Madara Uchiha
Age: 7
Location : Village of Ashes
Izuna Uchiha
Age : 4
Location : Village of Ashes
But he wasn't dead. Something poked his cheek. "Is he dead?" a rather high pitched voice asked. He stirred and slowly opened his eyes. He groaned at the brightness of the sun. "Hey, are you okay?". He turned to see a pale faced boy with rather odd purple markings. He had about medium long black hair. Rather long for a boy. He wore a rather yellow top and brown plaid bottoms. He tried to get himself up but fell right back down. "Don't push yourself. You're really hurt". But Madara wasn't think about himself. "Brother? Brother? Brother?" he repeated. "Eh you mean that boy we found next to you? We took him to the local doctor. Boy, was he in bad shape," the boy replied. Madara tried again to steady himself with the same result. "Here, let me help you". The young boy hoisted Madara and slung the Uchiha's arm around his shoulders. "Oh yeah, by the way, my name's Ryu Orochi. Don't forget it".
The doctor's name was Kabuto Yashamaru. He was a very caring and diligent man but he was rather blind which explained why he was so close to Madara when fixing him up. He made sure to wrap Madara's head gently as to not irritate the wound. Izuna didn't look very good when Madara first saw him. He was sleeping "peacefully". It was good that Izuna had stopped screaming. Madara remembered the fear in his brother's eyes. The terror. What had cause him so much suffering? Madara barely slept, he stayed constantly by his brother's side. And as he sat there, it started to sink in; they were now orphaned. Father was killed and Mother murdered, both in cold blood. That very thought kept him clinging to his younger brother. When he did get his rare moment of sleep, Orochi was kind enough to wrap him in a blanket. Orochi looked after Madara with such tenderness. Madara was forever grateful to rather effeminate boy. "No problem, Friend," Orochi replied everytime Madara said thank you, and always emphasizing the friend. Friend, it had a nice ring to it.
Izuna woke up about a week after Madara arrived. Madara hugged his brother the moment those dark eyes opened, but Izuna did not even say a word. In fact he didn't say a word for a day. A day turned into a week. And a week turned into a month. Not a single peep. But his eyes spoke for them. Always darting from left to right as if there was an enemy in every crevice. Mother did the same thing a couple days before she died. The same look. It made his blood run could and Madara could not bear to be with his brother. Yashamaru, that kind a sweet man, did however.
There was nothing to do at Yashamaru's house. Madara couldn't do anything because of his injuries. Izuna wouldn't move at all and had to even be fed by hand. Yashamaru didn't mind. Yashamaru was always cheerful. Helpful. Orochi was always busy in the fields with the other villagers but he came everyday to keep Madara some company. He found some comfort with Orochi but still he was lonely without his brother.
"Madara..." Izuna said one day as Madara had finished his daily report (which mostly consisted of reading) and was about to go and see Orochi. Madara stared wide eyed at his brother. "Izuna!" He shouted shaking his brother as if that would spill more words from the child's mouth. He opened his clenched fist to show the jade wedding ring that had once belonged to his Mother. Yashamaru dashed into the room with a rather puzzled look on his face. "Izuna-kun?" the grey haired man inquired. Upon entering the room, Yashamaru knew immediately what was going on. Yashamaru quickly chased Madara out of the room chastising him about letting his brother sleep. And, of course, Madara protested but none the less he was shooed was glad that the grey haired man look so very closely after Izuna but he was growing jealous but he cared mre for his brother than over his feelings. He kept his mouth shut and his feelings in control. Over time, Izuna did start talking again. The problem was that he was very shy. Only Madara or Yashamaru could coax any words out of him.
Madara got better and helped Orochi with the harvest. He learned everyone's name. There was Mana and Hana, the twins. Riku, Hibari, Youji, Kaoru and Shiori. "We farmers work together. Harvesting the rice!" the all sang as they together. They grinned, laughed and joked at each other like old chums. "I'll harvest more rice than you!" Madara challenged. "Bring it on, Ma-kun," Orochi replied. Ma-kun. Madara always hated nicknames and Orochi did this. He did this to spite Madara and grinned everytime Madara growled at him. They worked hard all day. As the day ended the two boys onto the grass relaxing before dinner. "You have to believe it! I totally beat you Ma-kun". "In your dreams," Madara taunted. "Alright then," Orochi said pretend to fall asleep. Madara playfully kicked his friend. "Promise not to leave?" Orochi muttered through his teeth. "SURE! I love harevesting and planting while singing with my best friend but lame fighter," Madara chuckled sarcastically. "TWERP!" Orochi screamed as he pinned Madara to the ground. "Beat that, Loser". "You bastard!" Madara joked. And for a moment, if only for a minute, Madara wanted to stay. He wanted to forget his former life and live just as a farmer. He wanted to throw it all away. Just to stay here. Just to laugh with the simple farmers, with Orochi. But just as thought came it was chased out. Izuna. Izuna didn't belong here. He didn't deserve this life. The delicated child wouldn't be able to handle such harsh treatment. He was always fragile. He could throw everything away for himself but not his brother.
Madara would often stay on the edge of the road looking on. "You don't belong here," Orochi said in a defeated voice. "What are you talking about?" Madara snapped. "Look," Orochi pointed out. He took the Uchiha's hand and opened it. He showed the seven year-old boy his own hand. "My hands are covered in callouses. You're are rather delicate. You could be a grand warrior". Madara could not deny it. He may not have wanted to leave. This place seemed peaceful. Most of all, he had found a friend. But Orochi was right. He didn't belong here. He had to go.