Konoha's Weasel Prince
Summary: Itachi never got to use his Susanoo in his fight with Sasuke. As soon as the Kirin hit, he was sent back through time to the founder's era and it was up to him to ensure a safer and surer future for Konoha and the world at large. KisaIta TobiMada HashiMito others mentioned
Tobirama knew he had been lucky. He was extremely lucky to be alive right now and it was all thanks to his overbearing, overprotective older brother that he was still breathing. Yes, he owed Hashirama but that didn't mean he didn't want to strangle the brunet right about now.
For you see, Senju Tobirama was bored. Bored bored bored and extremely, overwhelmingly bored. It was mind-numbing. Tobirama honestly almost wanted for Izuna to have managed to kill him out on the battlefield if it would have spared him this torture. It would have been less painful than this boredom. Of that much, the albino genius was sure. At least he'd be dead then and dead men could not get bored. Especially as much as he was.
And it was all Hashirama's fault.
Yes, the older Senju brother had saved his life but it was his fault that Tobirama even got hurt. Mostly, anyway. Sure, a part of the fault must fall on his own shoulders for allowing himself to fall out of guard like that but it was still mostly Hashirama's fault for saying such things in the middle of the battlefield. Really, Hashirama suggesting for Madara to meet Itachi had been more startling than anything else his idiot of an older brother had managed to pull in their entire lives and that was saying something. The second he had heard his brother saying those words, Tobirama had lost momentary focus and Izuna, the sneaky but smart little bastard that he was, had taken his chance like any other shinobi would and had struck him in the thigh.
What made things worse is that he had manged to cut a major blood vessel so had Hashirama not been there to react as quickly as he did, slinging him over his shoulders and calling a retreat before teleporting two miles away from the battlefield and immediately started treating his leg, Tobirama would have bled to death. There had been blood everywhere and his favorite battle pants were ruined. And, to top it all off, not only was he humiliated by such a stupid injury and being berated by his father in front of all of their fellow surviving Senju, but Hashirama had also deemed his injury to serious to let him leave the hospital once they came back. Now, two days later, he was still stuck here with nothing to do but to watch the happenings outside of his window and wonder if he would get punished for murdering Hashirama for putting him through this torture.
He was not even allowed to work on anything! He wasn't allowed to do his duties as the third in command in the Senju Clan, he wans't allowed to work on all the countless ideas he had for his new jutsus, he wasn't allowed to even read since Hashirama deemed his favored reading material not at all meant for relaxing but rather more stressing as most of it is only on jutsu and sealing. Could he really help it that those were his main interests these days? No, of course not. Did Hashirama understand that? Nope, not at all.
Still, the younger Senju could understand where Hashirama was coming from on this one. He wasn't nearly as good of a healer as his brother but Tobirama knew just as much as him about the human body and Tobirama knew that he had been in a very dangerous state due to his injury. To cut a major blood vessel ... It is usually a death sentence, but, once again, Hashirama - and later with a shocked Mito's help - had defied the Shinigami its prey, wringing another soul from its grasp. His status had been even shakier than Itachi's, but with a little donated Uzumaki blood, he had been perfectly fine just a couple of hours later. Still, that didn't mean the wound couldn't reopen, so Hashirama insisted on Tobirama staying bedridden for a while. That, he can understand. Taking away work, he could understand as well. Stress would not help him at the moment. His jutsu work and development? Sure, surging chakra through his body with a healing wound is also a big risk since the chakra rush might grate on the healing wound and just aggravate it from the inside.
But taking away what he considered light reading? That was just cruel.
And so, Tobirama's only remaining forms of entertainment was looking out of the window or receiving a couple of visitors every day. But since he wasn't really all that close with the rest of his clansmen, those visitors were usually Toka, Hashirama and Mito and, occasionally although he would rather for the man not to come at all, Butsuma. His father would come at the oddest of hours and spent twenty minutes ranting at him for letting an Uchiha injure him, calling him useless and saying how Hashirama would never allow for such a grave injury to befall him. Tobirama always had to hold his tongue less he tell their father that Hashirama's opponent actually had very little killing intent towards him while Izuna seemed to hate Tobirama's guts and nothing would make the younger Uchiha brother happier than to erase Tobirama's existence off of the face of the planet. That would just end up with more scolding to him and Butsuma either trying to order Hashirama to kill Madara - a hard enough task on a daily basis let alone under such pressure - or misguidedly tell him to fight another Uchiha in their clashes. If anyone else other than Hashirama were to fight Madara, all that would survive of that poor, unfortunate platoon would be Hashirama, Tobirama if he were present and the ashes of their clansmen. So he just let his father get over and done with his rant before the man left and Tobirama was alone and bored again.
Seriously, boredom was going to get to him sooner than the wound would have had he been allowed to work or train.
Just as he was about to resign himself to yet another day of unbearable boredom - there was a big clan meeting today so Hashirama couldn't come to visit him, Toka had been sent on a mission and there had been another clash with the Uchihas last night so Mito was busy with the injured and the streets were empty since it was raining outside so he couldn't even entertain himself by watching others and there was only so much time one could spend in their thoughts before they went crazy - when there was a knock on his door. Eager for something to distract him from this hell, Tobirama called out for whoever it was to come in (he was also not allowed to extend his senses, since that too required spending and spreading out his chakra) and was surprised when an ash black head popped into his hospital room before the rest of the owner of said head stepped in.
"What are you doing here?" The surprised Senju asked of none other than their guest, Itachi. The black haired man arched an eyebrow.
"I came to see you. I heard you were injured."
Tobirama snorted but didn't tell the boy to leave. He was bored, you know. Besides, he kind of wondered what the dark haired man had been up to. He had been stuck here for two and a half days and he had no idea where Itachi was going or how he was spending his time since his window wasn't facing Itachi's little cabin and he wasn't allowed to extend his senses beyond this room. "A lucky shot on Izuna's side."
"Izuna?" The other inquired as he approached the bedridden Senju's side.
"Uchiha Izuna, my rival since we were kids, second only to his older brother in skill." The albino replied, watching in interest as Itachi sat down into the chair that Hashirama had brought in for visitors to make themselves comfortable while they kept the patients company. So far only Butsuma had sat there. "We are usually very much equal in strength and skill and only the day's moods or previous injuries can affect the balance of power between us."
"Ah. So was it one of those days where this Uchiha Izuna-san tips the scale?"
"Not at all." Tobirama replied, not daring to meet the foreigner's eyes. It was very embarrassing how he had lost that damned fight. A ninja shouldn't lose focus, shouldn't be swayed by any emotion, even if it is shock or surprise. He didn't need his father to tell him he should be ashamed of himself. He was perfectly aware on his own, thanks. And he definitely didn't need to discuss this with Itachi of all people. Out of the entirety of the Senju Clan, he had spoken with the weasel the least, mostly because he spent almost all of Itachi's stay so far to stalk the younger man.
"Then what happened?" The confused Itachi question and Tobirama looked over to glare at him and tell him to stop antagonizing him, only to find not a trace of mockery in Itachi's black eyes. He actually took in the man's appearance and realized Toka and Mito must have taken him to a tailor since he was no longer dressed in those near black clothes in which they found him. Rather, Itachi was now wearing a white kimono shirt with black lining, black pants and a red sash around his narrow waist. He had also been gifted a new hair tie, as red as the sash around his waist. He still had his sandals, that strange red ring and the necklace he always wore but at least his creepy crow wasn't around. The younger man, dressed in these new clothes, somehow looked even younger than usual. Tobirama knew it was going to be even harder not to actually call Itachi 'kid' out loud and not just in his head. He looked genuinely curious and, if Tobirama was not mistaken, slightly concerned.
The albino sighed and just decided to tell him. He suddenly felt the need to tell someone what had happened. People had just assumed he had lost a grip on his sword or that he had slipped due to wet ground or something. He hadn't told anyone what had actually caused the injury. "While I was fighting Izuna near Anija and Uchiha Madara, Anija said something that ... really surprised me. I had turned my head to ask him if he was serious instinctively, only to end up with a sword in my thigh. For such carelessness, maybe I do deserve the injury."
"Of course you don't." The ponytail wearing man said with an honest to god snort, something Tobirama had never seen Itachi do in the almost three weeks that he knew him. The younger was polite to a fault, no matter what someone said or did. "You're not a machine. You are not a god. You are human and humans are not meant to be perfect, no matter what people like to think. Everyone is allowed a moment of weakness. That does not mean you are weak. You are weak only when you cannot get back up when you fall down. That's the only time you are a coward, too, when you would rather give up than try again. Or when you'd rather run away from a problem instead of facing it. Or when you won't even admit to having a problem in the first place. All of that is being weak and cowardly. Making a mistake certainly is not."
''You don't really talk like someone your age usually would.'' Tobirama said after a moment of silence, earning another snort from his companion.
''Yes, I get that a lot.'' Itachi said before reaching down beside his feet, startling Tobirama when he brought up a bag with a board sticking out. He had not even registered that the other had brought in anything with him and yet here it was. Before he could question Itachi, the black eyed man had already opened the board to reveal Shogi pieces of all things. He looked up to meet his visitor's eyes and saw a challenging smirk curving Itachi's lips. ''Now, what say you to a game of Shogi? Ready to lose?''
Tobirama narrowed his red eyes, glaring at Itachi and the implication that he would lose. ''Arrogant much, Itachi?''
''I've never been arrogant in my life.'' The weasel replied, smirk only getting smugger. ''I have been playing since I have turned six and have never lost.''
''You've never played against me.'' The albino confidently declared, shifting a little on the bed so they can lay the board there comfortably and Itachi immediately gave him his pieces. As soon as all twenty of their pieces were in place, Itachi reached back into his bag and pulled out all sorts of sweets, fruits and some salty treats he had obviously bought before coming here. He even pulled out a big bottle of water and two cups that would usually be used to serve tea. ''What's all of this?''
''Glucose is the food for the brain and believe me,'' the raven said confidently as he set everything up so it was within easy reach of them both. ''We will need it.''
''You honestly thing we are going to be at this for hours?'' Tobirama asked with an arched eybrow. He got one in return as his answer.
''Well, I didn't want to underestimate you, so I prepared for the possibility that you might be a bigger challenge than I expected you to be.''
Red eyes narrowed as Tobirama understood what Itachi was implying. The damn brat thought he was going to win! And not only that, but he thought Tobirama will be easy to beat! Well, that just means Tobirama will have to show him who the better strategist is! Never mind that Tobirama had never seen Itachi develop any strategy, he was the one that had been at war his whole life. That had to count for something, especially since Tobirama was the Senju's main strategist.
''You actually think you're going to win.''
''I don't think it.'' Itachi replied in a drawl with a smirk. ''I know it.''
''Oh, you're on!''
00000
''OH, COME ON! YOU'VE GOT TO BE CHEATING SOMEHOW!'' Hashirama nearly jumped out of his skin when he suddenly heard his brother's voice yell the afternoon the next day. The meeting yesterday had dragged on and on for hours until it finished near midnight, much to Hashirama's suffering. He had been unable to go and visit his little brother for an entire day and so he had arrived as quickly as his duties as the Clan Heir could allow. To hear the ever calm and collected Tobirama yelling like this ... It was a shock.
''How do you cheat at Shogi?'' Another voice, too muffled by the door for Hashirama to identify as he came to stand in front of his brother's room, said with a trace of amusement.
''That's got to be the only explanation!'' His brother exclaimed again. ''We've been playing for hours and you've lost only twice! Twenty games! Twenty!'' The brunet felt is eyes widen. Tobirama lost at Shogi? Eighteen times?! ''How can you hold your concentration so long?!''
''A skill acquired through eight years of necessity.'' Hashirama leaned his ear against the door, trying to hear better. Whoever his brother was playing against must be good. But who would dare challenge their best strategist in a war-modeled game? Hashirama knew Mito and even Toka had tried once and Hashirama did from time to time just so he can spend some time with his brother, but Tobirama had never lost, no matter how distracted he had been at the time.
Too curious now, Hashirama couldn't stop himself from opening the door and stepping inside, startled to see Itachi of all people sitting cross-legged at Tobirama's feet, the albino's uninjured leg bent to make space for a Shogi board that his brother was studying in an obviously futile attempt to save this game and at least stall it for another few turns. There were all sorts of things lying around the bed, from empty dango sticks to overturned tea cups and all sorts of fruit remains. Hashirama couldn't help but blink perplexedly as he watched his brother run his fingers through his pale hair, an agitated look on his face and a scowl that darkened it more than any talks about the Uchiha had ever managed.
''Brother?''
''Not now, Anija.'' Tobirama said distractedly, going through what moves he could make in his head. His scowl darkened when he saw that there was no move he could make but he still refused to give up. Itachi just lounged about and turned instead to face the newcomer.
''Hello, Hashiram-san.'' Hashirama was still too stunned by the way his brother had brushed him off to respond to the greeting. Never before, no matter how busy, had Tobirama said the words 'not now' to him before.
''H-how long have you been at this?'' The man with the longest hair finally managed to get out through his shock and Itachi cocked his head to look out of the window.
''Perhaps about twenty four hours, maybe more.'' The older Senju's jaw fell open while Tobirama's head snapped up.
''Really?'' He asked his opponent before looking out of the window himself. ''Huh. Time sure does fly by when you're having fun.''
''Fun?!'' The flabbergasted Hahsirama repeated, being completely ignored by the other two. ''Shogi's not fun!''
''Yeah it is.'' The two geniuses replied at the same time, their eyes snapping to each other in startlement. They regarded each other before a smirk settled on both pairs of pale lips. A strange understanding had settled between them. Hashirama felt uneasy. That look never bode well for anyone.
''I guess I should go now.'' The weasel named man said as he stood up fluidly, as though he had not spent hours on end bent over a board game. ''I will leave this here and will bring Go pieces tomorrow. Or later today.'' The youngest man in the room shrugged and bent down to put on his sandals. ''Maybe we can even play Pai Gow or Mahjong.''
''You know Hanafuda?''
''Of course.''
''Itachi, I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.''
Hashirama shuddered at the smirk on his brother's face.