"They're about to go into the oven! We have chips and pigs in a blanket for snacks if you're hungry, Madara! The game will be on in about thirty minutes!" Hashirama called back to his friend. Tobirama wished he had slipped some lamb's blood into the pizza sauce just to watch the Djinn choke. It wouldn't kill him, it would be just enough to look like he was going into anaphylactic shock from an allergy. So, in short, it would be worth it just to be petty. The opportunity had already passed, however.
Madara walked into the kitchen, hair free from any restraints to fall down his back in a giant mess. The motorcycle helmet tucked under his arm explained the disarray. Tobirama had to admit, he was a little less inclined to murder him now that he looked more like how Tobirama remembered him. The sneer on the man's face also matched Tobirama's memory. So, which persona was the truth? The calm and collected Djinn that had accosted him the previous day hadn't betrayed any of this feral energy that he usually associated with Madara.
The thought made him smirk a little. Madara was like a feral cat. How he'd managed to control himself the previous day was beyond him. There was no possible way that this was an act. Just like Tobirama had a hunting side and a family side, Madara must have a professional side and a personal side. People were just like that, putting their feelings into certain boxes for certain conditions. He would have to admit that Madara was human for that, though.
"You didn't tell me Tobirama was in town or I wouldn't have shown up!" Madara's screech had Tobirama wincing. Hashirama had the nerve to look guilty as he abandoned the pizzas and put his dough-covered hands on Madara's leather jacket, pushing him a few steps backwards to put some distance between the angry visitor and Tobirama. How had his brother even gotten dough on his hands just putting the toppings on the pizzas?
"DON'T TOUCH ME WITH DOUGH! WHAT THE HELL?!" Okay, that was funny. Tobirama let himself chuckle at that one. A knowing glare was directed at him from over Hashirama's shoulder and he just smirked, even as dark eyes vaguely flashed red in his direction. Madara was as good as a leashed dog in this house. If they were going to pretend that they hadn't seen each other the previous day, that meant verbal warfare all afternoon, 'just like old times.' He was in for a long afternoon of wanting to reach for a gun that wasn't in his pants.
"Hey! You haven't seen each other in years! Why can't you two just get along? We're all adults now!" Hashirama weakly argued, taking his hands off of Madara to leave white handprints on the man's jacket. Madara scoffed and shrugged the jacket off with a snarl.
"When he stops being an asshole, which will never happen, then we may have a chance of 'getting along!' He's literally over there smiling at my misery! You're cleaning my jacket before I leave tonight!" Madara's screaming was unnecessary, yet Tobirama had also missed this part of being home, oddly enough. Things were falling into a familiar rhythm that had him feeling comforted despite wanting to put a bullet between his brother's childhood friend's eyes just to see his reaction. He'd consider it an 'experiment.'
He scoffed out loud at his own thoughts, moving further into the kitchen to put the pizzas in the oven. If Hashirama was stepping away from them, he was done putting things on them. He sprinkled a little cheese where Hashirama had left empty spots before putting them on the racks in the pre-heated oven, setting the timer to check them in twenty minutes. Madara was now grumpily telling Hashirama to wash his hands and then he'd show him how to clean off Madara's jacket.
Glancing at Itama, Tobirama was surprised to find a fond look on his little brother's face as he watched the scene. Tobirama was, apparently, not the only one that missed these moments. Had his absence really changed things so much? He didn't contribute much to conversations and typically spent his time reading or staying out of sight so he couldn't see how his absence from these interactions would change much for his brothers.
He started collecting the snacks and the plate of Hashirama's mangled pigs in a blanket to take to the living room as soon as Madara and Hashirama moved into the bathroom to handle the jacket situation. He could hear Hashirama's whining from the living room, echoing down the hall with Madara's harsh comments interjecting every few seconds.
As soon as everything was spread across the coffee table, he plopped down on the couch, falling to lay on his side and pulling his legs up to lay across the couch cushions. Pulling his sunglasses down over his eyes, he sighed, sinking into the soft pillows. The leather was cold on the bare skin of his arms and the shirt he was wearing was so breathable he could feel the small amount of sweat he'd worked up by putting the pizzas in the hot oven, ice cold on the skin of his back. He was really starting to love this damn shirt despite the entire fiasco he had to go through for it to end up in his possession.
"Didn't take you for a lazy Saturday kind of guy. Nice clothes." Tobirama glared at the man looming over him. Leave it to Madara to ruin the one moment of silence he'd had since waking up that morning.
"Don't be bitter. I've had to listen to you think about the different ways you want to shoot me since I got here." Tobirama cursed himself for forgetting about Madara's little… quirk. "Move your ass, I'm sitting down. Your brother is staring at the pizzas through the oven door like they're going to magically be ready in five minutes and harassing Itama on the point of putting yeast in dough. You have time to chill out." Tobirama grunted and moved his legs but didn't put them on the ground to sit up. He needed a break.
"You really are more antisocial than you used to be. Life on the road do that to ya?" Madara prodded as he sat down at the end of the couch Tobirama's feet had just vacated. Tobirama growled.
"Stop that. Stay out of my head for five fucking minutes. I can't just hop in my car and go for a drive like I want to every hour that I have to listen to Hashirama, so if you would kindly shut the fuck up and let me relax, it would be appreciated." Tobirama ground his teeth as he turned on his side and stared at the blank TV screen. He didn't even know what sport or what game Hashirama wanted to watch so he hadn't even bothered to turn it on yet.
Madara grabbed the remote off of the coffee table and turned the TV on, switching it to a sports channel that had a pre-game special on, likely in preparation for the game they were about to watch. Tobirama prayed it wasn't football. He hated football. A hand on his calf had him tensing immediately and his eyes met the red flickering eyes of their 'guest.' He didn't want his gun in that moment, he wanted his silver dagger. He'd take on this asshole up close and personal for daring to touch him.
"Don't disrespect our favorite sport, heathen. Also, if we're going to fight, we're going to do it with fists and we're taking it to the backyard. Your brother doesn't need our blood on his damn carpet." The hand slipped away and Tobirama glared at the offender. At this point, he didn't even need to speak since Madara would just invade his thoughts at any given moment. No semblance of privacy around the Djinn was something he would not be getting used to anytime soon. He'd be gone in a few days, anyway, so it wasn't something he would have to get used to.
Madara gave him a pointed look that spoke volumes about his disapproval of Tobirama's thought process but Tobirama couldn't bring himself to care.
...
The rest of the afternoon passed by in a blur. Tobirama would be the first person to agree that he needed some form of therapy. Then again, all hunters were a little fucked up in the head. He had disassociated throughout the entire football game, ignoring Madara and Hashirama's shouting and screaming throughout the afternoon as their team was demolished before their eyes.
Alcohol was brought out with the pizzas around the end of the first quarter which led to Hashirama guzzling down cans of beer like water while Madara was taking calculated sips at a glass of whiskey. Tobirama didn't even remember what polite comment he'd used to decline the drinks Hashirama had attempted to push into his hand at multiple points. His mind was carefully blank, a sort of 'rest mode' for him.
He didn't notice the strange looks Madara was giving him throughout the night as he stared blankly at the screen and gave automatic responses to the few comments and questions thrown his way by his brothers. His mind was peacefully blank, not a thought to be had for the first time in months. He liked to just shut down and let time pass without worrying about things when he could.
He snapped out of it as the game concluded, both men next to him moaning and groaning about the horrible loss. He stood up from his spot, stretching his arms above his head, groaning quietly as his back popped in two places. At twenty-eight years old, he felt like he was in his forties.
"Hey Tobi, have you been working out?" Hashirama slurred from behind him. Turning around to face his brother, he sighed at the flush on Hashirama's cheeks and his lopsided smile.
"Yes, anija. There's a gym on campus that I tend to go to." Tobirama answered calmly. Madara clicked his tongue from the other end of the couch.
"You're still lanky as hell." Tobirama rolled his eyes at the Djinn's comment. He already knew that he was a little thin, he'd taken the time to notice that earlier in the day. It wouldn't change his eating habits on the road and he wasn't going to try to fatten himself up on his little 'vacation.' Madara tsk'd, quietly responding to Tobirama's thoughts in an inconspicuous manner.
Itama watched the one-sided exchange quietly, narrowing his eyes. Neither his brother nor their family friend noticed his careful observation.
"Go home, Madara. The game's over and I'm tired." Tobirama snapped, turning to Hashirama. "And you need to go to bed. If you throw up, you're cleaning it up." Hashirama just giggled and slurred something that sounded vaguely like 'I would never!' Madara clapped his hands on his knees and slowly stood, glaring at Tobirama. They were only standing about two feet from each other but Tobirama's survival instincts were already screaming at him.
"Fine. I'll go home. Later, Hashirama, Itama." With that, he grabbed his motorcycle helmet along with his jacket and swept out of the house without any further comment. Tobirama raised an eyebrow. He wasn't expecting him to just leave without a fight.
"What the hell is going on with you two?" Itama asked from where he was sitting in his wheelchair next to the couch. He'd been quiet throughout the game and Tobirama was surprised his little brother hadn't found something else to do since he was also not a fan of sports.
"Nothing. He's just a dick." Tobirama responded as he slung Hashirama's arm over his shoulders. Itama pursed his lips but didn't press the matter.
...
The next two days were just as domestic, filled with random shopping trips, banter, and an overall easygoing atmosphere that was starting to make Tobirama feel antsy.
Things had never been this calm for him for longer than a week. He was starting to overanalyze every stranger he met, jumping at the smallest of shadows, and itching to pull his gun at every offhand comment that could vaguely be a threat. Something was off and it was putting him on edge.
It all came to a head at two o'clock in the morning when there was a light tapping on his window. He had already been struggling to sleep and the sharp sound jolted him out of his thoughts. Rolling out of bed with his gun in hand, he found himself in a familiar situation.
On the other side of the window, Madara was not impressed to face a loaded gun between his eyes yet again. The man even had the nerve to pout and cross his arms.
Tobirama tucked the gun into the waistband of his sweatpants and walked to the window, easing it open so it wouldn't make a sound. Madara gestured for him to come outside and he rolled his eyes before pulling himself through the window, gently closing the window behind him.
"Is there a reason you're disturbing me this late at night?" Tobirama whispered, sounding more exasperated than anything. Madara's demeanor shifted and a serious look fell in the Djinn's face, immediately capturing what was left of Tobirama's attention.
"They're here and we're going hunting. Get your shit, we're taking your car." Tobirama nodded, knowing this wasn't the time to question the other man. He went back into his room to grab his brand new, OSHA-approved, steel-toed work boots and his car keys before slipping back out of the open window. He was wearing the black workout shirt again, hoping it would be easy to clean without Hashirama or Itama noticing any blood that might be spilled on a hunt. The gray sweatpants may end up being a lost cause, though.
Meeting Madara at his car, he was quick to unlock it and let the other man settle into the passenger seat before quietly pulling out of the driveway.
"So, what are the details?" Tobirama found himself asking after a full minute of silence in the car, driving in a general direction towards town while he waited for a destination to be given. Madara sighed and pulled a small composition book from his back pocket.
"I noticed a pretty decent influx of vampires traveling through the area yesterday and decided to investigate. Most of the time, they're just passing through when I see them or passively hear their thoughts. I usually dispatch them as long as I'm safe to do so but my hands have been tied up the last few times I've seen them. I caught more than one thinking about some 'big plans' tonight at the compound. With the message I left for them a while back at the compound, Vamps haven't been in the area since the last round. However, it looks like I was right about one thing recently and I really wish I hadn't been." Madara glanced at Tobirama with an oddly troubled look.
"What is it? Just spit it out!" Tobirama snapped, ignoring the barely-there flinch that shook the Djinn.
"The thing is, I caught quite a few of them talking about The White Demon being here and how they were going to find a way to lure you there. So, we're busting their plans a few days before they're ready. It sounds like you pissed off the Alpha." Madara crossed his arms and almost pouted. "I mean really, they're gathering for you at the compound and planning some half-assed jump on you like it's the 70's. Just from what I saw, it looks like a bunch of small fry. I would normally take them on by myself but they're here for you so I figured you'd appreciate the formal invitation." Tobirama sighed as he gripped the steering wheel of the car a little tighter. Of course some vampires would find out he was in an area for longer than a few days.
"So, we're going to the compound. I have what we need in the trunk. Do you know how many we should be expecting?" Tobirama asked as he made the turn towards the back road that would take them to the compound. He wasn't expecting a hunt tonight but work was work. It waited for no one.
"I only caught the thoughts of about ten or so individuals and made some notes of what I heard but it won't really be helpful. There weren't any details other than the place and day they wanted to do it. So, ten confirmed, but likely double that." Tobirama audibly groaned. He hated dealing with entire colonies of monsters. Too many things could go wrong so fast. "Oh, and let's park further down the road than usual. I don't know if they've been keeping an eye on the road. We'll flank the compound and come from the other side, just in case." Madara added, writing a few notes in his book before slipping it into the jacket Tobirama hadn't noticed he was wearing in their rush to hit the road. It was a dark blue denim jacket with a fleece lining that looked ridiculously comfortable.
"There's an overgrown camping area about half a mile before the normal pull-off we use to get to the compound. We can hide the car there and approach the compound at an angle from there." Tobirama confirmed. Madara nodded and the oppressive silence between them resumed, growing heavier by the minute. Going on a hunt with Madara was not in Tobirama's bingo book this year, much less in this lifetime. He couldn't help but feel curious yet apprehensive. He always hunted alone, not wanting to deal with potential collateral damage to anyone other than himself. However, he couldn't care less what happened to Madara tonight and could pretend to be blissfully ignorant if his brother were to notice the absence of his best friend after tonight.
So it shouldn't be a problem to hunt with Madara, right?
"God, you think an awful lot about my death for someone that doesn't care what happens to me. It's getting annoying." Madara complained from the passenger seat, his arms crossed and a small pout forming on his lips. Tobirama hummed and focused on the road.
"I still don't know if I should consider you a threat or not. You're a monster, I can't help but think up ways to murder you and pretend I never knew you." Tobirama quipped back as he spotted the small gravel path he was looking for on the side of the road. He could feel Madara's eyes on him as he made the turn off of the road, turning off his headlights and letting the dim running lights barely provide visibility for the overgrown path he was following.
"We already talked about the monster thing. However, I don't want to worry about you running me through tonight. I'll have too many things with sharp teeth trying to do that to worry about you too. Can you stop that shit just for tonight so we can get rid of the vermin starting to overrun the town?" Madara snapped. Tobirama parked the car and turned it off, turning towards the Djinn sitting in his passenger seat. Madara was obviously starting to get genuinely frustrated with him, a sneer on his lips and his eyes flashing a glowing red that made itself very apparent in the darkness.
"I'll put up with you tonight but stay out of my way. I can't have Hashirama crying and begging me to stay to find his best friend that mysteriously went missing just before I had to leave. If you accidentally get your head chopped off tonight because you ended up on the wrong side of a machete, I'm not burying you." Madara outright glowered but nodded.
"I'll stay out of your way if you stay out of mine. Then you can fuck off wherever it is that you hide out from your family." Oh, that one cut a little deep. Tobirama scoffed and ripped open the door to his car, stomping to the trunk of the car. He heard Madara open the passenger side before joining him, his jacket left in the car to reveal that he was wearing a black tank top.
Even in the low light of the night, Tobirama found himself shocked to see black lines of tattoos tracing Madara's biceps, running over his shoulders, and disappearing under the shirt, following the lines of Madara's chest, shoulders, and back. The lines were crisp and curled at every ending, twisting together in seemingly random patterns that flowed nicely. It was a typical Djinn trait, yet Tobirama still found himself surprised. The tattoos looked… good on Madara.
A small smirk found itself on Madara's face as he raised an eyebrow at Tobirama.
Caught staring, Tobirama ignored the heat he felt growing in his cheeks as he unlocked the trunk to the car, popping it open and pulling out the false bottom to reveal his arsenal. Madara let out a quiet, low whistle.
"Gotta love a well-armed partner in crime." Madara whispered. Tobirama swallowed to alleviate the sudden dryness in his throat. Partner in crime, yeah, right. They were about to commit an absolute slaughter. Wasn't Madara a fucking lawyer? "Damn straight," Madara muttered from next to him as he started picking through his weapons, choosing his usual vampire-murder-spree-weapon-of-choice, a plain machete. He strapped it to his waist with the belt and sheath he kept it in along with the spare on his other side just in case he broke the first one. It had happened one time during a hunt two years prior and he'd returned to the hotel that room that night with a broken arm and a slash across his stomach that had cut down to the muscle after he'd resorted to taking on the remaining vampires unarmed.
"Pick whatever you want. There are a few other blades in here that should get the job done." Tobirama whispered, shifting a few bottles of lamb's blood and a few of his silver knives away from the remaining swords and machetes he kept in one of the corners of the compartment.
"Nah, I'm good. Brought my own." Madara brandished a sheathed katana with a dark red braided tassel, waving it teasingly. Tobirama remembered it. Madara and Izuna's father had kept that katana mounted above the mantle in their home for years. Where had Madara been keeping that thing during the drive?
"Suit yourself." Tobirama quietly shut the trunk to the car and locked it, slipping the keys in his pocket. Looking down the gravel path and into the woods to their left, he mentally started putting together a path through the woods that would get them to the compound.
"Hey, I'm just reminding you because we're going to be on the same side or whatever, but don't touch me at all while we're doing this. I'm taking my gloves off so I can catch a few of them in some dreams while we're out there and if you even graze me while I'm doing it, you might go under. We'll probably want to split up when we get close to the compound so we can stay out of each other's range anyway." Madara almost looked a little self-conscious as he talked, gently pulling off his gloves and tucking them into his pocket before he started to tie his hair up in a messy ponytail that revealed small trails of the tattoos that crawled up the back of his neck. Tobirama felt his face flushing again.
"Yeah, makes sense. Thanks for the reminder." Tobirama let the awkward air take over between them. He really had forgotten about that. For all those thoughts about Madara being a monster, it had genuinely slipped his mind that there were parts of Madara that supposedly made him a monster. Madara didn't give him a second glance as they started walking through the forest towards the compound.
They kept their steps light, avoiding any dry twigs and piles of fallen leaves. The air was humid and hot, typical of a Southern summer. It was as unpleasant as he remembered and Tobirama found himself wiping sweat from his forehead about halfway through their trek through the woods. Vampires had superior hearing and smell so he was praying they were as downwind as they could be so the colony wouldn't catch their scent as they approached. The air, however, was remaining still and quiet. Downwind wasn't really an option as an approach tactic.
As they approached the compound, they could see a fire lit in the firepit in the center of the compound and loud voices arguing. They were still pretty far away from the commotion but Tobirama could see there were easily twenty vampires collected around the fire.
Madara held up a hand and Tobirama stopped next to him, keeping a two-foot barrier between them. He met Madara's eyes to find them glowing bright red in the night, his tattoos starting to gain a red tint and a dim glow in the darkness to match. Madara smirked and pointed at Tobirama before gesturing towards a dark portion of the compound. He pointed to himself followed by a direction on the other side of the compound. They would pin the colony that was currently off-guard and collected in one place between the two of them and meet in the middle.
Tobirama gave Madara a smirk of his own and nodded.