(Hashimada) The Adventures of a Hedgehog and Some Idiots

4: Tobidefenseless

Once he finally caught up to Tobirama, the older Senju panted, "Wait. . . Please, Tobirama. . . Just give him a chance, would you?"

"And why should I do that? Are you forgetting his crimes against our clan?"

At that, Hashirama frowned. "Hey, don't act like we're the innocent ones here. Hell, you killed his brother! Tobirama. . . " He paused, then looked him in the eyes. "Both of our clans have committed horrible crimes against each other in the name of pride and honor. But that's all changing now - the time for war is over. It is a new era of hope, possibility, starting over. . . And I know that Madara deserves your forgiveness, but you shouldn't expect his. Please. . . It's the very least you could do for him."

Tobirama's frustration grew. "And why the hell should I be the one forgiving him?! He is too unstable to trust. . . I know that his power will grow, and when it does, it will be a curse against this village. Could you choose between him or the village if he endangered it?"

Hashirama fell silent out of anger. His head was tilted towards the ground, eyes closed and filled with tears of rage. His whole body shook from the anger he felt. He whispered, "How in the hell do you even have the nerve to say such a damn thing?!" He lifted his head, shouting through his tears, "Madara will protect this village with everything he has! I know it, and if you couldn't remember, I know him, and I know him DAMN better than you do! And I'm telling you, he deserves a CHANCE! . . . Am I the only one that can actually see how much he means to this village?!"

With that final sentence, his voice cracked and he quieted. All of the anger he felt on Madara's behalf finally had flooded out, and Tobirama was taken aback by his brother's unusually aggressive behavior.

Hashirama and Tobirama weren't far from the small house where Madara was, and once Hashirama started yelling, the Uchiha could hear everything. He blushed, thinking, Why is that Senju defending me so much? And against his own brother. . . Something about it made him smile, but he quickly caught himself and got serious. Once the yelling had stopped, Madara stepped outside, watching the brothers from a distance. He didn't want to intrude, however, he wanted to be there if Hashirama needed him, though he doubted the younger Senju would do anything hostile towards his elder brother.

Tobirama could sense Madara's chakra growing nearer, and he figured he should wrap things up before it got too chaotic. The sensory ninja had felt his brother's weakened chakra surrounding Madara earlier, as if to protect him. After Hashirama's rant, that feeling increased dramatically, and he could sense Hashirama's chakra subconsciously extending towards Madara, invisibly surrounding and protecting him further. He knew that the situation could get complicated if he didn't drop it soon. But he wondered, why was his brother being so protective of the Uchiha?

"Brother. . . I understand that you see potential in him, but I only wish to look out for you, and this village. All I'm saying is that you should be prepared for the worst scenario. That was all I wished to tell you, since you should be recovering today. . ." Tobirama spoke a little more gently, surprising his brother.

Hashirama sighed. "Listen, younger brother. . . I appreciate that you want to look out for me, and I'm truly grateful for you. . . I just want you to consider giving him a chance - I mean, him and I created this village together, and he hasn't done anything to harm the village. Please. . ."

Tobirama knew he needed to finish up, so he just said what he knew his brother wanted to hear. "Fine. . . I will think it over."

Hashirama smiled, "Thank you. I'm gonna go check on him now. . . I'll see you later, Brother!"

"Make sure you rest, Hashirama!"

"I know, I know!" Hashirama dismissively laughed at his brother's concern, running back to the house. He was a little surprised to see Madara already standing outside.

He stopped in front of Madara and (- wanting to comfort him -) pulled him close. "Mada. . . I'm sorry about my brother, he's just. . . Having a hard time adjusting, but I'm sure he'll come around!"

Madara blushed and looked at Hashirama.

"Hashi, did you. . . Did you truly mean what you said?"

"Hm?"

Madara pulled back from Hashirama to explain. "I heard you. . . You defended me. But why?"

"Because," Hashirama grinned, "I care about you, Hedgie!"

Madara grimaced. "DON'T CALL ME THAT, I AM MADARA UCHIHA! JUST AS YOU ARE HASHIRAMA SENJU!"

The latter started cracking up laughing. "Whatever you say. . . Hedgie. . . !"

Madara pushed him away forcefully. He didn't have time for Hashirama's teasing. Something the other Senju had mentioned reminded Madara of something more serious that he wanted to discuss. First, though, he figured Hashirama should lay down - his chakra depletion was no small matter.

Madara walked back inside the house and closed the door yet again. He absentmindedly handed Hashirama a flask of water and some berries, which he gathered while the Senju brothers were having their discussion. Having been through war, he knew the medicinal properties of plants and herbs, and he tried to find something useful for Hashirama's chakra depletion. Hashirama noticed this and smiled to himself at the Uchiha's thoughtfulness.

(A/N

Hi again :D It's Chai! The next chapter might be a little boring, but it is important for later on. Hopefully it isn't too boring to you, though!

Are you reading this at four in the morning? If so, please get some rest :D Sleep is the best medicine! I can't say much - I stay up late writing Hashimada ;)

How do you like the fic so far? Any suggestions?

I'm working on a SasuNaru fic, by the way. . . Not sure when that'll be posted, but be on the lookout if you're a SasuNaru fan 👀 

(12-20 edit: first chapter is up, and it'll be updated every other Friday!!)

Art credit: its-amihan on DeviantArt

Word count: 920

Have a great day/ night!!)