DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS OR PLOTS. I ONLY OWN IZUMI AND ANY OTHER OC.
Long after you've forgotten someone's voice, you can still remember the sound of their happiness of their sadness. You can feel it in your body.
Anne Michaels, The Winter Vault
The End
"HASHIRAMA!" Tobirama shouted out, his hand reaching for Hashirama.
The older Senju coughed out blood, but he didn't let it hinder his movements. In fact, it made him attack the nearest opponent even stronger. "Leave Tobirama! Take the men and leave!"
Stabbing the man next to him, he tried to rush to where his older brother stood but was stopped by, yet again, another enemy-nin. "I can't—"
"Don't let my death be meaningless! I'm doing this to save you, to save our comrades!" Hashirama grimaced at the pain in his chest. A man from earlier managed to slip through his defenses and stab him, but Hashirama had quickly killed the man. He wouldn't let a wound like this stop him now, not when everyone was counting on him. "You are to be the next Hokage, so lead our people Tobirama!" Tobirama couldn't believe it, this couldn't be happening. Not his brother, not Hashirama. Tobirama felt tears pooling around his eyes. "I love you Tobirama, protect my children and wife, protect the ones I love!"
As much as he wanted to stay, Tobirama knew that this was the most logical thing to do, as much as it was cruel. His grip on his sword tightened, his mind finally coming to a decision. "...Fine." Looking up, his eyes met with his brother's for what would be the last time. "I love you Hashirama." He whispered, and he knew that Hashirama heard him because soon after Tobirama could see tears streaming down his brother's face.
"GO!" Hashirama roared out. His moves became even more erratic as he killed the men surrounding him. For a second, Tobirama hoped that they actually might win, that his brother would be able to defeat the enemies surrounding him. But he could sense the new wave of enemy-nins and it would only be a matter of time before they would reach where they were fighting. If that were to happen, Tobirama knew they'd lose. It didn't matter that they had three powerful shinobis, one being a Kage and the other two who could possibly rival one. Because in the end, it didn't matter when you were practically running on fumes. He knew that if he continued using his chakra the way he was right now, he wouldn't last another hour. Hesitating only for a second, Tobirama turning around and starting running, leaving his brother.
From the corner of his eyes, Hashirama saw him leaving which led a smile to form on his face. This was his last stand, this was where he would die and the funny thing was that he wasn't afraid. And if it meant saving his brother and the village from invasion for another day, then it was worth it. It wasn't goodbye forever, he'd surely meet Mito and his children again, and until then he'd wait. Besides, he'd be able to see his family and friends, he'd be able to see Itama and Kawarama. He'd even be able to see Madara and Izumi. But for now, he fought. Gripping his sword tighter, Hashirama roared and ran forward, determined to take down as many men as he could.
It was easy at first, despite the excruciating pain coming from his chest. But as the minutes passed, his attacks became more sluggish, losing the power that they once possessed before. There were too many of the enemies now and Hashirama knew that this would be the end. It wasn't long before another enemy-nin managed to stab him again, making sure he wouldn't be able to move anymore.
This was why thirty minutes later, Hashirama would be laying on the ground, looking up at the dark sky while watching the rain. The water falling on him mixed with his blood, turning it more pink than red.
"You did good Hashirama." With the last of his strength, the turned his head to the voice that belong to a person he hasn't seen in years.
"...Izumi." He breathed out her name, not having enough power to say it outloud.
The dead Uchiha walked over to where he laid. She looked...at peace now, so different from her last days. "You have saved your comrades." Izumi smiled. Her Konoha hitai-ate was tied around her forehead proudly, just like he remembered. "You're dying, does that not scare you?"
Hashirama shook his head. "I'm not...afraid anymore." One by one, familiar faces surrounded him. Itama, Kawarama, Father, Mother.
"Despite your situation, you still manage to smile." Izumi kneeled down and held out her hand. "But I guess you wouldn't be you if you didn't die with a smile, right?"
He chuckled, blood slowly dripping out from the corner of his mouth. "Damn...right."
Smiling, Izumi placed her hand on his chest. "You worry for Mito and your children. But don't worry, you'll see them again. We all will."
"Yes..we will." His breathing slowed, and he was starting to lose his eyesight. But he always saw his family watching him with smiles on their faces.
"So until then, we'll wait, ne?"
"Of...course." And with that, the man known as the God of Shinobi took his last breath, leaving the world of the living.
One week later...
Tobirama was being supported by one of his men as the survivors from the fight struggled walking into the village. He saw many familiar faces, but the one that stood out most was Mito.
"Mito-sama." The man supported him bowed to her and let her take Tobirama's arm.
She nodded her head back and looked around. "Where's Hashirama?"
A sharp sliver of pain went through his heart when he heard his older brother's name. His head falling down, Tobirama struggled to keep in his tears. He need to keep himself composed, if not for him then for Mito and the rest of the village. "...I'm sorry."
Her head flew to his. "...What?"
He shook his head. "We were ambushed...and I...oh Kami, I'm sorry."
Mito's eyes widened, finally realizing what he meant. "He's…?" He didn't do anything, but that was a respond enough because not even a second later she let out a sob. "No no no…"
"Mito." He pulled his head up and struggled to stand up straight. But he needed too, he knew he wouldn't be the only one mourning for his brother's death. Placing a hand on her shoulder, he pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry, I've failed again." He whispered.
She just cried harder into his chest, mourning for the loss of her husband.
They were in their fifth year of the War and every year the casualties grew in number—but never had it been as bad as now. They lost their first leader, a man that loved the village as if it was his family. Tobirama would never be a leader like Hashirama; it wasn't the fact that he was their first leader, it was the way Hashirama had with people that would leave him marked down in history as probably the best leader the village would ever know. And to know that he was stepping into his brother's footsteps as Hokage? It scared him. What if he made a mistake, what if he did something that would worry his brother?
"Don't worry Tobirama, you'll be a great Hokage." Startled out of his thoughts, Mito fixed his clothes. "Your worry is written all over your face."
"It's just that…I'll never be as great as my brother."
Pain flashed through her face. "He was...special. He just had a way with everything that made it feel as if there would be no trouble in the world, that he'd fix it." She said, a tremble in her voice at the end of her sentence. But she managed to compose herself, if not for him then for herself. "We just need to continue on the hopes and dreams of those who've died because they're not here to accomplish them themselves." She gave him a small, quiet laugh. "There's no jutsu in the world that'll bring them back."
To bring them back...To bring Izumi and Hashirama back would mean breaking the barrier between life and death. This power was something that no one had. But what if…?
"Mito...what if we could?" Tobirama asked quietly. Her head flew up, shocked.
"A jutsu to bring back the dead? That's playing god Tobirama."
"But it's not impossible. As long as we have chakra, we could do anything—create anything."
"I don't know…" Mito couldn't believe he'd even consider something like this. Tobirama was usually more...levelheaded, he'd think about the outcome of his decisions instead of rushing into a problem headfirst. But this, it sounded as if he was desperate.
"It may not work. In fact, it probably won't, but it wouldn't hurt to try...right?" He asked, hope in his voice. He knew that without Mito's fuinjutsu skills, he'd never be able to get anywhere near accomplishing a jutsu like this. Tobirama placed his hand on Mito's shoulders. The two standing alone in the Hokage office were too consumed with grief to properly think about what Tobirama had just suggested. The thought of bringing back a loved one was too tempting to them. Had the two been thinking more clearly, they would never even suggest such an idea. But alas, death changes people.
Some...more than others.
Three years passed since that day before Tobirama and Mito managed to actually complete the jutsu. It had involved so much of their time and effort that no matter the outcome, they needed to try the jutsu. They both had put in so much sacrifices not too. Tobirama, Mito, and a few hand selected members were the only ones present to actually witness the jutsu being used for the first time on an actual person. Before, they had experimented on animals, but never humans. But humans were animals, were they not?
"I'm not so sure about this anymore Tobirama…"
Looking down at his sister-in-law, he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I know, but we must." Steeling himself, he motioned for the newly created ANBU guards to bring the prisoner forward.
The man that they were going to use as a sacrifice was a traitor to the Leaf. He had betrayed Konoha for money, something that Tobirama found ridiculous. To betray the only home he's ever known for something so lowly as cash only managed to create an emotion in him that he could only describe as disgust.
"P-Please Nidaime, forgive me. I didn't mean to do it, I swear!"
Tobirama stared down at the man with cold, red eyes. "The moment you betrayed this village was the moment you lost any right to ask for forgiveness." After paralyzing the man, he ordered everyone to stand a few feet away so that if something were to happen, no one would get hurt besides the prisoner. Taking slow, calm breaths helped Tobirama focus on the handseals and the jutsu he was about to cast. He had only one chance, just once to make sure he didn't screw anything up.
"Tobirama, here's the scroll."
"It contains his hair?" He asked, taking the sealed scroll from Mito's hands. She nodded her head before taking a few steps back to stand with the rest of the people. "Well...here goes nothing." Tobirama whispered.
Going through the five handseals, Tobirama clapped his hands at the last one and slammed them down on the ground. "Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei!" He shouted out. Two black lines shot out from where he placed his hands, carving out intricate designs across the whole field until it stopped at where the prisoner was. Right under him was a large circle until the scroll containing his DNA unfurled itself. Right then, the man started screaming in pain as ash started to coat his body. Only when it covered it entirely did the man stop screaming.
He sensed Mito take small steps toward him, her chakra flaring out worryingly. "Did it...work?" She asked.
"I feel a chakra taking over the prisoner, but it's too soon to tell if the chakra is his or not—" Tobirama was interrupted when the ash surrounding the man disappeared, and in his place was...Hashirama.
A small, choked sound came out of Mito's mouth while Tobirama could only stare at the man that now stood in front of him. His brother was back…they really manage to do the jutsu correctly. This meant that he had created a jutsu that could bring someone back.
"...Tobirama...Mito?"
"Oh Kami...Hashirama!" Mito shot forward and threw her arms around him. More than half of Tobirama's chakra was gone now because of the jutsu but it was worth it, especially to see his brother again.
"Why am I here? I should be dead." The dead Senju asked, one arm around his crying wife and another on his forehead.
Tobirama stood up and motioned for the rest of the group to stay put. "We...created a jutsu, Hashirama, to summon the dead." Immediately, a dark look crossed over his face, scaring Mito. She took a tentative step away from Hashirama and looked at Tobirama worryingly.
Out of all reactions, this was one that Tobirama was expecting the most. He knew that his brother would disapprove of his choice to create a jutsu like this, but he just had too, especially if it meant that he'd be able to see Izumi again, now that he was able to meet Hashirama.
"Why," The former Hokage growled out, "would you even consider creating a goddamn jutsu like this? Did you even think of the consequences of creating this jutsu?"
"H-Hashirama...we just wanted to see you again—"
"No." Hashirama took a step away from Mito's outstretched hands. "Destroy this jutsu, erase it from any existence. If this falls into enemy hands, the outcome of it will be disastrous."
"Wait—"
"Release me from the bonds Tobirama. I do not want to stay here any longer. I know that you two were mourning, I understand. But this is playing Kami, and there are reasons to why we can't do that." Hashirama looked at Mito, who was crying. "I'm sorry dear, I know this wasn't what you wanted when you saw me again. But this…" He motioned to himself. "This isn't the way I want to see you again." He placed a hand on her cheek and smiled, before turning to Tobirama. "Tobirama, you've gotten older compared to the last time I saw you. How long has it been?"
"...Three years, brother."
"Already?" Hashirama motioned for his brother. Tobirama walked up to him and not even a second later did Hashirama put his other hand on his shoulder. "Release me, please." And so, Tobirama did exactly what Hashirama asked of him to do. He released him from the Edo Tensei, causing Hashirama to start disintegrating into ash. Half a minute later, Tobirama and Mito were standing alone, Tobirama comforting Mito because of the guilt and anguish that seeing Hashirama caused.
Not even a week later, hestood in front of the large safe that held all the kinjutsus known throughout Konoha. It held one of his newest creations, the Kage Bunshin. After a few accidents with sudden chakra exhaustion for certain shinobis, he decided the jutsu wasn't worth the risk. Just like today, the Edo Tensei jutsu wasn't worth the risk to keep around.. Taking one last look at the scroll that contained the process of bringing the dead, he placed it on one of the shelves before walking out of the room.
Two years later...
Ironically, Tobirama turned 37 the day he died. It was supposed to be a simple mission with the team that he had been working with for the past few years during the war. A simple recon mission that turned into a full retreat because of a large group of enemies. They were safe for the moment, as they had all found a safe spot. But it wouldn't be safe for long, the enemy was still chasing after Tobirama and his team. Homura, Koharu, Torifu, and Kagami circled around Tobirama, waiting for him to finish sensing for their enemies.
"Hmm...just like I thought. We're surrounded by around...20 of them. And judging by their tracking skills, they're Kumogakure's Kinkaku Unit."
"There are seven of us here total, including you Nidaime-sama. That makes us outnumbered greatly."
"Homura, don't say something that makes you seem weak!" Koharu scolded to her long time teammate. "There's still hope since they haven't pinpointed our actual location yet. I say we should stay put and wait for an opportunity to run."
"There's no point Koharu." Kagami looked at her with his sharingan still activated. "Judging by our current situation, someone is going to have to divert the enemy's attention."
"A decoy then." Akimichi Torifu stated the obvious, paling even more. "That means certain death...so who?"
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. He wanted to see what his students would propose. Immediately, he saw Danzo grip his knees while a look of conflict appeared on his face. Did he want to do this? But judging by him looking at Saru, Tobirama wasn't so sure anymore. He knew of the dislike Danzo had towards Hiruzen, but to what extent Tobirama didn't know.
"I'll do it." His thoughts were interrupted by Hiruzen's sudden declaration.
"Hiruzen!"
"Sarutobi…"
Hiruzen chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, you know me by now! It'll take more than something like this to take me down. I may not look it but I can handle myself pretty well."
Tobirama noticed that Danzo stopped shaking the moment Hiruzen declared he would be the decoy. Was it from shock? Or from anger?
"I'm counting on you to look after the others Danzo—"
"Shut up!" Danzo ripped his arm away from Hiruzen's hand. "I was planning on volunteering! Don't try to steal the spotlight, I'll be the decoy in your stead!" He shouted out angrily, his emotions getting the best of him. "My father and grandfather both died on the battlefield...Self-sacrifice is a shinobi's duty!"
It may not have shown on his face, but Tobirama was slightly amused at watching his team interact, especially Danzo and Saru. It would have been interesting to see the outcome of their relationship, too bad he wouldn't be around to. His mind already made up, Tobirama slightly raised his voice. "No, I will go and be the decoy. You are all the young Wills of Fire that will protect our village."
"You can't do that! You're the Hokage, there is no greater shinobi in the village than you!"
"Danzo...you're always competing with Saru over the smallest little things, but the thing you need to do now is to unite and work together with everyone as comrades. Do not make every single thing personal, especially right now. It's true that you took too long to reach your decision. But to even do something like this, you need to first look at yourself rationally and known yourself. But at the rate you're going now, the only thing you're going to do is to put your comrades in danger." Tobirama continued. "But you two are still young, don't be too hasty. Your time will come, so until then stay alive."
Standing up, he looked at every single one of the members surrounding him, his gaze lingering on Kagami before looking once more at Hiruzen. "Saru, protect those who love the village and those who believe in you, and nurture the ones that you can trust the next generation with. Because starting tomorrow...you're the Hokage... I leave you to protect Konoha."
Hiruzen bowed his head. "Hai!" Seeing this, Tobirama smiled because he knew he had made the correct choice.
On the battlefield, Tobirama never brought his emotions with him. He strictly kept them separate while fighting because that was just the right thing to do. But this time...he wouldn't be coming back, so to hell with those rules that he kept. Walking over to Kagami, he placed his hand on the head of the youngest member of the team. No one questioned this because they all knew of the relationship Tobirama had with Izumi, who was Kagami's late aunt before she disappeared. "Kagami...be strong."
Kagmai's grown so much since that little three year old boy he used to watch over. He was 15 years old and already a prodigy amongst the Uchiha, with proper training, he'd become even stronger as he got older. "Hai...Tobi-nii." The only Uchiha whispered, obviously trying to keep his emotions at bay. Tobirama ruffled Kagami's hair before turning back to everyone else on the team.
"It was an honor, working with you all."
"Hai Sensei!"
"Thank you." Smiling at his team one last time, Tobirama jumped away, towards the incoming group of enemies.
Tobirama pushed himself up against the large rock, blood gushing out of the gaping wound in his stomach. He didn't have long, but he knew that his comrades were safe, that his distraction was enough to save them. Looking down at his hands, he saw that they were covered in blood. Most of his, but some were from the enemy, which made him slightly happy.
Then suddenly, he felt a drop of water fall onto his hands. Tobirama looked up with all his strength and watched as large, drops of rain started to fall onto him and the land around him. "R-Rain…" He smiled, blood trickling down from his nose and the corner of his mouth.
A fitting weather to die with.
"Tobirama."
He brought his head down, his eyes widening at the person standing a few feet in front of him. To think, that she'd be the one to greet him as he died, but it still brought a smile to his face to see her's. "I-Izumi..." He called out, not having the strength to stand up and run to her. She walked over to him, still as beautiful as he remembered. "I've missed...you so...much."
Izumi kneeled down and gently placed her hand on his cheek. He leaned into her touch, memories of the time before her death rushing through him. It was a time when he was still happy, when she was still alive and with him. "There'll be no more pain Tobirama, no more."
"R-Really?"
Izumi placed a kiss onto his bare forehead placing her hand over his own. "Yes."
"That would be...nice."
She gave him a smile that still managed to bring a wave of emotion through him. Standing up, she looked up at the sky before holding out her hand to him. "Let's go home, Tobirama."
"Home…" Gathering the rest of his strength, he raised his hand and let it fall onto hers. "Yes, I would love too." The moment his hand connected with hers, he felt a new type of strength flow through him, letting him stand up. Not even a second later, he was surrounded by a white light that seemed to comfort him.
"I've missed you too." Turning around, he saw Izumi standing behind him, looking as powerful as she did before.
And for the first time in years, a sob left Tobirama's mouth. He ran forward and gathered Izumi into his arms, spinning them around and around. They both were crying, but from joy and love instead.
Still in his arms, Izumi placed her hands on his face and leaned down and kissed the man. "I love you so much." She whispered against his lips before pulling away to place her forehead against his.
"I love you too. I never stopped, and I never will no matter where I'll go from here." Tobirama gave her a honest smile, before she claimed his lips once more.
The two souls were finally reunited, the lost pieces in their hearts finally mending it into one once again. Their story was one full of loss and tragedy, but still a story of love nonetheless. There would ones similar to theirs, but never as powerful and moving.
It was said that a Senju and Uchiha falling in love was hopeless, that nothing good could come out of it. That there would be no happiness. But those who said that were wrong. Their love was powerful, unbreakable, infinite. Their story began from the moment Uchiha Izumi looked into Senju Tobirama's red eyes when she was four years old.
And now, this story is complete.
"I will love you forever, Uchiha Izumi."
"And I too, will love you forever, Senju Tobirama."
A/N: GOD THIS ENDING IS MAKING ME SO EMOTIONAL IDK WHYYYYYYY. Well, Looking into His Eyes is now officially OVER. The next chapter will be an epilogue, but it's just about the fourth shinobi war.
So, I hope you guys enjoyed this story with all of it's angst and the wierd shit that's happened in it. It's been a good one guys, and thank you all for 242 Favorites, 301 Follows, and 245 Reviews. I hope that my story was a worthy one :)
My last, and probably final recommendation for this story is Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. This book is a love story focused on two teens during the 80's, but it's just so emotional and deep. It shows that love can happen to anyone, that you don't have to be society's ideal woman because in the eyes of the person who loves you and in yourself, you are beautiful. This society we live in now is so mean and demanding, so this book made me really happy, so READ IT.
Other than that? There's nothing really left to say. I just hope that this ending is satisfying enough!
So please, review because it would just mean the world to me to know your guy's opinion.
Thank you all once again!
Until I see you guys in my next new story, stay awesome!~