Hashirama's thoughts roamed with panic. That the Hyuuga were under attack could only mean one thing: something had gone terribly wrong. It wasn't helping at all that the direction that his father and himself were running in was leading them closer and closer to the Uchiha compound. The gemstone that laid against his warm chest glistened in the sunlight while his thoughts travelled to Madara. Last time they had seen each other the raven made an impression that he was under some stress, yet Hashirama couldn't quite tell what it had been about. Maybe now the Uchiha finally found out about the alliance between Hyuuga and Senju and had been all but pleased about it. Perhaps Madara couldn't convince his father that a triad would be the best way forward…

As they crossed the lands a few Hyuuga clan members were waiting for their arrival just outside Uchiha territory. Butsuma was informed that the Uchiha had turned against the Hyuuga and were on the verge of an attack. "I thought we agreed that you were supposed to handle the amalgamation into a triad with the Uchiha." Butsuma cursed as he heard about the news. Were the Hyuuga so incompetent that their negotiation skills failed them? And was the marriage of the two heirs not enough to satisfy the needs of both clans? Butsuma had expected some form of resistance from the Uchiha to join into a triad with the addition of the Senju clan, but surely they didn't think they could go against the Hyuuga and Senju combined? That was just foolish.

They hurried further inland until they reached the crowded square where Uchiha and Hyuuga were lined up to go into battle against each other. Taka let out a sigh of relief when she finally spotted the backup arriving, even if it was only the Senju clan head and his son. She had heard the stories about Hashirama's mokuton and how fierce he could be in his battles against Madara. She was confident that he could help them stop Madara (and the rest of his clan) if need be. The crowd parted slightly to allow Butsuma and Hashirama to come into view as they stepped closer calmly yet able to feel the palpable tension that hung in the air. All eyes were on them now.

Madara's katana was raised in one hand while his other hand guarded Izuna behind him. He had noticed Hashirama's chakra a long time ago. Last time they met he had asked him whether Hashirama would have his back if things turned out to go differently than what they had hoped and aimed for. Madara hadn't told Hashirama at the time that he already suspected Taka's betrayal, for he thought it would be best to keep it a secret from everyone until he could prove it. But by the look of it the Senju clan had no idea what this was really all about and that it was the Hyuuga that betrayed them, not the other way around.

"Senju-sama, this is our chance…" Taka said as she approached Butsuma. "The cursed clan of the Uchiha is weak now, we must take them out." She urged him on with desperation in her voice. She didn't want to wait any longer before the Senju could possibly find out about the sequence of events. Butsuma thought about the implications of her words. For many decades the Senju and Uchiha stood across from each other as enemies on the battlefield. Bloody times in which many were lost. Today was indeed an opportunity of a lifetime and with the strength of the Hyuuga to add to it they could easily overpower those that brought so much suffering to their own clan members. He had thought about how to do exactly this so many times, yet never able to successfully come up with a plan given that the strength of both Senju and Uchiha was near equal. He was taught by his own father to take opportunities when they presented themselves to him. His hand reached for the handle of his katana on his hip, taking a firm grip on it.

Hashirama's face drained of all color from the shock that Taka's words brought forth. Wasn't she supposed to be Madara's fiancé and love him unconditionally? What on earth happened for her to turn her back on him? A tiny little voice inside him was secretly rather pleased to find out that their soon-to-be marriage was on the verge of disaster. At the same time his blood was boiling to find out that she would indeed turn her back on him just like that. There had better be a good reason for her to hurt his friend so. Hashirama searched for Madara's eyes and when he found them, so beautifully red yet anxious from the current scene, his heart made the subconscious decision to guide his body towards Madara. He took his next few steps before his father could try to hold him back.

Butsuma's expression was that of horror watching his son walk willingly toward one of the strongest Uchiha members that was currently holding out a sword to defend himself. He realized that if Madara felt threatened he would use it and his son was directly in the line of fire now. Tajima seemed to have the same kind of apprehension and jumped right in front of Butsuma to stop him from pursuing his son. If it all came to blows now then this was how they would usually dual in duos. Hashirama continued walking until he halted next to Madara's side giving him a small smile of reassurance and confidence.

"What are you doing?! Grab your sword!" Butsuma shouted over at his son.

"No." The brunette replied calmly. "I will stand by Madara."

"You what?!" Butsuma's voice cracked from his shock and anger. He couldn't comprehend why his son would suddenly choose to ally with his former greatest rival. Tajima seemed equally amazed at a Senju choosing to side with them for the first time in…well…ever. And why didn't Madara aim his sword at Hashirama?

"Yes, I know this may come as a surprise to you, but Madara and I have been friends for years. Actually, since we were children. And I trust him completely. I'm sure there is a reason for all this." Hashirama smiled at the raven next to him who seemed to be having a bit of an existential crisis as to why Hashirama would reveal the secrecy of their friendship at a time like this. Madara did seem to finally lose some of that fear in his eyes though once Hashirama had made his intentions clear. "I told you I would have you back always." Hashirama explained to him.

"This is outrageous!" Butsuma seethed.

Madara's angry voice intervened, "Taka is a liar! She and the Hyuuga tried to betray us by infiltrating our clan through a fake marriage just to wipe us off the map. Now that the Hyuuga allied with the Senju they think they can suddenly beat us." He had to make it clear why the Hyuuga came running to the Senju like a dog with its tail between its legs. By the look of Hashirama's expression he had not seen this coming at all. Madara grinned a little and mouthed at him 'yes that's right'.

Butsuma couldn't believe his own ears and glanced at Taka with a questioning gaze. "Is this true?" If it was, then not only had the Hyuuga betrayed the Uchiha, but also the Senju by holding out a lie and asking for their help in defeating the Uchiha. Even if the Senju had raged war with the Uchiha for years, that would still be unacceptable. He expected nothing but the truth as he gazed at the Hyuuga kunoichi and by the look of Taka's face her entire plan had just crumbled to the ground. She had worked so hard to achieve her plan through a marriage with the Uchiha as well as having the Senju as an ally to the Hyuuga. Yet, she had not foreseen that Hashirama and Madara were in fact acquainted and that Hashirama would even go as far as to take Madara's side during a dispute. In the end this was her downfall.

Taka glanced at Hashirama and noticed him wearing the necklace she had seen Madara buy at the accessory shop. So it hadn't been for her, but it was for him? She realized that it was truly over now. Without the backup of the Senju clan the Hyuuga stood no chance to fight against the Uchiha, let alone if the Senju would take their side as well. She dropped to her knees in defeat as all the other Hyuuga members also laid down their weapons and admitted their loss. Madara sheathed his sword and allowed Izuna to move from behind him as he nodded a thanks to Hashirama. The brunette smiled back at him and helped apprehend the Hyuuga shinobi so they could be dealt with later.

The tension between Tajima and Butsuma died down somewhat as it became clear that they had both been played by a similar force. Butsuma, however, wasn't too keen to meddle in this affair and called out to Hashirama once he saw him help arrest the Hyuuga. "It is not our place Hashirama." He couldn't help but still distrust the Uchiha even if this situation was clearly not their scheme. Too much had happened in the past to simply restore that faith over one mutual setback.

Hashirama on the other hand was unwilling to let the Uchiha sort this out by themselves. "Please father… think about our recent discussions and the potential developments of a treaty with the Uchiha." He hoped to convince his father that by helping the Uchiha now there could still be a possibility for a fresh start.

"Son…" Butsuma sighed, not wanting to discourage Hashirama's forever positive nature, but knowing that now was not the right time. "Let us retreat for the day to discuss this at home." His tone was stern and there was no room for Hashirama to argue with his father any more than he already had. He glanced back over his shoulder at Madara with longing, his eyes betraying his worries before they took their leave. Maybe there would never be peace after all…