Hello, I'm sorry it took me so long! But I've got lots of stuff to do in the past weeks...
Thanks for the Reviews and I hope you enjoy!
Madara could only stare at his lover incredulously and Izuna too was surprised by the other's statement. Hashirama had expected this reaction from them and just smiled.
"What are you saying? Why should he be here?" Madara asked. The mere thought that Tobirama could be there in this moment aggravated him. He looked at Hashirama sharply, demanding an answer from him.
The latter knew that he was skating on thin ice. He just hoped he wouldn't be found out by his lover or Izuna. When it was true that he didn't know where his brother was, Hashirama actually didn't believe that Tobirama was here. His brother hadn't appeared at the meeting, which was unusual for a guy who was always on time. The older Senju went to Tobirama's house after that, only to discover that he wasn't there, either. He had asked Toka and she told him that he had appeared yesterday, but left again shortly after that. She said he had been heading into the direction of the mountains.
Hashirama knew his brother had a habit of going out late at night and relaxing at the cold night's breeze and silence. The older Senju assumed that he went to the mountains to do exactly that and had fallen asleep. He had been pretty exhausted yesterday, if he remembered correctly. Such a thing had happened in the past, when they were still young, after all.
Of course, the possibility that his brother could be with Izuna had occurred to him, but he dismissed it, seeing that he thought that Tobirama, even if he had been with the younger Uchiha, would have left the moment he sensed the older Uchiha coming. As if he would stay, when he knew that Madara was in the same house as him.
The hokage wanted to go to the mountains at first, to check if he was right and look after his brother, when an idea struck him. And that's why he was here at the moment, standing in Izuna's house and being eyed by two grumpy Uchihas.
Hashirama wanted to know how involved Tobirama and Izuna really were. That's why he wanted to see Izuna's house to look for clues that his brother was there regularly. But he knew that the younger Uchiha wouldn't let him in, if he just appeared like that. He had to do it when Madara would still be there because then Izuna wouldn't do anything. It was weird how couldn't just visit his 'brother-in-law'. Hashirama really wondered what he ever did to the Uchiha…
"He hasn't appeared at the meeting. And he wasn't at his house, either. So I assumed he might be here, seeing that he would likely be spending time with his lover."
The older Senju knew exactly that neither of the two Uchihas approved of his last sentence. Hashirama began feeling a bit nervous when he felt both their gazes fixed on him and not in a friendly way, either. He couldn't shake the feeling that he put his head in the lion's mouth.
"I mean, is he here?" He directed his question at Izuna, who looked like he wanted to hurt him.
"No. And now get out."
Hashirama decided it would be best to get a little bit closer to his lover for safety. But the latter only glared at him. Madara was angry that the Senju had managed to ruin a friendly breakfast with his brother with his sudden appearance.
"Who cares, where your damn brother is?! Now say, why you're really here."
Hashirama gulped. He hadn't thought about being found out so fast and he didn't want to deal with Madara's rage. He only hoped that the Uchiha wouldn't be so sensitive about this matter in the future or he didn't know how he would survive this. Or how his brother would survive this…
"I care about it. He's my only brother and I worry about him…"
The Senju was faking a pout. It was true that he cared deeply for his brother and worried about him. But unlike Madara, Hashirama wasn't that protective of him and didn't make a mountain out of molehills. Tobirama hadn't left the village and besides, he could take care of himself. But he knew playing the 'worried-brother-card' would work with Madara and he didn't hesitate to use it.
Madara didn't say anything after that. He was still angry being disturbed like that, but he couldn't blame Hashirama for being worried. Still, the whole situation downright annoyed him.
"I already said that he isn't here. That means you can go now." Madara and Hashirama both looked at Izuna, who had his arms crossed. The older Senju aggravated him to no end.
"Well…" Hashirama didn't say more. Instead he looked around a bit. The place had changed since the last time he had been here. When Izuna and Madara were still living together, he had been there quite a few times. Of course, Izuna hadn't approved of that and the younger Uchiha had been rather happy when Madara moved in with Hashirama because he hadn't had to see Hashirama that often anymore and especially not in his house.
There was another couch, which was darker and things had been moved. All in all, everything looked much simpler and darker than before. Izuna didn't seem to like too much decoration. But Hashirama couldn't see anything that reminded him of his brother. Although his house was as simply decorated as this one, Tobirama didn't like such dark colors. He didn't like bright colors either, but more simple ones, which weren't that eye-catching like orange or anything like that.
"Why are you looking around like that?" Madara asked his lover when the other didn't continue to talk. The older Uchiha felt that his younger brother was getting angrier by minute and he actually didn't want him to murder Hashirama…
"I'm just curious. This place has changed since the last time I came here. I mean, your brother never invites me over…"
"Hmph, I wonder why," Izuna said through gritted teeth.
"Well, do you have any coffee?" Without waiting for an answer, Hashirama walked towards the cupboards. "Don't worry, I'll help myself."
Izuna couldn't believe this guy. Who the hell did he think he was? "I hate coffee." The younger Uchiha grew out of patience. Even if that man was the lover of his brother and the hokage of the village they were living in, Izuna wanted nothing more than to throw him out of his house and hurt him while doing so…
But the object of his death glare chose to ignore him completely. And Izuna hated being ignored. However, Hashirama was currently busy with opening the Uchiha's cupboard to look for coffee. Not that he wanted to drink any, he just wanted to look around a bit.
"Funny how you say you hate coffee, but you nevertheless have it in your cupboard." Hashirama grinned. The coffee he was holding in his hand now was his favorite, but more important than that was that it was Tobirama's favorite, as well…
"I just keep that here…for guests."
"Which guests? Since when do you invite over any guests?" Not even Madara believed his brother. Izuna hated 'intruders' to his home. The only person to come here regularly was Madara himself, who just like his brother didn't like coffee. So there was someone else who came over regularly…
"Did you just come here to rummage around in my house, Senju? Tell me one reason why I shouldn't just throw you out."
"Well, because I'm kinda part of your family…" Hashirama knew that this was a futile attempt to reason with Izuna, who was ready to throw the damn bastard out and even Madara wouldn't be able to prevent him from doing so. The older Uchiha could emphasize with his little brother, Hashirama was just too annoying for his own good…
But Izuna never got the chance to put his plan into motion because suddenly and very surprising for all three shinobi, another ninja decided to enter the room.
Tobirama was pretty dazed; he had been sleeping until now and he felt very dizzy. To be honest he felt like trash. He hadn't slept well the last days and today he couldn't rest either. That was because after relaxing a bit at the mountains yesterday he went to Izuna's. He would have liked to just return home and sleep, but he couldn't.
It was because of Izuna's eyes. The Uchiha had hushed him away when they had been on the training grounds, stating that he was feeling better. But Tobirama knew that this was because the other didn't want to worry his brother. After all these years he had treated Izuna's eyes, he knew that he had to heal him longer and more intense than he had been doing earlier. Tobirama could clearly imagine how Izuna would soon start holding his eyes again and feel lots of pain. Ant this image was something he didn't want to become real.
Even though they were no lovers, he cared for the younger. Tobirama wasn't that stubborn to not admit that. Like he said, being so close to someone else made you have affection for the other. That he wouldn't deny and that was exactly why he couldn't stand seeing the other in pain.
When he had arrived at Izuna's house the Uchiha had still been fine. He had been sitting on the couch and was obviously trying to relax a little as he massaged his temples.
"Having a headache?"
Izuna wasn't surprised that the other had come over because he had expected it. "Yes. And you know what? If you consider everything, it's all kinda your fault."
"My fault?"
"Yes. You just cause all kind of trouble for me."
"Hm." Tobirama didn't reply. Instead he walked towards Izuna and sat beside him.
"How are you feeling?"
Izuna only sighed. He turned around and put his hand on Tobirama's cheek. The Uchiha had a habit of doing that because he couldn't see. Touching the other like this gave him a feeling of what expression he made right now. It helped him imagine the Senju. From their earlier encounters he knew what the other looked like, but that had been a long time ago.
"How do you think I'm feeling? That's the reason you're here, isn't it?"
Tobirama only stared at the Uchiha in front of him before he took the hand on his cheek in his own and lowered it from his face.
"Why didn't you come to me earlier? That way we could have prevented or brothers from finding out."
Izuna grumbled before he answered. "Well, now that you mention it. How should things continue from here?"
The Senju thought about it. It wasn't like anything big had changed. Only now they would have to deal with two annoying siblings. Tobirama could clearly imagine Hashirama sitting on his couch and thinking hard about how to 'help' them. His brother had never understood that there was a limit to which he could interfere with his little brother's life. But then, Hashirama had never understood that there were limits to anything in life…
"How to continue? We should continue like nothing happened."
"You think that will be that easy? I can guarantee for nothing if your brother suddenly stood in front of my house…"
"But I think your brother is worse than mine. I'm surprised that he hasn't showed up here to prevent me from being near to you."
Izuna smiled. Yes, Madara was someone, who would do that…
They could have enjoyed the silence that followed after that if Izuna's headache hadn't become worse. Tobirama immediately started his healing. He let go of the Uchiha's hand and got closer to him. Izuna visibly relaxed into the touch and Tobirama was glad that he could help the younger man. After a while the Senju noticed how the other was slowly drifting off to sleep. It had been getting rather uncomfortable on the couch anyway and so he stopped his treatment for a while and motioned Izuna to follow him into the bedroom. They lay down and Tobirama continued with what he was doing earlier.
If Madara had actually appeared at his brother's place, he would have found the two in the same bed. But nothing sexual had happened that night, which seemed odd for people, who claimed to only share a bed for these purposes. But this was an exception.
Izuna soon fell asleep, but Tobirama was still busy with fulfilling his task, although his eye lids felt heavy and he wanted nothing more than to close them and let sleep overtake him. It had been really late when he could finally do that.
When Izuna woke up the next morning, he couldn't bring himself to wake the other up. He felt kind of guilty for stressing the Senju out like that. Not that he would ever admit that. But that was the reason he let Tobirama sleep in his bed, even when his brother had appeared. He knew that the albino would not just step in the room when he felt that Madara was nearby…
But Tobirama did exactly that and Izuna couldn't believe it. The guy just stepped out of his bedroom and walked into the kitchen, where their brothers were standing, looking at him with wide eyes. And Izuna would surely have been very angry if surprise hadn't taken over. In the three years they had been together Tobirama had never made such a grave mistake. Did he want to provoke Madara? But it didn't seem like it as the Senju seemed just as surprised to see the guests in the kitchen. Hadn't he felt that they had come? Had he been that exhausted that he didn't sense it?
It was silent for a moment. But then Madara stood up from his chair abruptly and glared at Tobirama. Needless to say that he was angry. He knew exactly that the Senju had shown his face to aggravate him. Why else would he have? Madara had to give it to Tobirama he had guts. But now the boy would learn what it meant to provoke Madara Uchiha.
"Senju. This time you'll pay."
Madara expected everything from the other. That he would give back a cocky remark or that he would insult him or to try to explain himself while being his usual bastard self. Madara would have even expected the other to right off react to the Uchiha's statement, not bothering to actually start a fight. But never would he have expected the Senju to sigh and just sit down on one of the kitchen chairs without reacting to Madara the way he normally did.
"Just leave me alone, Madara."
This sentence not only earned him stares from Madara, but from the other two shinobi as well. Both of them knew Tobirama well enough to know that his behavior was far from normal.
But Madara was still very angry and the younger Senju's unusual behavior didn't change that. He couldn't care less what the other was saying. Unfortunately, there was someone who did care and this someone prevented him from doing anything.
Hashirama walked towards his brother. Not only did Tobirama's behavior tick him off, but his brother's face was all red and he didn't like it. The albino was an expert in sensing chakra. The only time he hadn't sensed anything, or better said, couldn't, had been a long time ago, when they were still small. And what happened back then was always in the back of Hashirama's mind, just like now.
The younger of the two Senju's watched as his brother turned his face around and pressed their foreheads together. Normally Tobirama would immediately flinch away from such a touch, even or maybe because it was his brother, but this time he hadn't had the strength for that.
"You have a fever. And it's very high…"
Hashirama didn't like the situation at all. His brother was obviously ill, but despite that he pushed his older brother away a bit. Not forceful but decisive.
"I'm fine."
It were those words that made shivers run down Hashirama's back.
"No, you're not. Come on, let's go and see a doctor."
Tobirama just looked at his brother with his usual stubborn face. "It's just a simple fever. Nothing more, don't worry about it."
Just like it was last time, right? Hashirama thought. Images of that incident appeared in his head. Funny how that incident happened so many years ago and was not even the worst, which had happened to his little brother, but Hashirama would probably never be able to forget it. And he didn't like how Tobirama tried to shrug it off.
"Tobirama."
Madara watched as his lover tried a more serious tone with his brother. But Tobirama didn't seem to care. The Uchiha had his arms crossed and only glared at the scene in front of him. But what else could he do? It wasn't like he could beat Tobirama into a gulp now, which had been his initial intention after seeing him here. Hashirama wouldn't allow that. Nevertheless, Madara was still very angry. Tobirama had nerves. He had just spent the night with his little brother and showed himself to Madara just like that. Even if he seemed to be a bit out of it, that was still no excuse…
But the thing which irritated Madara even more in this moment was the way Tobirama behaved right now. Hashirama only worried about his brother and the guy didn't even seem to care. Even if the Uchiha couldn't stand Tobirama, he could still fully understand Hashirama. But the younger Senju seemed so ignorant; it pissed Madara off to no end. And there had been something else in Hashirama's eyes. Another kind of worry and fear, which Madara hadn't seen until now…
From the corner of his eyes, Madara saw his own little brother at the counter doing something. When had he got there? But the older Uchiha hadn't paid attention to him in the last minutes. He had been distracted by the two Senjus in front of him.
After Izuna turned around, Madara saw what the other had been doing the whole time.
"Here." Tobirama and Hashirama looked at the steaming mug of coffee, which Izuna had prepared for the younger. Hashirama was startled at first. Since when was Izuna nice to someone? But Tobirama didn't seem that surprised. Both Madara and his lover noticed the small smile that had crept on the other's face.
"Thanks." Tobirama took the cup and began sipping on it. Making him his favorite coffee was the least Izuna could do for the other. He felt kind of guilty because Tobirama had used his whole chakra resources on him yesterday. The Senju must have felt bad anyway and he had made it worse by healing the Uchiha.
Izuna's guilty face did not go unnoticed by his older brother, who felt very out of place at this moment. He looked at his own lover, who made a face.
Only sex buddies, my ass. Those two not only appeared as lovers, but acted as ones too. Why were they denying their relationship, if they were on such good terms with each other?
Even though Hashirama should have felt very happy and proud of himself that he was right, he couldn't because Tobirama's condition bothered him. It may seem like a simple fever, but it could be far worse. And nothing would be more heart wrenching for Hashirama than to lose his brother to an illness. As weird as it may seem, but having grown up in an era of wars Hashirama knew that any of them could die in a fight. And of course, it would break his heart, but to die just because you underestimated a fever was just…not right.
"Tobirama. After you have drank your coffee you should rest. Don't overwork yourself."
"I've still got stuff to do. There are some papers, which I need to-"
"No. You take the day off."
"And who will do that work? You?"
"Yes…Or I let Madara do it. That depends…"
Hashirama threw a hopeful glance at his lover, but the other just glared at him. "No."
Ignoring his pouting lover Madara looked at Tobirama. "And for your information, Senju. Get out of my brother's house."
Nobody present in the house was surprised at Madara's words. Hashirama could only sigh. Why was it that they couldn't get along? And why was Hashirama the one, who always got caught in the middle?
"Izuna," Hashirama began, "Don't you want to say something?" The younger Uchiha, Hashirama decided, should help him mediate between the two stubborn shinobi. There was no need that he was always the victim of this endless fight…
"No, hokage-sama, I don't." But Izuna was still an unhelpful bastard. Hashirama wondered, if Uchihas were born with this conceited attitude. It seemed to be something running in their blood.
Hashirama was interrupted in his train of thoughts, when Tobirama stood up suddenly. He was a little bit unsteady, but it didn't seem that bad.
"Don't worry, brother. I'll just go home."
Madara decided that he liked a sick Tobirama more than a healthy one because the guy was actually doing what he was told and lacked his arrogant comments. Madara felt good that the Senju would leave soon, but unfortunately his lover didn't.
"I'll accompany you. But you will be all alone there. Maybe, you should stay here, so Izuna can watch you."
And Hashirama always said Madara was overprotective. And now this. What had gotten into the Senju? Madara didn't understand why a fever unnerved Hashirama so much. Everyone got sick, now and then. What was the big deal?
"He definitely won't stay here." Madara's statement resulted in Hashirama giving his lover a disapproving look, but Madara didn't care. The Uchiha only made a face that said 'What did you expect from me?'
"He's right. I should go home. Izuna isn't home anyway because he has to attend a meeting with the Hyuuga clan and his mission starts soon. Besides, I can take care of myself."
Why couldn't Tobirama always be ill? Madara could get used to a Tobirama, who just did what he was told and didn't aggravate him with his obnoxious behavior. But even then Madara wouldn't like him. That much he could tell.
Hashirama wasn't satisfied with his brother's answer, but unfortunately he didn't get much backup from the other two in the room. Not that he had expected it from Madara, but he had hoped, and still hoped that Izuna would show some concern. But even though he seemed a bit worried, he didn't say anything to the matter. The younger Uchiha had an unreadable expression on his face.
Hashirama sighed. "Fine. Go home. But make sure you get some rest…"
The older Senju still wanted to accompany his brother, but the other insisted on going alone. He wasn't a weakling or so he told him. Besides, Hashirama still had a meeting ahead of him and he would certainly be late, if he went with his brother.
Madara was happy and angry at the same time. Happy because the Senju was finally gone, but angry because of the situation in general. And he was angry because his lover seemed to be annoyed with him. They both had left Izuna's house as well, much for the younger Uchiha's pleasure. The meeting, which Hashirama had to go to, Madara had to attend, as well. But the walk towards the hokage tower was very silent and it never was a good sign, when Hashirama was silent. Madara noticed the sulking glances the Senju gave him and was rather annoyed with them.
"If you have to say something, then say it. You're getting on my nerves."
Instead of answering Hashirama only grumbled, which annoyed Madara even more. If he hated something, it was not getting proper answers. He decided to glare at his lover until the other would finally stop his sulking.
Hashirama sighed. "You could have been nicer to him. He was sick and now he's all alone because you didn't let him stay at Izuna's house…"
"Why would I be nice to him? Only because he was a bit ill? The guy can be happy that I didn't beat him for provoking me like this or for what he did yesterday."
"But maybe it's not a simple fever. Maybe…I just think it would have been better if your brother had watched him. In this situation you could have put your personal feelings aside…"
Madara stopped walking suddenly and glared more intensely at his lover. "What the hell is wrong with you? You always tell me I'm too protective, but now you're the one who gets so worked up only because his brother has a fever."
Hashirama only looked at his lover still looking depressed. "It was a high fever…"
"God, why do I even care?" Madara resumed his previous action and started walking again. But after a while he noticed that Hashirama hadn't followed and he glanced back. The hokage was looking at the ground deep in thought. The situation seemed to bother him greatly and Madara didn't know why.
The Uchiha didn't like that. He didn't know what to do exactly. Something in his head told him he should be helpful and sensitive with his lover. Another part of him told him to just leave the guy in the streets on his own. Why should he care what the other was doing? But although Madara would have preferred to do the latter, he couldn't just do that. But the Uchiha, for the sake of god, didn't know what to do. He wasn't a caring person. At all.
Cursing he walked back to his lover and took his hand. He then turned around and started walking, dragging a surprised Hashirama behind him. "Come on. If we're both late, then those stupid idiots will certainly assume we're late because we did something…"
"Well, if they're gonna assume that anyway, we could really do something…Wouldn't make a difference then, would it?"
That was the Hashirama he knew and although Madara would not admit it he felt kinda happy that the other was back to normal. He nevertheless squeezed the other's hand very forcefully for his perverted remark.
"Madara, damn it, that hurts!"
"Your fault…But at least you have overcome your depression. You should finally do something against your stupid habit. But to be honest I didn't get your problem this time…"
Madara stopped dragging the other and soon they were walking in a normal pace again and Hashirama had caught up on Madara.
"It's just…Tobirama never gets ill. The only time he had a fever that high, it almost killed him. And that he couldn't be treated immediately was my fault…"
The Uchiha looked at his lover and motioned him to continue. Hashirama was reluctant at first, but he knew that he could tell Madara everything.
"Well…"
The Senju brothers had been younger. Hashirama had been eleven or so. It had happened after their younger brothers had died and Hashirama had met Madara. After his encounter with the Uchiha, Hashirama hadn't been the same. The dream of peace still existed in his head, but was pushed somewhere unreachable because of the situation they were in. And that was war.
Nevertheless the older Senju tried to keep his optimistic ways and hopes for the future. And his little brother, as stoic as he may seem, shared his hopes. Tobirama knew that it wouldn't be as easy as Hashirama imagined, but he trusted his brother. And that was the reason he accompanied Hashirama, when he sneaked out at nights, to train with him.
The only problem was that they were not training alone, but with another boy named Sasuke Sarutobi. The Senju brothers had met him, when he was with his own father for a meeting with Butsuma Senju.
The Sarutobi and Senju clan were not enemies, but they weren't real allies either. At that meeting they had tried to establish some sort of alliance, but the clan heads couldn't come to an agreement. But what had fueled the meeting were the children, Hashirama and Sasuke, who spoke out against their fathers. He couldn't speak for the Sarutobi, but his outburst had earned Hashirama beating from his father after the meeting. But Hashirama had been determined and had Tobirama not stepped in, there might have been a real fight between father and son.
It wasn't like they hated each other. Hashirama had much respect for his father and Butsuma loved his son. But they couldn't see things from the same perspective and that always led to some sort of disagreement.
Tobirama always sided with his brother, but he didn't want to oppose his father either. It seemed like it was always upon him to mediate between the the encounter with Sasuke and the realization that there was someone, who thought like himself made Hashirama happy. And he began meeting the boy and training with him. And Tobirama accompanied him.
It was a different situation than with the Uchiha. The Sarutobi weren't their enemies and nobody would consider them spies even if they found out. The only reason they kept it secret was because Butsuma wouldn't approve of it. He would know what kind of things the Sarutobi lad and his own son would be discussing and he wouldn't like that.
That's why they did it in secret and because this time his little brother helped him, Hashirama was sure they wouldn't be found out. Tobirama was a good sensor despite his age. In addition the albino helped him making their exits not quite as obvious as he made it back then with Madara. Hashirama sometimes thought about what would have been if Tobirama had helped him that time too. But he couldn't blame Tobirama for spying on him. Not only had it been an order from their father, but his little brother worried about him. He hadn't wanted for Hashirama to be killed by an Uchiha, who found out about it, or worse by a Senju who thought he was betraying them.
So that one night they prepared to sneak out as well and Hashirama was very enthusiastic about it. He noticed his brother being quieter than usual, but didn't give it too much thought.
"Are you ready?" he asked Tobirama.
The younger boy only nodded slowly. Hashirama always found it amusing how mature his brother was, but didn't quite have the appearance for it. With his chubby cheeks and small body, he actually looked younger than he was. But if you looked more closely at him, you knew that his eyes weren't the eyes of an innocent young boy, but that of a shinobi, who had seen far too much pain for his age.
"Then let's go!"
"Be silent, brother. Or do you want father to hear you?" Hashirama only scratched his head at that, but he noticed that his brother's voice was quite hoarse.
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine."
Hashirama shouldn't have believed his brother that easily, but he didn't realize that his brother was in fact not doing well. Tobirama knew that he had a slight fever, but what harm would it do? He just would have to rest a bit after they got home, that was all. His brother had been looking forward for today and that's why he didn't want to ruin his good mood. And he didn't want his brother to go alone.
So they set off. Hashirama was so deep in thought, he didn't realize that his brother was slacking off. But he stopped, when he heard sounds.
Sounds of clashing weapons.
That wasn't good. He knew that the area they were in right now was one, which was not safe. But he had relied on Tobirama's sensing skills and that they would take another road if there was danger. But Tobirama hadn't said anything.
"What is it, brother? Why did you stop?" Tobirama had caught up to him and Hashirama looked at his brother. He was panting slightly and his face was red, although they hadn't gone that far.
"I can hear shinobi…"
At that Tobirama looked at the direction in which Hashirama pointed at. And he heard it too. And Tobirama deadpanned. Not because of the ongoing fight, but the realization that he heard it. And not sensed it.
Oh, no…
"We should go back…" Tobirama had made a mistake. He hadn't realized that his sensing ability wasn't working and he had endangered not only him, but his brother as well. They could have taken another road to their meeting place, but this one was faster and his brother had relied on him…
Hashirama slowly nodded, having realized that something was off with his brother. But unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side and the two Senjus didn't go unnoticed from the fighting shinobi in the area. And unfortunately one of the fighting clans was one of the enemy clans and had recognized Hashirama.
And so it started. A fight, which they hadn't been prepared for. The only thing left was for them to defend themselves and Hashirama was able to do that. And Tobirama, despite his condition could fight as well.
Panting and running, they managed to leave the area after a while. Hashirama was drained. When would this senseless fighting finally stop?
He knew that the fight had come to an end shortly after they fled. They were save for now. But he decided not to push their luck and so he stood up to go home.
"Tobi, come." His brother seemed pretty exhausted, but nevertheless he stood up and they proceeded to walk home. There would have been only one thing that could have made the night worse than it already was. And of course, it had to happen today…
"Where have you been? Meeting up with that Sarutobi lad?"
They hadn't quite reached their little village, but here he was Butsuma Senju, with an angry face directly fixed on his eldest son and heir.
Hashirama could only stare at his father. After this night the last thing he needed was his father to confront him about something which the boy didn't regret. Why didn't Tobirama warn him that he was coming?
"We just…" He didn't want to argue with his father, but the older man was having none of it.
"You just what? You just sneaked out in the middle of the night? And you just met up with a boy to discuss what exactly? How to avoid fighting even though you have to protect the ones you love? Your family and friends?"
"It's not about avoiding a fight! We're not protecting our loved ones by always fighting. We kill them with it!"
"Hashirama…I can understand you, but it will never work out the way you imagine it."
"It could, if only you…"
Their argument didn't stop here, soon they were shouting again. Neither of them noticed that the little white haired boy behind them had trouble seeing and standing straight. They didn't even realize that he was coughing very heavily.
"…and on top of that you even get yourself drawn in a fight, which was not yours. Look at you! Do you know what could have happened? You even dragged your little brother into this!"
"We never got into a fight before. Tobirama can sense it after all…"
That was when it dawned upon Hashirama again. His brother hadn't sensed anything tonight. And he hadn't said anything either, hadn't tried to stop the fighting between their father and him.
Hashirama turned around slowly to look at his brother. Butsuma noticed the change in his son's behavior and looked at his younger son as well.
"Tobi?" It was weird how Tobirama stumbled in that moment in which he finally had the attention of his family. Hashirama had never forgotten this moment, where he saw his brother lying on the ground with blood coming out of his mouth and a red face, which didn't look well on his pale skin. Or how his father rushed towards the boy, when he himself could only stare, unable to move.
Images flashed through his mind. The lifeless body of Itama, whose blood and tears hadn't even dried when they found him. The image of Kawarama, or better said what was left of him. Unrecognizable hadn't it been for the small scar on his hand. And now his last brother was lying on the ground. The one he had vowed to protect.
"Tobirama!" Hashirama ran towards his brother. The other hadn't been injured that much during their fight, he knew that.
Hashirama watched as his father put his hand on the younger boy's forehead and cursed all the while. The older Senju embraced his boy and stood up, while forming finger seals. Hashirama too, formed seals and in the next instant they were standing in the Senju compound.
Butsuma immediately brought the albino to a doctor, but after that they could only sit and wait. The Senju, who treated the boy, soon came and his father talked with him.
"It's an illness, which has killed some younger children in the west. If treated in time, it isn't any more dangerous than the flu, but when not…"
That was the question: Had they been in time? The fight and the exhaustion, which came with it, had worsened the condition of Tobirama greatly. Had Hashirama hurried to get home or had watched his brother's back more…No, if he hadn't taken him with him all along.
"I'm fine."
No, he wasn't. And he hadn't been.
Tobirama had been in a critical condition for almost two days, which seemed to be the longest days in Hashirama's life. Would he finally be all alone? Would he have failed to protect even one of his brothers?
A fight is a fight. You know that you or your comrades could die any time soon. But this wasn't because of a battle. It was just recklessness. Hashirama's recklessness.
When Tobirama finally woke up, he still looked very dizzy. But he came to his senses when his older brother hugged him with way too much force. Tobirama wasn't too keen on so much body contact, but there wasn't much he could do in this situation. He would have liked to return the hug, but was too weak for it.
"I'm sorry, brother." Hashirama could only stare at his little brother. Tears were running down his face and he had wanted to tell his brother the exact same thing.
"What are you saying? What are you apologizing for? It's all my fault."
"I put you in danger. And I made you worry…"
Those words Hashirama would never forget. And that's why he doubted his brother when he said he was fine. Maybe Tobirama just didn't want to worry him.
But maybe he did worry too much…
"You worry too much, Hashirama."
The hokage looked up at his lover. Madara had been silent, during the time he told him about the incident. The Uchiha understood now, where Hashirama's fear was coming from.
They had arrived at the hokage tower and were on one of the floors, which led to the meeting room. But they both stopped so that they could end their conversation before they joined the meeting.
"Maybe you're right. But I can't help it."
The Uchiha knew what the other meant by it. He had the same problems with his own brother. Izuna hadn't told him about his eyes and although Madara could understand his brother, it still greatly annoyed him. He didn't like to admit it, but Tobirama and Izuna did seem to have something in common.
"Your brother is an idiot."
Hashirama looked at his lover and waited for him to continue, but nothing came.
"And how is this going to assure me that everything is going to be fine?"
"Hey, I wasn't trying to console you right now. I'm just stating some facts."
The older Senju couldn't help, but sigh. "To be honest, I didn't expect you to be sensitive anyway."
"What does that mean? You think I can't be sensitive?"
Hashirama's frown was enough of an answer and Madara had to admit that the other was kind of right. But there was this nagging feeling that he should at least try to be nice.
Madara looked around on the floor. Nobody there.
Hashirama watched the Uchiha smirking at him before he leaned in closer. He put his hands on either side of Hashirama's head and closed the distance between their lips. Hashirama immediately responded and it soon let to a heated kiss because Hashirama couldn't hold back. It was always the same with him.
It stopped too soon for Hashirama's liking, but Madara didn't want anyone else to see it. But before he pulled away completely he made his lover a suggestion.
"What about we go drinking tonight?"
Hashirama's eyes widened. After their drunken night together almost two years ago, they rarely took a drink together. That was because Madara wasn't that good at keeping his liquor, although he wouldn't admit it. That always led to Hashirama having his 'perverted' ways with the Uchiha, when the alcohol made Madara all too willing.
"Are you sure?" Hashirama had to make sure he heard right. There were already many images of what he could do with his Uchiha…
"Yes. And you can wipe that perverted grin off your face. We're only going drinking. Nothing more."
"If you say so…"
Madara ignored the other's comment and started heading to the meeting room. Hashirama rushed after him.
"Don't take back, what you just said. After I finish my work today, and checked up on Tobi we're going to the local bar."
"Yeah, fine." Madara just hoped that he wouldn't regret his choice…
At the same time Izuna was staring at the other Senju brother in front of him. Tobirama was sitting in his bed and was coughing very heavily.
"What did the doctor say?"
Tobirama looked up at his visitor. He had known that Izuna would show up at some point. He had come after the meeting with the Hyuugas and had watched him since then.
"…It's from the last battle."
"So you really got poisoned by that lad like he said."
Tobirama's answer wasn't the one Izuna wanted to hear. In his last mission, Tobirama got hurt, but it was nothing serious. Or so it seemed. The lad, whom he had been fighting, told him that he used poisoned weapons. But it wasn't clear if Tobirama had made contact with it. It was a poison, which worked slowly. Even if you took the antidote, which the Senju had, it still could break out after a while. Izuna was the only one beside the doctor, who knew about this.
"What now?"
"We'll see."
"So in other words, we can just wait and hope that it doesn't get worse?"
Tobirama only nodded.
"What about your brother? He will be angry, if he gets to know that you kept something like this from him."
"What would you do if you were in my position?"
Izuna knew exactly what he would do. Or better say what he wouldn't do. But as he watched Tobirama slowly lying down on his bed again, he knew why he didn't want a relationship with anybody.
What if he was to…But Izuna realized that it might have been too late already.
So what will happen now? I don't know exactly how many chapterss there will be left. One or Two. That depends how Long the next chapter will be. If it gets too long I'll divide it into two chapters. So prepare yourself that the next chapter could be the last.
Until next time :D