Chapter 12: Eye to Eye
"This is crazy, this is crazy this is crazy", Sorami chanted as they trekked through the forest. "Did I already tell you that this is crazy?!" She hissed out, distress marring her features. This was the most suicidal task she had ever done, and to think that she somehow got convinced to even join? Her palms were clammy and a stickiness was felt across her body, her mind racing and adrenaline vibrated across her body.
"Quiet", Shiva hushed, her eyes sweeping across the landscape. She could see the Uchiha compound from the tree branch on which she balanced on. This meant that they were now officially in Uchiha territory. She let out a withering sigh, it was much too late to have second thoughts, but still, perhaps she had been too rash with her decisions. "Alright. Sorami, leave your weapons here".
Sorami head whipped up, "I knew it, we're going to die", she moaned holding onto her head.
"Well it's too late to turn back now, so better hold your head up high", she muttered jumping down from the tree branch. Shedding off her armour and throwing aside her katana and pouches of shuriken, until one single kunai remained. She stood clothed with a simple kimono and shawl over her shoulders, looking as harmful as a rabbit.
"I swear if we die, I'm going to kill you again as a ghost", Sorami cussed as she threw down her armour as well, standing uncomfortably in a simple shirt and pants. She had often worn men clothing, finding it easier to move about in and had better airflow. Her knees shaking in the cold, a breeze billowing by, pulling their scent along as well. Shiva pursed her lips, there was really no going back.
She glanced at Shiva, for a young girl about to head straight towards the Uchiha compound she looked unnervingly calm. She fidgeted and twitched as she trudged next to Shiva's side. "The most dangerous thing is the bombs placed along the path we take. We are walking the main path", Shiva carefully notched a tree branch, a reminder of where their weapons were.
"They're going to see us and kill us!" Sorami exasperated.
"That's the point, they will see us. You, weaponless and me, the Clan Heads sister, taking the main path without scurrying in the foliage of our beloved trees. A bold statement, and they will not kill us", Shiva said calmly. Her eyes looking onwards into the darkness. She knew for sure that an Uchiha had already caught onto the scent of their chakra, and alerted for backup.
"How can you be so sure?" Sorami hissed.
Shiva turned her gaze back to her shivering friend, the wintry winds was not forgiving for her. Her her narrowing a little, "Have some faith, what is the point of killing us without questioning and surveillance. Besides, Madara-san won't kill us".
"Why?"
"Because he has the same principles as Hashirama-nii. He won't kill children", she said simply. "Now let's go, I can sense some Uchiha coming our way".
He was annoyed, more annoyed than usual but it was to be expected of Madara. He was never quite in a good mood, when he was younger any good fight would put him back into happier sorts. But now any fight felt like a pale comparison compared to Hashirama, and it only infuriated him more. Muttering a curse, Madara crumpled up the piece of paper, throwing it into an accumulating pile of rubbish. His dark eyes glazing over his notes and scrolls, trying to decipher a dead language was harder than expected. "Izuna, call a servant for some tea", he muttered as he pulled his desk drawer open, taking out more ink blocks and brushes.
He had set himself up for a challenge of deciphering some old texts he found in the library, Kijo, the old man who looked after the books, with an appearance of a withering tree, had stated that the texts had remained undeciphered for centuries. No-one knew of the original purpose of them or the importance. Madara being bored and the temptation of power and knowledge had set himself the gruelling task of decoding them. Something he was starting regret as the long sleepless nights dragged on.
"You can take a break, you know?" Izuna chortled, laying on the floor as he fiddled with his fraying sleeve, pulling at a loose thread. Madara turned his gaze to his little brother, they barely shared any of the same features besides spiky black hair. Izuna's skin had been softer, paler and he did not share any of the bags which Madara had become known for. He had been told that Izuna's appearance was less harsh than his, not like he could help it. Years of battle and weariness weighed on him, ever since he was a child.
He let out a tired sigh, leaning back from the desk and rubbed his eyes. "Perhaps you are right", he murmured. Flopping onto the floor, he seated himself next to his brother. He was tired and weary, more so than usual. Being pressured from both sides, the mothers of the lost children in the senseless violence and the elders who demanded the subjugation of the Senju clan, or better yet, the total wipeout.
Izuna chuckled, "Of course I am right", his fingers still fiddling with the loose threads.
Madara relented a rare smile, however as quickly as it came it disappeared. His eyes following the trail of scrunched up or half burnt pieces of paper littering the floor. All of them letters from Hashirama, still insistent on a union between the two clans. Even though he threw them away, burnt them and cast them aside. Each time a carrier bird came carrying the same old proposals he felt a warmth flutter in his heart, even though they were no longer children it was a strange feeling to know that his one good friend had still clung onto this pipe dream.
To know that Hashirama still regarded him as friend, as he so clearly stated in each letter, it made him somewhat comforted. Not that he would ever admit it.
"I'll get the tea now", Izuna said, breaking Madara out of his reverie.
"Yeah, alright", Madara nodded, getting up he headed towards the open patio.
Izuna got up, and just as he was about to slide open the door, a man literally crashed through it, tearing the paper and breaking the wooden framework. Madara immediately clambered to his brother's side, a sword already drawn out, pointing to the man.
"What the hell Sakata!" Izuna yelled, as he jumped back from his sprawled body. "What was the point of breaking the door like that?" He half yelled as he helped his friend up, grabbing onto his arm. Madara more or less glared at him, for frightening them in a way and breaking their door in such a dramatic way.
"Clumsy as always, moron", Madara said, though his mouth twitched slightly. Sakata had remained a good friend of theirs since childhood, although closer to Izuna they had maintained a amicable relationship. Something he appreciated.
"Sorry! But I have urgent news, Madara-sama!" He said getting down to kneel, "We have apprehended two Senju", he said panting. He had obviously ran a far distance to deliver the news.
"So?" Madara drawled. His eyes narrowing onto him, every now and then they managed to catch a Senju it usually resulted in a Sharingan fuelled interrogation and then death.
"My Lord, one of those apprehended is Senju Shiva, Senju Hashirama's younger sister!" He managed to say, his eyes looking up, "Not only that, the two girls are not armed, and we cannot sense any men following them. Senju Shiva has also stated that they are merely here to deliver a message and negotiate a proposal".
Madara eyes visibly widened, why had Hashirama sent his own sister this far out in enemy territory?! Unarmed as well? He gritted his teeth and clenched his hands, what was that idiot playing at this time, "Where are you keeping them at?" Madara asked calmly.
"Two kilometres from the main gate, we have them surrounded on the main path", Sakata relayed, "My Lord, are you going to confront them?" Sweat beading down his forehead.
Izuna also looked towards his brother, his brows furrowed. Madara pursed his lips as he paused to think. If he remembered correctly, there was an attack on the Senju just two weeks prior, resulting in the deaths of over twenty men. The culprits, the Gold and Silver Brothers. His eyes narrowed, there had been attack by those shitheads just a few days ago, the timing seemed to coincide just too closely for his liking. He rubbed his brow, a faint memory dancing in his mind. Of a young girl, covered in pure white snow, right within the winter season. A few men of his foolishly tried to go for her life and ended up frozen solid, she had killed them with a single wave of her hand. Icy cold wind that seemed to stall time itself, and the burning eyes she seemed to possess. It was like she was the embodiment of Winter itself.
"Izuna, gather your weapons and such. Have a squadron of ten of our best men ready to leave within five minutes", Madara ordered, already walking past Sakata as he headed towards his bedroom. Izuna following him, Sakata had simply nodded and dashed off, crashing into a servant as he ran.
"Aniki, what do you think they want", Izuna asked, glancing up at the foreboding figure which he called his beloved older brother.
Madara eyes narrowed, Hashirama was not as conniving as his brother, but from his own understanding. Hashirama was every bit as cunning, just he had different methods. Though the facade which Shiva wore was better sculpted than her brothers, he had seen it before. Something burning within her eyes, something so deep and mesmerising which could not be mirrored. He finally shrugged, "Who knows".
She stood with an unfamiliar girl, the canopy of trees over-shadowing her. Charcoal eyes narrowing at the sight of him and his brother. Silent and undeterred she met his gaze head-on for the first time, the girl behind her was trembling and he could clearly hear her teeth clattering. He did not know whether it was from the biting cold or fear, he would like to think it was from the fear. But it was evidently cold, to the point of seeing small puffs of their breath each time they breathed out.
Shiva remained standing still, clad in a two layer kimono and adorned on her feet was sandals. Unperturbed by the cold weather she remained rather calm despite the situation. Madara almost snorted at the situation, she hardly seemed a threat much less a person who demanded obedience. However he knew from first hand the very coldness and sharpness of her blade and chakra. It was frightening cold, but perhaps the most terrifying thing was the silence which seemed to follow her.
Even the birds which were chirping in the distance were no longer heard, and the dampness in the cool air had only been amplified, now the only heard sounds were slow steady breathing and the tightening of grips on katanas. Madara nodded to the men surrounding the two girls to give some room, striding up to Hashirama's younger sister he tried to put on his most menacing expression.
Shiva bowed her head a sign of respect and reverence nudging to the girl next to her to do the same. This time there was a verbal sign of fear, "We're going to die", her teeth clattering.
Shiva cast her companion a tiring gaze, "I'll kill you myself if you keep complaining", she muttered to herself. Madara heard this, and bit back a smile. Regardless however, he was now representing his clan and as their leader he kept the cool air of professionalism. His Sharingan was already activated, analysing her form. Indeed she did not have any concealed weapons, the only weapon of form was a single kunai. Though she had made no attempt to hide it, clearly strapped on her waist, attached with a long silvery ribbon.
She kept her eyes downcast, wary to meet his eyes. Madara had remained silent, continuing to observe the girl before him. He corrected himself, woman. She had changed much since the last time he had seen her, and he did not know whether for the better. But she had matured, like a ripening fruit she was yet still not in her prime. But the appeal of the fruit was already made aware.
Madara finally spoke, "What entails of this proposal which I have heard", his Sharingan finally faded away, crow black eyes returning as he stepped closer towards Shiva. Normally even at the distance one could the warmth emanating from another living being. He could not feel a single ounce of warmth, the only thing he could sense was the beating organ which was her heart.
Shiva flashed her eyes up, there it was again. That glimmering which Hashirama possessed, those eyes which often shone with something beyond his understanding. The girl next to managed to raise her gaze as well, but as soon as Madara turned his gaze towards her she squirmed.
"The Gold and Silver Brothers, Kinakaku and Ginakaku. Acting as the representative of the Senju clan and the will of Senju Hashirama, the Senju will extend its resources and manpower for the Uchiha's use if Uchiha Madara so desires, in order to apprehend the Twins", Shiva relayed, keeping her tone neutral and avoiding the use of personal terms. Keeping almost everything impersonal and professional.
Madara remained unmoving, his expression unchanging. Though internally his mind was in shambles, it was not what he expected. The men around him exchanged looks but did not speak a single word, Madara allowed himself to relax just a fraction. This was different from what he expected, he had expected the same proposal of uniting the two clans, but this. This was substantial, had more gain and the prize was within reach. His prolonged silence edged his men, until Izuna finally nudged his shoulder.
"Aniki, are you really considering it. It could be a trap", he whispered dragging his brother further away, keeping their voices low. "Hashirama sent his own sister, she may look innocent but we both know how conniving she can be".
"It's not a trap, we only want the same thing as you", Shiva called out, a blade was pressed against her neck immediately. Her eyes flashed up to the Uchiha that had his sword drawn out.
"You will not speak unless Madara-sama is talking to you directly, Senju", he spat. His tone hateful and filled with disgust. Shiva merely narrowed her eyes.
"But if I don't talk with him, how will the conversation move forward? There is an end goal I presume and the Senju are in somewhat dire needs to capture those two twins. Though I must admit, it's fuelled by revenge", she relented.
Madara turned his gaze back to Shiva, his brow raised in curiosity. "Revenge?" He echoed though his tone was rather mocking. "For the men killed, yes I suppose so. But those are soldiers, they knew what was coming. So why revenge? Why is the revenge so strong that they would seek our help, the Uchiha and even be willing to lend us information and forces?" He stepped closer to her now, slightly impressed by the way she had held her ground had somehow kept an even gaze on him.
She slowly reached for her kunai, the blade against her neck was pushed further. Madara held up his hand to stop, curious what she do in such a precarious situation. Once the kunai was in her hand she dropped it, the small thud was paralysing. Why on earth would she relinquish her only weapon, her companion seemed to share the same concern. Slowly, with cautious movements she began to open up her kimono from the front, allowing the obi to hang by her feet.
"What is the meaning of this?" Madara queried, his Sharingan activated as he watched her with intensity, what was the purpose of this. To show her skin, was there concealed explosive tags over her? No, Hashirama would never allow his sister to do a suicide bombing. When finally she did stop, her belly was showing and with or without Sharingan he could clearly see a marking of a scar. From the raised skin and the hatched marks of stitches, it was a deep and mortal wound. He widened his eyes by a fraction, how had she obtained such a wound. It was to his understanding that her brothers' hovered by her side, and monitered her every movement. They wouldn't even allow her into battle unless it was in winter, knowing that she had the highest advantage in the snow and ice.
"I'm sure you heard of the attack on the Senju compound just several weeks ago, among the killed and injured, was me. I barely survived, however we did manage to capture an accomplice of those Twins", Shiva began pulling her clothes together, typing the obi around her waist one more. "We know that you are seeking vengeance, this just so happens to coincide with our goals as well. And if you cooperate with us, we the Senju would be willing to share the information which that man had given us", Shiva stood still, her eyes staring right up at Madara, despite having his Sharingan activated. He blinked slowly, she was like her brother Tobirama in many ways. It left a sour taste in his mouth, though her appearance was quite far from any of her living brothers.
Madara pursed his lips, he knew Tobirama was a vengeful man, Hashirama not so much. But those men who had died in the attack. The wives and brothers wanted revenge, much like the Uchiha mothers of their children. He glanced around him, the men around them were the silent witnesses of this, carefully reading their expressions it seemed they were at a cross-way of their decisions. Some were wary, some filled with hate, and some had a pondering expression. They were actually considering her proposition. But what of himself, his grip on his sword tightened.
"There are two of them, your tone suggests that we take one twin each to punish by our own respective laws. But the capturing requires both our clans cooperation", Madara said slowly, his voice coming out rougher and more condescending than he desire. Regardless, Shiva did not flinch.
"Yes. The Twins have the Kyuubi's chakra. We the Senju are skilled at the arts of sealing and binding, Hashirama's Mokuton can capture one of the Twins. Your Sharingan can control the Kyuubi, the same applies to the man who wield it's chakra", Shiva continued, from her sleeve she pulled out a scroll. "This contains more detail of how this partnership would work out, of course all debatable, if you agree".
Madara took it, despite the warnings of his men beside him. He internally snorted, they could be dull sometimes. This girl before them, was practically nude, with no weapons or backup. What could be possibly do, and there were dozens of men surrounding the two youths. Unravelling the paper he read the script, it was easily recognisable as Hashirama's writing, horrible and hard to the eyes. He rerolled it, handing it to Izuna. The terms and conditions were malleable to situation and change, Hashirama had been soft yet firm with the requirements for both clans, and there was no underlying threat in his words.
Madara rubbed his brows, glancing back down at Shiva. How petite and small she was, barely seemed like she had a voice from the last time he remembered. Perhaps she been sick of being trapped within the walls of her clan, but it was her duty as a woman. To serve her brothers and fathers, and tend to the house while there were away. She seemed to have every fibre of an obedient wife, yet when he looked deep within her eyes there was something that shone beyond his understanding.
"Two days from now, when the sun is at its highest, tell Hashirama to meet at the crumbling ruins of the temple. He knows where", he finally said. Shiva blinked her eyes slowly saw she registered his words, suddenly a wide smile broke out. Startling Madara at the open display of emotion from her, she bowed, a little lower than the first time.
"I shall relay the information to my brother", she tugged at Sorami's sleeve. Making her bow down as well, though the amount of reluctance in her body language was evident.
"Now leave. Do not turn back, do not look back and do not stop until you have crossed the river. Until you have reached Senju territory". Madara said dully. Shiva nodded, and within a blur of cold wind and small particles of frost she and her friend flurried away in a swirling mass of wind. Leaving nothing behind but a single kunai which she had dropped earlier.
"Brother", Izuna urged, "Was that the right thing to do, to accept help from them?"
Madara paused to pick up the kunai, it was freezing cold, his finger going numb from touching the silvery black metal. "Kingaku and Ginkaku must be apprehended for their crimes against Uchiha, and if the Senju want to lend us their help. Why not? The children must be avenged", he got up, tucking away the kunai into his sleeve.
Had tests for the last two weeks, couldn't afford to spare time to write. And then for the last couple days I've just been resting, lol.
Fave, follow, review.
Peace out.
