Blood Lust

Chapter 24

Izuna's eyes opened to find a resting Tobirama holding him closely. For a moment, he was happy to see him. He wanted to reach out and caress his face to gently wake him up. However, he was surprised to find that he couldn't move his limbs. Panic flooded his mind instantly once his eyes scanned his surroundings. He was no longer in his home.

"I--I can't move," Izuna panicked. "I can't move! What did you do to me!"

The abrupt shouting jolted Tobirama awake. Instinctually, he pressed his palm against Izuna's cheek to force their eyes to lock.

"It's temporary, Izuna!" Tobirama assured. "Please, calm down!"

"He--He's going to kill me!" he began to cry out. "Let me go! Please let me go!"

Tobirama couldn't quite figure out who he might be referring to. Was he speaking of Madara? Or was it someone else?

"Izuna, I promise you're safe!" Tobirama pleaded over the tireless shouts. "I won't let anything happen to you!"

"Oh Tobirama, you're quite the softie, aren't you?" Madara chuckled. He was propped against the door with his arms crossed, examining the two men.

Tobirama couldn't react much other than blushing just slightly.

"Madara!" Izuna boomed. "What did you do to me!"

"Relax," Madara calmly replied. "I would never hurt you intentionally. You'll be able to move freely once I know you won't try anything."

"Bullshit!" Izuna barked out.

Madara kneeled down to his level and pulled him up to sit against the wall so they could be face to face. Izuna's limbs laid numb on the ground, barely twitching as he tried to move against Madara. There was pain and struggle in his eyes that sent shock waves of guilt through Madara. He hated having to do this.

"I can't stand to look at you," Izuna cried out, squeezing his teary eyes shut.

"You can't stand anyways," Madara scoffed as a firm hand grasped at Izuna's chin. "Look at me, Izuna. Let's talk about this."

A pouty face formed on Izuna. Once his eyes opened to look at his brother, tears streamed down his cheeks.

"You betrayed me, Madara," he sniffled. "You killed my lover an---and you nearly killed me, too. What more can I say?"

"I tried to keep you away from that mess, Izuna," Madara sternly replied. "I wanted to protect you. You should know that."

"No, you wanted me dead because I loved your enemy!" Izuna shouted. "I know that was what you wanted! You hated me for being attached to him!"

"I could never hate you, Izuna!" Madara snapped. "I know you loved him, but I also know how guilty it made you feel! I did what was best! He was one of the ones that killed our family!"

"But I loved him anyways! I couldn't help it!" Izuna shrieked.

With the same hand that held Izuna's face, Madara forced Izuna to turn and look at Tobirama sitting beside him. Through his weepy eyes, he could see the absolute heartbreak that he felt for him on his face.

"Look at him," Madara ordered. "Why are you still seeking vengeance when you've found him? It's already so rare to find your mate, and you were lucky enough to find one again. Does he make you feel guilty? Do you see the ghosts of our brothers when you look in his eyes?"

"But---but I'm still angry with you! You betrayed me, Madara! That won't change!" Izuna weeped.

"Are you actually that angry with me?" Madara muttered. "Or is Obito? Has he been feeding you these foolish ideals?"