Chapter 5
<p>As koyuki walks she runs her long fingers through the high plants beside the path, leaving the foliage a little thicker and brighter green behind her ,she walks along spreading her mokuton through the gardens The flowers bloom, reaching for her in thanks, the roots dig deeper, and everything seems to sigh with satisfaction and love . </p>
<p>It's winter and the world outside even under the bright sun is frigid and lifeless but here in his mother's glass gardens , the air is clear and warm and so is hashirama's heart . </p>
<p>they are sheltered from the cold wind by the gleaming glass and a stand of craggy pine trees, and the sun glows bright on the little blue flowers dotting the grass.</p>
<p>Hashirama sits on the green grass and watches his mother with bubbling existment as she slowly walks towards him so that she can place the little bundle of pink fabric onto his lap. </p>
<p>He's going to see his brother for the very first time ! </p>
<p>" There, be gentle now my little sprout" his mother says fondly ,her silver strands falling over her cheek and delicately weaving across the expanse of the her pale skin " he's very fragile" </p>
<p>" okay mama! " hashirama nods ,brown curls bouncing against his shoulders but he tries to keep his body still not to jolt the baby as his mother moves the fabric to show him his little brother's face. </p>
<p>"Oh" the little boy gasps " mama look at his lashes ! And his your hair! It's just like yours! " he exclaims happily, his eyes lighting up , he looks up at his mother and she runs her fingers through his hair.</p>
<p>"he's so pretty!" hashirama whispers<br />
" he's just like you mama " he leans in to place a little kiss over the baby's nose. </p>
<p>" he is,isn't he?" his mother chuckles. </p>
<p>Hashirama hums happily still kissing his brother's little face all over . </p>
<p>" too much like me" koyuki murmurs and leans in to gather both hashirama and baby Tobirama in her arms . </p>
<p>hashirama looks up then and catches Her face as it falls slightly, her brows furrowing . </p>
<p>" what's wrong mama?" He asks " are you upset?" </p>
<p>Koyuki shakes her head . </p>
<p>" No, it's just __ He is too much like me little sprout" she says and then smiles again but it doesn't reach her eyes , it's the same smile she gives him whenever she talks about aunt Tsukiko " I was hoping he would be more like you " </p>
<p>" but why ? " the boy asks a little confused " mama is beautiful , and strong and is the best kunoichi in all of the land of fire , why is it bad that baby tobi is like you ? " </p>
<p>" my little sprout " she smiles and leans in to kiss his cheek " I'm different from the others ,but lam a princess and my family and statues has allowed me to live a —relatively normal life, and before I got the mokuton and became strong enough to protect myself your aunt tsukiko and your grandpa kairi were always there to protect me , Tobirama however has no status , your father and the clan elders have deemed him defective " her jaw tightens " he's not even going to be considered a senju heir , life is going to be very difficult for him "</p>
<p>" but mama is here, you can protect him , like you protect me " the little boy reasons . </p>
<p>" my sweet little sprout " koyuki pulls her children to her chest " you know I'd protect you two with my life but I can't help but worry for your brother, because sometimes in life no matter how strong we are and no matter how fast , we're simply put in situations where can't protect the ones we love most , sometimes we're too far or too late and sometimes we're right there but we're completely helpless ". </p>
