(Hashimada) The Adventures of a Hedgehog and Some Idiots

11: Confessions

Hashirama grinned and faceplanted on the bed, sighing heavily. He turned over onto his back and patted beside him. "Come on."

Madara rolled his eyes and laid next to him. "Do not get used to this. . ."

Hashirama smirked and shut out the light. "I have a feeling I'll get my way."

"I am not so easily persuaded! Do not underestimate me!"

"Sure." He turned over to face Madara, looking at him more seriously. "Mada. . . We actually did it. We're really going to lead a village together!" He smiled widely, unable to hold back his joy.

Madara smiled. "Yes. . . It does feel unreal."

Hashirama moved closer to the Uchiha and wrapped his arms around him. He mumbled into Madara's hair, "I couldn't do it without you, you know. . ."

Madara felt that overwhelmed sensation again - the feeling of Hashirama's chakra surrounding him, his scent, the atmosphere. . . Everything was. . . Intense. Yet, he was starting to get used to it - and that terrified him.

After a delay, the Uchiha responded, "That is for certain - you can hardly even take care of yourself."

Hashirama laughed, "Hey, I guess you'll just have to take care of me, then!"

Madara sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, I will always be looking out for you."

Hashirama's heart stopped when he heard those words. His hold on Madara tightened and he said seriously, "And I'll always be by your side, no matter what. From here on out, we're in this together. Just you and me."

This comforted Madara - knowing that the Senju would have his back was a nice change from constantly being at war with him. He would never admit such a thing, though, not even to himself.

He blushed and quickly added, "Hey, it is not that I want to, I only say this because it is my duty as the Head of Defense."

"Whatever you say. . . I know deep down that you care about me just as much as I care about you."

Madara tried to argue but sounded somewhat defeated, knowing the Senju was right. "As I said. . . I am only doing what I must. . ." There was a brief silence between them as they became lost in their own thoughts.

In that moment of silence, everything seemed to freeze. The two of them thought over each other's words. They both began to realize that the blood and war of the past decade, all of the trauma, the hatred, the tension between them - they both were finally agreeing to put that aside for good, all for the sake of the village. For real, this time.

Hashirama broke the silence. He cuddled into Madara's soft hair - it really was like a blanket - and yawned. "Damn, I'm exhausted. . ."

Madara suddenly gripped the Senju tightly and shushed him. He looked all around the dark room. Hashirama looked at him questioningly, and Madara whispered so quietly that it was almost inaudible, "I sense something."