Twin Leaves in the Shadow

36章

*TIME SKIP*
1 DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
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Hashirama stood off to the side, watching Mito direct all of the aides and workers that were setting up the wedding. The venue was being set up in the center of the village, and most of it was already done. All that was left was last minute details for Hashirama and (mostly) Mito to go over. He had tried to make an excuse to skip out, but Tobirama made it very clear that he HAD to be there. The only thing he was really needed for was trying on the clothes that were personally made for him, and that took around 10 minutes. Other than that, he had been sitting there for a couple of hours now doing nothing, but twiddling his thumbs.

He couldn't help himself from occasionally looking around, hoping to spot Madara. It was unlikely that he would find him anywhere near the wedding, but he still hoped to find him just passing through. Hashirama hadn't seen him in days. The last time they spoke was when he found him reading.

Is he avoiding me?

Did I do something wrong?

He wanted to go find him, but it would be impossible for him to slip away. Hashirama could sense that people were watching him. Tobirama likely ordered some of his team to keep an eye on him while he was away.

"Hashirama?"

He woke up from his thoughts and turned around to follow the voice that called out to him. Mito was approaching him, looking a bit tired and stressed.

"Do you need me to do anything?" Hashirama asked.

"No, I was just coming over here to dismiss you. There's really no need for you to be here until tomorrow," she explained.

"But Tobirama said-"

"Tobirama isn't here. I'm the bride so what I say goes. Go enjoy your last night as a free man," she said sternly, waving her hands to shoo him away.

Hashirama wasn't going to turn down the offer to leave. As he started walking away, he heard Mito call out one last thing to him.

"Oh, and I saw your friend walking towards a bar a little while ago!"

Friend? What friend was she talking about?

Hashirama could only think of one bar that was close. It was only a few buildings away from where the venue was. He began making his way there, curious to see who she may be talking about.

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Hashirama entered the rowdy bar and scanned the room looking for a familiar face. Off in the corner, he noticed a couple of people from the Uchiha clan. The crest on the back of their shirts gave them away. Studying them a bit harder, he recognized one of them.

Madara.

He was laughing along with the other Uchiha men with sake in his hand. He hadn't noticed Hashirama was in the room.

Should I approach him? Or wait for him to notice me?

Hashirama started walking towards the bar, choosing the latter option as the best one.

But before he could even make it across the room, he heard Madara call out to him.

"Well, well, well. It's the man of the hour!" he slurred. "Come over here and I'll buy you a drink."