Return My Love || (Hashirama x OC) [ABANDONED]

Prologue

"Hashirama, Tobirama, Itama, Kawarama! Do not fall behind. I have reminded you four over and over again!" Butsuma Senju yelled aloud, his eyes narrowing down to his sons, a disappointed look on his face. He is displeased at the sight of his already exhausted children. "You are all shinobi and my sons, representatives and soon to be leaders of the Senju clan! I will not tolerate any kind of childish behaviour. Understand!?"

Tobirama Senju immediately responded without hesitation at all, "Yes, father." Followed by the other three sons as they, too, mumbled out a response.

"I do not hear you!"

"Yes, father!" The four young shinobi exclaimed once more.

The young boys and their father march down in the dark and eerie forest, strolling deeper into the wilderness with not much protection provided. Young Hashirama is quite nervous as his eyes wander around in search of danger, eyeing every suspicious movement may it be trees and bushes rustling or birds flying. He is anxious, yet brave. He thought he hides his inner feelings so well, masking them all with a stoic face, but his younger brother is too keen and observant.

Tobirama caught his older brother's eyes, "Do not fear, anija. There are no enemies here."

Hashirama merely frowned at his brother. He does not like hearing his younger brother exposing whatever he feels. Especially in front of their father. "What are you saying, Tobirama? I am not afraid." The older Senju boy prayed inwardly that his father did not hear them, however it seems this day is not so kind.

"Hashirama!" There is that disappointed look on their father's face again, "If you ever think that cowering away can lessen your fear, then living is not an option if you continue being one, and so is becoming stronger as a man! Shinobi do not cower. So do not disgrace yourself and embarrass me again!"

"I did not feel such a thing, father!" Hashirama tried to defend himself. "Tobirama is simply speaking gibberish! I am not afraid, nor cowering away!" As if to prove a point, he pushed his legs forward, striding along as he kept up the pace.

Their father scoffed in reply, not believing in his own son one bit. "I can hear your trembling voice echoing in the forest, boy. Your lies are futile and hopeless around me. If truly you are my son and a brave shinobi, then watch your steps and keep up! You are falling behind!"

Indeed, the older boy was slowing down. His younger brothers are a few steps ahead of him, and they stride in the forest with not fear but with courage and determination to end this training. It is not good, the boy mused. I am the older brother, I shall be the one ahead of them. And so, he wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath, and pushed his legs forward no matter how painful and exhausted he became. Then, Hashirama swiftly passed his younger brothers, surprising them all. He walked faster to the point he's right beside his own father, whose legs are much longer and honed. I am the next clan head, I shall not disappoint!

Suddenly, the boy froze. It was all it took to make his father pause as well, and he too, noticed the sudden halting movement from his son. There is a slight irritation, but the curiosity is a much greater feeling at this very moment when he sees the change of his son's expression.The other younger brothers stopped as well. Confused and curious, they looked at him with a lost expression, "What's wrong, nii-san?" Itama asked, tilting his head slightly.

The second older brother took a step closer, sighing before repeating his words again. "Anija, I have told you before, there are no enemies here. If there are, I would immediately know–"

Out of nowhere, there was a loud and painful cry echoing in the middle of the eerie forest. A sound so full of anguish and fear and sadness that the Senju family stilled. Hearing a cry in the middle of the woods is simply terrifying. Tobirama's shoulders tensed and his eyes were just as wide. "I-Impossible. There are no people here aside from us. How can I–"