treavellergirl – It's a different case from a time-travel, this time it's a reborn/time-time-travel-fic! Man, Sometimes I surprise myself with these wicked ideas! :p I really love their interactions too but you're right now that you say it, Hashirama looks like Rock Lee, or isn't it the way around? :p Thanks for the review, I appreciate it! :D
Sylencia – Count me in your club, although Sasuke is getting better, don't you think? To me it's the contrary, I find lemons more difficult to write than fight scenes but I will do my best! Yosh! :p Hihi, I agree, their interactions is wonderful and a fresh breath to your heart. Maybe I'll decide to write some random drabbles about the three…? What do you think? Indeed, I follow the story with slight changes what with Shisui's appearance in the wrong time era. As for Tobirama, well, you'll how it goes, ne? Can't tell you everything or else it wouldn't be a surprise, right? ;) Thanks for the review, I'm glad you liked this chapter! Enjoy another chapter! :D
SilverIcy – Thank you! *grins widely* Their interactions are quite adorable, I agree with you, totally! Very privileged, to see the birth of your own village is for her one of the most memorable day indeed. Ta-da! Here comes Tajima and Butsuma! Prepare yourself! And thanks for the review, I appreciate your support!
kiki8o – I love Hashi too! *squeals* He is sooo cute! Ohh, Hashi will be surprised to see Shisui when he grows up. Very, very, very surprised. Don't worry, things will go different but for now let's watch it all happen. Thank you for the review! Enjoy!
Kasai no Oni – Thank you, this chapter is my favourite! And jealousy does suck, poor Madara, wait till Shisui gets older, he'll have to Sharingan every guy that even remotely glances at Shisui, his innocent little sister. :p Thank for the review! Enjoy! ;D
GamingBoar – Thank you! I'm glad you love it! As for the quick update, I have holidays right now. Their interactions are quite funny to read! As for the pairing up with Shisui, I'm still deciding but I'll put a poll in my profile. Vote your opinion on that matter and I'll see what the reader would like more. Thank you very much for the review, I appreciate it! You have a wonderful day too and enjoy this chapter! By the way good luck with your exams!
So here are the ages for the ones that are confused, for this chapter only:
Uchiha Madara=14 years to 15 years old
Uchiha Izuna=12 years to 13 years old
Uchiha Shisui=9 years to 10 years old
Dear readers, I placed a poll on my profile where you, as the readers, could decide who Shisui should be paired with. I would appreciate it if you guys could spare a few seconds to click on my profile and then the poll! Thank you!
Love,
Angelbloodlover
Era of the Warring States
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By Angelbloodlover
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~ Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
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Albert Camus
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Chapter 9: Heavy Confrontation
Shisui couldn't help but wonder why Kami was playing with their feelings like that? Why was life so hard on them? Why couldn't they have a friend and keep him? Why did Kami decide to separate them, forcing them to stay on opposite side of each other? Why were best friends forced to fight each other? Why?
Shisui sighed softly, looking at her brother's downcast expression but when he saw Hashirama waiting for them at their creek, he forced a smile on his face. She felt her heart being twisted in an ugly shade of purple. This was not right! How dare he force that upon Madara?!
"Hashirama-kun!" Shisui waved, the lump in her throat making her breathing very difficult.
He smiled sweetly at her, "Shisui-chan!" Shisui observed his slight narrowed eyes, the way his voice trembled at the end, his slight twitch. Altogether, it meant one thing: trouble. Hashirama only displayed those small reactions when he was feeling nervous and scared.
Madara picked up a rock and threw it towards Hashirama who did the same, this was their way of greetings. Shisui swallowed loudly, her heart beating wildly, threatening to burst her ribcage.
"That rock was born to be skipped. You hold onto it until the next time we meet…" Was this Madara's way of warning Hashirama? Shisui glanced at Hashirama who had a forced smile on his face. It seemed she had concluded it right.
Danger was lurking nearby…
Hashirama tossed the rock, "We both made it to the other side…"
Shisui tried to keep her breathing steady but it was hard. Tajima's words were replaying in her head and she felt dizzy, thinking about that, her cheek throbbing painfully. She wouldn't follow his command, no matter what he would say…
"Madara, Shisui." Tajima's loud, stern voice boomed in their ears. When they turned around, they saw him standing next to Izuna, arms crossed and a deep frown plastered on his face. Like usual.
Shisui's heart skipped a beat. Her gut told her that something bad was about to happen but what? When she tried to look into Izuna's eyes, he looked away. Something must definitely be wrong if he didn't even lock eyes with her. Something dreadful…
Madara inclined his head, "Hai, tou-san."
He motioned for them to follow, "This is not the appropriate place to talk. Let's go to my tent." He walked with confident steps towards his tent, Uchiha member nodding their head in respect for their clan head.
Each step felt like she was walking on scorching, hot lava, burning herself and she placed a hand on her heart, fearing the worst. Madara didn't miss her nervousness and he had to swallow the lump in his throat. When Shisui was nervous, it wasn't about something frivolous, it was for something terrifying and he felt frightened for the outcome of this conversation.
When they reached the safety of the tent, Izuna closed the tent securely and leaned against the table, watching his siblings carefully.
"Let's not beat around the bush, shall we?" Tajima hissed lowly, eying his children with narrowed eyes. "I know that the both of you are hanging out with that pathetic excuse of a shinobi."
Shisui gasped in shock. How? She had always sensed if they were being followed, even Madara had checked it thorough. Tajima sensing his daughter's shocked expression, smirked, "Of course, I had to bear in mind that your sensing skills are disturbingly high, which is why I used a Fuinjutsu to hide my chakra signature from you." Smirking, he continued, "You may be growing stronger in an alarming rate but I'm still the head of the clan." Then the smirk vanished, he regarded Madara with a disapproved frown, "Madara, the fact that you spend a lot of time outside the camp and neglected your training in favour of making friends disappointed me. You're the pride of the Uchiha clan, you can't go out and befriend every single person out there."
Madara flinched slightly, clenching his fists.
But Tajima wasn't done, "That person that you befriended…," He trailed off, glancing at Shisui who was still looking at him with wide eyes, "…is a Senju."
Madara looked down, biting his lips as realization started to sink down. A Senju…? Hashirama…? No. He refused to believe that but father…
"I gathered intel on him," Tajima glared at Madara form, "Madara! Look up when I talk to you!" He barked out, Sharingan spinning wildly. "That boy already killed several capable Uchiha's from our clan…to be that skilled at that young age, no doubt he is a prodigy…"
Shisui clenched her sweaty hands, her eyes throbbing painfully and her ears were buzzing loudly. She could read his lips but she couldn't hear him. She tried to imagine that this was all a nightmare. That everything would turn out normal when they woke up the next day to train with Hashirama.
Tajima looked at Madara, raising his eye brow, "You didn't know that? Madara, how low have you fallen…?"
Another flinch from Madara's side and Izuna closed his eyes. He was feeling regretful about this all. He should have done something, anything but what? Senju's and Uchiha would always remain enemies, no matter what he tried. He was no Kami, although at the moment he wanted to be one, just to make his brother happy.
"Madara," The adult Uchiha spoke up, "I take it, you're aware what to do next?"
Madara didn't react but his eyes indicated that he did understand his duty.
"I haven't shared this info with anyone of the clan so unless you and your dear sister wanted to be branded as a traitor I suggest that you follow him."
That took Shisui off guard. Would Tajima go that low to brand his own flesh and blood as traitors? What a treacherous, disgusting person. She loathed him, she loathed him so much. If only she could kill him without getting suspected of the act. A simple Amaterasu would do the trick, not even his ashes would be left behind.
Tajima continued further, a dark chuckle escaping his lips, "The mission will be simple, gather as much info on the Senju's as possible and if he gets suspicious…," He trailed again, the temperature dropping under the zero, "kill him."
"N-no, I-" Shisui's rambling was stopped by a hard punch to her cheek and she stumbled on the ground, touching her cheek, "He is no Senju, you senile old man!" She screamed in fury! She couldn't kill her first best friend, one who was important for her and her future village! She would rather die fighting Tajima than to let that happen.
Madara gasped, Izuna looked with wide eyes at the scene, "Imouto!"
Tajima stood up, fists trembling with anger as Sharingan clashed with Mangekyou Sharingan, "That filth is from the Senju clan and as a Uchiha you're obliged to kill him." He snarled dangerously as he advanced upon her but she stood her ground, standing up with shaky legs.
"I refuse to believe that he is an enemy of us." She was slapped again but the next punch that came down was stopped by Madara who locked cold, emotionless eyes with Tajima, "Don't hurt her. We'll accept the mission."
Tajima scoffed at Shisui but complied with Madara's wish, he was confident in his son's abilities and he had respect for him. "Girl, be glad your brother cares so much about you because I wouldn't hesitate to snap your neck. Next time I hear one more insult I'll kill you." He threatened with narrowed devil's eyes. Madara and Izuna stiffened, regarding their father with disbelief.
"Izuna and I will be tailing the two of you, just in case. Understood?" He looked at Izuna and beckoned him to follow him, "Let's go. Don't disappoint me Madara, you won't like the consequences." Tajima stated confidently, leaving, with Izuna on his tail who kept glancing behind him, apologetic eyes staring at his siblings. He felt so useless, he couldn't even protect his little sister…
"Shi-" "Don't touch me!" Shisui gritted, scrambling away from her brother. All these times, she had respected her him but if he would follow Tajima's plan than she would rather choke herself than be a part of his family.
Madara clenched his fist, hurtful eyes staring down at his sister's shaking form. He crouched down, grabbing her shoulders as he looked into her beautiful onyx eyes, "W-We have no choice. Imouto, I-I'm doing this for us, for your safe-" His eyes widened when Shisui had slapped him, looking at him with disbelief, shock and disgust.
"You are no brother of mine." She spoke cruelly, eying him with her Mangekyou Sharingan, "A very important person once said to me," And she quoted from her favourite cousin, Uchiha Obito, "Those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum. And you, Madara," She noted Madara's flinch, "Are worse than scum. I'd rather not be killed your sister anymore." She turned around, bruised cheek and tears rolling down, "I-I thought you were different…guess I was wrong…" She sniffed and was about to flicker away when Madara's hand shot out, grabbing her shoulders and twisting her around.
Without another word, he hugged her tightly, "Imouto…I'm sorry to hurt your feelings but listen to me before you start being all dramatic." He chuckled humorless, looking her in the eyes, "I have a plan." He whispered softly, tightening his hug, "Hashirama is our friend and I won't allow him any harm, you have my promise, imouto." He pushed her gently away, kissing her on her forehead. "Are we good? Can I be you-Oof!" He was knocked on the ground when Shisui leaped at him, throwing her arms around his neck as tears rolled down, tears from gratitude.
"I-Imouto, d-don't cry, please.." He whimpered but Shisui shook her head, "These are tears of gratitude, baka." She sniffed again, nuzzling her nose against his throat, "T-Thank you, a-aniki…"
The two of them stayed like that, hugging each other and relishing in the peaceful silence.
"From now on, we'll skip rocks as a formal way of greeting one another." Madara spoke loudly, he grabbed a rock from his kimono, the rustling sound taking Shisui's attention. She smiled inwardly at her smart brother, he sure was a prodigy.
Hashirama nodded, "Sure." and took another stone from his kimono and threw it towards Madara, who did the same, with amazing speed. Shisui gulped slowly, her eyes scanning her surroundings subtly, not wanting Hashirama to notice anything wrong. But he would soon…
When Hashirama caught it, his eyes widened slightly but he composed himself quickly, even Madara looked distraught, "My bad Hashirama, I just remember…that I had promised Shisui to help her out with something important, right imouto?" There was something in Madara eyes that made Shisui nod as if to confirm his words, "Right, I'm sorry, Hashirama-kun! We'll see each other another time!" She waved at him, her heart speeding up.
Hashirama sweated, his eyes moving back and forth, "I see…," But he waved them goodbye, "Well then, I won't keep the two of you waiting. I'll catch up with you guys later!" He dashed away, the stone in his hand, which there was something written on it, 'Run.'
Madara grabbed Shisui's hand and pulled her away, both of them running away, the stone that Hashirama had tossed at them clenched in Madara's hand, 'Leave now, it's a trap.'
Out of nowhere four figures appeared, jumping on the river and standing on each other's side. Shisui couldn't help but gasp in shock, refusing to believe that this was all happening for real. Did her appearance really change so much? Did she do something wrong? Dear Kami, she wouldn't forgive herself if she messed with the past, this past, her life. So many people's life was in her hands, she couldn't let them down, she couldn't let Konoha down.
Tajima smirked in glee, seeing his arch nemesis in front of him, "Well, well, looks like we were on the same page, Senju Butsuma."
"Tobirama." Izuna hissed lowly, narrowing his eyes at his enemy, holding the hilt of his two swords.
"Will miracles never cease, Uchiha Tajima." Butsuma replied fiercely, eying the Uchiha with an ugly contorted sneer. Tobirama glared at Izuna, "Izuna."
And then Shisui saw Tobirama, the man who her father constantly talked about, the man who had won her father's respect, the man who her father idolized ever since he was little, the man who had sacrificed his life for her father's. She could swear she heard her heart break in pieces when she watched the scene play in front of her. She couldn't let anything bad happen to Izuna or Tobirama, nor Hashirama. They were important for her, for her future father's life, for Konoha. Struggling against her brother's grip, she pushed chakra towards her feet, "Aniki! Stop!"
To her horror, the four charged at each other, swords and kunai's in their hand. "Izuna-nii! Stop it!" Shisui cried out, tears rolling down, screw her emotionless facade, she didn't care about that. With or without her emotions, Shisui was a fierce, respected kunoichi. Madara's eyes widened and he too shouted loudly, hoping to make them stop but deep down he knew it was too late.
The pebble was already thrown in the river and they could only watch how a small, innocent tide turned into a violent tsunami.
"Stop it!" Madara tried again.
Tajima blocked Butsuma's attack, Sharingan spinning in his eyes, "Tch." His children have disappointed him greatly, once he would go back home, he'd have to have chat with the both of them. He had drilled into their heads that shinobi must never show their true emotions during the heat of the battle because the slightest hesitation or doubt can mean your head. Looking at Butsuma's fierce brown eyes, he knew that he was aware that if either one of their sons were killed before their very eyes, no matter how strict or disciplined they were, even if only for a brief moment, they'd become flustered. The obvious consequence of this all was whoever succeeded in a pre-emptive strike, would be the last man standing.
They jumped in the air, both throwing their respective tanto and kunai at their son's enemy.
Shisui's eyes widened, Madara stiffened next to her and without another word, he threw the stone towards sharp object that was about to slaughter his last brother. The body flicker-user didn't think anymore and acted, throwing her kunai with amazing speed and then pushed all her strength and chakra into her legs, she flickered towards her brother who was facing an unknown danger, crying his name out in desperation, "Izuna-nii!"
When she appeared next to his flustered body, Madara's stone and her kunai deflected the kunai. Shisui glared at Butsuma with her Mangekyou Sharingan, Madara flickered next to her, "Even if it's you…harm one hair on my little brother or sister and you'll face my wrath!" He shouted venomously, glaring at Hashirama who had deflected the tanto aimed at him brother, appearing in front of him.
"Well, well, Tajima, didn't know you had this bunch of gifted children, and that girl of yours, she has no ordinary Sharingan." Butsuma concluded, clicking his tongue in amusement. "Seems like a beautiful family reunion, don't you think?"
Tajima smirked in pride, glancing at his children, "It doesn't surprise me that you noticed her special Sharingan, Butsuma."
Hashirama jerked back in shock, staring into Shisui's ruby-red eyes, "S-Shisui-chan…"
Shisui took a deep breath but couldn't deactivate her Sharingan, she was feeling too scared for her brother's life. This Butsuma seemed a very important, strong person, on par with Tajima, and he wasn't an easy person to kill. She clenched her hands, looking away, "I-I'm s-sorry, Hashirama-kun…" She was, really, but this was Izuna's life, she couldn't let him be killed in front of her. She just had to make sure that Hashirama and Tobirama stayed alive, no harm could happen to them.
"Aniki, what kind of Sharingan is that? And why is a girl here?" Tobirama asked with slight curiosity and disgust. Great, her father's idol already hated her and he didn't even know her name.
Hashirama kept his eyes locked with her as he answered, "I don't know but I don't think I would like to know…"
Shisui looked with sad eyes how the stones sunk down, the meaning as clear as crystal. Was their friendship doomed to be like this? Was there absolutely no way to redeem themselves and form an alliance?
Madara looked down, "All out talk of building our own village, looks like it was nothing more than wishful thinking…" Those words made Shisui snap her head towards Madara, hurting her neck in the progress.
Hashirama looked shocked, "Madara, do you really feel…?"
"Aniki!" She shouted in absolute horror. She looked at Tajima and then Butsuma, "We can stop all these senseless killings if only we laid aside our hurt, anger and vengeance! No more killing would occur! Senju's and Uchiha's could live in harmony with each other! The cycle of hatred would end today if the both of you would agree with each other! Just give in and the world would turn into a beautiful, peaceful place where every human can live up to thirty and more." The two clan heads glared at her and Butsuma even spit in the water.
Her heart stopped beating. Literally.
Madara glared venomously at Shisui, "Shut up. You will do as I say, Shisui. As your big brother I want you to obey my orders." Shisui felt her eyes tear up, she tried to look for her dear, sweet brother who had promised her that everything would turn out alright but she didn't find an inkling of him. This cold, emotionless killer in front of her was not her aniki, he was no family of hers.
Madara continued, "For what it's worth, it may have been fleeting but I really did have a blast, Hashirama."
Hashirama stared at Madara and then Shisui, "M-Madara, we can s-still achieve peace, we only need the a-adults permission."
"No, Hashirama, that won't happen. Shinobi's are made to fight and kill." He answered thruthfully, his hands sweating very much, "There is no turning back now. If you're wise you'd leave that dream behind you."
The brown-haired Senju yelled loudly, eyes shimmering, "But you were the one who said that a leader may never waver his convictions! Look at you know!"
"That boy doesn't exist anymore, he was a fool." Madara stated coldly, ignoring Hashirama's flinch.
Tajima smirked happily, "Four on three, Madara, you finally ready to get your hands dirty? Shisui?" He chuckled when Madara shook his head and Shisui looked down, stuttering, "R-ready…"
"No," Madara started, "Hashirama is stronger than us," He lied smoothly, "If we try and take them head on, we'll get the short end of the stick." He was lying, the four of them could obliterate them, especially with Shisui's Mangekyou Sharingan but he couldn't let his sister face Hashirama now. Even he had standards, unlike his father who didn't care about her.
Izuna frowned unhappily, shocked by that statement, "No way, he is stronger than you and imouto? But she could destroy them with a wink of her eye."
This took Butsuma's attention and he averted his attention on Shisui, his interest piqued. It seemed he had to gather some more information on that girl, if she was really that strong, combined with her mysterious Sharingan. Frankly, he was shocked that Tajima would even remotely train a girl but that surprise vanished when he saw her Sharingan. No wonder Tajima was interested in her.
"Interesting, I never expected him to wield such power at a young age." Tajima stated, observing the Senju closely. "Are you sure Shisui couldn't destroy him?" Madara could hear the disbelief in his voice, he gulped and nodded, "Positive." Madara turned around, "Until next time then…"
"Madara," Hashirama whispered regretfully. He looked at Shisui who was trembling, holding back a sob, "Shisui-chan…please..."
Shisui looked up at him, the way he pleaded was crushing her heart and rubbing her eyes, she took a hesitant step forward- "Uchiha Shisui." Madara growled lowly, she couldn't see him but his killer intent was clear enough for her. She, too, turned around, rubbing her arm as if to sway the chilly coldness from her.
"You don't really believe it was all wishful thinking, Shisui doesn't believe it either! After all our brainstorming together, we'd finally-" Hashirama's desperate words were cut by Madara, "Trust me, I wish things could be different but at the end of the day you're a Senju. The blood of my brother is on the Senju's hand." Hashirama stiffened, his chakra flickering in worry, "Relax, no further blood will be shed today," Then his voice continued in a more darker, sinister tone, "But the next time we meet, it'll be as adversaries on the field of battle, Senju Hashirama."
Shisui clenched her fist, her heart beating so loudly, threatening to burst her ear drums but then she choked back a gasp when she saw Madara turn around, "A-Aniki…"
"…and when that time comes, you'll refer to me as Uchiha Madara." He ended with a glare, his eyes staring right through Hashirama's soul.
"You see that, tou-san! Aniki's eyes have..!" Izuna exclaimed in excitement and Tajima smirked in pride, "Heh. We failed to gather any useful intel on the Senju but it looks like we don't go back completely empty-handed…"
Butsuma shifted his feet, narrowing his eyes at Madara, "His Sharingan, did it …just awaken?"
"Uchiha." Tobirama hissed in anger as if the name burned his tongue.
Shisui took a step backwards, Madara's eyes frightening her, "A-Aniki…" She, just like Hashirama, knew the implications of an awakened Sharingan because from now on Madara had killed off all the memories he had with Hashirama, the Madara that was Hashirama's friend, was now dead.
"Let's go." Madara ordered, grabbing Shisui's arm in case she would do something stupid. Shisui tried helplessly to reach out her hands towards Hashirama, tears rolling down and the last thing she saw was Hashirama who fell on his knees, face down but she didn't miss the glistening of his tears, tears for his best friends, Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Shisui.
That day everything changed, that day it was Senju against Uchiha, no more friendship, no more jokes, no more laughter, all seriousness and blood.
Blood and death.
That day Shisui's heart broke in thousandth pieces…
