(Hashimada) The Adventures of a Hedgehog and Some Idiots

6: Weird chakra

"It's because you aren't an enemy." Hashirama paused. "My chakra is only behaving this way towards you - I can tell that it isn't extending towards anyone else. It seems that a part of me subconsciously wants to protect you, since you mean a lot to me," at this, Madara blushed, "so what ends up happening is a part of my chakra acts according to that will. However, the rest of my chakra isn't affected, which is why I was able to attack you still. But I could tell when you used the war fan, the part of my chakra that's attached to you was fighting against myself to protect you." Hashirama smiled, "I guess I just really want to protect you, that's all!"

Madara squinted and stood up. He turned away, trying to hide his blush. "You fool, what will you do in battle if we have to fight against an enemy together?! You must focus your chakra on protecting the village, that is much more important."

Hashirama got to his feet. He grinned, "Well, I guess I'll just have to protect you and the village at the same time!" He added more seriously, looking at the small village beyond them, "Plus, if anything were to happen to me, the village would be in your hands alone. I trust you to take over any of my duties, and I believe you alone are the most capable."

Madara faced him and yelled, "Hey, quit acting as if you are on your deathbed! If anyone were to go down in battle, it should be me." He followed Hashirama's gaze, looking at the village in the distance. "You are the life of this village, Hashirama. I know it, and everyone else does as well. It is most likely that you will be Hokage, so that means you mustn't fall in battle."

Hashirama was surprised to hear this from him - usually Madara would rather die than admit that Hashirama was better than him in some way. He gave him a serious look. "I appreciate everything you're willing to do for me. . . But I will not let you die for me, Madara, I can't. This village needs you just as much as it may need me; if anything, it needs you more. Just as we need the village and each other. You need someone to protect again. . . And our village needs protection. You are a strong, fierce leader, and you always do whatever it takes to protect what you care about. . . You fight with purpose and emotion. No one would dare attack the village with you as Hokage, I just know it! I just wish everyone could see it as clearly as I can. . ."

"Hashi, " the Uchiha said gently. "Then I will protect you."

Hashirama's eyes widened at this.

"Your strengths lie in the public duties of the Hokage, just as mine lie in handling the private matters of the village. Hashirama. . . You should be the one to lead the village, and I shall fight alongside you. I am not so well suited for politics. . . However, I do know war, and I am much better suited for strategic operations than you are, since you're a reckless fool."

The Senju grinned at Madara's concern for their village, and his concern for him. "Well if I do become Hokage, then you better be co-Hokage! I guess they'll just have to carve both of our faces in the cliff face!"

Madara smiled. "You're an idiot, you know that?" He laughed, shaking his head.

"Hey!"

The two of them bickered just like they used to in their childhood. It was odd, because despite everything the two of them had gone through, the formation of the village made it seem as if nothing happened between them. It was like they were kids again; it made Hashirama smile to see Madara acting like his old self. He had missed the time they spent together - it meant a lot to him. And he knew that Madara felt the same, although he would take it to his grave.

Hashirama's fatigue was finally starting to get to him as his sage mode wore off. Madara noticed this and said, "You need to get some rest, come on." Hashirama put his arm around Madara's shoulders, and the Uchiha put his arm around his waist to support him, helping him walk back to their shelter.

Hashirama leaned on him for support, struggling to walk from his lack of energy.

"This would be a hell of a lot easier if you weren't so damn heavy, Hashirama, " Madara groaned, struggling under the taller man's weight.

"Sorry, Madara, I can walk on my own." Hashirama said, depressed and tired. He removed his arm from Madara's shoulder, almost falling over. Madara pulled him closer to him to make sure he wouldn't fall.

"Fool, you are in no condition to walk on your own. . ." he placed Hashirama's arm back over his shoulders. "Come on. . . And stop being so depressed, damnit!"

Once they made it back, he helped Hashirama into bed, and the Senju pulled Madara on top of him.

"What are you doing?"

"Hey, you need rest too, right? You said you didn't get any sleep last night because of me," Hashirama frowned. When the Senju was tired, he tended to get depressed more easily.

"I'll be fine, someone needs to keep watch over the village," Madara retorted.

Hashirama mumbled, "Please, Mada? I'm so tired and your hair's so soft like a blanket. . ."

"Ughhh, why are you so concerned with my hair?. . . Stupid Senju. . ."

Madara was feeling the effects of sleep deprivation much heavier now. The events of the past couple of hours tired him out - he couldn't believe it was only late afternoon with everything that had happened. This combined with the warmth that Hashirama gave off (and his comforting scent - hell would freeze over before Madara admitted that it was comforting) had him drifting off to sleep before he even noticed.

Hashirama smiled as he felt Madara relax, falling into a deep sleep. He held him closer and soon followed suit.

(A/N

Awww, ending on a cute note!! Madara, you will realize you love him, eventually. . .

How are you? Chai here! I hope that your day or night is going well. . . If not, maybe some tea and Hashimada will help! It's good for the soul in my opinion ;)

Art credit: YumeSamasLover on (you guessed it) DeviantArt

Word count: 1021

12-20 edit: by the way, if you ever need a recap, check out the chapter called "OPTIONAL RECAP" in between chapters 41 & 42. . . obviously, just don't read the recap of later chapters if you don't want spoilers)