The sudden transition from one place to another, no matter how prepared he was, is jarring. Pure instinct is the only thing that keeps his slight advantage from slipping through his fingers. Izuna's eyes widen in surprise as Tobirama's sword aims for his chest like a compass to true north. Across the battlefield, Madara screams. It's a heartbreaking, wretched thing.

A flash of black, accompanied by the flicker of sword-silver, is his only warning.

His sword is knocked up and out, away from Izuna, as an Uchiha he doesn't recognize slides between them. The man (one armed, he notes absently, though that doesn't seem to affect him much) shares a lot of resemblance with his usual rival, likely a close relative of some sort. Around them, the battle as pauses between one breath and the next, no one quite ready to break the tentative ceasefire that seems to have fallen over them at Madara's shout and the following shink of metal on metal.

Then, "Izuna!" And it's desperate in a way that Tobirama remembers well, when he was trying (trying, always trying, but never enough) to save his own younger brothers. The one-armed Uchiha, looking so much like a sibling to Madara and Izuna it's almost unnatural, stares hard at him, his lips pulled down into a wary frown.

Tobirama steps away and sheathes his sword.

The mystery Uchiha follows suit and steps to the side just as Madara descends upon Izuna, fretting like a mother with her child. It's a strange sight, and it's odd to think of Madara as a mother hen.

"Tobirama-san," the mystery Uchiha says, his voice lacking inflection. "I thank you." Both Tobirama and Madara still at the words and the shinobi nearby shift in unrest, in curiosity.

"For what?" Tobirama finds himself asking.

"For allowing me to intercede," he says, as if it's a given. "Had you not, Izuna would be dead, now, and myself likely soon to follow." Tobirama's eyes narrow. He hadn't slowed, nor offered any sort of opening. It's a blatant lie. But... but it could pave the way to an actual ceasefire, he realizes. If Madara thought Izuna was only alive because of his own mercy, then the likelihood that the man will finally agree to a treaty (that his clan will agree) will skyrocket. It's clever and subtle and manipulative and he would have never expected it from an Uchiha, when their clan seems so against laying down arms. It also downplays the man's skills, though Tobirama has a feeling that this Uchiha, who he's never seen before, could hold his own against the so-called White Demon, missing arm or no.

He dips his head, admitting to a deed he never did. Around them, Senju and Uchiha alike mutter uneasily.

As the battle breaks up, with declarations of a ceasefire and promises of meetings to discuss a treaty, Tobirama catches sight of the mystery Uchiha leaving the clearing. He shares a glance with Touka, who shakes her head fondly and motions for him to go. Tobirama nods back, thankful she's willing to step in for him for a moment. One of these days, his natural curiosity is going to get him into trouble. At least, more than it already has.

He follows the Uchiha through the clusters of shinobi, carefully avoiding getting to close to any Uchiha. They're all on edge and far be it for Tobirama to restart the battle accidentally. When the man reaches the edge of the forest, he pauses. Tobirama hesitates before continuing on to catch up. Decent at sensing, then. More so than most aspire to be. Or incredibly hyper-aware of his surroundings.

"I didn't give you an opening," are Tobirama's first words, spoken quietly in case of eavesdroppers. The Uchiha hums, dark eyes sliding over to him. There's something distinctly amused in the action, even if the man shows no sign of humor.

"Didn't you?" He asks, bland.

"You're very skilled."

"I had an excellent sensei or two." The man's lip quirks into a fondly exasperated smile. "And a hell of a stubborn teammate."

"Teammate?" He inquires. He gets a "hn" in reply.

"I'm Uchiha Sasuke," the man introduces, the switch between subjects less-than-smooth.

"Senju Tobirama," he returns automatically, though an introduction is hardly necessary. Sasuke had used his name not ten minutes ago, after all, and he's well-known, besides.

"I'll be seeing you, Tobirama-san," Sasuke says. Before Tobirama can get anything else out, the Uchiha disappears in a swirl of leaves.

iii

Sasuke: *feels like he's forgotten something*
Sasuke: eh, can't be that important.
Sasuke: *hears distant fighting*
Sasuke: ...
Sasuke: o shit
Sasuke: *panicked sprinting* *saves Izuna just in time*
Sasuke: that was definitely on purpose. Definitely. I didn't forget that Izuna's death was today and almost curse the world into dealing with insane Madara a second time. Nope. Not me.
Tobirama: ...
Izuna: ...
Sasuke: :)