Never Meant To Be

Event

"Sure?" Madara nods. "Okay then. Want to get going? It's nearly sunset." Hashirama tried to cheer the mood up by putting a smile, an arm around Madara's shoulder. Yes. Not that he's experienced enough to actually comfort Madara in a way, albeit he's trying. It worked. Madara smiled a sad smile, but hey. "Right. See you, Hashirama."

Just like that, they were both headed off to their respective houses to prepare for the next event by the Senju.

That was a whole breaking news to Madara, will leave him more emotional and protective over his younger brother, even if he does NOT show it..

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"Nii-san? Why the long face? We're not attending a funeral, brother." Izuna rose a brow, frowning as he and Madara got ready for the upcoming event, or rather a Festival of the Senju.   "Izuna, it's..." Madara swallowed. "I'm sorry." He clenched both of his hands into fists, he seemed even more emotional now, something clearly happened and he wasn't telling Izuna about it.   "You're sorry for what?" He furrowed his brows, walking over to his brother, suspicious.   "Nothing. Just be careful at all times, okay?" He hugged Izuna firmly. Both were ready now, in their usual attires. They'll be leading the clan to the Senju soon enough.   "Pff! That's an easy task! I promise!" He hugged him back, he wasn't one to go back on his word. Promises were kept forever. No going back.

Soon, they were leading the whole damn clan for this Festival they got invited to, by none other than Hashirama.

Madara still did not tame the wild hedgehog he called his hair, since he was 12. The man's hair was hard to comb because of it's thickness.

Not long after, they arrived at the place, which Hashirama greeted them all in, nearly choking Madara as he greeted him with a firm hug. Really firm. Soon enough, though, he pulled away, making Madara gasp for air. The man was a literal HUNK, Madara fearing his bestfriend faintly knowing of that.

Senju's here and there were making the finishing touches to everything. What was happening right now? Not a single Uchiha knew. There were two corners where there were few booths, from what Izuna saw. Musicians were there sitting on chairs near the booths, testing their instruments to prep up for the Festival. At the center was what seemed to be a marketing place, with food and all.

"Perfect!" Hashirama smiled brightly as he saw the finishing touches. "You can start enjoying the food and attractions now! The Blessing will be in an hour!" That, was one of the Senju's religions and traditions for good fortune for the next five years. Vaguely, Hashirama did not mention what would happen during the Blessing.

"What happens during the Blessing?" Madara arose a brow towards Hashirama, a rhetorical question that needed to be asked. "Oh, I almost forgot! The dancers will dance with the rhythm for about 6 hours, and don't worry, they're experts and professionals!" Enthusiastically, Hashirama stated with a bright smile. Yes. He's glowing. "Ah- If you say so. We'll head off now..." Madara replied, the other Uchiha's were already scattering around here and there, parents with their children too.

The Uchiha Compound is currently empty, with elite shinobi hired by Madara, so nothing happens there while everyone was gone away.

To be honest, Izuna expected Tobirama to be right beside Hashirama, glaring at him and Madara from behind Hashirama's back, as that was what he'd likely do. But noo, he wasn't there. It would've been hilarious seeing that grumpy man's face, he's always been like that, always. Even in their previous and last death battle where he nearly died if it weren't for him predicting the attack.

But oh. He and Madara eventually encountered the man. Izuna rose a brow at the questionable accessories on Tobirama, the man was shirtless with only an undergarment beneath a long cloth covering his front and back, a headdress chief with blue, red and an orange color on the tip ends of it, like the sunset's. Other more accessories which seemed to serve as decoration. Overall, he had red paint on his body, from his chin to his collarbone and around his arms, and near his ribs started two lines on his hips going around at his back waist to his front, it went on two circles continuously around itself.

"What're you looking at?" Tobirama, with his default pose with crossed arms and an intimidating expression plastered on his face, rose a brow at Izuna.   "Nothing. You look nice by the way." And he went off just like that, dragging Madara along for food. He was like that, saying hi and then suddenly disappear. Not that Tobirama minded much. He was one of the dancers, and was quite an expert himself. He's done it for a few years already, and was skilled too, despite, he had no doubt he was going to be exhausted by the end of the Blessing.

With the Uchiha brothers... Izuna got a dango whilst Madara got four inarizushi, his favorite. Izuna's favorite is water.

The theme the Senju had for the Festival was traditional and very creative, let's say.

—TO BE CONTINUED—

NOTE: Sorry, I've been busy for the past week, so here. The Blessing is similar to the Philippines' Traditional Ritual, especially the clothings the dancers wear.