—-

"Tobi?" Hashirama walked around, calling his name. A worried expression consumed his face. Oh no. Where could he be? It was not safe to be far from the clan at this time of night. Of course, being his older brother, this did not seem to apply to himself.

"Tobirama!"

The night was loud, filled with the sounds of various animals and insects, busy in their activities. Time passed as he wandered through thick forest and numerous clearings. A feeling of apprehensiveness soon crept upon him—he was not exactly sure where he was anymore. He then found himself entering an area that displayed signs of recent bloodshed. His apprehension quickly turned to fear. This blood...could some of it be...?

As he quietly tread further through the area, he heard the crunching of fallen leaves nearby. He turned suddenly, readying the kunai in his hand. "Tobi?" he whispered. He walked toward the sound, and proceeded to check behind a large tree.

"Oof!"

The two ninja bumped into each other, but the heavier Senju ended up pushing the shinobi over and fell on top of him. They looked into each other's eyes, surprised beyond belief.

"Hashirama?"

"Madara?"

The Uchiha tried to sit up. "Get off me," he demanded, pushing the boy off from him. Then he sat up, and stared at his friend, who was looking quite dazed.

"...What are you doing here?" he asked incredulously, with a hint of fear. The blade fell from his hand. "This is—" he stopped abruptly. He couldn't tell him this was Senju territory.

"This is—" Madara had started to explain, but caught himself, as well. He was pretty sure he was still on Uchiha ground. He sighed, and wiped the hair away from his forehead with a dirty palm. "I'm looking for my brother."

"What?" Hashirama gazed at him in disbelief. "So am I!"

Something flashed in Madara's eyes, although it went unnoticed by his friend. "At this time of night?" he asked. "Is everything okay?"

"Obviously not," he snapped.

Madara raised his eyebrows. He must be seriously worried. But then again, so was he.

"I've been looking for hours," Hashirama said, worry tinging his voice. He buried his head atop his knees.

Madara's face softened. You get depressed so easily...

A hand was placed gently on the young Senju's shoulder. Hashirama lifted his head, and slowly accepted the gesture in comfort. He stared at his best friend and then blinked the tears away.

"We'll find him," his friend insisted earnestly.

He sniffed. "And yours, too." Why do I get so easily upset? he asked himself angrily. Look at Madara. His brother is missing, too, but you don't see him crying about it. A thought struck him.

What if he was dead?

The thought nearly froze him. He wouldn't know what to do if he lost his only brother. Not after Itama and Kawarama... He felt his eyes sting and throat burn again.

"Let's go," Madara urged, tugging on Hashirama's arm, and pulling him up. He glanced around seriously. "We should hurry. Looks like there's been a recent battle."

Hashirama nodded, and let himself be guided by this boy, this...brave person. His best friend was with him now. Everything would be fine.

—-