Red String of Fate

Chapter 1 - Giving Up

It was over, Madara had lost, and as if God was mocking him Tobirama walked over with his katana raised above Madara's heart.

"Madara... You're finished." The words were finally spoken, his tone containing a hint of pity, but he didn't need that, he didn't need to be humiliated right before his death. The other Uchiha who had joined the battle just to fight the Senju were scattered around, they were cornered and watched the scene unfold silently. Some were looks of disappointment, some were looks of expectation - but Madara had given up.

He had given up living to the Uchiha's hatred, the only reason they took care of him was because he was their most powerful member; their only fighting chance against the Senju.

In the end he couldn't even avenge Izuna, what kind of older brother was he?

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Madara watched as Tobirama went to deliver the finishing blow on him but was stopped by his brother.

"Wait." Hashirama said, looking at Madara with a guilty expression, Madara saw this and avoided eye contact with him at all costs. He didn't want to face Hashirama's sad puppy dog eyes before he died either.

"But Aniji," Tobirama exclaimed indignantly, he knew that Madara was his brother's friend but he'd gone too far and there was no forgiving him for what he'd done, plus he's also an Uchiha.

"This is our chance to finish things once and for all!"

"I won't allow you to lay a hand on him." Hashirama spoke in a low voice, giving his brother a warning glare. The look he used only when he was angry, and 'angry' was not a common thing to see on Hashirama's face.

Tobirama froze on the spot, his brother had never used that look on him before, that meant he was in that determined mode of his. His jaw tightened as he forced himself to lower his katana, letting his arms fall back next to his side.

Hashirama's look softened as if to apologize for the expression he had used on Tobirama before, his brother saw this and said nothing, instead he eyed Madara who laid there quietly.

Hashirama turned to look at Madara, his gaze filled with such overwhelming sadness and regret even Madara could feel it radiating off from him.

"Hmph..." Madara squeezed out a painful huff of laughter, he felt so pathetic right now, so done. "You might as well... Make it quick, Hashirama."

Hashirama heard this and felt even worse, the fighting energy that was always ready to burst out from his friend had completely disappeared. For some reason Hashirama felt a sense of fatigue radiating from Madara's body. Which was... unusual.

"If you do it... I'll be satisfied." Madara continued to say, watching as Hashirama's expression turned even more twisted.

"Don't act tough. If I... kill you," Hashirama said with much difficulty. "Then other Uchiha that hold you dear will go on a rampage."

"No one in the Uchiha clan feels that way towards me." Madara replied quietly, feeling his bones ache as he let out a shallow laugh.

"No... I'm sure there is." Hashirama spoke quietly, carefully eyeing Madara's wounds.

"Can't we just settle this, like we used to?" Hashirama begged, his face showing it all, making Madara feel his heart tighten.

"You know we can't... I'm not the same anymore." Madara said, whispering the last line. I wish I was...

But Hashirama caught onto his friend's whisper, hearing the despair in his words had Hashirama tense up, perhaps there was still a chance.

"Madara, is there really no way for our two clans to come to an alliance? To make peace and realize our dream? Have you forgotten?" Hashirama begged again, his pleading eyes causing Madara to forget his words.