Konoha's Weasel Prince
Summary: Itachi never got to use his Susanoo in his fight with Sasuke. As soon as the Kirin hit, he was sent back through time to the founder's era and it was up to him to ensure a safer and surer future for Konoha and the world at large. KisaIta TobiMada HashiMito others mentioned
''Oh my Kami, I can't believe it's actually happening!'' An entire three months later, an ecstatic Hashirama gushed as he packed the last of his belongings into one of the scrolls Mito and her clan have provided both the Uchiha and the Senju with for their big move. ''It feels like I am dreaming! Someone, please pinch me.''
''With pleasure.'' Toka said and unceremoniously punched the leader of her Clan, being none too gentle with the oaf. The other three occupants of the room sweat dropped at the antics of the two cousins. Hashirama sat up from where the female warrior had floored him and whined at her with large, watery eyes and a big pout.
''I said pinch me, not punch me, Toka~!''
Toka just shrugged her shoulders, not apologetic at all. ''Oops.''
Her response only earned her more pouting and Tobirama sighed from where he was helping pack his brother at the last goddamn minute. He was not amused with Hashirama's lack of responsibility. They should have left ten minutes ago. It will be rude if they arrive late just because of Hashirama's irresponsible behavior. Especially since it was going to be Hashirama who actually built the first houses of the village.
Tobirama honestly felt like pinching himself as well, as disbelieving this was happening as his brother was, only for different reasons. He had honestly never thought peace to be possible, yet two months after Itachi first entered their lives, the first treaty was signed between the Uchiha Clan and the Senju, ending a centuries long war. It was as though a miracle had happened but Tobirama wasn't going to question it. If a stranger's sudden appearance in their lands, injured and sick, is what ended a seemingly endless war, who was he to ruin it. Perhaps for the first time in life, Tobirama didn't go searching for answers. Hashirama was one step closer to making his impossible dream a reality and he had never seen his brother happier. Tobirama had promised himself on the day he accidentally ruined Hashirama's friendship with Madara that he will never again be the reason why his brother's smile dimmed and he was going to make sure he keeps that promise. Now, when it was all coming together, he was going to be Hashirama's support through all of this insanity and make sure that village gets built and lasts.
For the first time, peace was possible.
For the first time, that village from Hashirama's and Madara's dreams was possible.
It was literally a hair's width away.
And it's all thanks to Itachi.
Although, Tobirama has some doubts at the swiftness behind the agreement to joining their two clans together. The Uchiha Elders have been more against the ceasefire than the Senju Elders. There is no way they so easily accepted living with the Senju after only a few meetings in the last two months. He knew it had a lot to do with the last mission he had been on, two and a half weeks ago, where he met Izuna and a few other Uchiha in the middle of a battle. Supposedly, one of the three merchant caravans had hired a Senju and one had hired a few Uchiha to guard them from bandits, other ninja and wild animals that might endanger them on their journey. The third had felt comfortable with their hired goons and so they hadn't thought to hire any extra help. Halfway through the country, the damned mercenaries decided it woule pay off more if they simply robbed all three caravans. After all, there were over thirty of them and there were only, like, five ninjas there and they were all pretty young so they had thought it would be easy if they had the element of surprise. Too bad for them that the majority of the ninja present were Uchiha so they weren't really surprised since their Sharingan had read right through the initial moves of the first attack and were ready to retaliate. It was a swift and quick battle, shorter than any sparring match Tobirama had seen or experienced, with fire and water taking care of the mercenaries more than weapons did.
It was such an obvious win that Tobirama was surprised when he saw a bandit coming up behind Izuna from the corner of his eye. He had called out and Izuna had turned around but it was too late and the bandit's sword had started sinking into the Uchiha Heir's body by the time Tobirama could react further. Still, he had thrown a kunai marked with his finally - finally - perfected transportation jutsu at the bandit. The kunai had buried itself in the bandit's shoulder when Tobirama activated the seal on it and used Hiraishin, which allowed him to use his throw's momentum to push the man away from his once rival before the sword could pierce Izuna's lungs all the way through. Izuna made a wet, painful sound as the sword was dragged out and the bandit cried out in surprise and fright when he had seen Tobirama's murderous expression before his throat was cut. Tobirama had then immediately summoned a vast amount of water and had drown everyone else besides their clients and the other Uchiha, watching as it took them away. The road wasn't even wet when he was finished with them all.
The ragged and wet sounding sick breathing Izuna was trying to preform had quickly drawn his attention. The slightly younger man was just lucky that Tobirama was a decent healer. Yes, never quite Hashirama's or even Mito's caliber, but far better than the rest of their Clan and definitely better than the Uchiha were. He had managed to do a quick patch job that held until they could find a safe place to stop and Tobirama had used Hiraishin again to teleport back to the Senju encampment and demand of both Hashirama and Itachi to go with him, Hashirama as a healer and Itachi because the Uchihas trusted him. Hashirama healed Izuna the rest of the way after some five to ten minutes and the younger Uchiha was fine to continue the mission the next morning. The two stayed with them until they escorted the merchants to the town they agreed to take them to and they even shared half of the way back with the Uchihas. Madara was waiting for them where their paths were meant to separate, which Tobirama had immediately found suspicious, but he figured a messenger hawk had been sent to the man about his younger brother. Except that Tobirama hadn't seen or sensed a hawk departing. He had tried brushing it off as happening while he was getting Hashirama and Itachi but the look said younger man shared with the two Main Family Uchihas had him suspicious.
Had that attack been planned? No, Itachi was not one to play with others' lives. Maybe Izuna allowing himself to get injured and having a Senju heal him was planned so that the Uchiha would trust them? Tobirama was aware he was a paranoid sort but he also knew he wasn't imagining things here. Itachi had three days to plan something like this with the Uchiha brothers. Tobirama of all people healing Izuna was too grand of a gesture to pass up because it could never be ignored. Tobirama and Izuna have hated each other since their first meeting so if they can get over their past, surely the rest of their respective clans can, too.
What happened on the mission was maybe not planned but the mission itself was, of that Tobirama was sure. He was also sure that only Itachi could have thought up a way for this simple mission to become a joint effort between the Senju and the Uchiha. In a way, it was a statement to the rest of the world that their alliance was strong and steady and that it will last. It was their first cooperation and it had happened before complete strangers who will no doubt gossip about it as they continue their travels. The news will spread and people will realize that the Senju and the Uchiha really are allies, a joined force that is fighting for peace.
This wasn't even hitting two birds with one stone. It's hitting multiple birds with one stone. Tobirama had this strange feeling that this was something Itachi was used to doing but he never got the chance to ask as not even two days after the mission was over, Madara had sent them a message that the Uchiha as a whole were ready to start talking about building a village together. Hashirama's tears of joy nearly drowned them all.
"Are you guys ready to head out?" Mito asked as she packed Hashirama's last shirt, closing the scroll and securing it before placing it into a big pack that actually carried all of the elder Senju's belongings. With just a handful of scrolls, both the Uchiha and the Senju were able to carry all of their worldly possessions from within their ancestral homes and to the forest over which the dreams of this village were first created, over a decade ago. There were a few things that both sides refused to seal within these scrolls but those were easily carried over in vagons,.so they were all very much ready to start building this village. The basic plans for the living district and the market were already made, but the final plans were still not set in stone. Madara has been arguing with Tobirama for the last three meetings about the size and location of the Academy they wanted to build and Izuna was greatly displeased with how some of the training grounds were going to be practically within the new Senju Compound and as such not for the use of all. Toka wanted to reserve a few spaces in the market exclusively for her contacts in the Land of Iron and the Land of Snow, who will be coming in to be their blacksmiths and weapons forgers and Hikaku wanted to find a different place for the Sarutobi Clan since where their compound was meant to be would be better used for a sort of administration center for the village as a whole. Madara and Hashirama were fighting Izuna and Tobirama about the positioning of the Tower that will house the leadership of the village once they talk with the Daimyo about it all and Toka and Hikaku were arguing with their respective Elders about them not being in the deciding council of the new village. Through it all, only Mito and Itachi have been calm and collected and ultimately, only their ideas were instantly accepted, meaning a joined library will be made and a protective wall will be erected around the village as soon as they build the first houses and ministration centers.
It was a tiring experience but oh so worth it.
"All set." Itachi, the one who had the least to pack as he had very few possessions, was the first to answer.
"I'm good to go." Tobirama, the most efficient in his entire clan and the most skilled with sealing things into scrolls, replied right after him. Toka just nodded and there was no doubt in their minds that Mito had already finished packing. And seeing as they had all come to the now abandoned and emptied up house just to pack up Hashirama, they knew he was ready, too.
"Then we should head out. It is rude to make people wait." Mito said with a nod and Itachi seemed to be refraining from a snort for some reason but he was out of the door before they could say anything. Shrugging at each other, the three Senju and one Uzumaki picked up their bags and went after Itachi, seeing their entire clan waiting to depart, the excitement and anxiousness radiating off of them all about this whole thing. They were about to leave what they have known for their entire lives only to brave the unknown with the people who have been their enemies for just as long. Tobirama found a sort of pride when he looked into their faces and, despite the apprehension, found no hesitation in their eyes. They trusted Hashirama and him to lead them into a new, hopefully better future and that made him feel ... protective of them to a degree he had only ever been of Hashirama and Toka before. Mito had joined that circle fairly quickly after she was first engaged to his brother and Itachi had earned a place in there, as well, in the weeks he had spent with them. But his whole clan ... it had never been quite up there. Not until now.
And he was extremely happy to see that the kids were not apprehensive at all. They were all just so excited to meet new people, to possibly make more friends and see unknown places that they were not scared at all. This was perhaps the best time for this move, the albino mused. These kids, the majority of them have yet to see a battle with the Uchiha and while some of them have lost friends and family to these skirmishes, they were still not old enough to become bitter about it. It helped that their first experience with an Uchiha-like person was with Itachi, his warm and gentle smile, soothing voice and calming presence. They were those who will live and support this new age. They needed to be able to put aside any prejudice against the Uchiha that their parents might have ingrained into them and only kids can do that. They were the pillars of the future and they must be ready to work with and trust the Uchiha for this peace to last.
''You should say a few word to them, Hashirama-san.'' Itachi's recommendation broke Tobirama out of his thoughts and he looked at the younger man from the corner of his eye. The raven haired foreigner wasn't looking at anyone in particular, just out at the distance but his tone was focused and serious. Hashirama immediately beamed at the suggestion and cleared his throat, gathering everyone's attention to himself.
''My fellow clansmen,'' the only Mokuton user said grandly, smiling at his kin. ''Today is the beginning of a new age, an age filled with peace and prosperity if Kami-sama has any mercy. I know many of you are unsure of this move, but leaving behind our fallen brethren here, to rest for eternity while we build a new world order, is the only way to let them rest in peace. The time for vengeance is over and we will, on our past suffering, build a world where there is no such thing as suffering. Today is the first day of this new age and I am forever grateful to you all for following me this far.''
There was a small cheer and sentences of reassurance flowing through the gathered men and women, the children just beaming at their new Clan Head, some of them not really understanding what he meant and others who did were just glad the war was over and were thankful to Hashirama for ending it.
''I know leaving is hard and adjusting will be even harder,'' Hashirama continued when everyone fell silent again. ''Perhaps even harder than war is, since war is all we've ever known and we are used to it. But it will be worth it. It already is. Our lives will be better and I hope happier now that we will no longer fear for the lives of our children each and every day. As soon as we step outside of this compound, there is no more turning back.'' He warned and a few people looked back sadly at their homes or in the direction of their graveyard, where their fallen loved ones lay.
Tobirama looked as well, thinking of Kawarama and Itama, feeling almost sick to the stomach at the thought of leaving them here, alone. But they wouldn't really be alone,would they? Their mother was here as well and many of their other relatives. And they were at peace as well. Or they will be, as soon as other people stopped dying for their deaths. Hashirama was right about having to leave them all behind. It will really finally give them a chance to rest in peace, no more people dying in their name when it will change nothing. And Itachi was right, too. The older generation was now no longer allowed to drag the younger ones down with their past grievances. Leaving the dead be dead was the first step and they hadn't even realized that until Itachi had pointed it out.
''We must continue marching towards the future, always, if we want this peace to last, so I call to you today that we march into this future together and let this be the last march we ever do.'' The Senju all cheer at his words and part way for their Clan Head and his family (and wasn't it just strange that even Itachi had somehow gotten chalked up into family with them? Tobirama honestly found it fitting, not that he was going to say it. At least not for a very long time) to take point in their little progression.
Up ahead of them, a crow cries out, circling back and forth, back and forth, as if in waiting. Tobirama recognizes it as Itachi's crow, Kuro Onyx, and realizes that it was waiting. It was waiting for Itachi and if he wasn't mistaken, it looked excited in the way it fluttered about. Looking at the bird's owner, Tobirama felt his eyebrows arch as he saw the look of excitement, almost unbearable, in Itachi's eyes. It was rare for the boy to look anything but clam, collected, serene and content, even though the undertones in his chakra suggested he had something important on his mind or that he was perhaps remembering a sad or painful event. Such emotions never made it to his face, the sadness, the pain, the regret. This time, all of it was there, edged by longing and affection, the likes of which Tobirama could not understand. And there was loyalty, to what, he was unsure. Itachi had always been a mystery to him, but this was going beyond simple mystery. Something was bothering the raven haired young man but Tobirama knew him well enough already to know that Itachi will never allow anyone to share his burdens with him. He'll shoulder them on his own but that didn't mean people won't gather under the burden and subtly help him hold it up, if only by encouragement.
The entire way to the meeting lace, Tobirama thought of that longing look, of the speed Itachi slowly increased until he had to be reminded that not everyone can travel as quickly as he could. He had never seen Itachi acting like that. The anticipation in the boy was greater than in any of the children.
It didn't die down at all, even when they met up with the Uchiha.
It didn't die down even as Madara and Hashirama shook hands.
It didn't die down even as both clans cheered as war was officially ended.
It increased when the announcement of the first buildings being erected the first thing in the morning was made.
It increased with the new cheers.
And the affection grew into adoration, reverence, warm endearment; the loyalty into allegiance, devotion, homage, devotion. As it all grew into love, Tobirama wondered what had triggered such a reaction.
Kuro Onyx cawed overhead.
The calmness, the content around Itachi suddenly felt like home.
Tobirama vowed to understand it one day.
Today, he enjoyed it and soaked it up like everyone else.
Peace was here.
And here was home.
