Blue Goddess

"Faster!" Hashirama commanded. He received intel that one of their units were ambushed by the Uchiha. He was all set to go when he heard, but his urgency increased when he heard this unit had children.

One of the first things he did when he became head of the clan, was reduce the number of children sent to the front lines. However, his council, still set in there ways, did not follow the order completely. So, some children in his clan were still being sacrificed.

Soon they reached the clearing where the ambush happened. Blood filled Hashirama's nose instantly. He was used to it, he was on the battlefield constantly, but that didn't mean, he enjoyed the sight; his clansmen lying dead, shuriken and kunai stuck to their bodies, blood seeping from the wounds. Young children as well, lying on the ground cold and lifeless. Their lives, that had only begun, snuffed out.

It brought back terrible memories. Of his younger brother's death. Once again, he was too late.

"Anija," he heard Tobirama approach.

"Check the dead," Hashirama ordered, "look for survivors. And stay vigilant, it's possible the enemy are still nearby." He would grieve later. If there were survivors, he had to make sure. The safety of his clan fell to him as their leader.

"Hashirama-sama," one of his men called, "Over here."

He and Tobirama went to the spot they were called over. Lying dead on the ground, near discarded senju armor, were several Uchiha.

"It appears they took down the enemy with them," their subordinate said.

Hashirama looked over the Uchiha then, looked at his fallen clansmen. Something wasn't right here.

"Something else happened," Tobirama voiced. Tobirama was always more analytical.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at how our men are positioned," Tobirama motioned toward their dead men, "They're all facing the same direction. They were still on their way back," Tobirama looked at the dead Uchiha, "The Uchiha are skill in shuriken jutsu. They can attack from the blind spot. Their ambush caught them all off guard, and they all fell."

"Not all," Hashirama stated, "Someone survived," He saw a trail of blood leading away from the rest of the group, "He tried to get away, but the attacking Uchiha surrounded him, intending to end his life. Instead, they were the ones cut down."

Hashirama never heard of anyone in their clan strong enough to take down a group of Uchiha on their own.

"Who was the one who survived the initial attack?"

"We accounted for nearly everyone," one of them approached, "Except for Yukito."

Hashirama looked at him confused. Yukito? Yukito was seven, he was young and had potential, but by no means he could take down this many Uchiha.

"Where is he?" Tobirama asked.

"We haven't located his body yet," their subordinate said, "We're still-…"

"We found him!"

Hashirama and Tobirama looked in the other direction, towards the forest. They followed the one who called him to where Yukito was. Hashirama prepared for the worse. The dead body of a boy; a boy who died alone and scared.

When they reached the area, the found the one who called them, holding Yukito… alive. Relief filled Hashirama as he saw the young boy sleeping. He wasn't wearing his armor; it was left behind at the battlefield. Hashirama tried to get closer to look, but Tobirama stopped him.

"I'll look him over," Tobirama said. Hashirama wanted to do it. He knew Tobirama was being cautious, he probably believed Yukito had a trap set on him. It couldn't be any physical trap, their clansman was holding him just fine. He must have checked Yukito already. But Tobirama wanted to check for Genjutsu.

Hashirama allowed it. His brother was the best at Genjutsu after all.

Tobirama approached the small boy. Hashirama watched. He wouldn't be surprised if the Uchiha placed a Genjutsu on Yukito. However, they wouldn't sacrifice their own men. They were determined, but not ruthless.

"He's fine," Tobirama gave his approval.

"Take him back to the compound," Hashirama commanded, "Once he awakens, ask what happened."

"Yes sir," the ninja said before taking Yukito home.

"Where was he found?" Hashirama asked one of the other men.

"Over here, we already searched the area. There are no traps."

"Well, you must have missed something," Tobirama stated, "Search again, the enemy wouldn't spare one of our own."

As Tobirama gave orders, Hashirama went to the spot the child was left at. It was grassy area, under a large tree. Hashirama crouched down to examine it.

There was an imprint in the grass where Yukito rested. Hashirama placed his hand on it. It felt soft. He looked up at the tree. The branches had grown out, creating cool shade. As far as Hashirama knew, this was a nice place to take a nap. And it was far from the bloody scene. Someone took Yukito and placed him in a safe place.

Hashirama noticed a rock nearby, beneath it was a folded piece of paper. Carefully, he removed the paper from the rock, then unfolded it.

Go home safely

Hashirama blinked in surprise. Who wrote this?

"Tobirama," Hashirama called.

"What is it?" Tobirama approached.

Hashirama handed him the note, "This was near, where Yukito rested."

Tobirama took it and looked it over. After a few minutes of examination, Tobirama looked up, "It's just normal paper. It's not a bomb. You shouldn't pick-up random things Anija."

Hashirama frowned, "What about what is written? Do you recognize the handwriting?"

"No," Tobirama said.

Hashirama glanced at the note. Yukito was alive, safe, and the Uchiha that attacked him were dead.

"Someone rescued Yukito," Hashirama said, "But who?"

"What I want to know is why?" Tobirama said, "No one is that merciful."

Hashirama looked at his brother. He listened to Tobirama, and he was usually right, but… Hashirama hoped that this act of kindness, was just that.

Later, they returned home.

"Hashirama-sama, Yukito is awake."

"Good, may we see him?" He didn't want to put stress on a child recovering.

"Yes, he's actually alright. He had little injury."

"That can't be right," Hashirama remembered the trail of blood, "He was injured at some point."

"I don't know what to tell you, he's fine, but he is tired."

Hashirama pondered for a moment, "Let's hear what he has to say."

Hashirama was led to Yukito's room. When he entered the young boy was sitting in his futon. He noticed him immediately.

"H-Hashirama-sama," Yukito started to get up to greet his clan head.

Hashirama quickly stopped, "There is no need, Yukito. You must rest, that is my current order to you."

The boy nodded and got comfortable again.

"Yukito," Hashirama began, "We don't understand what happened. You're the only…" Hashirama didn't want to say survivor, "The only one who can tell us what happened."

Yukito nodded, "We were, on our way back to the compound. It was so quiet, none of us noticed…" Yukito began to tremble, "Suddenly kunai and shuriken came out of no where and…" The boy began to tear up. Hashirama placed a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"It's alright, you're safe, just breathe Yukito."

After a few minutes, Yukito picked back up his story, "It hurt so bad, but I was still alive… I tried to go get help but… they appeared. I thought I was going to die…" Hashirama didn't remove his hand. He despised the fact this boy faced such horror.

"The doctor says you're fine now. I am glad," Hashirama said, "But, how did you recover so fast?"

Yukito then looked himself over. Realizing for the first time he was healed, "I think… she healed me…"

"She?" Hashirama asked.

"I… I was on the ground… Everything was going dark… They were getting closer… then… suddenly they were on the ground… And she was standing there…"

"Who?" Hashirama asked.

"I think," Yukito thought, "I think, she was the goddess of mercy."

"A goddess?" Well, that was something Hashirama never heard before.

"She was really pretty," Yukito thought, "She came over to me, then there was this light… and I didn't feel any pain anymore…"

Hashirama doubted a goddess saved Yukito. Maybe he just saw a member of the group that was there.

"Was anyone else with her?"

"No, she was alone."

Now that was interesting. A lone woman defeating a group of Uchiha. Hashirama didn't have a bad view of women. He knew they could be strong; some have even started to become shinobi themselves. But it was a rare occurrence. Besides, Hashirama didn't like the thought of women and children being hurt.

"What did she look like?"

The young boy looked at his leader concerned, "Is she in trouble?" He didn't want his savior in danger.

"No, I simply want to talk to her," Hashirama explained.

"Well, please don't hurt her," Yukito said, "She saved me."

"I won't," Hashirama promised.

"Well, she was blue."

"Blue?"

"She had blue hair, and blue eyes," Yukito described, "And she was dressed funny."

"How so?"

"She didn't wear a yukata like mother, she wore something like a black suit, but it was smaller," Yukito tried to describe, "And I think she had ribbons on her hips."

Well… that was an interesting description.

"Where did she go?"

"I don't know, I think I fell asleep when she healed me," Yukito explained.

"That's alright," Hashirama said, "Thank you for telling me. I'm happy you made it home."

That night Hashirama told his brother Yukito's story.

"A goddess?" Tobirama asked, "It sounds like he dreamed it."

"Perhaps," Hashirama said, "But someone did rescue Yukito," he reminded.

"Yes, and we need to find the one who truly saved him, not a fairy tale," Tobirama said, "No lone woman could defeat a unit of Uchiha."

Hashirama sighed, he wished his brother was a little more open minded.

A few days later, Hashirama and his brother, went out on a mission. It was completed easily, so they were on their way home. They were on alert. After what happened with Yukito's group, they were worried that the Uchiha knew their routes. So, they tried to be vigilant.

They were walking along the edge of a cliff. Beneath it was a vast river. Hashirama thought it looked beautiful. The way the blue water flowed, sparkling under the sunlight.

She was blue…

Yukito's description echoed in his head. The woman who supposedly saved him had blue eyes and blue hair. He wondered if it was the same shade of blue as the river?

A sound pierced the silent air.

"What's that?"

They listened for a second, before realizing it was the sound of paper tags about to blow.

"Move!"

But it was too late. Explosions burst all around them. Hashirama caught glimpses of the tags that began to burn. He barely managed to dodge. He panicked. Where was his brother!

He saw Tobirama running ahead of him, looking for tags. When they ran past a log, he saw it burning. No, it wasn't burning, flaring.

"Tobirama!" Without thinking, Hashirama shot forward and shoved his brother into a safe distance.

"Anija!" Was the last thing Hashirama heard before the tag next to him went off. The blast knocked him over the cliff, plummeting into the water below.

It was cold… It was dark… he couldn't breathe… Was he dead?

He saw light above him, but it was getting dimmer as he sank lower. Perhaps he really was dead.

He heard a noise above him. He somehow managed to look up. Someone was swimming towards him. He barely felt someone grabbing his hand…

Someone was breathing… He felt air being breathed into his lungs… He felt something on his chest… At first it was soft… then it got more intense, like someone was pushing on his chest… Air went into his lungs again…

Hashirama suddenly felt the urge to breathe again. He coughed violently, turning over so he could get cough out the water from his lungs. When his lungs were empty, he turned back onto his back. Breathing heavily. He felt so dazed. His senses were slowly coming back, but slowly. He could feel the burns from the explosions.

Then he felt warm, not stinging burning, but a gentle warmth that washed over his burn. He felt the paing gently fade from his body. Soon he felt a hand lay gently on his cheek.

"You're going to be okay," a gentle voice whispered. It stirred old fond memories, of his mother. Was it her? Did he die and she came to bring him home?

Hashirama's eyes opened blurrily as his hand reached up and held the hand that held his face.

Blue… that was the first thing he saw, was it because the sky was blue? No… the figure leaning over him, had blue hair, and blue eyes. He could barely focus, but he managed to look at her.

Looking down at him, was a young woman. Short blue hair and blue eyes. Skin as fair and white as the moon. A black top showed her slender figure and showed off her shoulders.

Was this the goddess of mercy? Yukito was right, she was beautiful. Almost otherworldly. Hashirama tried to pull himself together, so he could speak to her.

However, he still felt dazed and tired. He could barely stay awake.

She had a look on her face, it looked like one of regret. The goddess pulled her hand away and stood up. Then she turned and began walking away.

Wait, come back. The words were caught in his throat as he fell unconscious.

"Anija! Hashirama!"

Hashirama awoke to his brother's voice. His eyes shot open as he suddenly sat forward. That caused pain to flare in his shoulder.

"Don't move too quickly," Tobirama warned as he examined him.

"Tobirama," Hashirama moaned as he looked around, "Where are we?"

The river," Tobirama explained, "You managed to wash ashore after discarding your armor."

"I did what?" Hashriama asked. He looked down. It was true his armor was gone leaving him only in his dark clothes.

"You would have drowned," Tobirama reminded, "You did what you did to survive."

Hashirama tried to recall his actions. He remembered the explosions, then falling, then the water then…

You're going to be okay.

Wait!

Hashirama shot to his feet and looked around.

"Brother, you need to hold still, so I-…"

"Where is she?"

"Where is who?" Tobirama asked standing up.

"The woman who saved Yukito," Hashirama said, "She was here. She was the one who saved me."

"Anija," Tobirama sighed, "You must had dreamed it. There was no one here when I arrived."

"No," Hashirama looked himself over, "I'm not burned. She must have healed me somehow."

"Your wood style grants you healing capabilities," Tobirama reminded, "That's why you aren't burned."

"I never heal this fast unless I use a jutsu," Hashirama reminded. He looked around. He knew what he saw. He could still see her heart shaped face. The way the ribbons at her hips swayed as she walked away.

He thought it through, he was laying there, then she went North. Hashirama walked in the direction she went, looking for any trace.

"Brother, we don't have time for this," Tobirama said, "We need to return to the compound. We don't know who set those traps for us. What you dreamed wasn't real."

Hashirama saw no sign of the lovely woman. Perhaps his brother was right, perhaps he just dreamed it all and-…

Hashirama had to blink when something shined the sunlight into his eye. He quickly looked towards the source of the offending light. There was something on the ground. He carefully approached it before crouching down. He quickly assessed the object to make sure it wasn't attached to any traps. When he knew it was safe, he gently picked it up.

"What's that?" Tobirama asked as he approached his brother to examine the object.

"I do not know," Hashirama said, "But it is pretty, don't you think?" It was some kind of five-pointed blue star. Blue, just like her, "Does this belong to her?"

"It just looks like a useless trinket," Tobirama scoffed, "We need to return to the compound."

Hashirama kept looking at the star. There was something about it that made him think of the woman. He couldn't help but think it belonged to her.

"I think it's beautiful," Hashirama thought out loud, "Just like her."

Tobirama sighed, "Brother, we don't have time for fantasies."

Hashirama was about to say something when he thought he felt someone watching him. He looked up and looked around, "Tobirama, do you sense anything?"

His brother was a sensory type, he had a natural gift at detecting chakra. Tobirama went quiet for a second, scanning the area.

"I don't sense anyone," Tobirama said.

Hashirama never doubted his brother's skill, but it didn't feel like they were alone. He sighed as he put the object in his pocket, "Let's return home."

%%%%

A few days later Hashirama was still carrying around the star. He kept it with him wherever he went. Stealing glances whenever he could. He was currently standing in his garden. It was nighttime, he was holding it up to the moon, letting it shine through the blue glass.

It made him think of her; the woman who saved him. As he thought about her, he had faintly recalled little things about his rescue. The pain on his chest, someone was pushing on his chest to restart his heart. And the breathing, and the soft sensation on his lips. She breathed air into his lungs by…

His fingers traced his lips.

He couldn't help but feel flushed.

She… shared her breath.

It wasn't like Hashirama thought of it as a real kiss, but he still felt flushed. The thought of that woman, pressing her lips to his, made him feel really warm. He quickly returned to the porch where his sake waited.

"Brother," Tobirama turned the corner, "I need to speak to you about…" he trailed off when he found his brother lying on the porch. Face red and sake bottle empty. Tobirama sighed as he forced him to stand, "Must you drink at the most inconvenient times.

"Tobi-chan," Hashirama slurred, "Don't be sooooo stiff. Have a drink," he held up the empty cup.

Tobirama managed to drag his drunk brother to his room. He laid him down, "Wait here, I'll be back with some tonic."

Hashirama just moaned incoherently. When his brother left, Hashirama pulled out the small glass star and looked at it again.

"Where did you go?" He wondered. He felt very sleepy, he placed the hand holding the star on his chest. Maybe he could get some sleep before Tobirama came back to wake him.

Something was trying to move the star from his hand. Out of reflex, Hashirama grabbed something and pulled it into him. Something that was warm, soft, smelled nice, and made a small gasp. His body was much warmer now, did he grab a blanket? Wait, blankets didn't gasp, or shiver when you stroke their softness with your thumb.

Hashirama opened his eyes and looked down. His dark eyes, met with bright blue. Sprawled on top of him, blushing, was the blue goddess.

For a full beat of silence the two starred at each other. Until Hashirama 'hic'd.' That managed to make the woman push herself out of his grasp and scoot into the wall. Frightful embarrassment on her face. Hashirama panicked, did he scare her. He had to apologize.

He eased over to her slowly, not to scare her more, "Forgive me, my lady," Hashirama tried to recall how to speak to a woman, "I did not mean to frighten you or act so rudely," he gently reached out and took her hand, "I am a foolish drunk. What is your name?"

It looked like it worked. She didn't look afraid anymore. But she did look a little embarrassed. Her face was red, she looked down shyly. She looked so adorable. Then she looked nervous. She took her hand from his.

"Please," she spoke, "You need to forget you saw me."

"Why?" Hashirama asked.

"It's better if this way," she said, "I have no place here… in a world of war."

Hashirama frowned, "No one has a place in a world of war, my lady."

"That is true," she said.

"Why did you come here?"

She looked at the star, "My wayfinder. I'd like to have it back, please?"

"This?" Hashirama held it up.

"Yes," she said looking at it foundly, "It's important to me. It reminds me of my friends."

"I see," Hashirama said, "I will give it back, but you must give me something in return."

"What?" The woman looked confused.

"Your name," Hashirama smiled, "I wish to have it."

The woman had a guarded look.

"How about I start," Hashirama offered, "My name, is Hashirama Senju."

The woman looked at him a little confused, but she responded, "My name, is Aqua Lazuli."

"Aqua… Lazuli…" Hashirama tested it on his tongue, the name was so foreign, "Are you really a goddess?"

"What?" Aqua asked confused.

"A goddess? Your name and your beauty is so exotic," Hashirama slurred, "Are you perhaps a being of another world?"

Aqua looked at him stunned, then she laughed. It was music to his ears, her laughter. Her smile, he'd give anything to have a portrait of Aqua smiling.

"That's a secret," Aqua said. She held out her hand, "My Wayfinder?"

"A promise is a promise," Hashirama slowly held out the charm

"Thank you," Aqua smiled gently as she was reached out to take it. Hashirama could only stare, once again wishing for a portrait. Suddenly Aqua looked up in alarm towards the doorway pulling her hand away from the Wayfinder.

"I have to go," she shot up and ran towards the window.

"Wait," Hashirama tried to get up, but he was still too drunk to stand straight. He fell on his face, he looked up and despaired to see Aqua halfway out the window, "Don't leave."

"I'm sorry," Aqua said just as she vanished out the window, "Good-bye."

"Anija," the door opened to reveal Tobirama, holding the foul brew he called medicine, "I got the tonic. Now we should-…"

"Tobirama!" Hashirama wailed indignantly, "You scared her away!"

"Who?"

"Aqua?"

"What?"

"The goddess who saved me and Yukito!" Tobirama cried, "She was here and now she's gone. She sensed you coming so she ran!"

Tobirama looked at his pathetic display of a brother. He must had woken him up from a dream.

"Anija," Tobirama sighed, "I didn't sense anyone. No one was here, you must have dreamed it."

"She was real and she was here," Hashirama held himself, "And she was beautiful! She was so kind, and sweet, and smelled of jasmine and lavender… and her skin was so soft and-…" Tobirama jammed the bottle into his brother's mouth.

"Drink this, regain your wits, and keep your vulgar fantasies to yourself!" Tobirama barked as his brother nearly choked on his medicine.

"Hashirama-sama, Tobirama-sama," one of the men ran to the door, "We just saw…" he trailed off when he saw Tobirama was force feeding the clan head medicine.

"Yes, continue," Tobirama commanded.

"Uh… one of the sentries claimed they saw someone leaving the compound. Someone they didn't recognize," the clansman continued.

"What?" Tobirama finally pulled the bottle free from Hashirama who fell on his back, "Did they get a description?" Who was it? The Uchiha?

"Well, according to the sentry," the man said, "It was a woman, with short blue hair."

The description stunned Tobirama. It made the air go still with quiet, until his brother spoke.

"I told you… She's real…"

I love Aqua, I adore Aqua, I WORSHIP Aqua! She is a queen among princesses! A goddess among mortals! And above all, my favorite Keyblade Master.

And Hashirama is fun.

This is the only chapter for now. I'm still focusing on Protecting Family. I just wanted to get this out of my system. I might continue it later.