Inaba still did not move, and Madara gulped a bit, unsure of what to do.
"Inaba," Matsu's voice shook, and Inaba froze, his entire body felt like ice. He forgot that the twins were watching him, "Inaba, let's go home."
It was then that Inaba understood Madara and Izuna on a deeper level than he ever thought possible. Matsu's voice was still gentle and innocent; he knew nothing of the brutality of the reality beyond those gates. Is this what Madara and Izuna felt when they looked at their younger brothers? This tightening in his gut that made him want to puke, this worry and fear at the idea that the twins would one day experience what he went through today. The thought that Iku would no longer have that glint of mischief in his eyes, that Matsu would no longer be sweet and gentle. That their eyes would fill with anger and dread and resentment when they walked though the doors. A sickening thought passed though Inaba's mind. The agony in one of their eyes as the other was killed.
Inaba used to blow off his training, rolling his eyes and hiding when Madara and Izuna would nag him to train. How stupid. He always thought they were trying to boss him around, to make him do more work. Being the third born son, there was a very slim chance Inaba would be the heir to the Uchiha, and when his two older brothers were prodigies that outshone even the most battle worn of adults, the chance of Inaba becoming the heir was nearly zero. Therefore, he never felt the need to be on their level of skill. He did not need the extra training, after all, he was just going to end up in the side branch anyway. He just needed to be strong enough to keep himself alive until Madara took over the clan. When that happened, Inaba had always dreamed of traveling to the traditional Uchiha compound in the northern mountains and spending his life there.
Now those plan not only felt selfish, but disgustingly naïve. It was clear today that he was far too weak to keep himself alive on the battlefield. Inaba was only still alive today because the other Uchiha, particularly Izuna and Madara were watching out for him. But that would not last forever. Eventually Madara and Izuna would be called to deal with more powerful enemies, and he would be alone in the massive crowds of swinging metal and last breathes. There was no way he would make it without them, and thinking even further than that, there was no way the twins would survive either. A bit of guilt swept though Inaba as he realized that part of the reason the twins often blew off their training or patrols was because they were copying him. Madara and Izuna went to the battlefield when they were seven, the twins were too young to remember them practicing hard or using every opportunity to improve. No, instead all they saw was Inaba napping in trees during training, or getting yelled at by Tajima for not behaving on patrols. If they were unprepared for war, it was because he made them believe they did not have to be.
Inaba took a deep breath and pulled away from Madara, a small smile on his lips as he nodded that he was ok now. It was fake, but if they could tell, no one said anything. The brothers silently began to walk home. The streets were empty now, everyone was inside caring for the injured. Medics were in short supply, and were tasked with only the most dire of cases, so the rest of the clan needed to learn how to take care of everything else. Matsu breathed in though his mouth and he could taste the iron in the air, his eyes watering a bit from the disgusting smell. He always hated it.
As they apporched the center of the compound, their house came into view. It was slightly larger than most, with a large Uchiha banner hanging proudly over the wooden door. A small garden of withering flowers decorated the sides of the building, slowly dying as the first frost moved into the territory. Beside the door a figure stood, elegant and still, hands folded neatly in front of her. Kyoko Uchiha, matriarch of the Uchiha clan and mother of Tajima's five sons, stood waiting for her children with a neutral look on her face. She always waited by the door, it would not be proper for her to go to the gate with all the panicked and hysterical wives. It was not lady like, it showed weakness, and Kyoko was everything but weak. She believed in the power of her clan, and would wait for them at home, dinner warm and ready.
As they approached the door, Matsu watched as his mother's large black eyes traveled down to Inaba, taking in the filth on his body and his red eyes. She would usually scold at him for being dirty, but not today.
"Welcome home, my sons." Her voice was low and rhythmic, as steady and consistent as the elaborate braid in her hair. "Please remove your armor and weapons so I may clean them. Dinner is ready inside. Twins," She rarely called them by their names, "go bring some water from the spring so that your brothers can bathe here." Her orders were absolute, and Izuna relunctly let Iku and Matsu's hands go free. When they stepped away, he wanted to go with them when he saw the lost look they gave each other, the way their shoulders brushed as they ran off into the creeping night. Izuna wanted to tell them to not be afraid, that he would protect them. Kyoko called for him, and Izuna clenched his hands and went inside. It felt so much colder without them beside him.
"I don't want a new tutor," Iku yelled out, his voice muffled as he laid face down in the grassy field. Matsu ignored him, twirling a red leaf in between his fingers. He was tired, he could not sleep last night, his mind would not shut off. It was shameful, but Matsu wanted to run away, grab his brothers in the middle of the night and run off into the darkness. Away from the clan, the wars, and especially the Senju. He was terrified of them, and what they could do to his family. Inaba was not sure where they would go, maybe to the mountains, someplace where fruit grew fat and juicy and they did not have to worry about war. However, that was not possible, he was an Uchiha and he could never escape war or the Senju.
"We could always go hide in the forest again," Matsu offered, only half joking as he sat up. Iku took a second longer than necessary to respond, so Matsu continued, "I'm kidding, I don't think its a good idea."
Madara came down hard on them for slacking off on patrols, which was pretty normal. The unusual thing was when Inaba joined him in the scolding. Madara was so shocked he made one of his over the top faces and declared that Inaba was under an illusion. Inaba only rolled his eyes. In the two days since he had been home, there was a noticeable change in Inaba's demeanor. He no longer lazed around the compound with the twins, snacking on fruits and sweet pastries until the sun set. Instead he spent his days training with Madara and Izuna, under the approving gaze of Tajima, or trying to get the twins to take their training more seriously. It was weird.
"Yeah, I don't feel like listening to Madara nag again. He's so dramatic when he's angry." Iku was still face down in the grass, but pushed himself up onto his elbows to look at his brother, "Besides, I want to prove to Father how good we are, and maybe he'll start training us again if we show him we take our training seriously like Madara and Izuna and Inaba." Determination flared in Iku's eyes, and despite the reluctance in Matu's heart, he gave his twin a smile. Although he was unsure of himself, he did not want to let his twin down again.
"Ah, you two really do look alike. I can't tell you apart at all!" The boys jumped to their feet, shoulder to shoulder, as they stared at the newcomer. The man stood tall, taller than the average Uchiha, with curly purple hair and bright black eyes as he leaned forward to get a better look at the boys. Matsu recognized him as Manju Uchiha, one of Tajima's aids. Manju was known for his excellent battle intelligence and well rounded skill set. While he would lose in a battle to Madara, Manju would most likely be able to hold his own against Izuna, possibly even win.
"No duh, we're twins!" Iku shouted, cheeks a bit red from being caught so obviously off guard. Manju snorted and laughed, the deep scar on his chin moving as his facial muscles contracted. Leaning back, Manju allowed the boys to retake their shared personal space.
"Of course, you are, how silly of me." Manju put his hands on his hips, and winked, "Now, now don't look at me like that. We're going to be spending a lot of time together, so try to be nice to me." So it was as Matsu figured, Tajima must have figured that if hard military men like Kinpu could not handle them, maybe someone more relaxed would have a better chance at wrestling the two boys.
"Ok, um, well," Matsu looked over to Iku, who was till too embarrassed to be civil. "I'm Matsu, I have a braid in my hair, see, Matsu pulled his braid over his shoulder, " And this is Iku, he doesn't have a braid."
"Hey don't make it so easy for him!" Iku spun to shout directly in his ear, again, and Matsu glared at him.
"It'll be annoying if he's always calling us the wrong name during practice, I don't want to do being your punishments just because he can't tell us apart!"
"That was one time!"
"And I'm still angry about it!"
"Wow, wow," Manju drawled, amusement on his face. They reminded him of his two older sisters, "Don't fight."
"We're not fighting," Matsu corrected, the boys instantly turned to stand shoulder to shoulder and glare at their new teacher. Manju tilted his head to the side a little to observe the two boys better. Lord Tajima was not kidding about their close attachment, in fact he may have understated it. It would be difficult to instruct them if they were unwilling to do separate activities, so he would need to address that tactfully, or else they might rebel. The last thing Manju wanted to do was to report that two brats got the best of him.
"Sorry, sorry!" Manju took a step forward, "It seems like I've got a lot to learn about you, Iku, Matsu. So lets introduce ourselves properly as teacher and student." The twins looked at each other, and Matsu shrugged before the boys relaxed. Manju snapped his finger and plopped himself down on the grass, one leg folded in as he waved his hands for the boys to join him on the ground. Manju waited for them to get settled, "Hello, my name is Manju Uchiha. I used to work on the front lines under your father, but I'll be working with you for a while."
"Did you get in trouble too?" Iku picked in his ear as Manju raised an eyebrow at him.
"No? Why would you ask that?"
"People usually only get stuck with us if they did something wrong." Matsu clarified, staring directly into Manju's eyes with quiet fascination. He must of thought Manju had a flashy story to tell. Too bad.
"Your father asked me to teach you, and I agreed. I've always wanted to have a few cute students to look after." Manju gave them a gentle smile and clapped his hands together twice, " Ok enough about me for now, tell me about yourselves."
"That's so broad," Matsu complained, "can you be mor specific?"
"No," Manju continued to smile, little less gently as his smile spread a bit further across his face when Matsu glared at him. Young Uchiha were always so adorable before they could properly fight back. "Just do your best."
"Ok," Matsu mumbled, kneading the dirt under his hands absentmindedly.
"Well you already know our names," Iku started, paying a tad bit more attention now, "We're twins. We're the youngest children of our father," Manju raised his hand up swiftly, his eye brows scrunched together and his nose wrinkled up like he smelled a rotting animal.
"No, no, introduce yourselves individually." Manju pulled his hands apart like he could physically separate their introductions. Scratching his chin, Iku looked utterly confused, while Matsu looked directly at the ground.
"I was,"
"No, you were introducing both of you at the same time. You kept saying things like 'we' and 'our' and you were only telling me shared facts about yourself." Iku looked at Manju, utterly mystified. Matsu continued looking at the ground, his eyes drifted to his twin for a brief moment, before returning to a particularly interesting piece of grass. Breathing out through his nose, Manju let the silence settle for a little bit. Typically in siblings as close as Iku and Matsu, they still possessed clear and separate identities, however, it was clear those lines were a bit blurred with the twins. If Iku's first instinct was to introduce them as twins, that identifier must have huge significance in the way they perceive themselves and their place in the clan.
"So, you just want us to talk about ourselves?" Iku said the words slowly, "Seperatly, like we can't use facts that we have in common?"
"We can't saw 'we'?" Matsu finished, far less confused but noticeably nervous.
"Exactly," Manju nodded his head, "I want to know you both individually, so try to focus on things that are unique about you. Matsu, why don't you start."
"Uh," Matsu flinched backward for a moment and wracked his brain, trying to think of something, anything they did not have in common. "Well I really like to read."
"Good, its important for young ninja to be well educated." Manju encouraged, waiting for Matsu to continue. However, the boy only blinked, obviously in distress at being put on the spot. Sighing, Manju decided to give him a bit of help, "What about your fighting styles?"
"Oh," Matsu perked up, sitting up straight, "I've got better chakra control and stamina than Iku, but he's faster and he usually beats me in spars."
"I always beat you in spars!" Iku nudged him roughly with his shoulder, and Matsu returned the gesture a bit harder.
"No you don't!"
"Alright, alright," Manju cut off the argument before it began, almost wanting to laugh at how predicable the boys already were. He thought about ending the exercise, to give them more time to think about it. It would be more productive if they thought through what made them different, and it would be healthier in the long run.
"Don't lie, Matsu!" Iku tackled his brother, throwing all of his weight on Matsu's body. The boys cried out and screamed, not really saying anything as they rolled in the grass. In an instant, Manju was standing up, holding each of them tightly by the back of the collar as far away from the other as his arms would allow.
"It seems like we'll have to work on your manners as well," Manju chuckled, releasing the boys and using his hand to shade the sun from his eyes, "Ten laps around the compound."
"What?" Iku shrieked as Matsu folded his arms over his chest.
"Manju sensei, I just thought about something else that's different between me and Iku?" Matsu was glaring at his brother from the side, his eyes narrowed and calculating.
"Oh?" Manju tried not to laugh when Matsu shoved Iku to the ground and took off.
"He's dumber than me, too!"
