Madara sat anxiously on the chair, watching as the medical ninja scribbled something onto a white sheet of paper.
"Is he alright?" Madara asked nervously, his throat dry and his palms undesirably sweaty.
"Don't worry, it was nothing serious. It seems that his chakra network was just exerted and damaged a little, but it's been fixed. And the stab wound on his arm has already become shallow due to his magical healing powers, so I've healed them up too." The doctor reassured, patting Madara's shoulder.
"How long until he wakes up?" Madara asked, worriedly eyeing Hashirama who laid serenely under the white bedsheets.
"It would take a week or so. But since it's Hokage-sama, it'll probably just take two days at most." The doctor informed the Uchiha with a proud smile, Madara felt himself slowly calm down and gave the doctor a nod.
"Thank you." Madara said gratefully, the doctor gave him another reassuring nod before leaving and closing the door behind him.
————
"Why weren't you able to protect your brother?" Madara asked calmly, keeping his eyes on Hashirama's peaceful face as the room door quietly opened.
"Blaming a Senju again, are you?" Tobirama bitterly asked, closing the door quietly behind him.
"Funny to hear that from you, Tobirama." Madara replied with pursed lips, arms crossing together.
"Besides, I was asking you. Not just a random Senju." Madara explained, looking over at Tobirama with cold eyes.
"There you go again, looking down at me." Tobirama spat, his eyes glaring down at the Uchiha.
"Then tell me, how did Hashirama get poisoned? How did he get touched by Kiri?" Madara interrogated, Tobirama felt his hands tighten into fists and he remained silent for a tense minute.
"I was busy fighting the Uchiha and didn't detect that Kiri guy. Anija discarded his fight and rushed to block his attack for me but was touched on the arm in the process. After that the poison guy shot the water drop at Anija the moment his movements slowed." Tobirama averted his gaze and stared at his sandals with shaking fists.
Madara was right, it was his fault. But he didn't want to hear that from Madara!
"So, Tobirama. Why weren't you able to protect your brother?" Madara repeated the question slowly, his gaze leaving the white-haired Senju's face.
"Why do you want to shame me so much?" Tobirama demanded, Madara abruptly stood up from his seat and walked over to him.
"I'm not picking on you, I'm simply anguished to see Hashirama hurt." Madara confessed, he met Tobirama's gaze and looked into his eyes.
"Answer my question, Tobirama." Madara said, feeling as if he'd repeated himself for the fifth time already. Tobirama glared back at Madara and clenched his jaw in shame.
"Because I was too weak." Tobirama admitted, his tensed fists slowly relaxed, feeling the guilt he'd been trying to contain leaked into his voice.
If he had paid more attention then his brother wouldn't be in hospital. If only he was stronger...
"Good, the first step to becoming stronger is admitting your mistake." Madara lectured, as if he was the best person to teach others about this.
"I know. I'm trying." Tobirama mumbled, Madara heard this and smiled.
"Haste makes waste. Don't worry too much about your brother, aren't I here?" Madara asked with a shrug.
"You-" Tobirama began angrily, the door opened again and in came Tadashi, who paused halfway through the doorway.
YOU ARE READING
Red String of Fate
FanficWhen Madara was defeated, he finally realized how many regrets he had carried with him. His clan had used him as a weapon against the Senju, he was blinded with hatred and swore to take revenge for his brother, in the end he couldn't achieve anythin...
