Chapter 3

When Madara came to, all he could feel was his sore limbs and cloth over his eyes. He tried to focus using the rest of his senses to tell him where he was. The ground below him was cool and hard- most likely made of stone along with the wall his shackles was attached to. He could hear a dripping faucet that seemed to be no further than a few feet away from him. The air tasted musty like it hadn't been aired out in a long while. There was no doubt that he was in a prison cell.

He sneezed and started wriggling the shackles around. They were secured tightly around his wrists and held them above his head. He gave a few jerks to test how durable they were. To his displeasure, it seemed that they were able to do their job well enough. His legs were not restrained but they were numb from sitting in this position for who knows how long. He wriggled his toes in an attempt to gain feeling in his feet.

Within moments, he heard a door screech open and footsteps approaching. Another screech sounded, this time it seemed to be only a few feet away from him. He felt a hand near his face and he jerked away from the touch. "So you are awake, then. Relax. I'm just taking off the blindfold."

It was Hashirama. He recognized the voice from earlier. Madara didn't relax but he didn't move away as he felt the hand move around his head to untie the cloth. As it was removed, he shut an eye as they adjusted to the difference in light. Hashirama tossed the cloth to the side. "If I were to unshackle you, you wouldn't run, would you?"

"If I were to kill you, you wouldn't move, would you?" Madara retorted. He waited a few long moments before shaking his head. "I will not run." Hashirama holds his gaze for a minute before pulling out a key and unlocking the shackles. Madara pulled his arms down and told hold of his sore shoulder, rolling it to ease the pain.

Madara finally decided to take in his surroundings. The leaking sink was about five feet in front of him. A toilet was beside it. The only thing else in the cell was a bed that looked as if it had seen better days. "What now?"

Hashirama pocketed the key and shrugged. "You're going to be moved out of here within the next few minutes." He took out a bottle of water and handed it to him. "Drink. You have been out of it for a whole night." Madara suspiciously eyed the water and shook it. "It's not poisoned."

Madara opened it and took a cautious sip. Then another. Hashirama took a seat on the bed while he waited. Once the bottle was empty, Madara set it aside. "I know I'm in the village's prison. Why?"

"Because woman and children are still here, and we have no reason to harm them. As for you, I do not know why father is keeping you alive," Hashirama admitted. "Other than for questioning in any case. But it's time to move you." Hashirama moved back over to him and pulled out a short piece of rope. "I have to tie your hands up, but I will untie you when we get there."

Madara held out of hands and allowed Hashirama to tie them together. There was no use in fighting it. "Where are you taking me? There are no other cells other than here."

"To what I'm assuming is your home. Seals have been placed on the outside, so you will be unable to leave. Only a Senju directly related to father or father himself will be able to come inside," Hashirama said. He finished tying the rope around his wrists and helped the Uchiha up to his feet.

"How does that work?" Madara asked. He had never heard of a seal working like that before. Hashirama led him out of the cell.

"The seals are infused with his blood. The Uzumaki clan help come up with the seal. I do not know what else makes up the seal or how to make one," Hashirama said. He led Madara up the stairs. "Once we are out of here, do not speak until we reach where you live. I don't want you to be beaten."

"Beaten for speaking?" Madara said. He snorted and didn't say anything else. Hashirama led him in the direction of his house. He could make out a few of the villagers. The air around the village seemed completely gone. There was no small talk and even the toddlers wrapped in their mothers' arms didn't dare babble.

His aunt was near her garden with her youngest son. His cousin was a year or two younger than Izuna. He had never been outspoken and always seemed to hide behind his mother and father. Madara watched him shake his mother's skirt and point in his direction. His aunt looked tired at first before she made eye contact with him. Even from several yards away, he could see the relief in her eyes. Madara did not speak but he dipped his head and continued looking on wards as Hashirama guided him in the general direction of his home.

As they were a few feet from the fence surrounding his home, his breath got caught in his throat. Izuna and his mother were not here, nor would they ever be again. Madara stumbled as Hashirama pushed him towards the steps. He climbed them and hesitantly walked inside, knowing that he wouldn't be able to leave. Hashirama followed behind him and took out a kunai and cut them off of him.

Madara rubbed his wrists and turned to face Hashirama. Despite how much his hair was grown out and how he was at least two feet taller, he could tell by looking at his face that this was the boy he met so long ago. He turned away and shut his eyes. "And now?"

"And now I have to stay with you," Hashirama said. Madara's face turned red and his eyes snapped open.

"I must have heard wrong. Could you repeat that?" Madara said, almost in a growl.

"I said that I have to stay. It's an order," Hashirama said evenly. He met the Uchiha's gaze calmly and watched as Madara tried to contain himself.

"You damn Senjus! How dare you come into my village, hurt my people, and think that you can come and go as you please!" Madara spat. "My family is gone! My people are suffering! What more do you want?"

"Calm down!" Hashirama said with his hands out in front of him.

"Calm down? Calm down? You want me to calm down? Why don't you and your clan get the hell out of my village! Then I'll calm down!" Madara said. He looked up at him and his fists were clenched by his sides.

"Madara, please calm down. No more blood needs to be spilled. So why don't you just calm down?" Hashirama said. He placed his hands on Madara's shoulders, who just shrugged away from him.

A knock sounded at the door and Butsuma walked inside. He took a few strides over to them before backhanding Madara, sending him falling to the floor. "You cannot be kind with him, Hashirama. He will never learn his place. If he goes against you," Butsuma kicked him for emphasis, "You must show him his place." He landed a few more kicks and yanked him up by his hair.

"Father, he's barely grown. I'm sure that there's no need to be so rough with him," Hashirama said. Madara sneered at him and twisted, trying to loosen Butsuma's grip.

"He is two years your junior. He is no child. He is also no ordinary Uchiha. If the women and children see him act out, what do you think will happen? He is the heir; they will follow his lead," Butsuma said, slamming him up against a wall. "We worked hard to invade this village. We will not lose what has been accomplished because of him!"

Madara barely had time to register what was said before he was shoved back onto the floor with Butsuma's boot holding him down by his chest. He coughed and felt his split lip opening again. The boot restricted his breathing and he tried to move him unsuccessfully, only resulting in his lungs starting to ache.

"Father, he can't breathe. You're going to hurt him," Hashirama said. Butsuma pressed down harder with his boot.

"Then he will beg," Butsuma said. He sneered down at Madara, who's face was turning red from struggling to gain access to air. A few minutes passed and he bared down harder, ripping a cry him his throat.

"G-get off! I c-can't breathe! Please," Madara rasped, finally giving in. Butsuma tilted his head, seemingly in thought before removing his foot. Madara sat up and started to cough as oxygen started to refill his lungs. His chest heaved as he turned his head away, ashamed that he couldn't do more to protect himself.

"Madara Uchiha, you will learn your place. If not, then I fear for your safety. There is no place for adolescent stubbornness," Butsuma said. At that, Madara's eyes rolled and he fell on the floor.