We must prioritize the bridge."
"The Uchiha needs to renovate some houses."
"They can wait. Traders need that bridge to deliver the villager's needs."
"I am not saying that the fund should be fully spent in our renovations, what I am trying to-"
"We have a little fund here,Madara"
"Tobirama."
They were on a meeting together with some Senju and Uchiha around the oval shaped table. Tobirama and Madara's exchange of (almost debating) words pressured both sides until Hashirama interrupted.
"Madara,continue on what you are saying." Hashirama said ,Tobirama sighed in disapproval.
"I believe that the fund will be use both to the Uchiha and the making of the bridge."
Hashirama glanced at the papers. The materials needed for the bridge,the cost estimate,the blue print and layouts and also the timeline on how long will it take to construct. As a Hokage he needs to double check,triple check all of the documents. Being a Hokage was tough, but it was way tougher to listen to his brother and friend's exchange or reasoning (more like a debate).
Another Uchiha who was seated beside her whispered at Madara, saying that maybe they can wait for an additional fund to come and that the village needed the bridge urgently instead of their house renovations.
Madara glared at her uncle. The poor uncle just shrugged and never say a word again
After a long moment of silence between two sides, Hashirama let out an audible deep breath. He hesitantly looked at Madara before saying a word.
"We'll be prioritizing the bridge."
Tobirama smiled looking above feeling like he won a war as Madara clenched her fist, bowed down, disappointed. The other Uchiha's reactions were not the same as Madara, though there were a bit of sadness in their eyes. Still, they do understand that they needed to expedite the building of the bridge for the merchants to enter Konoha.
Hashirama signed the documents and finalized the constructing of the bridge that Tobirama proposed. Together with him were Toka, Tobirama (who was happily victorious), Sadao Uchiha (Madara's relative. Sadao is an old man about his 60's ,long lived enough to be wisest man in the Uchiha clan), Madara was beside Toka who was handling the documents. She was after all the 'second or sometimes ' leader of the village. If there was a position for a vice Hokage it would be Madara. People in the village were confused about this matter whether it was Tobirama or Madara was their second leader (Madara would be pissed if she ever heard she's a third leader knowing the a Senju was already the Hokage, she cannot accept it if another Senju was the second leader and the fact that she was Hashirama's co-founder - not just a founder..she was a co-founder) but Hashirama made it clear to the public that Madara is their second leader. Tobirama just shrugged.
Madara nevertheless signed the documents, Toka and Tobirama were talking about the materials needed to be ordered in far away villages (in fact, he was discussing it with Hashirama but it ended up with Toka because the Hokage was busy staring at the Uchiha head, few meters away from them around the long table) Madara signed,Hashirama signed,witnessed by Tobirama and Sadao,two Senju and two Uchiha as approvers and witnesses was fair enough..(of course) Toka sealed and filed the papers later on.
-xXx-
Madara left the rest of them and made her way somewhere.
She ended up going to a children's playground and sat on a swing
"Madara," a man called.
She did not say anything and only looked in the horizon. Hashirama made his way on another swing beside Madara's
"The only reason..." She spoke.
"...that I agreed on establishing this village..was because of my brother,my clan,my family"
Hashirama knew exactly how Madara put the Uchiha clan in top priority list. He looked depressed the way he stared at Madara while remembering her statement 9 years ago.
"I like it when we build our village,I'll get an even closer eye on my younger brother."
Izuna was her everything.
All she ever wanted was for Izuna to experience living a normal, peaceful life.
"Mara,I want to apologize for-"
"Stupid Senju," her voice was emotionless. "Making a final decision and regret it later, you idiot." she added.
"I promise you that the next time we get a fund, it will be for the renovations."
Madara looked at him. Though she did not respond ,Hashirama hoped that Madara did understand him that the bridge must be constructed first, then their renovations. But in Madara's mind, she knows that something was about to happen. If Hashirama kept on agreeing in his brother's proposals,advises, and projects,the Uchiha will be left behind.
She's a smart girl, a fierce fighter, even though her clan do not listen that much to her, all because she's a girl. A girl, on their era has no room in leadership. The Uchiha were somewhat ashamed that their clan leader was a female. They wanted Izuna to succeed Madara but the kid was too young for the position and of course, they were afraid of Madara.
They did not favor most of Madara's plans unlike the Senju clan who favored Hashirama and listened on whatever he said. She felt disrespected and that feeling gave her the idea of becoming the most powerful shinobi (not just the most powerful female shinobi). She thought that if ever she became stronger than any other shinobi, even stronger than Hashirama, her clan will finally fully accept her. Regardless of this, she will do anything and everything for; first for Izuna,second for the Uchiha Clan,and third for Konoha.
The fourth place wias for herself and it wasa also the last one.
Madara tilted her head up in the sky and felt that something was about to happen.
xXx-
A storm.
Konohagakure was hit by a storm. It was not normal because Konoha has been always a warm place, and so who would have thought this occurrence? There was none.
Oh wait.
She knew.
Madara once had a (debate?) talk to Hashirama about a possible hurricane slash storm that will possibly hit Konoha, on which Hashirama just shrugged. Well it was not that he totally shrugged (He will believe in her in everything including saying that the earth is triangular in shape and not sphere)
"Mara, you're worrying too much." After that Madara went out of his office and did not talk to him for a couple of days.
She knew that there was still a possibility that Konoha will experience storm. A disastrous storm that can shake their homes, can destroy their crops, their food source. That was why she kept insisting that the Uchiha homes should get renovated - the home of her people.
Hashirama was busy looking around the village to keep an eye of the villagers needs. There was a medic tent for those who have been hurt. The Hokage can protect the whole village and with his powerful wood release, he can cover the whole village against the storm. But unfortunately, he was out of the village when the storm arrived, having a political meeting in another land and was busy on his bridge project. The only person that was to run the village at that time was none other than his second-in-command,Madara Uchiha.
She's powerful and all but her jutsu was far from helping people.
When Hashirama arrived, he immediately went to his office while Tobirama followed him.
"Madara!" That was Hashirama who was greeted by his empty Hokage seat.
No one was around his office. Where is she? Where is his second in command? she was supposed to be here.
Second in command, oh, how she hated that title.
Tobirama narrowed his eyes, Hashirama jumped out of his office and made his way to the villagers to check them. Gladly, most of them were fine and medical tents were put around the village.
"Hokage-sama!" A medic called.
"Where is Madara?"
Tobirama narrowed his eyes (he's still following his brother).
He keeps on asking where in the world Madara is..Madara..Madara..that girl..that Uchiha.
Instead of Asking how is the villagers/village so far, Hashirama was asking where is she? WHERE IS MADARA?
Tobirama was irritated, he wanted to lecture his brother but being a calm person he was and also a level headed young man, he went on his own way in helping the medics inside the tent.
"Madara-sama is on the Uchiha compound." the medic answered.
Tobirama was more irritated not because of she's on her clan's compound but the way Hashirama flew so fast going to the place where Madara is, Tobirama followed him after a while.
Madara helped her people. The storm almost destroyed the Uchiha shelters. She saw Hashirama from a distance but focused on helping to build her people's home.
"Neechan is that?-"
"Izuna, focus on what you are doing." Izuna was carrying a large pile of wood that will be transported in the next house.
"Madara," Hashirama called. Madara faced him.
"I already sent the medics on where they are needed the most." Madara said without looking at Hashirama.
"No,I mean.." Hashirama gazed around and realized she was right. They badly needs the renovations. Hashirama had a guilt feeling upon turning his daze. He tried to help Madara but she only glared daggers at him (which of course scared the shit out of him)
Other shinobi were busy in the village. It was a good thing that their houses were in good shape when the storm occurred. However, the Uchiha were badly affected.
-xXx-
"So, you are saying that the construction of the bridge must be stopped?
"Tobirama,"
Those were the Senju brothers and the question was for Madara. They were on the Kage office (after a long day of helping the people but the village is now in good condition than earlier. Thanks to all of them including Izuna, who helped a lot during those time (with a lot of orders coming from Madara to Izuna to stop playing around while building houses)
Hashirama signed a waiver for Madara to have a fund for the renovations.
"Brother, I do understand that they need it." A new fund but not bigger than the first one arrived in Konoha, as a new clan joined them after his meeting with its head and they happily sent a small fund for the village as its first gift or whatever they call it)
"But the construction is nearly done." Tobirama said continued, Madara frowned at him.
"But at least the bridge has no people living inside it." Madara scorned.
She was getting impatient to Tobirama's selfish (selfish? but its for the village.,..but still for Madara its being selfish) motives.
"The storm has gone,at least."
On this, Madara glared at him. She wanted to attack him right in his face. Hashirama immediately felt the incoming rage so he waltzed in the middle of the two forces. He knows that Madara's temper when it comes to his brother was close to none.
"And you're saying to leave my people with devastated houses like that? while your bridge is well made and fine?!" she growled.
"I am not saying that its' gonna be like that, I am saying that the bridge is nearly done just a little fund and a little time and it is done and then we can turn the succeeding funds in your Uchiha Compound and also..."
A pause, then he looked at Hashirama who was standing beside him (to avoid a fire style attack that can roast the whole office maybe?)
"My brother just won the Yamanaka's trust and will be transporting here immediately. That being said, they will need the bridge. "
It was followed by a silence.
"So?" Madara mocked, Tobirama gawked at her.
"Tell me.." he started.
"Is there any particular reason that, it seems, you want the construction of the bridge to be stopped right away. Or maybe, you just do not want the other clans to join us for whatever reason."
Hashirama glared at him.
"Enough, Tobirama,the Uchiha needs the fund more and please, if you'll excuse Madara and I for a while." Hashirama walked near the door and opened it, suggesting Tobirama to step outside. Tobirama scowled at his brother, but knew that he was not in the position to do so. He was still his big brother and he must respect him at all cost (plus he is the kage, nuff said) Tobirama stepped outside firmly and obediently. Hashirama closed the door with a soft click and was finally alone with the Uchiha.
"Mara,this is now for the Uchiha clan" Hashirama handed her the bag of fund.
"This is all you fault."
A pause.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"
A yell.
"Mara-"
"Stop calling me that name you stupid Senju! it's because of your stupid decision that MY CLAN is now having a hard time sleeping with wet bed, wet things and they're having colds and fever living in that stupid damaged houses all because of that stupid bridge that your stupid brother stupidly proposed so that those alien clan will have their way coming to YOUR VILLAGE and then what? "
Hashirama who was sitting above his desk transferred beside the door. (on how did he get there is for you to think about,maybe he crawled? or ran)
"You are focusing on those alien instead of the clan that helped you in the entire establishment of this village?!" she ranted.
"Do you know why did I order the medics to be around the village? so that the villagers will not suffer on high fever like my clansmen did!" her yell is getting higher and higher that it looked like she was about to fire a katon no jutsu on Hashirama anytime.
"...and then your brother said that the bridge must be finished first before we divided that STUPID FUND!" Hashirama wanted to cover his ears before the oh-so-angry Uchiha breaks his eardrum but if he did, he might be a toasted Hokage for sure.
"..and then ask me why the hell am I against to the other clan coming in this village?!" (thankfully she did not put 'stupid' in the village)
Hashirama didn't know how long he held his breathing. Madara marched towards the door, leaving Hashirama and the bag of the 'Stupid Funds'. She slammed the door so hard that Hashirama needed to use his wood release to cover some cracks of the poor door.
Luckily that the Uchiha head did not remember to mention about their debate on the possibilities of a storm to hit Konoha or else Hashirama might have a permanent hearing loss.
-xXx-
Hashirama went on his room closing the door behind and laid on his bed letting a heavy sigh. He knew he has a fault that he did not divide the first bigger fund. But if he did, they cannot buy the materials needed for the bridge. But since he did not divide it, the Uchiha suffered the damage of the storm. He still cannot move on about Madara's words. He was dead worried that the woman will be mad at him for several days,or weeks,or month,,or years? or centuries? He doesn't know.
All that he knows is Madara is hard to deal with this time. He also forgot the bag of Madara's 'stupid fund' in his desk and wondered what she will do if he keeps on insisting to give it to her. Several hours had passed and he cannot sleep, how will he deal with the Uchihas now?