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Butterfly and Moth
Chapter 41 - Away, at War 2
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Akari watched the children play amidst the backdrop of vibrant greenery that belonged to one of the many parks in Konoha. Their laughter, mingled with the melodic chirping of birds, filled the air as they darted around like fleeting shadows. Their quick movements gave away that they belonged to shinobi clans. It was a mere game of tag, but each one of them changed directions with ease, jumping up and down trees to avoid getting caught like it was nothing.
Akari observed them, her own child in her arms.
It was a warm and peaceful day, full of sunshine. Perfect for a wedding.
A man from the Yamanaka clan showed up, called towards the playing children that dinner was ready. Two of the group immediately ran towards him, big smiles on their faces. The younger one, a girl, got to ride on her father's shoulders on their way back home.
The picture of the three made Akari hold onto her daughter more tightly as her mind automatically replaced the Yamanaka man with Tobirama.
It had been months since she'd last seen him. And yet she still thought of him almost daily, her daughter being a constant reminder.
Chiyome blinked up at her with wide, curious eyes, like she knew that she was on her mother's mind, together with her father. Her tiny fingers reached out, and she brushed her fingertips against Akari's cheek.
Akari looked down at her with quiet pride in her eyes. Until she heard the sound of footsteps approaching.
Looking up, she saw Hashirama Senju and his wife, both dressed in their best kimono. Hashirama's face lit up with recognition and warmth, but Mito's expression remained carefully neutral, if not slightly displeased.
"Akari," Hashirama said, his voice gentle. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Hashirama-sensei," Akari replied politely, nodding in greeting. "Lady Mito."
Mito offered a tight smile, her eyes flicking to the baby in Akari's arms. "We're on our way to Haruto's wedding."
"I thought we'd see you there," Hashirama added. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm not exactly…" She stopped, considering how to word the fact that she was her clan's disgrace and thus not wanted at her own brother's wedding without sounding bitter or dramatic.
But Hashirama realised that his question caused her to tense. Before Akari could say anything else, he changed the topic.
"Chiyome keeps growing and growing. Is time really passing this fast?"
The girl heard her name and reached up with tiny hands to grasp at the air between herself and Hashirama while gurgling happily. The Hokage's eyes filled with adoration almost immediately.
Mito glanced around, eager to move on. She already knew what would happen next when she said, "We should get going, Hashirama. We can't be late."
Instead of agreeing, Hashirama said, "Can I hold her? Just for a moment?"
Akari had no objection. And while Chiyome was a bit unsure at first, she didn't struggle nor make a fuss when the Senju took her from her mother's arms into his own.
"You know what? Tsunade always finds this really funny…."
Hashirama used his free hand to take a strand of his long hair, and tugged it under his nose. He did the same with a strand on the other side of his head. The result was something that remotely resembled a giant beard.
When he started speaking again, he changed his voice to that of an old man.
Next to him, Mito could only roll her eyes at her husband's silly behaviour.
"Look at this tiny nose," he said to his wife. "Do you want to hold her? She's your niece too."
"Stop calling her that," Mito immediately scolded, her expression growing more stern. "Our clan doesn't need yet another scandal because you couldn't keep your mouth shut."
The smile on Hashirama's face faded as he was reminded of reality.
"Akari…" He started, feeling the need to address this once more. "Tobirama will return to Konoha eventually. And I promise that, once things have settled down some more, we will figure this out."
"Don't worry about me," Akari said, but it sounded a lot like a phrase she'd learned by heart and just kept repeating.
"He's busy with work as usual," Hashirama continued unprompted. "You could visit Suna, if you wanted. I'd find a reason for you to go."
She smiled at him. A polite smile. "I have a daughter. I can't just leave the village."
He knew that she was right. Ideally, he would send both her and Chiyome to be with Tobirama. Far away from Konoha and all their problems. But there was no way he could send a mother and her infant child to another shinobi village in a different country and not raise questions.
"Everything is fine the way it is," Akari assured him.
Part of her meant it. Because even if her father wasn't talking to her anymore, and Inori no longer regarded her as a friend, she still had her daughter. And her daughter was healthy and happy, and growing up safely during times of peace.
"It's not. I'll make sure that Tobirama returns," Hashirama promised. "Sooner, rather than later. As soon as the situation permits."
She smiled again, but stayed quiet. Her eyes fell on Chiyome, who was playing with Hashirama's long hair, delighted that the man tolerated her pulling at him.
Akari would have loved to show Tobirama how much she had grown already, how precious her smile was.
Part of her wanted him to come back, even if she wouldn't admit it. Part of her thought it would be possible.
But then war started.
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Icy mountains separated the Land of Waterfalls from the Land of Iron. They were covered in thick layers of snow all year round. The army of the Land of Lightning had chosen one of the many mountain paths as a way to the Land of Waterfalls, a seemingly sneaky route for a surprise attack. But the mountains were deadly too. And the decision had ultimately led to their demise.
Tobirama stood still down in the pass, his armour stained with blood. His breath came out in puffs, hanging in the cold air for no more than the blink of an eye before the harsh winds swept it away. The snow around him, once pure white, was streaked with red. It reflected the moonlight, making the night seem almost as bright as the day.
The howling of the wind around him was overwhelming, and yet felt like thick and heavy silence compared to the chaos from only a few minutes ago. The roar of the avalanche still echoed in Tobirama's ears, together with the cries of hundreds of samurai and the clash of swords that had followed. Tobirama's men had used their surroundings to set off waves of snow that buried a great portion of their sleeping enemies deep beneath them. And those who'd managed to somehow avoid the trap were greeted by the blade of a shinobi.
The battle had been over before it truly started. And within mere moments, a whole army had perished. Not even Tobirama had ever seen that much death in such a short time.
He felt a sudden throb in his shoulder. His fingers brushed against his armour, and he found a wet, warm sensation.
Pulling his hand back, he saw it smeared with blood. He hadn't noticed the wound before, too occupied by the battle. Most samurai hadn't even managed to grab their swords, but those who did still outnumbered Tobirama's squad by a good number. And like Sasuke had said, the bastards were fast.
It was a deep cut, stung now that he was aware of it. Tobirama ignored it for now; he had to regroup with his squad first, check if they had all survived the battle unharmed. And that all their enemies were truly dead.
He looked around, wondering where the rest of his men were. The pass was long, and the battle with one of the samurai generals had drawn him away from the main site of their camp. Tobirama trudged through the snow, each step a battle against the harsh and icy wind that almost put up a bigger fight than their enemies had. It kept whipping up flurries of snow, greatly reducing visibility. But he did find his own sword again, still embedded in the chest of a fallen man.
Tobirama's hand was steady as he grasped its hilt. He paused for a moment, staring at the lifeless face of the samurai. It was no more than another nameless figure to him. Just one of the many strangers who had died that night. The sword resisted at first, but came free with a firm tug. After wiping the blade clean on the snow, he slid it back into its sheath.
"Lord Tobirama!" a voice called out, almost drowned out by the constant roar of the wind.
Tobirama turned, squinting against the icy gusts, and saw Satoshi waving him over urgently. He followed him, until a heart-wrenching sound began to pierce the gale, cries that were raw and desperate. And he knew that he was not the only one injured.
They eventually reached a small cluster of shinobi huddled around two figures. Walls of stone had been raised around them, protecting them from the mountain's icy wrath. In the centre, Haruhi was kneeling over a fallen comrade, her hands moving rhythmically on his chest in an attempt to resuscitate him. It was Kichiro, the young Senju Tobirama had spent the last few weeks with.
Next to them, Shouta was on the ground, his face filled with pain. The desperate cries were his, eyes wet with tears.
But at least he was clearly still alive.
Riku was crouching beside him, gripping Shouta's leg with one hand while the other pressed firmly against his hip. When he moved the leg, almost instantly more sharp cries filled the air.
Tobirama's gaze lingered on Kichiro for a moment. He knew that he wouldn't come back, no matter how hard Haruhi tried. They almost never did.
So he turned his attention to Shouta, kneeled beside him. "Dislocated hip?"
Riku nodded. "I can't get it to snap back in."
They had no trained medic on their team. Those were too valuable to send on risky missions far away. So Tobirama and his squad had to make do with the little training and medical skills that they had.
Tobirama placed his hands on Shouta's hips. The Hyuuga stiffened, his body tensing as it braced for another wave of unbearable pain. With each adjustment of Tobirama's fingers, Shouta's winces grew sharper.
"I'll try as well. Hold still," Tobirama instructed before attempting to align the hip back into its socket by applying steady pressure. It wasn't the first time he'd done this. But the hip refused.
Once more, Shouta cried out in pain. And the failed attempt left him pleading to stop.
"Just leave me," he eventually gasped. "Please, I can't take this any more. I'm too tired."
"We are not leaving you," Haruhi immediately said, her voice fierce with determination.
Riku glanced at her, at the pearls of swear on her forehead. Her movements had started to slow down. She was exhausted. "Haruhi, I think you should sto-"
"No! I'm not giving up on him either. We'll all return together."
"Riku's right," Tobirama said. "He's gone. Save your energy."
Haruhi ignored him.
"Let's focus on those who are still alive," Tobirama tried once more. When she again acted like she didn't hear him, he added a firm, "That's an order."
Her hands stilled, and she bit down on her lip, visibly fighting back tears. Finally, she pulled her hands away from Kichiro's lifeless body.
"Should we set up our camp for now? Rest?" Satoshi asked.
Tobirama didn't have to think long about his suggestion. "It's too dangerous. The winds up here will not settle down, and Shouta won't get any better without proper medical attention. We have to move. Go find the others and retrieve our supplies. But be careful - there might still be enemies around. Take Haruhi with you too."
He figured having a task would do them both good, take their minds off their dead comrade. Satoshi nodded, guiding Haruhi away. She looked like the one who had lost this battle, not the samurai they had fought. But she followed, her steps heavy with fatigue and grief.
Tobirama turned his focus back to Shouta. There was no way he could walk, not in his condition. But they were deep in the mountains, far from any village, and the cold was an enemy as deadly as any blade.
"Tobirama," Riku's voice broke his thoughts. "You are bleeding."
He followed Riku's gaze, until he spotted the blood dripping down from his own hand into the snow.
"Stitched a wound before?" he asked while tossing a small med kit in Riku's direction.
Riku caught it with ease. "You bet."
Tobirama took off part of his armour as well as the thick wool pullover he'd been wearing ever since they reached the mountains. Immediately he felt the chill of the cold against his bare skin. Riku started cleaning the cut on his shoulder before stitching it up.
Despite not being particularly fond of Riku, Tobirama did have a certain trust in him. After all, Hashirama had taught him, and so far, he hadn't disappointed skill-wise. It was mostly the boy's personality that he couldn't quite appreciate. Riku was the impulsive type. Emotional, brash, one who acted first and thought later.
But there was another reason for Tobirama's dislike towards the Hatake. One that he wouldn't quite admit even to himself.
Images of Tobirama's wedding day liked to surface whenever he looked at him. Images of Riku beneath the cherry tree, Akari next to him and Chiyome in his arms. And Tobirama was painfully aware that Riku had spent so much more time with Akari than he had ever had, had held Chiyome, cared for both of them. And rumours that Riku might be Chiyome's father had even made it all the way to Sunagakure.
Tobirama couldn't stand the thought of Riku acting like Chiyome's father.
So he avoided Riku. Avoided talking to him, avoided looking at him. He would have avoided assigning him to this mission too if that had been an option.
The stitches on his shoulder felt particularly painful, and he couldn't help but get the impression that Riku enjoyed digging the tiny piece of steel deep into his skin.
"I thought you've done this before," Tobirama complained. "You know you aren't supposed to make it worse, right?"
Riku only snorted, and the next stitch stung even more.
"Shouta didn't deserve this."
Tobirama eyed Riku from the corner of his eyes. "Are you talking about his hip or…?"
"Of course," he answered, voice low. "What else could I be talking about?"
Tobirama's gaze fell on Shouta, who was too overwhelmed with pain and cold to listen to their conversation.
"Right, what else…"
He wondered if Riku knew the truth. He'd always had a feeling that he did. But neither of them ever addressed it. It wasn't the right conversation to have on a mission, and definitely not with Shouta closeby. Maybe once they returned to the Land of Waterfalls, Tobirama told himself. Maybe he would ask Riku about them.
Haruhi and Satoshi eventually returned with the supplies they had stored nearby and proper blankets for their wounded comrade. Two of the squad were missing. One they'd found dead, the other had vanished without a trace. Despite searching the area with the Byakugan, there was no sign of life. They had to assume the worst.
"I don't want to go back," Shouta murmured when everyone sat down in the small shelter around him, discussing how to transport him to a village. "I'm tired. Just go without me and let me sleep here."
Haruhi sat down beside him again, her hand clasping his. "No, you are staying awake and you are coming with us. You hear me?"
"That's the cold and exhaustion talking," Riku told him. "Trust me, you'll be thankful once you are back in the capital, taking a hot bath."
Most of the other shinobi were less optimistic, and Tobirama could see the doubt in their eyes. It wouldn't surprise him if one of them soon spoke up and suggested that they leave Shouta behind. With his hip dislocated, there was no way he could walk, nor could they carry him. Even the tiniest movements inflicted great pain.
And yet he was alive, with an injury that would heal again if only they could make it out of the snow-filled mountains.
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Takuma was following the path of corpses. Kumo samurai and shinobi lay scattered, each of them killed in a different manner. Some had been sliced cleanly, their faces frozen in shock, others had been reduced to no more than a black, burned pile of bones and ashes. And then there were those whose limbs twisted at unnatural angles, heads caved in, torsos split open as if something monstrous had torn them apart from the inside. Blood was everywhere, thick and warm beneath Takuma's boots. It trailed like a river of death, leading him to his teacher.
Madara stood in the centre of all the death. He was still, as if frozen in time, his back turned to Takuma.
The moans of those still clinging to life reached Takuma's ears. Their bodies were broken beyond repair. Yet they tried crawling through the blood and mud, eyes unfocused, hands reaching for something, anything.
But Takuma could feel yet another presence, one that was dark and hungry, swirling in the air around them like an invisible breeze. So soft and delicate, most would have missed it. And yet it was enough to cause the hairs on the back of Takuma's neck to stand.
It was the beasts.
He didn't have to see them to know they were there, feeding on something Takuma couldn't quite touch but felt all the same. It was the chakra of those that had passed, and those who still clung to life. Their very essence was being ripped from them, their souls sucked into the ocean of void that was the tailed beasts.
Drawing his sword, Takuma slowly approached Madara. On his way, he pierced the hearts of those who were still breathing, his boots sinking into the blood-soaked earth with each step.
Takuma froze when the air around him felt charged all of a sudden, like a lightning jutsu was about to strike. The anger of the beasts was now directed at him, a suffocating feeling full of dread that caused his pulse to quicken. He had never felt them this strongly before.
Still he continued, ended the suffering of the last samurai too before stepping next to his teacher.
He wasn't sure if Madara had even noticed his presence. He still hadn't moved even a bit, still stared ahead into nothingness, listening to something only he could hear.
"Sensei."
He rested a hand on Madara's shoulder, and slowly, as if waking from a dream, Madara turned his head. A faint smile still rested on his lips, content and satisfied.
"He wasn't here," Madara simply said.
Takuma knew he was talking about the Raikage. They had been shadowing him ever since the war started. And whenever one of two Jinchuuriki failed to meet the other on the battlefield, an army had to suffer for it. Meanwhile, there was not a scratch to be found on Madara.
"I'll talk to the scouts," Takuma offered, his hand slipping from Madara's shoulder again.
Madara looked away again, his gaze locking onto the horizon once more. "I'll stay here a bit longer. Make sure I'm not disturbed."
Takuma nodded, though the weight of the beasts' presence still pressed down on him. Their chakra kept lingering in the air as Madara made no attempt to call them back. And they continued feasting on the souls of the dead, their hunger insatiable.
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The cold stuck deep in Tobirama's bones by the time they made it back to the Land of Waterfalls. A medic-nin insisted on tending to the wound on his shoulder. But there was hardly anything left for her to do. It had already healed substantially as the Senju blood in him worked its wonders. His body's regeneration abilities were nowhere nearly as strong as Hashirama's, but they still existed.
In the capital of the Waterfalls, he told his shinobi to rest a day or two before seeing Sasuke Sarutobi again for their next assignment. New missions would already be waiting for them. And Tobirama had to consider who would replace Kichiro in his own squad. But that could wait, he decided.
Everyone left as soon as they were dismissed, glad to leave this mission behind. Everyone except for Riku.
He stood there, stared at Tobirama like he had something to say. But a few moments later, he too turned around and left without saying a word.
Part of Tobirama wanted to stop him, speak to him. About her, them. But Tobirama let him go, deciding that it would be too selfish. Instead, he returned to Sasuke to report the outcome of their mission. There, another letter from Hashirama was waiting for him.
Tobirama only opened it when he was back in his tent, alone.
We've had a few cases of pneumonia. I assume it's connected to this sickness that has been spreading in our village. The symptoms resembled a winter cold at first. But quite a few cases ended up more severe, some even fatal.
Tobirama sat down on the old, squeaking chair and put the letter down in front of him. He read it a second time, not wanting to accidentally miss any important information.
It seemed that Konoha was fighting a different battle than its shinobi at the front. Back in the village, disease kept spreading. And again, the letter mentioned neither Akari nor Chiyome, which Tobirama concluded to be a good thing. His brother would inform him if either had fallen ill.
Still, pneumonia was not common in Konoha, and it was worrying that his brother was reporting several cases.
He rubbed the back of his neck, his fingers pressing into the tense muscles. This war had been going on for too long, and he felt increasingly disconnected from Konoha. He was fighting for it, making every decision with the village's best interests in mind. But it was as if he was standing outside Konoha's walls, unable to get back in.
He thought about returning. It had crossed his mind from time to time. But there was never a proper reason to go back. And always a reason that occupied him elsewhere. A meeting, a mission, war.
Tobirama took out the last letter Hashirama had sent him, put it next to this new one.
Mostly children and elderly are affected, he reread, and his mind started to count how old his daughter was now, reminded him that he had missed all of her first year of life and half of her second year as well. He didn't even know what she looked like.
He stood up, neatly folded both letters and put them away. And then Tobirama made the decision that there were enough reasons to return home.
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Tobirama was walking through the dense forest, up into the mountains, together with Sasuke. The man had told him about all the hot springs scattered around the Waterfall's capital. And he had promised Tobirama that he had found a particularly beautiful one, hidden deep in the mountains. There were a few more formalities that Sasuke had requested help with before Tobirama would return to Konoha, some of which were apparently best discussed while soaking in a hot bath together.
Tobirama didn't mind. He was looking forward to a few moments of relaxation in between all the fighting and long missions. A shiver still ran down his spine whenever he thought of the Land of Iron's icy mountains. Maybe a bath would help, though he didn't exactly enjoy how the hot water felt like it was burning his skin when he entered. But he could appreciate how it slowly eased his muscles and seeped into his chilled bones.
Next to him, Sasuke let out a long sigh as he too sunk into the water. Steam rose gently around them, mixing with the cool evening air. They talked about the state of the war, upcoming battles and missions. And about Tobirama's return to Konoha.
After a while, they fell into a comfortable silence, both men taking a moment to simply enjoy the peace that surrounded them. The forest was serene, the only sounds being the soft rustle of leaves and the distant call of birds preparing to roost for the night.
Sasuke eventually broke the silence. "It seems my daughter wasn't too pleased with the outcome of the mission. She's having a hard time coming to terms with the casualties."
"It's always hard to lose a comrade."
"If only that was her only issue. She didn't outright say it, but I could see it in her eyes. That she felt remorse, because of the samurai."
Tobirama chose to remain quiet.
Sasuke continued, seemingly content to share this with the Senju. "It's the same with Hiruzen too. He never complains. But I'm his father, I can tell." He chuckled, then reached for his clothes hanging on a stone close-by. He grabbed his pipe and lit it. "I taught that boy everything I know. And Haruhi too. They are both so skilled, even more so than I am."
Sasuke offered him the pipe, but Tobirama declined with a small shake of his head.
"Hiruzen learned a lot from you," Sasuke continued, taking a slow draw from his pipe. "Things I could have never taught him. And yet he's different from me and you. He and Haruhi, they'll never be like us, and I might never be able to properly understand this… softness in their hearts. Sometimes, I feel like Danzo is the only one who truly understands. That this world forces us to make sacrifices, whether we like it or not."
Tobirama leaned back, the hot water lapping at his shoulders. He thought back to their mission in the mountains of the Land of Iron, how Haruhi had yelled at one of the older shinobi for suggesting that they leave Shouta behind. Sasuke's daughter would have stayed with her teammate even if it had meant her death. Maybe it was the softness her father spoke of, the inability to make harsh decisions. Or maybe it was Hashirama's idealism that had rubbed off on the next generation, the belief that there is always another way. Whatever it was, it had made them come up with a plan to build a makeshift stretcher with ice jutsu to transport Shouta back with them.
"Maybe that softness is a good thing," Tobirama wondered. "It means we've done something right, created a world where our children can see things differently."
Tobirama wanted that to be true, that his brother's dream turned into reality. But even if Haruhi felt remorse for the death of all those samurai, it didn't change the fact that they were dead, and that this war would not end anytime soon. Nor had it saved Shouta from suffering severe frostbites on their journey back, to a point where Tobirama wasn't too sure if he would ever recover.
The world was cruel like that. And idealism only went that far.
Sasuke smiled at him through the smoke of his pipe. "Our children, huh? Now that you are no longer engaged to Inori Uchiha, I have to wonder - is there a woman in your life? Surely the great Tobirama Senju will take a wife eventually, no?"
The heat of the water suddenly seemed to increase.
"We are at war, Sasuke," Tobirama reminded him, his tone firm. "There's hardly time for that."
"There should be though. Especially during times like these when you never know if you will see another day. My daughter is still unwed, and unlike the Uchiha, we would ensure that the ties between our clans grow stronger."
Tobirama could hardly believe his ears, and he wondered if this was a serious suggestion. But he was spared from responding when a rustling sound caught their attention. He was grateful at first, until he heard someone call out his name, and the voice sent a sudden chill through his body, almost like it froze right over again. He told himself that he had to have misheard.
A small figure came running up the forest trail towards the spring. It was Sayo, the Kazekage's advisor, who had stayed in Sunagakure when the war began.
Tobirama turned away from her almost immediately, partially hoping that she would simply leave again if he pretended that she wasn't apparently looking for him. The hot spring Sasuke had chosen was a particularly secluded one far into the mountain, one that they thought they wouldn't have to share with samurai or shinobi. And definitely not with the Kazekage's advisor.
"Here you are!" he heard her behind him, coming closer. "They said you'd gone to one of the hot springs. I had to search all over to find the right one. Why are you all the way out here?"
"No, the question should be, why are you all the way here?"
He sank deeper into the water, until only his eyes and ears remained above the surface. It was one final attempt to escape the Suna woman. He observed her from the corner of his eyes, wary of her intentions.
"I was looking for you. You should be glad that I didn't bring a towel to dive in next to you."
A smirk suddenly appeared on her lips and Tobirama knew that could only mean disaster. Next to him, Sasuke continued to smoke his pipe, a bemused expression on his face as he observed the scene.
Sayo greeted the Sarutobi man politely, but then acted like he was not there at all. She made sure to lean down to Tobirama, get close enough to his ear so that he'd feel her breath on his skin when she said, "Or maybe I should join you two anyways? We could share your towel…"
Sasuke coughed at the comment. "Should I leave you two alone?"
"No," Tobirama immediately answered. "I think I'm done here. I still need to prepare for my trip back to Konoha."
He got up right then and there, so swiftly that he created angry waves on the surface of the water.
A blush immediately formed on Sayo's cheeks as her eyes fell on all the naked skin right in front of her, and Tobirama was content to see that her flirtiness was replaced by flustered reservation. He turned away from her, hot water dripping down his body and turning into mist as it met the cold outside-air.
He grabbed his towel. "So is there an urgent matter considering you searched half the mountain for me?"
The Suna woman turned away from him as he dried himself off and got dressed again, giving him a bit of the stolen privacy back after all.
"Yes," she said, then cleared her voice. "I'm supposed to escort you back to Sunagakure. I ask that we leave as soon as you are ready."
He stopped, turned to look at her. "To Suna? Why?"
Sayo hesitated, glanced at Sasuke. The information was classified, top secret. So only once the two of them were alone, and Sayo could say for certain that no one was closeby, she told him.
"We have located the sixtails."
Tobirama's plan to return to Konoha died right then and there.
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The temperatures in the Land of Wind were the complete opposite to those in the mountains of the Land of Iron. The sun was shining relentlessly, making it impossible to travel during the day. So when Tobirama finally reached the Village Hidden by Sand together with Sayo, her guards and his own squad of two remaining chuunin, it was nighttime already, just past midnight. The Kazekage was still in a meeting, unable to receive them, so the group split up. Nighttime in Sunagakure was a buzzling one, and oftentimes, people would rest in the afternoon and complete tasks in the cooler morning and night hours.
Tobirama found Touka, still up and awake as well and on her way back from a dinner break. She invited him to their office to catch up. The hallways of the Kazekage's Sphere were all lit up as they made their way down the corridor and the soft cry of a baby drifted toward them. Tobirama's eyes flicked in its direction, surprised a child would be present. No one lived in the building except for Shamon's family, but his children were all grown up already.
"The Kazekage's newborn son," Touka said, her expression as sharp as ever.
"I wasn't aware Shamon's wife was expecting. She's rather advanced in years, isn't she?"
Touka refused to answer until they made it to their office and shut the door behind them.
"It's not her son. It's a bastard, born solely to become the new vessel for the sixtails."
It was one of those moments where Tobirama was both surprised and not surprised at the same time. With a snort, he asked, "Seems like Shamon had the timing down. Did he plan for backup as well, just in case?"
"Who knows? Perhaps it's already in the making."
They were half joking about the situation, and yet they knew the harsh reality behind the Kazekage's actions. Sealing a tailed beast in a child was much easier than it was for adults. Their chakra systems weren't completely formed yet, making them more resilient and adaptable to the great amounts of chakra that a tailed beast brought with it. And as a result, babies had been used as vessels for centuries, turned into mere tools by their own parents. It was nothing extraordinary.
"The mother of the child…" Touka's lips were almost always tightened into a thin line, her eyes always hard. But her expression was even more stern when she said, "She offered her soul for the seal."
Again, Tobirama was not surprised. He sat down at the desk, had a look at the papers and scrolls that had accumulated there over the last months of his absence. "The obvious choice, considering the old vessel is dead."
"We need more Uzumaki, Tobirama. We'll never know when we might need them."
Tobirama frowned, setting the scroll he was looking at aside again. "You know that's not an option. The fact that we have Mito was a lucky coincidence. There is no way that a clan as secluded as the Uzumaki will let more of their members leave the islands."
"It's wrong to sacrifice lives when the Uzumaki hold the power to prevent it. Their abilities are wasted on them." There was a slight hint of frustration in his cousin's voice that he wasn't used to.
Tobirama agreed with the last part, but he also knew that complaining about this would get them nowhere. Because the Uzumaki weren't going to change their ways.
Touka leaned against the desk, her gaze distant. "As much as I can't look at the poor babe knowing the fate that was chosen for it, I have to admit that Shamon is at least thinking ahead. Who will take Madara's beasts should he die? I'm sure he went to the frontline and never even considered an heir. That man is too full of himself, convinced that nothing in this world could harm him. Yet it only takes one wrong move, one…" She stopped, then looked at Tobirama. "Have you heard about the situation in Konoha? The sickness?"
"I have, but not much." Immediately, an uneasy feeling started to spread in him again. The topic kept coming up, and yet he basically knew nothing about it.
"Hashirama might not be bothered by poison and illness, but the two tailed beasts won't save Madara from it."
"What do you know, Touka?"
"No one is sure what exactly is going on in Konoha or why all these people are falling sick. But the number of cases keeps rising. And a few days ago, Shamon sent Suna's best poison expert to Konoha."
"Poison expert?" Tobirama repeated. "So they suspect that it's poison?"
Touka shrugged. "Hashirama has not given us much information on the matter. I simply know they requested someone knowledgeable in poisons. Her name is Chiyo, but I've never seen her around here before."
Tobirama crossed his arms as his mind drifted off. He hated being in the dark, especially when it involved his village.
"My point is," Touka continued, drawing the circle back to their initial topic, "Poison could easily kill Madara. So can sickness. I know the Uchiha's tailed beasts are none of my concern, but for the sake of our village, I do hope a plan of action exists in case he dies. He never even took a wife, has no children, and neither does his niece. If he dies at the front, either we'll lose our two beasts, or we'll need two vessels and two souls for the seal."
For a moment, Tobirama considered pointing out that his cousin was indeed correct. The tailed beasts were none of her concern. Neither were they his concerns. Hashirama and Madara had always kept to themselves when it came to the beasts.
But he could tell that Touka's questions and doubts were rooted in worry and concern. So he answered simply, "Madara might be arrogant, but he's no fool."
He stayed with his cousin a bit longer to catch up on the latest happenings in Sunagakure and Konoha. Until the Kazekage finished his meeting and was ready to receive him.
Touka and Sayo were with them when Shamon told Tobirama that they had finally found clues on the new vessel of the sixtails - the tailed beast that had played a crucial part in the start of this war.
"The retrieval of the sixtails is our top priority," the Kazekage declared at the end of their meeting. "I will need you to arrange further investigations on the vessel's identity before we start making plans on how to take it back. I can count on Konoha's support for this, right?"
Tobirama never showed the displeasure he felt at the news. With the war and the mysterious disease spreading in Konoha, there was enough to worry about. And infiltrating another country was already difficult during peace times with no raised security at borders and in cities.
Still, he wanted the tailed beast back as well. They were simply too valuable. So he ensured the Kazekage that he had Konoha's support and spent the next few days going over lists for new teams and mission assignments. Before they could properly work on getting back the sixtails, they had to call back their shinobi from their current missions in the war. He had sent a letter to his brother, asking for permission to deploy several of Konoha's jounin for this.
But to Tobirama's surprise, Hashirama refused his request. The message came with no explanation. A simple letter that informed Tobirama Konoha had no men to spare for such an operation.
Shamon was furious. But Tobirama knew that this could only mean that something in Konoha was going terribly wrong.
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Tobirama stood atop the roof of the Kazekage's Sphere, watching the lights rise above the distant cliffs. It was the night of the floating lantern festival, a day on which wishes were sent out to deceased loved ones. And this year, the wishes were filled with requests and prayers to help those fighting at the front, protect them in battle.
Most people had climbed the rocky cliffs that surround the village where they were met by priests chanting prayers into the night. Groups of families and friends stood on the edges, lighting the lanterns that held their wishes and setting them free into the sky, on a journey to meet the spirits of the dead. The lanterns rose slowly, carried by small, flickering flames, lighting up the cliffs like stars brought down to earth.
"I didn't expect to find you here."
The voice appeared behind him too suddenly, and Tobirama realised that, maybe, he had been just a bit too mesmerised by the view of the night sky filled with golden lights.
Sayo stepped next to him, her own lantern in her hand. A wish was scribbled onto its thin paper with black ink. I hope that you are finally at peace. But if you are still here, please protect Chiyo.
Tobirama never intended to read it. Clearly it wasn't meant for his eyes. And yet the words just happened to be in front of him, leaving him wondering if this Chiyo was the poison expert Touka told him about.
Sayo lit the candle, put it inside her lantern. "Have you lit one yourself?"
Tobirama only shook his head.
"But you should! Even if you don't have a dead loved one to give a message to, you can always send out a wish. Especially now that we are at war, a wish is always precious."
"Wishes don't just come true because you write them on a lantern and let it float towards the sky."
"But it also can't hurt hoping that they will, right?"
She smiled at him as she stepped next to him, the lantern still in her hand. She reached out, past the railings, and carefully set it free. It drifted into the night, climbed higher and higher, slow but steady.
With a deep sigh, she said, "I probably shouldn't believe in customs like these. But I can't help it. Imagining that all these wishes and prayers will find our loved ones is just too romantic."
Tobirama had gotten to know Sayo well enough to notice the sadness in both her eyes and voice. And the obvious conclusion was that she was mourning someone close. Someone Tobirama didn't even know.
"As you said, it also won't hurt anyone if you do."
She turned to him, gave him an earnest smile. "I have another lantern down in my office. Should I get it for you? You could send a wish to Konoha too."
"No need."
"I heard communication with your brother has been rather slow." Sayo's lips parted as if to say more, but she quickly closed them again, her eyes flickering toward Tobirama. There was a hesitancy in her voice, a cautiousness. Then, without looking directly at him, she asked, "What do you know about the situation in Konoha?"
The question surprised Tobirama, considering that they had been discussing this topic together with Shamon. Tobirama had sent another letter to Konoha asking why there were no men available for the sixtails operation. But he received the same short letter, telling him that with the war, there were simply more important issues than the retrieval of the tailed beast. Hashirama never mentioned the sickness, but Tobirama and Shamon had agreed that it had to be connected to the Hokage's sudden denial of their request.
"I know no more than you do," Tobirama answered.
Sayo had been watching him, but quickly averted her eyes at his words.
"Or do you know anything that I don't?" Now he was the one carefully observing her.
Sayo's attention drifted upward, toward the glowing lights of the night lanterns floating into the sky. For a moment, it again looked as though she might say something, but she remained quiet. Her answer was delayed. "No. Nothing."
Tobirama was almost certain that she was keeping something from him.
"You mentioned a Chiyo on your lantern." He hadn't intended to ask her about it. After all, those wishes were highly personal. But if Sayo held information about the situation in Konoha, he had to know. "Is she the same Chiyo that has gone to Konoha?"
She didn't turn to him, but admitted, "She is."
"Who is she?"
"My sister."
Tobirama wasn't aware that Sayo had a sister. No one had ever mentioned it. Though he also hadn't exactly shown any interest in the woman's family life.
"Has she told you anything about Konoha?"
Sayo didn't respond right away, her attention still fixed on the lanterns drifting into the night. "She hasn't," she finally replied, her voice distant.
Moments passed in silence, and Tobirama waited. He expected her to say more, to give him some piece of information she'd been holding back. But instead, she turned toward the doorway.
"I'm sorry if I worried you," she said, her voice softer now. "I had a bad dream about my sister last night, and I guess… I let it get to me. It's nothing."
But it didn't feel like nothing.
As Sayo turned and disappeared into the building, Tobirama remained outside, watching as more lanterns rose into the dark sky, each carrying a wish with it. His eyes followed them, but his mind lingered on Sayo's words, and all those words that she had kept to herself.
He made a silent wish of his own after all. He wished that Konoha was safe. That everyone was healthy. But Tobirama wasn't a man who relied on wishes. He needed answers, not hope.
So Tobirama went to see Shamon and told him that he would return to Konoha to personally inquire about the lack of support for the retrieval operation. Whatever was going on there, he would be there to help his brother and village.
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The day of Tobirama's departure from Sunagakure had arrived. Minoru had initially been supposed to join him, ensuring Sunagakure's interests were properly represented in front of the Hokage. But Tobirama had noticed the suspicious glances exchanged between Sayo and the Kazekage earlier that morning, followed by a hushed conversation that led to a change in plans. He could tell they were keeping something from him, but whatever it was, it didn't matter. All he wanted was to return home. He didn't care if the Kazekage's son joined him or not.
Chie and Satoshi were already waiting at the village gates, bags packed and prepared for the journey. The only thing delaying their departure were a few essential documents. Shamon had promised to have them ready, but last-minute war councils and urgent meetings had left him too busy. So he sent Tobirama to Sayo instead.
Tobirama knocked at her door with a certain urgency. No one answered. He knocked again, louder this time, and noticed that the door was open.
When Tobirama entered, he found Sayo at her desk. She was sleeping. Her breathing was heavy, and her forehead covered with sweat.
"Hey," he tried first, to no avail. "Wake up."
Maybe on some other day, he would have simply left her alone with her dreams. But Tobirama had no time to spare, so he shook her shoulder to wake her. Sayo rose quickly with a big gasp. She seemed lost for a moment, unsure where she was and why.
"I need a new letter of safe conduct," he told her, ignoring her dazed expression. "The Kazekage said I should ask you."
Sayo blinked, still processing, then nodded as she straightened herself in her chair. "Right, of course."
Silence filled the room as she fumbled with her scrolls and ink, visibly trying to shake off the remnants of whatever dream had gripped her.
Just as she finished, something changed in her expression. She stared at the scroll, fingers tightening around it.
"Maybe you shouldn't go," she said quietly. "Send another letter instead."
The statement came out of nowhere for Tobirama.
"What are you talking about?" His voice was calm, but the weight behind it demanded an answer.
Sayo hesitated, still looking down at the scroll. "What if things in Konoha are far worse than we think? What if you get sick too?"
There was something in her tone, a crack that revealed she knew more than she let on. Tobirama's gaze hardened. "What do you know, Sayo?"
She took a deep breath. And after another moment of hesitation, she said, "Chiyo isn't just my sister. She's my twin sister."
Tobirama failed to see the connection.
"In fact, she is my older twin. Chiyo is awfully smart and perceptive. We often joke that she somehow got both our brains. But maybe you can imagine that, as the older twin, she's not exactly welcome anywhere close to Shamon. We were lucky enough that our clan decided to raise us together. And not… you know, give the older one away or even kill her. I was raised by our parents while Chiyo spent most of her time with our grandmother."
Tobirama first thought of his sister-in-law. A similar fate had befallen Mito. Except that her clan had shipped her to a whole other island, away from her own twin sister.
It explained why he had never heard of Sayo's sister before. But it did not explain how this was connected to Konoha.
Sayo continued, ignoring the confused looks he threw at her. "It's quite obvious we are twins if you see us next to each other, and people didn't exactly hold back on letting us know their feelings about that. So we've never gotten to spend much time together. But when I close my eyes to sleep and Chiyo is still awake…" She looked out of the window, her eyes facing something far away, far beyond the horizon. "I sometimes see the world through her eyes."
Tobirama was still trying to make sense of her words. And then he remembered a pair of twins from his own clan. They'd been a few years younger than him. A boy and a girl who always magically knew where the other one was. The special connection of twins. Even though Tobirama's clan was hardly superstitious at all, they had still upset quite a few from his clan, those who thought that their mysterious connection was unsettling. They were different, special. And men feared what they could not explain.
The boy had died eventually, killed in a conflict with the Uchiha. But the girl was still alive, living with the clan in Konoha now.
"You see the world through her eyes?" Tobirama asked. He'd heard of twins having special abilities like that. And then, it slowly started to dawn on Tobirama. "Then that dream you just had…"
She nodded. "There's a special bond that connects those who have entered this world together."
"So right now, you were dreaming of Konoha? You've seen what is happening there?"
"It's hard to tell what's real and what's just a dream. But I saw empty streets. People were too scared to leave their homes, terrified of the sickness spreading through the village."
Sayo averted her eyes, biting her lip as if debating on whether to continue or not.
"Tell me," he pushed her, knowing that she was holding something back.
"The Hyuuga… are you close to them?"
Tobirama's heartbeat quickened. He didn't know why Sayo had to ask about the Hyuuga clan out of all the clans that lived in Konoha.
"Why are you asking?"
Sayo hesitated again, her expression clouding with unease. "I dreamt of my sister being called to someone who had fallen ill. She tried to save them, but…" She shook her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be telling you this. I'm only worrying you. It might have just been a bad dream."
"No, tell me everything."
She looked at him, considered. "The room was full of people with those pretty white eyes. Like those of… what was her name again? The Hokage's former student who'd joined us in Sunagakure for the last Chuunin exams."
Tobirama's insides twirled. "Akari."
"Right, Akari. Akari Hyuuga. I think Chiyo was at their compound. They tried to save a woman. But she died. There's not much more that I can tell you."
Tobirama's stomach tightened. Clearly she couldn't be speaking of Akari, he told himself. It would be too much of a coincidence. The Hyuuga clan was big.
And still he had to know. "Do you know who died?"
She smiled at him. "How do you expect me to answer this? I've literally only met a single Hyuuga so far in my entire life."
"But it wasn't her?" He ended up asking directly.
She took a deep breath. "It's still a dream. So I usually can't remember faces, at least not if I don't recognise the person right away. It's all very blurry." She looked at him, realised the look that was on his face. "Are you close to her?"
"She was my brother's student," he answered quickly. "She's a bit like family."
He wasn't lying. Hashirama always did consider her as part of the extended family.
"I'm sorry. I really shouldn't have told you. Now you worry and I can't offer any answer. The woman who died was pregnant though. When you woke me up they were…" She stopped for a moment. "Trying to save the baby."
Tobirama still didn't know which Hyuuga Sayo was talking about. But it wasn't Akari. Because he was fairly sure that his brother would have let him know if she was pregnant again. With another man's child.
Sayo sighed. "I'm not sure why I shared this with you. I shouldn't have. I can see that I've upset you."
He finally took the scroll from Sayo's hands. "No, thank you for telling me," he said, his voice quieter now, the urgency dulled by the weight of her words.
"You're still going, aren't you? If you meet Chiyo, tell her that I miss her. And that I hope she returns soon, safely."
He nodded, then left her behind to join Chie and Satoshi at the gates. Sayo's words stayed on his mind, and more than ever, he knew that he had to return.
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Tobirama's journey back to Konoha was a quick one. Satoshi started complaining about their pace and the lack of breaks after only a few hours in, and while Chie never said anything herself, her face said it all. But Tobirama didn't want to waste any more time. He had to know what was going on in Konoha.
Yet in the end, he never managed to reach the village.
A shinobi of the outer patrol stopped them as soon as they reached Konoha's forests. It took a moment for Tobirama to recognise the Uchiha. It was Setsuna, Kagami's older brother and now husband of Inori Uchiha.
"Lord Tobirama Senju," Setsuna greeted him. "I didn't expect to encounter you here. I'm afraid I can't let you pass though. Konoha has closed its gates to outsiders."
"Outsiders? I'm the Hokage's brother."
A sheepish smile formed on his lips. "My apologies, I guess that was worded badly."
It was a smile that, as far as Tobirama could tell, was sincere enough. So sincere that he saw a bit of Kagami in it, the one member of team Tobirama who had always smiled enough for all four of them.
"Still, Konoha's gates are closed, and you will need a special permit from the Hokage to pass through. Does Lord Hashirama know of your visit?"
The situation irritated Tobirama. What had happened that he couldn't even return to his own village anymore?
"He doesn't. But my business is urgent. So I would appreciate it if you could make an exception. For the Hokage's brother."
Setsuna scratched his cheek, like he was genuinely considering. "I'll have to ask the Hokage first. I hope you understand."
Another Konoha patrol appeared and was tasked with forwarding a message to the Hokage. Setsuna stayed with Tobirama and his squad, watching that they would not take another step towards Konoha.
"I hope you don't mind if I keep you some company until he arrives back with the answer, Lord Tobirama?" Setsuna asked.
"No need for formalities," Tobirama noted. "You are Kagami's brother after all." Part of him did mind that he was treated like an intruder by his own village. But he knew that this wasn't Setsuna's fault.
An awkward silence ensued. Setsuna asked about Tobirama's experiences in the war thus far, and the latter then asked him about Konoha's police. But soon, everything the two men had to share with each other had been said.
Everything except for one last topic that connected the two, and hung in the air between them.
"I guess I should congratulate you," Tobirama finally addressed it. "On your marriage."
"Thank you," Setsuna said, and again gave him a friendly smile. "It was all rather rushed, I'm afraid. With the war and all. But I consider myself a lucky man."
Tobirama didn't mind that Inori had gotten engaged again shortly after he left Konoha. Or that she had then quickly married when the war started. At least not in theory.
He did wonder though why it had to be Setsuna Uchiha of all people. The son of the main voice who had always advocated against founding a shinobi village together with the Senju.
It was the wrong message in Tobirama's opinion. The wrong man. But he was in no place to judge, considering his actions had indirectly led to this outcome.
The patrol finally returned and signalled Tobirama and his squad to follow.
Hashirama was waiting for him in the forest outside of Konoha, close to a hidden entrance to their underground tunnels. They entered, only the two of them. The others were asked to wait outside.
"What are you doing here, brother?" Hashirama immediately asked once the door closed behind them.
"I was worried," Tobirama admitted. "Your letters made no sense and were clearly holding back on crucial information. What the hell is going on here? Why are the gates closed?"
Hashirama sighed deeply. And now that Tobirama got a proper look at his brother's face, after not having seen him in months, he could spot all the new lines of worries, the dark circles beneath his eyes. Hashirama looked exhausted, drained.
"I'm not exactly sure yet myself. But I have told you about this sickness, right?" They stood in the hallway of the underground tunnels. Hashirama made no attempt to take Tobirama anywhere else, closer towards the village. "It's been spreading like a wildfire. To a point where it has now reached several villages and towns around Konoha, as well as the frontlines."
Tobirama quietly listened.
"At this point, most of our citizens are infected. That's why I decided to close the gates. Keep this from spreading any further. Or at least try."
Tobirama didn't have to ask his brother if he was infected too. He knew that Hashirama wouldn't have met with him if he was, and he was a Senju. Hashirama never fell ill.
"But with the war, I'm really not sure for how long we'll be able to keep this up. No trade, no supplies. I sent a team to the Land of Earth to investigate, but I haven't heard from them in too long."
"Land of Earth?"
"A poison expert from Suna has come here to help us find a cure. She suspects that this is Iwa's doing."
"I don't understand," Tobirama said. "Poison doesn't spread. It's not infectious."
"It's not poison, nor is it a sickness." Hashirama sighed, then took out a scroll. "Here, this is all the information that we have collected so far. I assume it goes without saying that this is highly confidential. We cannot afford to let anyone know about our current situation or investigations."
Closing the gates to the Fire's Hidden Village was hardly a subtle move. The other countries had to be aware. The question was, how long could they stand with their back against the wall before it would crumble.
Tobirama accepted the scroll. He was itching to read it, but that had to wait. There was more he had to discuss with his brother first.
"Suna has located the sixtails," he told him, though Hashirama already knew. "Its retrieval is their top priority, and the Kazekage wasn't exactly happy about your letters."
"We are being attacked from three sides, Tobirama. Earth, Lighting and Water. Madara has to trail the Raikage and I cannot leave the village without risking it getting attacked. And now half our men are compromised. As much as I'd like to help, this is not the time."
Tobirama nodded. "I'll tell him. I'll make him understand. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Hashirama hesitated. "I hadn't meant to get you involved. I thought that we could keep our losses at a minimum, seeing how it was mostly the elderly and, unfortunately, children that were greatly affected by this. But we've had more and more healthy adults succumb to it as well."
Sayo's words vividly echoed in Tobirama's mind.
"Tobi," Hashirama said, eyes stern. "Since you are here, there is one thing I need you to do. Go to the Land of Earth. Find a cure. Everything you need to know is on this scroll. Take whichever men you need, as long as they are healthy. You came with a Hyuuga, right? He will be able to tell if someone is infected by inspecting their lungs."
"Are you sure that there is a cure for this in the Land of Earth?"
"It's our only lead so far."
Tobirama nodded, though frustration gnawed at him. He had come with the intention to return home, and instead he was being sent off before he could even set foot inside the village. But if this was the best way to protect Konoha, then he would not complain.
There was just one more question that he needed answered.
"Akari and Chiyome…"
"They are showing no symptoms so far, from what I know."
It should have brought Tobirama relief, but somehow it didn't. The unease in his chest lingered, and he couldn't quite tell why.
Hashirama noticed. "I'm sorry, Tobi. It's been a while since I last saw them. And I'm afraid I can't let you get any closer to the village. Hitomi thinks that this spreads through the air."
Tobirama only nodded, though there was so much more he wanted to ask. This wasn't the time. He would have to trust the scroll for now.
Without another word, he turned and left the tunnels, his mind already focused on the mission ahead. As he departed for the Land of Earth, he couldn't help but wonder if he would ever make it back to Konoha again. It felt too much like life was set on keeping him away.
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A/N
This one was quite the journey, I guess. From the Land of Iron, to the Land of Waterfalls, to the Land of Wind, to the Land of Fire and finally… on our way to the Land of Earth. Hah. Poor Tobirama can't catch a break.
I struggled a bit finding the right length for the scenes in this chapter. I probably could have written three chapters just about their mission in the Land of Iron, but then I'd probably never finish this fic. But I will actually write a fighting scene at some point during this war haha. There's one big fight between Tobirama and another character coming up that I am only dreading "slightly."