A love in time 04
Naruto laughed when Kakashi fell over. "You're so dramatic, Kakashi-sensei,"
Kakashi pointed at her frightfully, "Y-your h-hair!" He gasped at how brilliant it shined. "What happened to your hair? Hokage-sama is going to kill me!" He panicked as the short strands cupped her chin playfully.
"Oh stop it," Naruto pouted, "I asked the Madame to cut my hair and she's teaching me how to take care of it. It'll grow back," She shrugged, "It's just hair."
Kakashi sighed, picking himself up off the ground. "You know how I feel about you visiting that woman," He ignored her glare and ruffled her new hairdo, "But I must admit you look super cute,"
Naruto pushed his hand away, "That sounds sarcastic,"
"It's not~" Kakashi sung, dodging her well-aimed kick and tutted, "Now now, Naru-chan is that any way to treat your beloved sensei who set up a mock battle for you?"
Naruto was prepared to lunge again when Kakashi's words registered, "Mock battle?" She narrowed her gaze as her gut churned, "You made a bet, didn't you?"
"Not a bet, per se," Kakashi admitted, "I just happened to brag a little too much about my cute student. That she's capable of taking down a full-fledged genin team...or am I wrong?"
"Shit," Naruto clicked her tongue, trying to get mad at Kakashi for setting her up but she couldn't stop the way her heart raced at the opportunity. "I blame you for turning me into his battle junkie, Kakashi-sensei," She had faced him on numerous occasions when he would attack her at all hours of the day. Naruto admitted that she always lost in those battles but her awareness was getting better. "When I win?"
Kakashi enjoyed her enthusiasm and leaned down, "I'll teach you how to erase your presence," He saw she wasn't impressed and tacked on, "Completely,"
Naruto gasped as Kakashi disappeared. She stretched her senses out and looked around nervously. "Ahh!" Naruto cried out in pain as she was suddenly thrown to her side and rolled around in the dirt. Grabbing her side, she looked up as Kakashi appeared in front of her with an arched brow. Despite the pain, she grinned madly at him. "I'll win no matter what, dattebayo," The idea of completely erasing her presence sounded like a dangerous skill to have and Naruto was more than happy to pull all the stops to obtain it.
Kakashi nodded. He just hoped that when he died Minato wouldn't kill him once more for turning his daughter into such a scary shinobi. "The battle starts in an hour,"
Naruto cursed, "Damn it, Kakashi-sensei," She was quick to unseal a scroll on her body and pull out a paper slip. Sticking it to the forming bruise, Naruto activated the seal and slowly healed herself.
Kakashi watched as she worked with her seals. He was always surprised whenever she whipped something out and knew this side of her came from her mother. "You made something weird again," He squatted down next to her and watched as the bruise faded. Once she removed the seal, he poked her skin to make sure it was heal and was surprised when she giggled. "Maah maah, the people are really lucky to have you, Naruto,"
"Someone has to look out for the little people," Naruto boasted as she packed up her items. "Do I have time to plan?"
Kakashi gave her a pointed look, "Trust me, you won't need a plan against these genin. Use everything I taught you and follow your gut," He shivered when a feral grin appeared on her face. "If it helps, the mock battle will be at training ground 5. The team is close quarter specialists and one of them has the byakugan." He knocked her head when she chuckled deviously, "Don't get too cocky just because you know the land. They've had a year to work together and know each other's movements. Most importantly, this is a mock battle so–"
"Aim to kill," Naruto replied earnestly.
"–aim to kill," Kakashi nodded wisely.
Tobirama:
Holding his breath, Tobirama strained his ears as he heard Emi running past his position. "What has gotten into her?" He muttered, pressing his back into the wall as he heard her calling his name. He spotted the wall in the distance and although it was a rule not to climb the wall, he was sorely tempted to. Glancing around the wall, he spotted Emi chatting to a group of young women and took this as his opportunity to escape.
"Tobirama!"
The white-haired Senju ignored her call as he ran for it. There was no way for her to catch up to him. Even if she was in her shinobi gear. He was the fastest in the clan, just behind his brother, and made a mad dash towards the main gates. Not bothering to sign out, Tobirama pressed past the guards and suppressed his chakra. There was no point in escaping Emi if she just tracked down his chakra.
Tobirama didn't stop moving until he reached his hidden oasis and sighed in relief. "Honestly," He grumbled to himself and looked around the hidden clearing. Spotting the pile of wood, he moved over to the building equipment and grabbed an axe.
It was his latest past-time whenever he was free. Building the modest cabin in the secret space only his blonde friend knew of. Lumbering at the thick wood brought him instant relief than fishing did and his brother never disturbed him here. His own place to call his own.
It had been a year since he started building the cabin and he still had a long way to go. "Heh, a retirement plan," He shook his head at the ridiculousness of it. Retiring from being a shinobi. "Only a fool would retire at this time," He thought back to Naruto's comments about peace in her village. Tobirama could see himself retiring in her village. Growing old as his grandchildren's footsteps sounded around the home he built. "A foolish dream," He kept his desire deep inside his heart. It was a luxury many of his comrades shared but no one dared to speak about it out loud. It only brought melancholy. Only those who were lucky enough to live in the merchant towns were allowed that luxury.
Slamming his axe into the stub, he wiped away the accumulated sweat and looked up at the sky. "A dream," He mused, wondering what Naruto's dream was. It was times like these when he thought about her wellbeing. There was no solid way to predict when she would arrive. "She's a smart woman," Taking a seat under the tree, he thought about their positions. He judged her to be more innovative than Mito when it came to seals. She wasn't afraid to explore the art and push its boundaries.
He looked over at the foundation of his cottage. Tobirama wasn't entirely sure why he was building it. He was fine using this spot as a place to relax and it was too isolating to live here permanently. It was picturesque. War had never touched this place and probably won't ever.
No, shaking his head, Tobirama knew why he was building this place. He knew why he chose to build this cabin in such an isolated haven and it was based purely on his selfishness to monopolise Naruto if she ever appeared in front of him. "I must be going mad," Yet it wasn't far from the truth. She was his first friend that he could confide in openly. Someone that wasn't his brother and Tobirama didn't want to share her. The look she gave his brother when she saw him, Tobirama wanted to wash it away and make her look at him.
Tobirama knew his brother was special. He was more than fit to lead the clan. Hashirama was different. His kind heart got him in trouble but no matter how much blood was shed, Hashirama always smiled. He was a good man...but...Tobirama didn't want to give her to him. She was his friend first.
"I must be going mad," He repeated again with a small smile.
He stiffened when he heard rusting near the entrance of the cave and got up quickly. He knew this chakra and grew furious as she grinned at him playfully. "What are you doing here?" He yelled, making Emi's smile drop before she plastered it back on.
"Oh come on, cousin, don't you know how long I've been looking for you?" Emi teased, tensing when his anger washed over her. "Tobi?"
"Who gave you permission to call me that?" He growled, marching over to her, "Get out! Get out and never return! Wash your mind of this place and leave!" He roared at her, pushing her back out of the entrance. "Don't ever come here again!" Once he got rid of her, he summoned a wall of water to prevent her from entering again. He was fuming. He hadn't let his chakra slip at all. How did she find him?
"Tobi?"
"What?!" He roared, turning on his heels and paused at the sight of the worried blonde, "Naruto?" His mind stuttered, he wasn't expecting her. She always turned up when he least expected it.
"Are you okay, Tobi?" Naruto approached him slowly. Although she knew they couldn't touch it was more of a formality she learnt growing up in the red-light district. He was still silent. Looking behind him, Naruto saw the wall of water and distorted image of a woman on the other side. "Give me your hand,"
"We can't touch," Tobirama finally spoke up but went silent once again at her determined look. Holding out his hand, he felt the warmth of her chakra envelope his hand when her hand hovered over his.
"Channel chakra to your finger and copy my movements precisely," Naruto said firmly, "If you don't, then this wall will explode."
Tobirama nodded, focusing on her movements. It was an odd sensation. They weren't touching per se, yet they were still able to help each other. "What brought you here?"
"Y'know a hello would be nice," Naruto teased as she took her time drawing the seal. She knew it was his way of worrying about her. "I just wiped the floor against a junior shinobi team on my own. Kakashi-sensei, the sadistic bastard, didn't even give me a second before beating a new technique into me,"
"He sounds very hands-on,"
"It's what I prefer," Naruto shrugged as she guided his hand to make the intricate curves, "Is that Emi-chan?" She asked, seeing the distorted woman bang on the wall of water. Naruto heard Tobirama click his tongue and commented, "You have a fangirl, so what?"
"A stalker is a better term for her. Her persistence was admirable at first and I could ignore her lingering gaze...but this is too far." Tobirama heard her hum as she listened to his rant. "I haven't been able to sleep soundly for a fortnight now. I've caught her on multiple occasions trying to sneak into my room or coincidentally walking past the bathhouse as I am bathing. It is only a matter of time before I raise my hand against her,"
Naruto motioned for him to activate the seal and watched as the water hid the entrance and made Emi's figure disappear. Turning to face him, Naruto's mind raced at all the politics that she was forced to study by the Elder Council. It was their form of torture whenever they caught her taking up the Hokage's time. Koharu and the Madame had taught her about the dangers of women. "I'm worried about you," Naruto admitted, "Not only are you fighting on the battlefield but also the battlefield at home...home is where you're supposed to feel safe,"
"Safe," Tobirama repeated her word, "My position within the clan does not allow me such luxuries," Tobirama frowned when she looked pained, "What is it?"
"No, it's just…" Naruto looked away guiltily, "I always thought you rich people had it good. It's hard to watch your back at home, isn't it? Always on guard, light sleeps and constant anxiety of being attacked. I know that feeling well."
Tobirama clenched his fists. "I cannot give you words of comfort,"
"I would get upset if you did," Naruto replied and decided to change the topic, "About the seal, it will only allow you to enter through. If anyone follows you again and tries to enter, they will just turn around and walk back out no matter what. You can use the key here to allow someone to enter or to enter when you aren't here," She pointed to the swirl that was etched onto the apparently hard surface but the surface was just an illusion for the entrance.
Tobirama didn't hesitate, "Key in your chakra," He ordered.
"Excuse me?" Naruto was stunned.
"You can still use chakra in that form. Key in your chakra." Tobirama folded his arms and acted indifferently, "Feel free to use this space should you ever pass through the Fire Country,"
Naruto was flabbergasted, "I can't just walk into your space. You blew a fuse when Emi-chan entered,"
A vein appeared on his neck, "You are not a stalker despite your wandering tendencies. I want you to do it," He saw her hesitate and added, "Please, Naruto. We're in the middle of a war and if, by chance, you come this way I want you to be able to go somewhere safe,"
"Urgh your mouth is going to get you into so much trouble when you're older," Naruto threw her hands in the air before showing him how to key in her chakra signature into the seal.
It was only now that Tobirama noticed her hair, "You cut your hair," She looked at him in annoyance, walking past him and into the open area. He spotted a few bruises poking out from under her odd clothing and the limp she walked with. Tobirama followed behind her slowly as she looked around curiously. The small frown on her brow told him that she had something to say to him. There were times he would wait for her to speak when she was ready but his gut was telling him to speak up this time. "You have something to say to me,"
Naruto clenched her fists, "You're my first friend, y'know,"
"I'm well aware,"
"You're one of my precious people yet I can't protect you,"
"I admit the distance doesn't help,"
"Tobi!" Naruto snapped, whirling at him furiously, "I'm not joking around! I don't know when I'll see you and I can't help you at all in this stupid body. Every time I come here I'm worried I'll find you half dead in the middle of a battlefield and I can't heal you. What's the point of me making all these seals if I can't use them to help a friend? I couldn't even help Itachi-sensei!"
Tobirama approached her as she started crying. She was in pain. "And what about you? My concerns about your safety are valid." She looked up at him through her teary eyes. "I will not be gentle with you, Naruto, you know me. Sooner or later, you will find me on the battlefield. Sooner or later, you will appear before with wounds so deep that all I will be able to do is watch you. It is the burden we choose to carry or do you wish to forget about this pain?"
"No!" Naruto lashed out to grab him but tripped up through him and landed in a heap. "I don't ever want to forget my first friend. Even when you called me a ghost," She saw him squat down next to her and rolled onto her back. "I just want to protect my best friend,"
Tobirama sat beside her and offered, "We can teach each other ways to survive,"
"Teach each other what exactly?" Naruto sniffed and sat up.
"The seal you made. You can educate me on the matter and I can educate you regarding chakra control, ninjutsu and if you wish, how to wield a sword,"
Wiping away her tears, Naruto asked, "Isn't this favouring me too much? I've been taught politics and how to act with decorum." Sitting on her knees gracefully, she folded her hands neatly and offered Tobirama a soft smile that caught him off guard, "I will aid you in every manner to battle the enemies that wish you harm in the court. I know more than just pretty words, Tobi-dono, I have the ability to guide you to bury your enemies so they can never stand. Manners will get you far, however, the pace of your speech, tone of your voice and the subtle touch of your words will be your greatest weapon."
"Who taught you to behave this way?" Tobirama felt off. Seeing her act differently was wrong. Naruto wasn't meant to be confined. His spine shivered when he saw her devious smile. It reminded him of a predator in waiting.
"I want to be the leader of my village and have everyone acknowledge me." Naruto replied, "The time I spent with Ji-chan, I learnt that the people around him are far scarier than the shinobi who cut me down."
"I won't forgive you if you get consumed in the world of politics," He threatened, folding his arms when she giggled at him.
"I won't forgive you if you let Emi-chan win," Naruto quipped.
"Tch, as if I would lose to that fool," He frowned as she started to disappear, "Then we agree to teach each other to survive,"
"Believe it," Naruto nodded as the stoic face of Tobirama morphed into the concerned face of her sensei. Naruto was instantly bitter, "You piece of shit," She hissed.
"Maah maah, you're alive. Thank goodness," Kakashi faked a sigh of relief as he manoeuvred Naruto onto his back. "I thought I was a dead man for a minute,"
"How are you even allowed to teach?" Naruto grumbled as her numb arms bounced over his shoulders. "I swear this is more of a punishment for me than for you,"
"You're so cold to me, Naru-chan," Kakashi whined as they headed towards her apartment. "You used to be so cute when you'd cling to me~"
Naruto felt her brow twitch. "I can't wait for the team to be complete and the other two face your sadistic tendencies." She heard Kakashi chuckle and rested her cheek on his back, "I don't want to be alone," She whispered, burying her head into him.
Kakashi hummed in understanding. Entering her apartment, Kakashi activated her seals and sat her down on the couch. "How is your back?" He said quietly as he grabbed the first aid kit. Returning to her side, he withheld his rising anger as she showed him the healing gash on her back. Although he made sure not to hit her back, Kakashi also didn't hold back his punches and wound her pride as a kunoichi. "Does it still hurt?" He asked, changing the bandages on her back.
"Not anymore," She hissed when the cool antiseptic touched her back. Once she was bandaged up, Naruto put her shirt back on as Kakashi cleaned up the mess. "When is your next mission?"
"Hmm, I'm free until the genin exams." Kakashi returned to the couch and laid down. Throwing his legs on top of Naruto as she squealed at being attacked by his long limbs. "Two weeks to go, kiddo,"
Naruto's heart raced. She would be a genin soon and do real missions with Kakashi. "I hope they're nice,"
"I doubt it," Kakashi snorted, "There seems to always be arguments and competition when new groups are formed." He heard her grumble and watched as she picked at the hem of his pants. "It's going to be hard on you, Naruto. You are far ahead of them. You know the way of the shinobi."
Naruto glanced at Kakashi. He was looking at her kindly and looked away, "Does it ever go away?"
"Honestly," Kakashi hummed, "It doesn't. Some shinobi are unfortunate to remember all their kills. Many only remember their first or the one that weighs the heaviest on their heart. Some shinobi are lucky enough to have never killed. It's very rare but there are a few I know. One of them was recently promoted to jounin,"
Naruto gasped, "How the hell is that allowed?!"
"It wasn't my decision but I did voice my complaint," Kakashi sighed, "She passed the jounin test and the psyche test. The Hokage couldn't turn her promotion down despite never killing anyone."
"Torture?"
"I've read her mission history. I believe she's only tortured people on two separate occasions with genjutsu," Kakashi noted Naruto's disbelief, "It's a rare occasion but it happens. I know what you're thinking but don't go picking a fight with her. She specialises in genjutsu and you still suck at it."
"Boo~" Naruto pouted. The temptation was there but Kakashi always had her best interest at heart. "If I asked nicely, can you recommend me to someone that knows about medicinal and poisonous plants?"
"Now why do you want to learn about that? You'll have to lean this on your own time, Naruto, and I'm no help in that area,"
"I know, I just want to know my options."
"I'll ask around but don't get your hopes up," He warned her. There was still prejudice surrounding her that the only ones willing to heal her when she got hurt were the women in the brothel house or himself before she showed him her medical seals. "Once you're a genin you'll have access to the shinobi portion of the library. The librarian can't turn you away either,"
"Thanks, Kashi-baka," Naruto took his warnings to heart. He was one of the very few she trusted completely.
Kakashi rolled his eyes, "Yeah yeah. Lemme sleep on your bed today as thanks."
"?!"
XXXX
"You want me to what?" The Kyuubi stared down at his future host.
"I want you to teach me to recognise medicinal herbs from poisonous herbs. No one will teach me in my time and the Kurama sealed within me doesn't remember the herbs in this region," Naruto replied, sitting politely before the fox. She waited as he morphed into his human form yet the beast didn't hide his ears and tails.
"You can't even touch them," Kurama sneered, "And you want me to teach you how to not only identify them but also how to use them. What a ridiculous request. You should be coming to me for power,"
"This is power," Naruto stressed, "I could save so many people by learning about this,"
"Or you could kill those who have wronged you," Kurama put the blonde in her place. "Do not lie to me, child. Why do you want to learn? Is it for that insect that has your heart going soft? You will not survive long in the past." He warned her brutally as she flinched. "You are better off forgetting him and staying here until the Gods are ready for your interference."
"...I don't want to forget him," She whispered, tugging on the ends of her jacket, "He saved me,"
"He cannot even touch you,"
"He saved me from my loneliness," the bitterness slipped out of her mouth, "The old man can't always help me and I was always alone when Itachi-sensei left me. Tobi saved me and I want to repay the kindness he showed me when no one else was kind to me,"
"A noble yet foolish notion," Kurama snorted, "This seal is my own creation. You will only be permitted to use it with my express permission - not that you would be able to use this seal on your own anyway. You don't possess enough chakra to maintain this." He pulled out a rolled parchment from his sleeve and showed her his seal. Naruto's eyes were quick to focus and examine the seal in interest. "I will be your anchor to this time. Once we have perfected the activation of this seal, I will teach you about those precious weeds of yours. However, should you betray my worldly kindness and use the anchor to see that man then I will destroy this seal and you will remain but a ghost in this time,"
Naruto trembled at the sight of the seal. It was far beyond her comprehension and she doubted she could ever recreate or even break it down and understand the seal. A seal from a higher being. "This….this is incredible."
Kurama rummaged through the old storage boxes and found a few brushes, "Take your shirt off," He ordered, grabbing a vial before seeing the blonde grumble as she followed his orders. He frowned when he spotted bindings and wanted to wallop her head if he could touch her, "Fool, you will only cause stress to your body with those. Get rid of them,"
"B-but!"
"Get rid of them!" Kurama barked, sitting behind her as she reluctantly unbound her chest. "Since you're a chakra form this seal will hurt from beginning to end. However, only I will be able to activate the seal and I can freely deactivate or strip you of the seal whenever I wish."
The fox sealed within Naruto buried his head in his paws. He remembered this day clearly. Naruto had stubbornly fought through the pain with tears in her eyes and her throat rubbed raw from her screaming. Kyuubi sealed his eyes tightly as soon as he heard her screams. It was going to be a long night.
"Ahhhh!" Naruto's scream was shattering if anybody else heard. This was far more painful than the time she was a child and had hot iron dragged across her feet. It was so much worse. An indescribable pain that made her entire body scream for it to stop. She could feel each individual bristle as it carved into her back.
Kurama didn't stop or hesitate. He couldn't even use his tails to pin her in place and had to work against her writhing body. The pain was a mere price to achieve the impossible. "Endure it, child,"
"It fucking hurts!" She cursed, wondering why the pain hasn't woken her up in her time. Naruto swore she could hear Kakashi calling out to her but his voice was so faint...so far away. She couldn't focus on the familiarity as her body demanded attention.
"Hold her down!" Kakashi barked an order to the nurses as they took a limb each. He watched his student thrash around in pain as she screamed her lungs out but she refused to wake up. "A genjutsu? No, there's no traces. What's going on?" Kakashi worked fast to tie her limbs to the bed before securing her hips to the bed. She was still fighting against the bindings and no doubt her voice had woken a majority of the hospital.
"The anaesthetics aren't working," The doctor informed, "She's burning off the pain relief faster than we can administer them. All we can offer is to stabilize her in one-hour rotations until she comes to,"
"Is that all we can do?" Kakashi hissed, watching as even stabilizing her condition was doing very little for her.
"If we give her any more pain relief, we run the risk of killing her," The doctor warned, she placed a comforting hand on Kakashi's tense shoulder and said gently, "I've known her since she was a baby, Kakashi. We will do everything we can to reduce the stress on her body and believe in her. She's always been strong,"
"But for how long?" Kakashi wanted to ask. There were so many times he had seen her on the verge of never returning yet she always bounced back mysteriously. In all honesty, Kakashi didn't expect her to be as cheerful as she is after Itachi's betrayal. She kept her deep wounds hidden. Kakashi knew he was a hypocrite. He wanted Naruto to rely on him and tell him all her problems yet he wouldn't be able to do the same. "May I stay with her?"
"Of course, no one would dare to remove you. I must inform the Hokage," The doctor left after throwing a worried gaze at the wild blonde.
"Fight it," Kakashi begged, clenching his fists tightly. "Fight it, Naruto. Fight it so we can go home together," The thought of returning to her apartment without her made Kakashi's heart clench and his throat tighten. "Please fight it, Naruto. You're all I have left," He pleaded, he couldn't lose her. It would ruin him. She was his remaining family and brought joy back into his life more than his friends ever could.
Tobirama:
Tobirama found his brother hiding in a tall tree and quickly ran up the tree to join him, "Ani-chan,"
Hashirama wasn't surprised that his brother sought him out, "You found me quick,"
"I could find you a continent away, ani-chan," Tobirama scoffed, sitting on a branch just below his sibling, "Send me out on a mission, ani-chan. Preferably a long one,"
"Running away isn't going to solve your problems at home. It will only delay them," Hashirama didn't want to scold Tobirama but it was necessary. "I will admit, Emi has been stepping out of line but if you don't resolve this it will cause a fuss in the village. Even Mito has voiced her concerns about Emi's attempts to gain your favour."
"It is sickening," Tobirama replied, "I'm on my last rope, brother."
"Then why not find a nice woman to settle down with. You're at that age,"
"My priority is making sure you don't ruin the village with your mouth," Tobirama ignored when Hashirama started pouting. "I have no other goals besides helping you to achieve your dreams,"
"That's not a dream, Tobi," Hashirama rolled his eyes, overlooking the vast forest that stretched across the Fire Country.
"My dream is just a fantasy, ani-chan. A merchant's dream,"
"Ahh," Hashirama hummed, understanding what he meant. "I do not wish to see you take part in the world alone, Tobi."
"Brother," The younger warned, "I only need you,"
Hashirama chuckled, "And what will you do once I'm gone, little brother? I won't force you, Tobirama, but when you're ready to introduce her to me. I want to meet the one who's made you smile from the bottom of your heart,"
Tobirama kept silent. Hashirama was a hopeless romantic. "A month from now, when the dirt has settled, I will destroy Emi. When the time comes, I would like for you to remain neutral,"
Hashirama glanced over his shoulder. The cold look in Tobirama's eyes made the flesh on his skin rise. It was times like this that made Hashirama wonder if his little brother had what it takes to love another romantically. Tobirama was the epitome being emotionally unavailable. No matter how beautiful, their family standing, wealth, decorum or patience the woman has, they could never gain Tobirama's gaze. Many pursued him relentlessly. Others gave up early after a harsh warning. Then, there were women like Emi who hid their devious intentions behind the mask of friendship that Tobirama refused to make acquaintances outside of his family and Hashirama's aids. "Will you be happy after you go through with this?"
"I will be a fraction safer,"
"Safer, huh." Hashirama hummed, "The war will end soon,"
"How are you so sure?"
"A gut feeling,"
"Ani-chan," Tobirama sighed as Hashirama just laughed.
"Come, let us stretch out limbs. We've been in far too many meetings this past week,"
Before Tobirama could stop him, Hashirama had already launched himself from the tree with a joyous yell. Silently, Tobirama dropped from the tree and quickly propelled his body away from the trunk as he felt a shift in the air. He looked back and saw the distorted tree and frowned, "Never the patient type, ani-chan,"
"Not when it comes to spars with you," Hashirama laughed, "I won't give you a second to think, Tobi. Come," He gestured haughtily, making Tobirama roll his eyes before engaging in battle. Hashirama traded blows with his brother, seeing the spark ignite in his eyes. "Oh how scary~" He teased, seeing the battle loving man come to the surface. It was an odd sight to see from the man that calculated his every move.
"It is better than the disgusting look on your face," Tobirama muttered tonelessly. Hashirama always had that teasing smirk on his face whenever they fought. It was the look of someone that knew everything but Tobirama knew better than anyone that his brother's mind was empty. "One day I will wipe it off your face,"
"Why not today, dear brother?" Hashirama blocked Tobirama's kick. A wide grin etched on his face as the earth beneath them shattered. Tobirama's prowess was growing every day. "Your training has paid off,"
"I'm not a fool to believe I could ever defeat you," Tobirama felt his heart swell when his brother gave him a look of acknowledgement. "However, today I will beat you black and blue as compensation."
Hashirama could only laugh, "I look forward to your growth," He had confidence in his brother's growth as a shinobi but as a man, Hashirama had his doubts. For now, Hashirama would honour his brother and not hold back in their battle. "I know you won't disappoint me,"
"Never," Tobirama replied earnestly. He would take this opportunity to heart. It wasn't often that they could spar against one another.
Just as they were to exchange more blows, the two brothers froze as a sudden burst of chakra was felt before it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. Hashirama glanced over to Tobirama who seemed just as confused and asked him, "Anyone familiar?"
"No," Tobirama answered, "It is too sloppy for a trap. Even our enemies would've felt that chakra burst too,"
"It came from the temple,"
"What temple?"
Hashirama nodded and the two of them took off towards the location of the chakra burst. No doubt, other clans would search out the abnormality or stay clear of it.
"It's an old temple that worships a forgotten god." Hashirama explained, "I heard about it from a friend,"
Tobirama didn't comment on who the friend was. He already knew and held his tongue due to the tense look on Hashirama's face. "Abandoned then?"
"That is supposed to be the case," Hashirama pushed his pace. "To feel it from this distance, whatever the chakra source is must be bountiful. It could also be dangerous."
"Should I go find Mito-nee-san?"
"No," Hashirama read Tobirama's meaning, "I should be enough to seal the chakra source away. For now, we investigate. I'm going to pick up the pace. We should reach the temple in an hour and hopefully, we make it there first."
"I will follow you anywhere, ani-chan," Tobirama said firmly. When the chakra burst, Tobirama felt overwhelmed for a split second. The chakra was warm yet it harboured great animosity that it could hold an untrained man still. As one of the greater clans, it was their responsibility to keep the general population safe. It was his job yet there was something about that chakra burst that felt odd. It felt...almost out of place. Glancing at his brother's tense face, Tobirama kept his concerns to himself.