Sundance

6. A conversation (Tobirama)

I was a heavy sleeper, and not at all a morning person. So when I found out we were leaving the trailer park to travel to the next at eight so I had to wake up at six fucking a fucking m in order to have one last swim in the beautiful lake, I wasn't happy. The alarm rang for ten minutes before I even noticed, and for another five before I even thought about getting up, and another five before I actually decided to get up...

Then five more before I actually got up.

I yawned, stretched my arms above my head and opened the door of my trailer, hoping to get some morning sun. I was just about to walk down the two steps from my trailer to the ground when...

"Shit!"

I noticed the plate and mug on it, and in trying not to knock it over, I tripped and fell on my ass.

Luckily, no-one was there to see it.

What the hell?! Who left cake and tea on my doorstep? On anyone's doorstep? For how long? And why-

Oh...

There was a note stuck under the cold mug of tea.

Happy birthday! Madara told me. I made some cake since it's Hashi's birthday too and I wanted you to have some as well! I hope you like it. I hope I'll see you soon.

I, xx

I felt irritated. Couldn't the man read a room? I had clearly displayed I had no interest in revealing my birthday. I looked down on the cake. It did look delicious, though, and I knew I would be ravenous after my swim. I usually made omelette and toast for breakfast; after a fasting swim, a cake would be a welcome addition. I took it in with the tea and put it in my fridge to save before I went to the lake. The lake was equally amazing this morning, albeit the swim a bit more straining as I was tired from yesterday's swim still and also hadn't had breakfast. But the tea and cake made it all worth it. I heated the tea a little in the microwave. I didn't know what on Earth Izuna had put in that, but it tasted heavenly, the strawberry flavour sweetened with something that had a hint of saffron, the plant milk going along with it nicely. And the cake... After the salty omelette, it was like a sweet cloud on my tongue. I indulge in every bite.

I packed my things together, then went to the front of my trailer to start driving with the others to the next place where we would settle. I was just about to hop into it, when...

"Hi."

I turned round.

Shit.

"Care if I join you?"

I looked at Hashirama and raised an eyebrow.

"Don't you have your own trailer to drive?" I asked.

Hashirama shook his head.

"I share with one of my mates. We take turns to drive. It's his turn. But his grandmother just passed away, so he'll spend most of the three-hour ride on the phone with his family. He asked for some privacy."

"Why don't you go with Izuna?" I asked. I didn't want to be rude, but I was curious. Also...

This might be your chance, Tobirama. This might be your chance to find some things out.

Hashirama smiled a sad smile. I had always experienced he was tense in my proximity, hesitant. But I realised we'd never been close without Izuna around. Hashirama seemed a bit different then, more relaxed, maybe because he didn't have something to protect.

"I don't dare to ask him. Some days, he needs to be alone. That's why we don't share a trailer. And some days, I can't take rejection. Even if there's a chance that he'll want my company, the risk of him saying no weighs that up. Today is one of those days."