A Forbidden Bond

第一章

I watched him again.

I watched him train hard with his brothers. The swift movement as he dodged an attack and launched another one in a repeated motion, their red eyes were a dead five away with each other's techniques. It fascinated me greatly though, like it was my first time watching, but it wasn't. I stood behind this tree each and every time I heard the clanking of their metal kunais hit each other. It called out to me, almost knowing that I would come running immediately just to see Izuna train. Although I never revealed myself to either of them, I think he could tell I was watching. But, I suppose he didn't mind since he never really bothered me, or perhaps he didn't want to harm me in any way necessary since our clans fought like cats and dogs. A soft sigh left my lips just thinking about it. I never understood why our clans never got along. Just because I was a Senju and he was an Uchiha didn't mean anything. In my eyes, we were just noramal people that were restricted from talking to one another due to the fact of our clan's history. It was nothing wrong with trying to make amends, but to our fathers, it was.

Taking a breather, Izuna stopped and I caught the sight of his oxyn eyes.  He blinked at me before smiling. Blushing,  I gave him a small wave as I scolded myself.

Jeez,  one job,  Hana. One stupid job and I got caught. 

One of his brothers, Madara,  caught him smiling at a tree, aka the one I'm behind now. I felt my breathing start to pick up as I slowly slid down the tree. His brother was very intimidating to say the least. Unlike his Izuna, he wore a wicked look with hard eyes that didn't lighten up the slightest, his face almost seemingly in a permanent scowl. Let's just say, his brother was terrifying and Izuna was a gentle butterfly.

My mind started running its gears as I thought for any possible way to get myself out of this predicament. A distraction is what I need.  Yes,  yes! But what....? Deciding to just make a run for it,  I quickly dashed out of the scenery before Madara could catch me.

I ran as fast as my tiny legs could carry me across the forest floor.  The sound of small footsteps patting against the earth's floor was heard while I began to pant heavily.  I ran all the way back to the Senji compact as I listened to the sound of the paper door sliding open causing me to halt. 

Nearly crashing into my father,  my wide brown eyes stared up at him.  A disapproving look on his face, but I suppose I should be used to it. He always looked at me like that, perhaps it was because he wanted more men to fight in his war of Uchiha's and Senju's. I blushed and quickly stammered for an apology.  "S-s-sorry, fa-ther..." I slightly bowed before looking up at him once more.

He only shook his head with a sighed and walked pass me.  I bit my bottom lip to keep it from quivering as my eyes followed him until I could no longer see his tall form. Now, I knew for a fact that he was hated that I was a female instead of a male like Tobi-kun, Hashi-kun Itama-kun, or Kawarama-kun. To him, I was a weak link that was destined to be a typical house wife. Something useless, but common in a woman's life. I didn't have a problem with it, but he did. If I was a man, he would be quick to send me off in the field, maybe giving me a few smiles and nods of encouragement if I do well. I actually didn't mind if he was to send me on the battlefield, but I knew it would never happen considering I had little to no training compared to my big brothers. Sighing, I continued to walk,  actually bumping into something... or someone this time.

Falling on my butt with a big 'Oouf', I furrowed my eyesbrows and looked at my eldest brother,  Hashirama. He smiled at me and helped me up.  His strong hand clenching onto my small one while apologizing. "My apologies, Hana." I stood on my two feet before dusting off my kimono. "I wasn't watching where I was going."

I shook my head, rapidly. "No, it was my fault,  big brother. I should've seen you there." I say in a timid voice while looking down at my bare feet.  Quickly realizing my mistake, I instantly fixed my eyes on him; father always told me it was rude to not look at someone while taking to them.  I heard Hashi chuckle as he stroked my long, sandy brown hair while I gave a ghost smile.

Removing his hands and knelt down to my height. "Do you want to watch me train along with Tobirama?" That made my smile grow.  I nodded so fast, I'm surprised my head didn't fall off. He laughed at me before leading me to the front of the house where my second oldest brother,  Tobi was waiting. He was almost as excited at me.  And that's coming from an eight year old's perspective.

"Hurry up, Hashirama!" The white haired boy exclaimed as he tugged on the eldest boy. "There's no time to waste!" Agreeing with him, I helped push Hashi to the training grounds as he laughed the whole way there.

Setting up with kunais, he says, "Alright, alright." Looking down at me, he asked, "Hana, do you know how to work a kunai, right?" I nodded furiously. Of course I did. I watch Izuna practice with it plenty of times to know how it worked, but I'd never tell them that. Knowing Tobi's temper, he would try to kill the poor innocent boy. Cocking a brow, "You do?"

I nodded once more before holding my hand out for it which he hesitated with. Growing frustrated, I snatched it from him and twirled it. Nodding impressed, Tobi says, "She knows what she's doin-" I threw it at the target and smiled innocently as he sweat drop with an eye twitch. I hear him mutter, "Why is she better than me?" All the watching paid off.

We trained for hours until nightfall. I panted softly with my hands on my knees as my brothers started to pile into the house. "Come on, Hana." Hashirama called out, looking back before I stood straight, fully catching my breath.

"I'll come in a second..." His dark eyes looked at me for a bit before he smiled and headed up the steps inside the house. I looked up at the stars and closed my eyes before being startled by a voice I was all too familiar with.

"You are very good, you know." I blushed deeply and opened my brown eyes to stare at the Uchiha who revealed himself from the shadows and trees. We looked at each other's eyes and and stood there for a moment just enjoying each other's company. We haven't really talked much. I was even surprised he was this daring to come to my compound. "Why don't you say hello to Madara?" He questions as he referred to when I ran for my life.

Blushing even darker, I placed my hands behind my back and explained, "You know he won't approve. Our family are rivals..."

Scoffing softly as he got closer, "Him and your brother are always sneaking off to see each other."

My eyes widened at the information. "H...Hashirama?"

Nodding, "Yeah, almost everyday by the river...they're best friends." He smiled at that. If Madara and big brother were sneaking around to see each other, then he doesn't believe in being enemies at all. We actually liked each other. "He's not as bad as he looks, I promise."

I smiled slightly before meeting his gaze again. "That's...amazing..."

Izuna smiled as well with a nod before turning and heading back into the secretiveness of the trees. I frowned at that before he called out to me. "Meet me by the garden tomorrow at this time." I blinked and felt my voice speak for me before I could think.

"It's a date."