Blood Lust

Chapter 11

"Move," Hashirama thought to himself.

"Run for fuck's sake."

"He's going to die."

"You need to run."

The moment the men carrying Madara disappeared into a room down the hall, a switch finally flipped in Hashirama. His feet began to run towards them. The pounding heartbeat in his chest was nearly taking his breath. He didn't have a plan, but he knew he needed to stop the men.

"Stop!" Hashirama screamed.

His stride got faster and he was practically leaping with every step.

"Don't hurt him!" he screamed out again.

He wasn't sure if they were listening. He could only hear the shouting of orders and Madara's pleas for Hashirama.

"Tobirama!" Hashirama belted. He prayed that his younger brother would listen, but the chaos only continued.

Finally, he busted into the room. The men were holding down a weakened Madara while Tobirama towered above him with his sword drawn. Others were stationed by windows, waiting for the order to draw back the curtains.

"Brother, don't do this!" Hashirama pleaded as he threw himself down close to his feet.

"Have you gone mad?" Tobirama asked in a shriek.

"He doesn't deserve to die!" Hashirama continued to ramble tearfully. "He hasn't hurt me! I'm safe here! Please listen to me!"

The other men in the room stared at the weeping Hashirama with wide eyes. They all seemed puzzled by his desire to protect Madara. Their eyes would shift back and forth between the two brothers, waiting for some sort of reaction.

"Has he brainwashed you?" Tobirama genuinely asked. "You're not making any sense!"

"I haven't done shit to him!" Madara growled.

Tobirama kicked him hard in the ribs to silence him which resulted in a pained grunt from Madara. His sword only inched closer to him as he muttered "Shut up."

"Tobirama, these are my own feelings!" Hashirama expressed frantically. "He is kind and has only taken care of me!"

"Then why didn't you come back and tell me you were okay?" Tobirama snarled.

The explanation for that question wasn't within Hashirama. The truth was far too complicated for the situation. He searched deep within himself to find some sort of answer. Time was ticking for Madara. His fate was in Hashirama's hands.

"I just---I was going to," Hashirama answered timidly. "You need to believe me."

The silence between them was deafening. Tobirama still wore a stern look. He didn't seem phased at all by Hashirama's attempts to bargain. However, his appearance changed when he looked back at Madara. He grimaced at him, inching his sword even closer.

"What have you done to him!" he screamed. His voice sounded pained as if he actually lost Hashirama. "Tell me, you fucking demon!"

Madara only stared at him with a scowl. He was no longer struggling to break free. It seemed like he was accepting his eventual death now.

"I care about him, Tobirama!" Hashirama argued.

"Shut up, Hashirama!" Tobirama demanded as he squeezed his eyes shut. His fist clenched tighter around his sword. "You're clearly sick!"

In that moment, Tobirama drew his sword back. The men braced themselves for what was about to happen next. Hashirama's eyes watched the blade rise up. It felt like time was running in slow motion. The air in his lungs escaped him. His heart was beating fast, thudding hard against his ribs. He didn't have time to think.