☆Surrender☆

Part 2

The next morning saw Tobirama summoning Yatagarasu. The crow stretched his wings and shook out his feathers, three legs gripping tightly to Tobirama's arm.

"I need you to deliver a message to the Uchiha clan," Tobirama said.

Butsuma stood behind him, arms folded. Surrounding them were a group of Senju retainers and shinobi, Madara and Hashirama among them. Madara was again blindfolded, but this time his hands were bound in front of him. Hashirama stood with a hand on his shoulder. It was early, and the air was still cold.

"Tell them we have Uchiha Madara. You can attest that we have not harmed him thus far. We await their response."

"And his eyes?" said Yatagarasu in a deep voice.

Hashirama pulled the blindfold free. Madara's sharingan spun in the morning light.

"Very well. I will bring you their response." The crow spread his wings and launched off of Tobirama's fist, towards the thick forest.

The assembled crowd watch it disappear into the tree line, and Hashirama felt a stirring of unease. He tied the blindfold back over Madara's eyes with a whispered, "Sorry."

The crowd slowly dispersed. Butsuma came to stand before the two of them, looking weary.

"Hashirama," Butsuma said. "Why wasn't the hostage under guard in the shed this morning?" A young woman walking past snorted loudly. She quickened her pace as Butsuma shot her a dark look.

"Was I supposed to leave him in there?" Hashirama asked, eyes wide. "Honorable father –"

"I'm not in the mood, Hashirama," Butsuma said curtly. "He needs to stay in the shed. It's secure, and I don't want to risk him getting loose."

"He's not a dog, honorable father."

"He's a dangerous enemy combatant who has killed numerous clan members."

"Hashirama," Madara interrupted. "Just do what he says."

"You don't get a say in this," Hashirama said.

Butsuma raised his eyebrows.

"Hashirama, I am your prisoner, not your plaything." Madara's voice was cutting. "Just lock me in the shed until you have the guts to kill me."

Hashirama ignored him. "Father, I'm the strongest shinobi in our clan. If the seals fail, or if he escapes, it will fall to me to address the situation. It is better that he stay at my side, where I can keep an eye on him."

Butsuma crossed his arms. "And how would that work, exactly? You'll ask us to remove the blindfold and unbind his hands, next?"

Hashirama blinked guilelessly and said, "Yes, that would be my next request. How is he supposed to see where he's going?"

Butsuma shook his head. "No, Hashirama." He waved his hand. Seisa materialized at his side. "He stays in the shed. You have duties you need to attend to."

"How am I supposed to be his guard if I am 'attending' things?" Hashirama demanded. "You made me swear that he would not be a threat to the clan. The only way I can keep him out of trouble is by having him with me." Hashirama was trying not to sound petulant, but he felt like this was getting ridiculous. Why were they so insistent on keeping Madara locked away?

"Hashirama," Butsuma began.

"Father," Hashirama said. "This Uchiha is not a threat. He could've broken free at any time already and he hasn't. His hands are bound in twine. He can breathe fire. If he wanted to escape, he would have done so already."