Chapter 2
Taking the fast route is the norm when you are summoned, only time to eat and rest is needed. The fact that Izuna met with his brother at the border between Fire country and Rain just made sense due to the urgency.
In any event, the kingdom employs the clans as their own Royal Guards and even soldiers, as agreements were made after many wars and dangerous creatures threatening to crumble the walls of the Empire.
Thanks to many negotiations, the Uchiha clan and many others can provide services for the allied kingdoms, from helping a small village to survive harsh weathers or natural disasters to hunting down threats.
Any commoner can write a notice to their nearest officer station all around the land and make a petition to solicit their services covered by the taxes, the system may not be the best but it provides aid to those in harsher situations who can't afford to get help directly, if not, payment can be made in other ways such as agreements with farmers to provide aid to injured clan members and even favours in troubled times.
"Good connections" his father would say.
Madara has revolutionized the market thanks to his relations with powerful people and now the King of his own Kingdom is requesting his immediate attention, something common during summer when seasons change, weather causes disasters and creatures come out of the woodwork.
But this year… seems like spring is going to be more eventful than even the winter that just ended a few days ago.
His younger brother was not acting normal when they met, not a word even came from the man.
As they travelled to their new camp side, guided by his brother, many thoughts floated in his mind. A lingering spirit filled with evil intentions? A witch? Some demon spawn causing havoc?
All he knew was the direction his brother guided him to… was the opposite of the Castle…
The kingdom of Ílios (The Greek word for Sun, as per the beautiful and strong sunrays that enrich their soil to create the green paradise of the land), it's formed by many towns and villages that are all linked to the main city with the huge castles, manors and other costly housings for the rich, powerful and influential.
They did not stop or entered any town or main roads, no conversation started as their only objective was to arrive at their camp, wherever it was…
But her trusted his brother. Secrecy is key in their work.
As silent as a leaf falling, they arrived at the camp, simple dark colour fabric hidden under the shade of tall trees and against the tall rocks conforming a mountain.
Not common area since there is no village for miles…
As they finally entered one of the tents, his brother turns with annoyance staring right at him. – "You are not going to like this" – he sentenced as he handed Madara a scroll.
Kings and Queens have their own crest, this one had both on it, it is not very eye catchy as to avoid unwanted eyes to find it, with just cream shaded paper and dark ink it stated:
"To whom this corresponds…. Due to unfortunate circumstances, an important member of the Royal Family has fallen ill… no cure… only option… the sacred tree… location: Valley of the lost."
seriously? - He could care less about the rest other than the main information, a dangerous location… filled with stories, fairy tales and legends that are more fake the better they sound.
A sacred tree that could cure the uncurable in the middle of yet another God forsaken land… his anger levels up with his brothers as he stared back at him.
The younger Uchiha tilts his head in question, wondering about something. – "There is more" – with arms crossed and an expectant expression, the older Uchiha waits. – "The Senju are next to our tent; they got the same orders" - now that was interesting.
With a raised eyebrow, the older Uchiha peeked at the small opening of the other side of the tent to see a light brown fabric used as a tent… they are too close.
Turning back to his brother with an almost frown on this face, he sighs in defeat. – "They are serious" – it was more of a statement than a question.
His brother's nod was not necessary but seemed enough to show he was not actually having a nightmare.
- "They arrived first, Tobirama has scanned the area. Hashirama is waiting for you." – with a final nod, the younger Uchiha left the tent for his brother to freshen up, unpack and build the necessary patience for his tent neighbour and former best friend.
Obviously, they arrived first - Tobirama's speed and need to outshine any Uchiha is unbearable and sometimes useful in a certain way.
In a huff, Madara dropped his pack, no way to run away from this, he had to "chat" with Hashirama.
The first thing he notices as he stepped out to face the tents was, first of all, Hashirama is literally NEXT to his. At exactly 1 meter apart from his tent. Yes, his eyes measured the distance.
How is he supposed to have a good night's sleep with a noisy neighbour? Hashirama has the worst sleepwalking and sleep talking habits.
Madara didn't even bother to hide his angry stomps as he marched to the light brown tent (a colour he finds to be an eyesore for a tent), Hashirama would know it was him before the even called to be invited in.
- "Dara! Welcome, come in!" - shouted said man from inside the tent. – "I made tea" – he continued as the Uchiha entered.
Just like he expected, the room was well lived in and filled with plants on every corner. This man looked like he brought his room with him.
There was even a table! And a kettle!
Not that the Uchiha was jealous… but you can't expect to pack and run if an evacuation is needed with how "at home" the Senju man liked to camp.
A small tick threatening to show how much Madara would rather not sit and drink tea with this man.
But, as any great Uchiha, he looked stone faced as the Senju pat on a pillow next to him on the floor that - was that a carpet?
With resignation Madara sat, not next, but across the table from the sun kissed man. A great move to impose a serious tone to the situation at hand.
It did not work.
The Senju just pushed a cup of hot tea in front of the Uchiha and drank his tea. Slowly.
- "You are enjoying this" – You could hear the slight annoyance in Madara´s tone.
With a final sip, Hashirama settles his cup down and smiled. – "Absolutely! We don't get to work together that often Dara" –
And he liked it like that.
- "You see, we should enjoy this as much as we can! I even found this plant- "- Hashirama was cut off by the Uchiha finishing his tea to move everything aside that created the "chatty" atmosphere and placed the scroll on the table.
- "The Valley of the lost" - Madara was now trying to bring attention to the real problem.
- "I know! Isn't that exciting?" – the emotion and drive shined through those brown eyes and wide smile. - "We have never had such an interesting and challenging opportunity Dara; Tobi has been scouting the area and has a rout mapped out" – the Senju continued as he placed a large map on the table that now covered the scroll… - "See this? I think we can get to our objective if we divert any expected creatures, and those old roads are probably non-existent by now" – he continued ignoring the intense glare from the Uchiha.
Clearing his throat loud enough, he interrupts the joyful Senju. – "You believe in the letter" – Madara started. – "May I remind you of how ludicrous this actually is?" – He was doing his best to bring sense into the man in front of him.
Part of the reason he no longer considered any relation with the man - or his clan - was for this particular reason. The Uchiha do not believe in fairy tales like the Senju do, miracles are not real.
To him, family and strength is important and believing in such thing as a "miracle flower that can cure anything" was as unbelievable as walking on the moon.
But not to the Senju, they actually believe in those myths and legends that exist only by mouth and not by fact.
As Madara explained these exact reasons to his former friend, the Senju listened without interruption.
Many deaths and disappearance have occurred in the last few decades due to foolish people seeking miracles and wishes, greed has taken humans to seek unwanted attention or even step on these same lands, the borders of the Valley of the lost.
- "You should know better, you lost two brothers in that Valley" – Madara ended his small rant with the painful truth, something he knew was still a painful subject with the Senju brothers.
A heavy sigh left Hashirama's lips. - "This is an order from the king. We will fulfil it and send our final report of whatever we find." – The serious note did not surprise the Uchiha, it was something they had to do. Madara just wanted his friend… no, former friend… to know what lies ahead and to not be blinded by those hopes and dreams his brothers had before they were never seen again.
Even Tobirama changed his ways after the incident and blamed the Uchiha… we may never know why that man has such a grudge against them.
- "The plan is settled, good job. We rise at dawn." – with that final saying, Madara raised from his unbelievably comfortable pillow and left Hashirama's tent.
Tobirama is a smart man and a master of scouts and maps, every Uchiha knew this. Madara would never lie about it, but his words still brought a smile to Hashirama with that last statement.
- "I'll tell Tobi you like his plan!" – shouted the Senju as the Uchiha stepped out unable to hide a huff of amusement.