#when I see that bond ignored it feels wrong and like it's not Madara at all

[fire-eyed-raven]

Usually I'm all for not treating two characters as a one inseparable unit. I'm all for exploring them separately from each other or considering some interesting rare pair options for them.

But not with Madara. I love Madara very much but I'm sorry his canon obsession with Hashirama can't be ignored by me. I can't separate it from him. Their bond with Hashirama is completely something else. It's a very integral part of who Madara is.

He wants his attention even if it will be in a fight he wants everything Hashirama can give him. He'll recognize him in any situation. He'll be happy to see him even if the last time they have seen each other Hashirama killed him. He talked about uniting Ying and Yang and clearly meant Hashirama as Yang to his Ying. He ended up merging a part of Hashirama into himself in a most literal sense. He can't shut up about Hashirama when we see him as himself and not an impersonator (obito) or through other's memories.

[justsomeoneunordinary]

Thank you so much for your input! My response under a cut because this post is getting too long otherwise. (It already is achsjjsdhj)

I’ve been pondering your response for a while, and honestly, I don’t have much to add to it. You raise some really good points I completely forgot about and the more I think about them, the more I see it going as you describe.

The reason why I didn’t think of the examples you brought up is because they’re reasonable, unlike Hashirama’s outburst at Tobirama possibly killing Madara. The other times when Hashirama calls out Tobirama he does so within reason—I love Tobirama but he does need to be taken down a peg or two sometimes—and vice versa, the few instances that Tobirama overrides Hashirama he’s in the right. And they seem to be aware of it too, when they’re in the wrong, which is why they let the other one talk over them in the end.

But Hashirama lashing out at Tobirama for reasonably wanting to kill Madara is beyond any rationality. Hashirama and Madara had been fighting each other for about a decade by the time, and by the looks of it, they did so over life and death, no matter how much fanfics portray it as non-lethal sparring, which means if they hadn’t been so evenly matched, either of them could’ve killed the other one in one of their fights. And getting so worked up over Tobirama almost delivering the final blow is kind of… almost hypocritic tbh.

But you’re right of course, they do have a kind of push-and-pull relationship and Hashirama is of course more worked up because it’s not just someone but Madara. These two have a bond that transcends friendship and brotherhood and one which Tobirama is not part of. Which is okay. One of the reasons why I added Hashi antis not to interact is because they love to point out how “clearly Hashirama loves Madara more as his brother than his actual last living brother”, which 1) isn’t even true as Hashirama and Madara simply have a different kind of bond and 2) is not even a bad thing per se. It reeks of “blood is thicker than water” and I couldn’t disagree with it more if I tried. Sometimes siblings aren’t that close. Sometimes you meet people who are closer to you than your own family and that’s okay.

It does, however, not spark joy. I think that’s one of the reasons why I’m so worked up about it; Hashirama and Tobirama mean a lot to teach other but don’t have a close relationship, which is okay, sometimes it do be like that, but I don’t like it. Sorry, I think two brothers who’ve already lost two younger ones and only have each other anymore should be loyal to death to each other to the point of slightly unhealthy co-dependency, and to the point that if Hashirama were to lose his last brother he’d lose his mind over it like Madara did over Izuna—and it’s a crime against my feelings for canon to refuse me this, but alas.

I still do think that Hashirama’s outburst was too harsh, as Tobirama was perfectly reasonable in wanting to kill a still-enemy, and the main question still remains: What would Hashirama have done exactly had Tobirama ignored him?

Of course, it needs to be pointed out that Tobirama would’ve been in the wrong too and would’ve deserved punishment for ignoring a direct order from his clan head. But, rhetorically, if Tobirama had ignored Hashirama and killed Madara—ignoring for a moment that he wouldn’t’ve gotten this far in the first place since Hashirama was right there and would’ve restrained Tobirama immediately—how would Hashirama have reacted?

Because that’s not only a subordinate ignoring his orders, that’s his last remaining brother, and my main question is, was Hashirama at that point in time already this far gone and hellbent on peace that he would’ve killed Tobirama or would it have resulted in some milder form of punishment and a cold, unloving relationship between them from then on?

And I’m not sure if this question is one where we could find an answer at all…

See, I don’t usually like to think that Hashirama would’ve killed Tobirama if Madara hadn’t given the choice between Tobirama and Hashirama, because those kinds of thoughts usually only come from the anti Hashirama side of the fandom which I could not agree less with if I tried.

But.

The fact remains that Hashirama at some point went from “I will protect my last brother at any cost” to “I will kill anyone who threatens Konoha, even if it were my brother or even my own children” and it’s never fucking shown when that change exactly happened.

Was it when he reached adulthood and he realized for himself that the bigger picture—in his case, peace—matters more than anything else? Was it after Konoha was built and he became Hokage and his responsibilities grew? Was it after Madara left and his heart grew cold?

I imagine it must’ve been a mixture of being Hokage and therefore having more people to protect besides his direct family, and Madara’s betrayal that must’ve struck him pretty badly that he let his heart grow so cold to the point he’d rather kill his best friend/brother/child if they in any way threatened the village resp. peace as a whole than attempting to talk with them first.

But the question remains: What would have Hashirama done if Madara had demanded Tobirama’s life with no other option? I don’t like to imagine that he actually would’ve killed Tobirama, but as much as I devour fics in which Hashirama goes absolutely batshit after his brother dies with relish, canonically speaking, peace would always be Hashirama’s biggest goal. And it’s driving me utterly nuts that I cannot for the life of me say how Hashirama would’ve reacted in this scenario.

Anyway, Idk where I was going with this, I just had to think once again about this and what a fascinating character Hashirama actually is and how little we know about him at the end of the day…

[captnjacksparrow]

So does Kishi officially hate NH and SS? Because I can't help but think like that when I see them in Boruto. Like no way he wants them to be seen as happy or content. Also, it seems like he still hates Sakura because just just look at her, she hasn't really changed. Her dynamic with Sasuke hasn't really changed. She gives chase, Sasuke ignores. Except Sasuke looks more depressed.

Hey, after fifteen years of us chasing after the story and characters we invested in so much, at least give us some indication that they are least happy after sooo many sacrifices, like they deserve that happiness.

But no, if anything, they seem totally miserable. What made Kishi do that? Yes, he can't show them ooc, but Sasuke marrying Sakura is already ooc. Naruto being a bad father is already ooc. Like why go to the extent of showing Sasuke trying not to touch Sakura and pointedly showing that they never kissed? That's just like a determined effort on Kishi's part to show that their marriage is not working. Naruto works way more than any of his predecessors and sleeps in the office or couch so as not to disturb Hinata, when Hinata is specifically designed to accommodate anything that Naruto might require.

Don't get me wrong, I think Boruto is trash. But I am still in interested in SNS in Boruto because that's still canon. Just makes me wonder how Kishi will finally conclude SNS, because their bond still shows clearly in Boruto. Do you think he will kill them any time soon?

Good ask, Anon☺️☺️❤️❤️

Before answering this, I am going to tell you that I don’t watch Boruto. But I know what happened so far, vaguely. Like, Gaiden arc, Karma seal, Kawaki adoption, Kurama’s death, loss of Rinnegan, Time travel arc. Anyways, I might have missed many interactions between Sasuke & Sakura in the filler episodes or other canonical episodes. I would be happy If you send me an episode list or timestamps in where they interact, so that it saves my time instead of me, watching that entire shit show. 

So does Kishi officially hate NH and SS?

In this post, I dissected SS from a non-SNS perspective. It seems Kishi went all out of his way to make their interactions too insincere, blunt and toxic. I mean Sasuke’s absolute lack of interest in her was very evident even until chapter 693. That is right before, their final VoTE fight. And even after Sakura comes to heal their injuries, he just said ‘Ummmm..... I guess Sorry’... 

Kishi could have made Sasuke say some corny shit to Sakura like how he felt bad inside for hurting her, how he missed her, wiping her tears or whatever (Puke!!!! 🤮🤮🤮). Because in the previous chapter, Sasuke basically confessed to Naruto internally about how he felt about Naruto when he was a child. Kishi could have done the same for Sakura in just 4, 5 panels. But anyways, my point is, Kishi’s moment to salvage that ship is chapter 699. 

But he didn’t.

Did Kishi tried to build their bond after marriage?

He definitely could’ve. But he didn’t. 

This shows his clear distaste in SS.

As for NH, Kishi is indifferent. He neither hates them nor loves them. Kishi created Hinata as a pairing fodder and she still is. 

Also, it seems like he still hates Sakura because just just look at her, she hasn't really changed. Her dynamic with Sasuke hasn't really changed. She gives chase, Sasuke ignores. Except Sasuke looks more depressed.

Hmmm, I don’t know whether Sasuke hates her, anon. Again, maybe I’ve missed those parts. But when he looks at her, it’s always filled with regrets and an urge to avoid her (like Itachi avoided Sasuke, but for totally sad and genuine reasons). 

But this again begs the question, ‘Why feeling regret or hesitant even after 12 years?’. 

Believe me anon, Love/Bonds/Understanding can happen at anytime of your life. From where I come from, not everyone marries out of love. Arranged marriages are common. But still, many couples make effort and work out their difference, and find love. Kishi could’ve done the same for SS too. 

Is Sasuke that heartless? No.

He was once a boy who bear hugged his brother every time Itachi comes back from the Academy. Itachi’s presence itself made Sasuke so happy. 

Did he become heartless after the massacre? Also no.

Even after the trauma, Sasuke just became aloof and cold. But he always becomes a child who can pout, be silly, becomes animated, bicker around Naruto. So, he can be lovely, but only around the people he choose by himself. 

Still, Sakura is not that person. So, he looks like he is depressed and wants to escape from her at any given chance because of a certain guilt. 

What made Kishi do that? Yes, he can't show them ooc, but Sasuke marrying Sakura is already ooc. Naruto being a bad father is already ooc. Like why go to the extent of showing Sasuke trying not to touch Sakura and pointedly showing that they never kissed? That's just like a determined effort on Kishi's part to show that their marriage is not working.

To answer, this goes way back, anon. 

Kishi is a person who prefers to write love through intense friendship, sensei-student dynamics and brotherhood. He can occasionally write cute and sweet romance but it can only be short like 2 or 3 pages... or a chapter, max. He can’t go on doing it for 70 chapters for romance. Which was evident from Minato & Kushina, Dan & Tsunade, Obito & Rin. 

But the real deal of Naruto manga is the bond between Naruto and Sasuke. The bond between Itachi and Sasuke also played a huge role in this series. And then comes Hashirama and Madara, Jiraiya and Naruto, Kakshi and Obito, Kakashi and Naruto and many more. So, Kishi pretty much gave an ending he wanted for a long time in chapter 699. He successively pulled off a great manga without corny and shitty romance but with just friendship and brotherhood alone. He didn’t give two shits about NH or SS before chapter 700.

Naruto series’ another success lies on it’s characters tragic backstories. I simply loved them all and most of them made me cry. 

Kishi wanted to move on from Naruto.

But then Money played a big part. Naruto series can be milked in a lot of ways. Editors wanted all the characters to become some baby making dolls. So you have to create pairings. Based on the popularity polls, they decided NH and SS.

In my opinion, Sasuke is a goal-oriented person. He is a wanderer who works on his own accords. Ever since he left Konoha when he was 13, that was his path, so you can’t make him stay in one place. At every stage of his life, he had different goals.

At age 8-15, he had one goal. To kill Itachi. Can he have a romance here? Nope.

At age 16, his goal is to destroy Konoha. No chance of romance in that dark path.

At age 17, he wanted to Revolutionize the shinobi system. Since he wanted to be alone for that goal, no possibility of romance.

At age 18, he adopted Naruto’s dream as his own. To make all shinobi cooperate and look out for Kaguya remains. Romance cannot happen here as he was constantly wandering around and he prefers to work alone.

This is how Kishi designed Sasuke’s character throughout.

Now all of a sudden, if you ask Kishi to go OOC by asking him to write corny romance for his favorite character Sasuke just for the sake of making him relevant to Boruto series, what will he do? 

Since Boruto is a series which is a sequel to Naruto, you pretty much know everyone’s backstory. Those 12 year old New Gen kids possibly can’t have tragic stories like Naruto or Sasuke. 

Kishi being a troller, used this opportunity to create a piss poor sob story for Sarada by making Sasuke as an absentee father and an unloving husband.

He created a sad story for Sarada and he gets to shit on SS ship. Two birds, One stone!!!! 

Now, Sasuke being an unloving husband is OOC ? Nope. He was never a marriage material in the first place. So he is perfectly in-character.

Sasuke being an absentee father is OOC? No and Yes. No, because it’s the effect of the cause I mentioned above. Yes, because unlike Naruto, Sasuke once had a father. He can try to reach her out now and often. but he prefers not to do instead he cares more about Boruto. LOL.

Sasuke being not family oriented is OOC? Nope. He is a goal oriented person. His goal is same as Naruto’s dream. He will go to any extent to fulfill it, even at the expense of his family’s happiness. Because that’s what he learnt from Itachi. What Itachi taught him was, even at the expense of his own happiness and Sasuke’s trauma, he preferred Konoha and Shinobi World’s peace. That’s what Sasuke is doing now. 

Naruto works way more than any of his predecessors and sleeps in the office or couch so as not to disturb Hinata, when Hinata is specifically designed to accommodate anything that Naruto might require.

As for Naruto, 

I think it’s very funny. And I guess, I know why.

Just like Sasuke, Naruto is also a goal oriented person. 

Remember, in that Boruto movie, Sasuke knocks Naruto’s door at the midnight?

Imagine if Naruto opened the door. 

Sasuke will be like, ‘Alright mothafucka!!! I wanted to die in the VoTE itself. You wanted me in your dream world. Am working my ass off for your stupid dreams and trying to reach you without even meeting my own family. And yet here you are, sleeping well and sound. Am just gonna Chidori you!!!’ LOL.

I think you get my point. 

If you make Sasuke to be an hardworker, then Naruto must work even hard to fulfill his dream. So you possibly can’t have Naruto playing duet with Himata or whatever trash. 

So kishi pulled his Two birds, One Stone for NH here!!!

In short, Kishi gets to make his New generation shine through this pathetic sob stories and at the same time, kept his favorite characters without going OOC. 

So, it’s a polite way of Kishi showing middlefinger to SS and NH for making him do this. He is saying, ‘Alright folks, you wanted this all along. But this is what you will get!!!’.

Just makes me wonder how Kishi will finally conclude SNS, because their bond still shows clearly in Boruto. Do you think he will kill them any time soon?

I think about this all the time. How will they end?? How will they die??

Now, don’t think I am some sadist for wanting them to die. I am just being practical and honest here. This is a new generation series. Of course, at some point, Naruto and Sasuke has to die for the sake of character development. And I will be happy if they die because I don’t like their miserable portrayal in Boruto at all. 

Naruto series has a pattern when it comes to death portrayal. Meaningful characters (except Neji) always die protecting someone/something they cherish. Jiraiya died for Naruto, Yahiko died for Konan & Nagato, Itachi died for Sasuke & Konoha, Haku died for Zabuza, Obito (younger) died for Kakashi & Rin and so on.

Ever since Naruto became Hokage, his death is pretty much plastered on his head. He will die protecting Konoha just like all the Hokages from First to Fourth who sacrificed their life for Konoha. 

But Sasuke??? 

I am going to say he will die protecting Naruto or the village. But for Naruto mostly. Either way, Sasuke will die first. 

Dying for Naruto, the reasons are crystal clear. He already died protecting Naruto once in the Zabuza arc. He will never hesitate to do it again. Which was evident from the way he told Naruto in the Boruto movie while giving his Susanoo, ‘If they capture the real you, then everything is gone’. Somewhere in Boruto Manga chapter 38 (I don’t remember properly), Sasuke was yelling at Naruto, ‘If you are gone, it’s pretty hopeless’ and was praying ‘Naruto, don’t you die’. 

So it’s pretty much Sasuke saying to Naruto, ‘I’ll protect you, You protect everyone’

But why the village?? Why will Sasuke die for Konoha which caused him so much pain?? I know anti-konoha stans wont like this, but that’s the reality.

It seems many Sasuke fans never paid attention to his character. After hearing the story from all the Hokages, Sasuke said, ‘I will not let Itachi’s life and this village into nothing’. He really meant it. Because for Sasuke, Itachi was more precious. Itachi died saying, ‘I’ll have protected my village as Uchiha Itachi of Konoha once again. I have no more regrets’. Sasuke wanted to respect his brother’s wish finally and that’s why he openly claimed in the battlefield, ‘I am going to protect Konoha and become it’s Hokage’. Sasuke’s another precious person is Naruto. He is the Hokage now. 

Don’t you think Sasuke will die protecting something Itachi and Naruto values so much??

He even claimed it openly in Boruto Manga. ‘I would die anytime for Konoha, as has your dad (Naruto)’

Sasuke even said to Boruto, “I will stop you even if I have to kill you”. And do you think Sasuke is just pouring out some empty words??? Sasuke will not let Boruto to turn into an Otsutsuki monster and destroy the village.

Like I said, Sasuke will go out first. And eventually Naruto will follow him. Or they both die protecting the village together. I don’t see them dying for their wives or children. Because, their relationship with their family is not too strong and their ambitions are far beyond their own families.

Maybe for this reason, Kishi is trolling NH and SS in Boruto. LOL.

Naruto’s bond with Sasuke was formed even before his birth, when Kushina asked the 3 month old Baby Sasuke to be friends with Naruto.

However, One thing is for sure. One will not live very long without the Other or Both will die together. That’s how their bond should end. 

[madara-fate]

(This is long and I’m not a native speaker so wanted to warn beforehand)

I don’t agree with most of what they wrote about the shipppuden part where they claimed madara, obito and nagato was right (although I don’t really agree with their motives I believe thay had %100 rights about being angry at the village and the system) But You cannot honestly deny that most of the part I in naruto and the flashbacks it’s always naruto that starts to lash out violently at sasuke (when he doesn’t get to show off or couldn’t manage to throw shurikens as good as sasuke does) and sasuke just doesn’t cara he doesn’t even fight back he just dodges and naruto feels even more humiliated because of sasuke, it’s not sasuke’s fault that he feels inferior also sasuke could’ve bolted from orochimaru in the forest of death it was clear that even if he fought he couldn’t have beaten him and backup was coming if they would have tried to run maybe sasuke wouldn’t have get bitten (I’m not sayin it could have worked but it was a more reasonable solution than let’s fight the creppy snake dude who wants sasuke’s magic sharingan eyes and his pretty body) but you see naruto thought his pride and the exam was more important than his comrades he gave some encouragement and then passed out leaving sasuke to fight such dangerous person and sakura called him a coward that naruto at least does something and she didn’teven do anything whatsoever just watched while the love of his life nearly got killed??? ( don’t get me wrong i like sakura and she did placed herself against gaara and sasuke was prepared to die for him and she got plenty better afterwards and I would never deny her growth that’s why she is my second favorite character but at the forest of death she did nothing and accuse someone who always does the most work of doing nothing) back to the point is i don’t understand why naruto feels it’s sasuke’s fault when he clearly is the one who starts the fights oh and don’t give me that ‘but naruto was 6 hes a child of course he gonna get jealous’ card kakashi was chunnin at that age which brings to another set of problems being that how can they send children to a war and such when they are so young and inexperienced

Look at it from that perceptive your father commits suicide because he saves his comrades instead of doing the mission wich if he was able to save his comrades that must mean they can’t have been that much of a large number (why send so little people to such a dangerous mission in the firs place even if it was a stealth mission and there was war going on why can’t you prioritize your ninjas lives over mission why can’t you have teams that can back them up now I understand sacrifice for the better good but to a village that always brags about teamwork and comrades it sounds too hypocritical to me) Sakumo feels shame not because he saved his comrades but because his status falled ridiculously so much and he was mocked despised for his decision (that was the reason he died because of people he couldn’t take it that was the said reason in cannon) but for some reason kakashi instead of feeling resentment to the village that took his family becomes their most loyal trusted asset I understand why people feel disappointed at his character that doesn’t mean he can’t be loyal to something but he never once doesn’t seem to question why the purpose to all of this loss (please don’t talk about children they send them to wars when it’s convenient to maintain the status quo cuz they have to show their power it wouldn’t stop once there’s peace if there’s any war they still would send them.The strongest village, I remember someone said about Konoha that it’s the biggest ninja village and have the most ninja population so there can’t be that much civilians and kids that aren’t ninja Konoha makes the most money from missions it’s a ninja village not an civilized village)

Now I myself like naruto and kakashi I just don’t like what they represent that you must be ready to sacrifice everything for the village and if someone you care about dies along the way you have no right to be angry at the village because ya know that’s treason I think that anon wasn’t especially angry at naruto himself more than his fans. His fans that doesn’t see a broken child born out of neglect that’s ready to do everything for acknowledgement,bonds,family and friends that he’s blind to what lays underneath but thay see this perfect being that could do no wrong who had it worse than everyone but now he is just an perfect hero no longer that lonely child

Our problem with naruto isn’t naruto himself but people who refuse to see his arrogance (that even itachi pointed out in the war) that they are too far gone they undermine all others pain and suffering to uplift naruto (their precious self-insert)

That’s what i think anyway i’m not trying to impose my opinion on anyone but I just wanted to hear your opinion on those matters but feel free to ignore it if you don’t have anything to say on those matters I understand that not everyone would want to delve that deep into fiction it’s for our enjoyment at the end of the day and everyone could interpret fiction in their own way some might not want to deal with them by saying it in a fictional world it doesn’t work like ours so children going to war is okay there because the narrative doesn’t make a big deal out of it but I don’t believe that I think every fiction mirrors our own world and problems somehow but I get that it’s an escapism and you want to keep that away from that fictional world that has no flaws,it’s different for everyone and i don’t mind honestly

So you created an account just to say this? *Sigh*, okay then.

I'll begin by saying how I have a lot less to say about your ask in comparison to the original Anon, because the original's was just filled to the brim with utter nonsense, while yours isn't. However there are still several things wrong here.

You cannot honestly deny that most of the part I in naruto and the flashbacks it’s always naruto that starts to lash out violently at sasuke (when he doesn’t get to show off or couldn’t manage to throw shurikens as good as sasuke does) and sasuke just doesn’t cara he doesn’t even fight back he just dodges and naruto feels even more humiliated because of sasuke, it’s not sasuke’s fault that he feels inferior

Yeah that's true, but do you think that makes Naruto a terrible person or something? Or a "detestable child" as the other Anon so eloquently put it? No one with a good head on their shoulders thinks that Naruto was a saint as a child. He was a troublemaker with a bad attitude who got up to no good, people know and acknowledge that. However, we also acknowledge the reasons he became that way, and don't form conclusions regarding his worth as a person based on his juvenile antics as a child who was starving for any form of attention.

but you see naruto thought his pride and the exam was more important than his comrades he gave some encouragement and then passed out leaving sasuke to fight such dangerous person

Explain to me how on earth you reached the conclusion that Naruto apparently thought that his pride and the exams were more important than his comrades from this? Please explain that to me. How does Naruto fighting back against Orochimaru, giving Sasuke a pep talk, and then passing out, somehow equate to him prioritising his pride and the exams above the lives of his comrades? That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. Quite frankly, that is a preposterous conclusion to reach from that scenario. Opting to fight rather than flee does not automatically equate to caring more about your pride than the lives of your friends. I also love how you word it as Naruto "leaving" Sasuke to fight such a dangerous person, as if that was his intention - To get Orochimaru riled up, and then just leave Sasuke to deal with the consequences because he's just such a prick. Yeah that's not what happened.

and sakura called him a coward that naruto at least does something and she didn’t even do anything whatsoever just watched while the love of his life nearly got killed??? ( don’t get me wrong i like sakura and she did placed herself against gaara and sasuke was prepared to die for him and she got plenty better afterwards and I would never deny her growth that’s why she is my second favorite character but at the forest of death she did nothing and accuse someone who always does the most work of doing nothing)

This I agree with and I've made this point before - about how wrong it was for Sakura to have called Sasuke a coward in that situation, despite the fact that he was the one fighting while she was doing nothing. However, I've still always remained firm that Naruto had the right to label Sasuke as a coward in that situation (just as Sasuke had the right to label Naruto as a coward previously during the Land of waves). Naruto was right to do so, Sakura wasn't.

back to the point is i don’t understand why naruto feels it’s sasuke’s fault when he clearly is the one who starts the fights oh and don’t give me that ‘but naruto was 6 hes a child of course he gonna get jealous’ card kakashi was chunnin at that age which brings to another set of problems being that how can they send children to a war and such when they are so young and inexperienced

You don't understand why Naruto feels that what is Sasuke's fault? Naruto never once expressed the idea that Sasuke was at fault for any of their confrontations at the Academy. Furthermore, I can very much give you the "Naruto was just a child" card. You think using Kakashi's maturity at the same age justifies your assertion that people can't use that excuse? As if everyone was just like Kakashi when they were 6 years old? No it doesn't work that way. Naruto was behaving how you'd expect a 6 year old child with no parents to behave. Kakashi was the anomaly here, not the rule of behaviour.

I'm also not gonna get into the whole "child soldiers" debate because that's a whole other discussion and was never part of the original topic. The point of this was to address the original Anon's absurd claims regarding Naruto, and that's where we'll stay. So everything you said about the child soldiers was interesting, but is for another day. What I'll say regarding Kakashi and Sakumo though, is that Sakumo's treatment at the hands of the village following his mission's failure was never portrayed positively. You asked...

but for some reason kakashi instead of feeling resentment to the village that took his family becomes their most loyal trusted asset

Well I'll tell you why - It's for exactly the same reason why Sasuke eventually became one of Konoha's top protectors despite the ordeal with the Uchiha massacre. It's because the people who are currently residing in the village, are not the same people who wronged Kakashi's father. The current village has nothing to do with Sakumo's suicide, just like how the village itself was not responsible for the Uchiha massacre. The current village no longer abides by those outdated beliefs that the mission must be prioritised above all else. So why would Kakashi feel resentment towards those who had absolutely nothing to do with his father's suicide? There's something you can ask yourself. The village as it is now, is not the same village it was back then; people come and go, as do ideals.

Now I myself like naruto and kakashi I just don’t like what they represent that you must be ready to sacrifice everything for the village and if someone you care about dies along the way you have no right to be angry at the village because ya know that’s treason

That is not a view that has ever been highlighted in the series, so I really don't know where you got that one from. No one ever stated or indicated that you can't be angry or frustrated with the village hierarchy when a comrade dies during a mission because that would apparently be seen as treacherous. It's actually very ironic that you would say this in an ask criticising Naruto, because Naruto is actually the one who disproves your assertion in this case. If you recall, when Naruto was informed of Jiraiya's passing, he went on a tirade against Tsunade, saying that it was her fault he died, berating her for sending him to such a dangerous place alone etc.

Now during this entire ordeal, was Naruto ever depicted as the one in the wrong? No, he was portrayed as the sympathetic figure who was deeply grieving the loss of his beloved master. Everyone who saw Naruto as he was mourning, acknowledged that he had every right to feel that way, so of course no one was going to reprimand him for lashing out at Tsunade in the manner that he did.

I think that anon wasn’t especially angry at naruto himself more than his fans. His fans that doesn’t see a broken child born out of neglect that’s ready to do everything for acknowledgement, bonds, family and friends that he’s blind to what lays underneath but thay see this perfect being that could do no wrong who had it worse than everyone but now he is just an perfect hero no longer that lonely child

Our problem with naruto isn’t naruto himself but people who refuse to see his arrogance (that even itachi pointed out in the war) that they are too far gone they undermine all others pain and suffering to uplift naruto (their precious self-insert)

Well as I said before, those with a good head on their shoulders know that Naruto is far from a perfect being, but also know that everything the previous Anon was saying about him was bullshit, simple as that. That being said, I'd rather you didn't speak for that other Anon, because according to everything they said, they most definitely did have a major problem with Naruto himself.

That’s what i think anyway i’m not trying to impose my opinion on anyone but I just wanted to hear your opinion on those matters but feel free to ignore it if you don’t have anything to say on those matters I understand that not everyone would want to delve that deep into fiction it’s for our enjoyment at the end of the day and everyone could interpret fiction in their own way some might not want to deal with them by saying it in a fictional world it doesn’t work like ours so children going to war is okay there because the narrative doesn’t make a big deal out of it but I don’t believe that I think every fiction mirrors our own world and problems somehow but I get that it’s an escapism and you want to keep that away from that fictional world that has no flaws, it’s different for everyone and i don’t mind honestly.

I won't ignore what you said. I asked for someone to respond with their account and you did, so the least I can do is give credit where credit is due, and fulfil my end of the agreement. I had some things to say on the matter as well, but I'll reiterate that the child soldier stuff is far too big a topic to delve into here, and it would be going on a tangent that I'd like to avoid. All I wanted to do here was to see someone actually try to explain and justify the ridiculous accusations the initial Anon was throwing in Naruto's direction, but you didn't actually do that, you took a more understandable approach which I can appreciate, despite still finding issues with a lot of what you said.

[asotin]

tobirama might be madara and other thoughts tobirama doesn't want to have

(i tried to organize this and not to get too repetitive or go on a huge tangent about the details of hashirama and tobirama’s strained sibling relationship beyond the way they tie into tobirama and madara, but it’s a ~3k monster and i am but a simple nerd)

ftr i don’t think that everything here is the correct interpretation of what was happening, but i do think it's how tobirama saw things

to get to why tobirama is shit scared of madara, i think you have to begin with when they’re kids and look at his relationship with hashirama because that’s where the seeds of bad choices to come are planted

1.

tobirama prioritizes hashirama. he can think for himself and doesn’t completely follow hashirama’s directions, but lbr he works within the framework of the things hashirama wants and builds. if hashirama had changed his mind and decided that peace was unattainable, tobirama wouldn’t have left him to start a village on his own. he would have stayed with his brother and kept fighting

madara and hashirama being pulled apart started all the shit, but it was tobirama and izuna who tattled and made that happen

why was tobirama following hashirama in the first place? because butsuma told him to? fuck no. he followed hashirama for the same reason izuna followed madara: his brother has been sneaking off without telling him. hashirama is keeping secrets, even from tobirama

you know what makes you feel like shit? guilt

tobirama made hashirama miserable because he did what he was supposed to do and told butsuma about hashirama’s secret friend (read: he did what a jealous kid does and tattled)

from the start of their friendship, hashirama chose madara. he had to stick with tobirama because they’re brothers, but hashirama wanted madara to be in his life because he liked madara

sure, hashirama chose to die before he chose to kill tobirama but what if those hadn’t been the options? what if madara had told hashirama to choose between madara and tobirama?

both of their younger brothers get killed by madara’s family, but hashirama won’t stop talking about his friend who he should have killed but won’t

tobirama killed izuna like he was supposed to but hashirama won’t kill madara

you know what else feels really bad? the possibility that the brother you love and built your life around might hate you but you can’t be sure one way or the other

hashirama is ready to abandon everything for madara, but he doesn’t really acknowledge tobirama. one of the things tobirama is known for- being a sensor- only comes up later, when hashirama mocks him for not noticing that orochimaru has hashirama’s cells. it's sort of brotherly ribbing but because he's never been shown doing that before or joking with anyone other than madara, it feels more barbed than it normally would

hashirama in general kind of ignores tobirama until they butt heads

maybe it's because there isn't a parallel character to tobirama, but tobirama’s scale of someone’s worth is based on hashirama being at the top, while hashirama doesn't think about tobirama at all outside one moment in the flashback where he thinks about wanting to keep his brothers safe

hashirama, who trusted a stranger because he was playing in a river, doesn’t think much of tobirama, and that’s where the fear starts

why doesn’t hashirama like him? what isn't tobirama seeing?

why can’t hashirama forgive tobirama for telling butsuma?

why was it wrong for tobirama to kill izuna when izuna would have killed him?

madara, who wanted to build konoha and loved hashirama (even if you read it as platonic, if they don’t love each other, what the fuck is up between them bc that relationship wasn’t built on superficial trauma bonding), can be forgiven for turning against the village

why is what tobirama did worse than what madara did?

why does hashirama get so fucked up about madara even though madara tried to kill him, but he gets mad at tobirama for being wary of the people who’ve been trying to kill them (and who they’ve been trying to kill) for generations?

the fear of being replaced by madara is already there, and it only grows as hashirama mourns himself into an early death bc he wouldn’t have done that over tobirama

now add to that what happened when madara turned against konoha. more accurately, what didn’t happen

i’m repeating myself here but if tobirama and hashirama had worked together (if hashirama had called for him to help because tobirama has no business hopping into a throwdown between hashirama and madara and he knew it), they could have subdued madara without killing him (technically madara didn’t die, because izanagi or w/e but they didn't know that). hashirama didn’t want to kill madara. he explicitly, specifically did not want to kill madara and only did after madara pushed him into it

so why didn’t hashirama ask for tobirama’s help? if he’s at the point where he’d kill anyone who threatened the village (which i don’t reeeeeally buy as true bc it feels a lot more like something hashirama told himself to make killing madara less, you know, devastating) wouldn’t he prioritize stopping madara as soon as possible? he never showed any doubt in tobirama’s abilities, so if he wasn’t scared of his brother getting killed, why wouldn’t he call tobirama up?

because he doesn’t trust tobirama

hashirama doesn’t distrust other people. he wants to be friends with anyone. madara was attempting to stir up an insurrection, and hashirama still tried to keep him in the village. but he won’t rely on tobirama

so the fear expands

you know what tobirama doesn’t have? friends. a romantic interest. anything for himself as he grows that isn’t wrapped up in hashirama

this man likes rules. that was how he imagined the ideal ninja world. people make agreements and abide by them

if the founders era is an analog to the sengoku period ie the end of the muromachi period, which it is, then it’s worth noting that at this point in its history, real world japan was transitioning from the system of multiple heirs to a single heir. that wasn’t necessarily the oldest, but when one of your kids is a fucking brick shithouse with a kekkei genkai that’s never occurred before but rebellious and the other one is a genius who would be willing to follow through on your family’s blood feud but a) is loyal to his brother and b) has the charisma of a clammy handshake, who are you picking?

no way did tobirama expect to be made heir and imo he wouldn’t have wanted to be. hashirama is good at being the emotional leader and rallying people bc they like him. tobirama isn’t that interested in being the powerful one bc he’s more of a kingmaker

but you know it occurred to him that butsuma should want him to be the heir. hashirama isn’t exactly reliable and he sure doesn’t want to kill uchihas. tobirama would and he’d do it well

even the he doesn’t actually want the role, when you’re like 16 and your brother who you think is naive and lbr incompetent gets picked- something nobody does bc tobirama is, you know, a dick- it’s going to feel significant

so the fear grows more. he doesn’t want to be the head of the clan, but if he’s the one who could carry out butsuma’s plans, why is he still the second choice?

2.

speaking of butsuma and childhood trauma, it’s kind of interesting that tobirama winds up dealing with uchihas the same way he defused butsuma, philosophically

in terms of their behavior, to a traumatized kid who never made any uchiha friends, uchihas could resemble a certain senju, you know?

volatile, self-prioritizing, self-cannibalizing (fighting within the clan, not literal flesh eating), powerful by standing on the backs of others (no way was fugaku the first to think 'i'll show my kid what mass death looks like and that will make him strong.' the sharingan awakens through painful experiences, and uchihas are even more obsessively devoted to their clan than tobirama is to his. but paradoxically, they were ready to double down on inbreeding and blinding themselves to use izanagi, so they wouldn't be above deliberately exacerbating the trauma their kids couldn’t escape anyway for the sake of getting an edge)

to an adult tobirama, the uchihas sure could seem like a clan of butsumas, huh

how did tobirama deal with butsuma? he got in between him and hashirama. and how did butsuma react? he left to cool down (but i’d bet he never really repented, esp bc hitting hashirama wasn’t surprising to any of them)

what does tobirama do with the uchihas? he gets in between them and konoha. if they’re angry with him, they aren’t angry at konoha. he gives them something else to focus on- and tobirama likes rules, so it isn’t that much of a reach to say he’d think that being trusted to be the people keeping the peace was actually an honor- and relocates them. now they can cool off (but their fundamental nature will never really change)

i definitely don’t think most of that is conscious, but you know. he didn’t trust his father and if that’s who he relates the uchihas to, that’s fertile ground for another type of fear

butsuma was fine letting tobirama’s brothers die. what’s to stop the uchihas from letting konoha die?

konoha is entrusted to tobirama. again, though, he isn’t hashirama’s first choice

now he’s afraid of the village falling apart because of madara and his family (read: because tobirama can’t keep them in line) and hashirama’s dream will die because of tobirama

3.

you know what’s a bad idea? fucking around with corpses. you know what else is a bad idea? war crimes. you know what tobirama’s got a lot of? bad ideas

tobirama is intelligent and more concerned with the end result than the way to get there. he has a backwards idea of what protecting people means and a brutal approach to making peace. he loves hashirama (not like madara does but still, you know. he does love his brother)

the major difference between tobirama and madara is the sharingan, which should put madara in a separate class, but the thing is, tobirama is butsuma’s son

you awaken the sharingan by getting hurt. you’re butsuma’s son by learning to do the hurting

there’s a persistent fear that can grow with that knowledge, which i think tobirama wrestled with until he decided it doesn't actually matter- except for the fact that it would matter to hashirama. coupled with the fear that hashirama sees butsuma in tobirama and that’s why he won’t trust tobirama, that isn’t something tobirama could think his way out of

he might be doing the same thing butsuma did, causing harm for nothing

that fear is further compounded by the knowledge that madara would have destroyed everything and tobirama could do the same. without hashirama to argue with him, tobirama can do what he thinks is right. he knows more about making systems that last than hashirama did, so he’s going to put structures into place that will make sure the village survives

the thing is though, tobirama is well aware that madara isn't cruel for the hell of it. he says flat out that madara is dangerous because he loves so much; that intense love got twisted without madara wanting it to be (more below). he let it happen, but he didn’t just choose it

madara isn't just dangerous because he's strong. he's dangerous because he's the only person even hashirama can't just push around and he's personally invested in what he's doing. he believes that what he’s doing is right; he’s invested in being right

he’s following logic. it isn’t good logic by any stretch, but he isn’t just causing chaos just to cause chaos

tobirama follows logic, too. it’s better than madara’s logic because almost anything would be

he’s living his life for the purpose of maintaining hashirama’s dream. tobirama wanted peace, too, but he doesn’t call konoha his dream. konoha is hashirama’s dream. konoha is hashirama's village. tobirama is just trying to make it work

after all, he told butsuma and killed izuna. the least he owes hashirama is the village he wanted. not fun how hashirama would but run better because tobirama knows better

and lbr tobirama is also the second choice for the villagers. constantly standing in hashirama's shadow and feeling the distance between how loved hashirama was and how distantly appreciative the villagers are of tobirama could perhaps be alienating

4.

tobirama can’t protect konoha from madara because he knows he couldn’t beat madara on his own. hashirama and madara know that, too. everybody knows that if it came down to it, a fight between madara and tobirama would go in madara’s favor

madara has the same attitude but about the inevitability of people hurting each other

tobirama can’t control madara. madara can’t control people

the only way to be safe around something you can’t control is to destroy it

tobirama understands madara better than he understands hashirama. hashirama’s dream is impossible. it’s based on thinking people are better than they are. madara isn't right, but he isn't entirely not right

madara was the biggest threat to konoha, and because tobirama isn’t hashirama, he can’t do anything about that except, as the time between hashirama’s and his own grows, understand madara better

5.

this isn’t canonical but it isn’t non-canonical and i think it works so it's going in

tobirama’s palette swap happened because he found out how/why uchihas’ get the sharingan and in his child soldier brain that doesn’t know anything about genetics (but maybe did???), it seemed like a very sound idea to, you know, try to traumatize himself into developing a sharingan as a senju

but he has the wrong ¼ alien’s blood so he doesn’t get the handy dandy cursed eyeballs. what does he get?

obviously, he got his iconic look, tumblr user asotin. you just mentioned the palette swap

i did, and he definitely got his new style. but he got more than that

specifically: a terrifying insight into what uchihas have to feel when they awaken the sharingan. bc he didn’t get the eye upgrade but he did fuck himself up enough to flood his chakra system with pain and turn his eyes red (sadness makes you pale ig? he’s a nerd so maybe he just stayed inside and didn’t eat well. idk and that part is just to enhance how much more he looks like an uchiha than hashirama, who got the ‘be careful who you call ugly in middle school’ bonus)

the amount of emotional distress it took to get there? the shit he had to make himself watch? the things he had to make himself do?

if an uchiha feels that kind of pain just to form the basic sharingan, which isn’t as fucked up as the mangekyo, then please consider how that would feel to a kid whose coping mechanism is repressing

6.

there are rules about what you do in war and in society. tobirama likes rules. tobirama thinks rules will keep peace

so how could he justify violating almost all the rules to make edo tensei? i would like to propose that it isn’t just hypocrisy or machiavellianism taken to an extreme that made it acceptable to him to do everything that must have entailed. i propose that it’s all the fears above and a trauma response that everybody and their grandma knows now but they probably didn’t in the ninja sengoku period:

if you think i’m bad, i may as well be

in his conscious mind, tobirama isn’t bad. he’s necessary. the whole time he’s hokage, he’s doing what needs to be done

in trying to do what a good brother would do, in accepting that there’s something about him that’s malfunctioning, in accepting that his brother will never approve of him, tobirama accidentally became the worst parts of madara

madara did what he did out of love for other people. he’s got the mangekyo and a dead brother. tobirama knows what it’s like to get the first sharingan. how much worse must it feel to get the mangekyo?

tobirama is dispassionate and logical. he isn’t an uchiha. he values kagami and the other, unnamed uchihas who could overcome the curse of hatred, but that's also a condemnation of himself

tobirama couldn't overcome his own hatred. he’s worse than they are, and he knows he is

everything tobirama tried to do better, he made worse. his legacy, the students who carried on his work, nearly destroyed konoha

if hashirama had been forced to choose between tobirama and madara, it would have been better if hashirama had chosen madara. everyone is thinking that

madara betrayed hashirama because he loved so much it turned him against hashirama

tobirama betrayed hashirama because he didn’t have enough love, and every time he’s looked at madara, he’s seen his own inadequacy

[raendown]

At last I get around to writing the fourth installment of my Amends to the Dead series, even if it’s just a missing scene from the third part! 

Pairing: None Word count: 3241 Rated: T+ Summary: When his first brother was born Hashirama held the tiny babe in his arms and promised to protect him always. How cruel that only now when all of his lifelong dreams have come true he should realize that Tobirama, precious Tobirama, has given his own away.

Follow the link or read it under the cut!

KO-FI and commission info in the header!

Dire Rise

Evening hangs like a dark and heavy blanket after Madara leaves, a weight on his chest that presses against his ribs to steal his breath away. Pretending has been difficult in the face of someone he so rarely needs to pretend for. His best friend has been a wonderful distraction, his efforts all too obvious as he tried to repair the mood ruined by their earlier conversation, and Hashirama feels no guilt for letting the man think himself successful. It isn’t his fault the most important part of Hashirama's life has been falling apart in front of his eyes without him even noticing. 

There can be no one to blame for that but himself. 

In the sudden quiet of solitude the house feels empty in a way it never has before. From childhood Hashirama has always enjoyed finding positivity in the smallest details of life, always happy to entertain himself with nothing but the world around him, never lonely even in the rare moments he finds himself alone. Now he stands in the genkan and folds his arms across his chest. If he holds tightly enough then perhaps this aching hole will fill itself, the tears still threatening to spill over will subside. 

His efforts prove futile. Resisting the urge to open the door and call Madara back inside, he turns and makes his way to the living room with heavy, ponderous steps. The cabinet in the corner sings to him with sweet promises of ignorance. It would be all too easy to pick the lock and drown his shattered heart with sake or plum wine or whatever other blissful potions are hidden away therein. Mito holds the key but he would be a poor shinobi if he couldn’t find his way inside without it. Hashirama sinks down on to the couch and leans forward to stare at the cabinet as though it will give him a reason not to. What he wouldn’t give in this moment not to feel the sensation of falling, breaking, failing the one person in this world he had promised himself he would never fail again. Knowing that to give in to the drink would be little more than another failure is all that keeps him in place.

Waiting takes forever. Hashirama sits in his empty home and wonders if this is even a shadow of what his brother has been carrying alone for months now. How alone must he feel with no one to share his burdens? How deeply has Hashirama failed him if he feels he cannot ask for help? Questions without answers chase each other round and round in his mind until at last the front door opens and Hashirama lifts his head to look at the clock. A tentative stretch of his senses brings the warmth of Mito’s chakra reaching out to entwine with his own, salt water and a warm sea breeze, tempestuous yet tightly controlled. 

For the first time since the day they met Hashirama is honestly disappointed to see her. He swallows the shame of this as she walks in to the room, pausing to take in his expression before hurrying across the floor to take his face between her hands.  

“Tell me.” Her voice is quiet steel, strong and soft, every inch a queen ready to bow if only to bring a smile to his face. Oh how he loves her. 

“I’m waiting for Tobi,” he tells her. “We…we need to talk.” 

Mito studies his face through narrowed eyes. Then she bends forward to lay a kiss against his forehead so gentle he can feel it upon his very soul like a balm he doesn’t deserve. “Should I stay with you while you wait?” 

“No. I need to think about what to say and I haven’t really been doing any thinking so far. It’s all so...I don’t know. He’s not okay. And how could I ever be okay if he isn’t? Except I didn’t notice.” His eyes fall closed almost as a barrier against the benediction of another gentle kiss. 

“You can tell me as much or as little as you like when this is done - but it sounds like you’d like to speak with him first. Will you be alright alone?” 

“I don’t know.” 

Her smile is understanding in a way that pierces. “Then I won’t press you for answers. I’ll go to bed. You know that you can wake me if you need to.” Genteel fingers with hidden strength card through his hair. “Even if all you need is someone to hold you.” 

The words sting where they hide behind his teeth; he doesn’t deserve comfort right now. Right now it is his duty to comfort another that he hadn’t even realized he’s been neglecting. Perhaps neglecting is not the right word, he has of course not forgotten his brother in any way, has in fact paid him as much loving attention as has been normal since they were young and clinging to each other, the last of their line. That does nothing to stop the guilt from rising up to whisper in his ear that he’s let his beloved Tobirama down in a way he vowed he never would. All this time the younger man has been suffering right before his very eyes and Hashirama has been blind to it. The last thing he deserves now is to be comforted for dishonoring the most precious of all his bonds. 

As the hours pass Hashirama imagines himself spreading roots, anchoring his misery more and more with every minute until he isn’t sure he will be able to sit in this room again with a quiet cup of tea and not think back on this moment. He imagines that Tobirama must feel the same in his own way, unable to escape the darkness inside, unable to ask for a light to guide him out, washed in a loneliness that should have never been his and forced to walk through every day knowing the next would be just the same. That ends tonight. If he must crawl in to the darkness himself and find the path for them both he will.

When Tobirama comes home it is long past late and Hashirama's knees are stiff with inactivity but he rises from the cushions without remark for the way his muscles creak and strain in protest. He sees the caution in those eyes, the weariness, and bites viciously upon his own tongue to hold the tears at bay. 

“I’m surprised you’re up.” Soft spoken, unassuming, but there are cracks in his voice now that Hashirama knows to look for them. He should have been looking long before now. 

“I was waiting for you.” 

“Ah.” Tobirama blinks slowly, the corners of his lips tightening with suspicion. “Is something wrong?” 

Before he can push it back down a sob bubbles up and Hashirama snaps his teeth down halfway through the noise but the damage is done. “So, so much. I’m sorry, Otouto. I’m so sorry.”

“For what?” 

What hurts the most is the honest bafflement in his face. His brother has no idea at all why he needs to apologize and just seeing the curious tilt of his head brings the tears back, spilling down Hashirama's cheeks in an instant. It should have been obvious what was upsetting him. It should not be so far outside the realms of possibility for him to share his brother’s hurts that they do not even occur to the man. 

Hashirama crosses the space between them with his hands outstretched and the surprise in the expression looking back nearly shatters his heart. It’s not as though a loving touch is uncommon between them. Perhaps it’s the way he falls to his knees and presses his brow to the floor at pale feet. 

“Please forgive me. I will be better, I promise! You deserve more than a sibling who could ever let your pain go unnoticed but I swear I’ll be better!”

“What–?” Tobirama kneels and buries both hands in the back of his shirt to pull his face away from the ground. “Anija what the hell is going on? Stop that!”

“You’re hurting,” Hashirama cries. 

His brother stills, several expressions flitting one after the other across his face. All of them are gone too quickly to identify but he settles quickly on the sort of blankness that showed itself most often when they were small things still new to the world, their emotions so easy to display and so quick to bruise. It’s something Hashirama realizes that he’s seen more often lately and oh he curses himself for not recognizing it sooner. 

“I’m fine, Anija, there’s no reason to be throwing yourself at the floor like this.” 

“You are not fine! You- Madara spoke to me today.”

He only catches the minute flinch because his eyes are wide and staring. 

“Whatever that fool told you is an exaggeration I’m sure, he’s your friend not mine. Surely it can’t be worth staying up until the fool’s hour when you have plenty of work to do tomorrow.” Tobirama shakes his head as if to dismiss the issue but it cannot possibly be that simple. Not now that Hashirama knows what such dismissals are meant to distract him from. With desperation in his veins he takes his brother’s hands between his own and shakes his head.

“Don’t. Tobi, I know that you’ve been following Izuna.” The way red eyes fall away from his own are all the confirmation he didn’t need. “I thought that you were doing better. Why…why didn’t you tell me that this was still on your mind? I could have helped. I want to help! A-and even if I can’t I want to be there for you!”

“This isn’t something that I need help with.”

“But you’re not okay!” 

Tobirama draws in a deep breath but it rattles like the death he so nearly escaped. “I’m truly fine. This is the best solution. You have your dream now and I will do what I must to protect it, is that so hard to understand?” 

“You’re allowed to have your own dreams, Otouto.” 

“I’ve never been much of a dreamer,” Tobirama responds blandly. His thoughts are hidden in the lack of proper inflection.

Heart shuddering in his chest, Hashirama reaches out to gently touch the side of his precious brother’s jaw, feeling the invisible scars left behind by a lifetime of war and hidden by the boon of naturally pale skin. “You’re allowed to build your own life, follow your own paths. I love you, you know that I appreciate everything you’ve done to support me, but I just...I don’t want you to build your entire self around me. You can be your own person separate from me.” 

“How do I put this?” Tobirama asks the space between them, something faraway in his eyes. And yet underneath the aching sadness there is something like peace in his expression. An insidious sort of peace that doesn’t belong. “You’re like the sun, brother. And I’m the moon. The moon can’t make her own light, you know; all she’s ever done is reflect the sun. ”

“You are not the moon! You are a man! You’re my little brother and you’re sad and I hate it!” The emotions inside him rise up like such a wave it cripples him and Hashirama curls in to himself with a wretched sob.

“A little lost, maybe,” his precious sibling admits distantly. “I’m looking for answers like I always have, that’s in my nature, but I’m finding them. Everyone wants to have a purpose in life. I found mine in you. Why should that be something to make either of us sad?”

With his eyes shut tight Hashirama feels the touch of soft skin against his own. Fingers more gentle than many could ever believe stroke the side of his face until finally he relents. Looks up. He finds Tobirama looking down at him as though accepting the mantle of the elder sibling on to his own shoulders, brows drawn together with concern. And Hashirama wishes he knew how to turn the man’s concern back inside of himself to make him care for his own well being. 

His knees creak with protest when he shifts his weight but he ignores the rough grain of wooden floors pressing in to his skin. Perhaps he should have worn something more than a short and well worn yukata. But then, perhaps he deserves a little suffering to make up for the fact that he has ignored Tobirama’s for so long. 

“I’m sad,” he says, “because you’re not happy.”

“Says who?” Tobirama challenges him. Then he flinches when Hashirama returns his gentle touches with one of his own. 

“Your eyes say so. Your actions say so. Would a happy man say the things that you did to Madara?”

“My conversations are my own business.”

Just like that the curtain falls between them and Hashirama can almost see physical barriers rising in  those beloved red eyes. His brother pulls away his emotions even as he pulls his hands away too, standing to brush imaginary dust from his clothing. Looking at him has never been so painful before. 

“Don’t go,” Hashirama pleads. “We need to talk about this!” 

“No, we don’t.”

“Please! I just can’t stand watching you wrap yourself in my shadow like this!” 

Tobirama blinks once and then turns, speaking over his shoulder without looking back. “Then don’t watch.”

With that he walks away in the long strides of a man firmly set upon his path. Only the years and the love between them give Hashirama the clarity to see the slightest of tremors and he knows - he knows - that Tobirama is more torn than he is willing to say. He is a man who has doomed himself to a fate that he does not want. And he is a man that will follow this path until the end, whatever that may be. It defies the laws of possibility that Hashirama’s heart could break any more than it already has. 

For a very long time he sits upon the floor of the living room and stares at the walls as though they might come crumbling down between two brothers so close and yet so strangely far apart for the very first time. He can’t remember a time before when Tobirama kept him at arm’s length and that aches almost as much as knowing the depth of the pain his sibling carries inside. Now time passes him by unchecked while he curses the cruelty of the world, that he could be declared a god of the battlefield, a healer of unsurpassed skill, and he cannot heal the one hurt that matters most. He cannot heal a broken heart. And not even the Yamanaka can heal a broken mind.

Night lies heavy on the world like the burdens pulling his shoulders down as Hashirama realizes that he has been kneeling alone in the dark for too long. Strange, he thinks distantly, that neither of them thought to turn on the light. It makes him wonder how often his brother uses the environment as an excuse not to meet his eyes. Rising from the hardwood makes his knees creak again and his spine pop in several places. He’s getting older. And he feels every minute, every hour, every day upon him on the slow unsteady journey down the hall. Mito’s chakra calls to him like a beacon that he cannot decide if he wants or not, though his wishes are the last that he feels deserve to be taken in to account, and it doesn’t matter very much what he wants anyway. He is helpless to the siren call of the woman who loves him just as he has been since the day they were bound together. 

At the door of their bedroom he pauses to lay his forehead against the frame and breathe deeply. Does he deserve to expel his own pain when Tobirama cannot? He doesn’t know. There’s so much he doesn’t know. 

What he does know is the sweet scent of his wife’s hair when the door opens. She must have felt him. Even a child with little more than basic chakra manipulation training could probably feel his roiling chakra a mile away right now, the way it rolls and folds in to itself lie a boiling cloud of black smoke, choking everything around it. Mito’s hands frame his face like fragile glass and only then does he realize that his eyes are still closed. She pulls him in to the room. The door closes. And the damn breaks.

Tears flood his eyes and spills over his cheeks, rivers of salt and anguish pulling him under the way Mito pulls him in to her arms. Like the steadfast rock that she has always been for him he leans against her and lets his grief batter them both, trusting her not to let him wash away in the storm. 

“I’m here,” she whispers against his temple. “Will you tell me what’s wrong?” 

So he does. He tells her everything. Tells her of the conversation he had with Madara, tells her how badly it hurts to fail the last of his family, and he tells her that he does not know what to do now. Helping has always been his way and the inability to do so tears at the very fabric of who he is. Mito listens to his story with the patience of a saint until at last his words have run dry. Then she folds him to her breast and holds him tightly as though she too can feel that he is only a moment from flying apart. 

“I’m so sorry, my love,” she tells him. “So, so sorry.”

There isn’t much else for her to say. He can hear in her voice that she has no more answers than him but he’s not sure he’s earned them anyway. What hurts he has wrought are up to him to fix; he won’t allow these burdens to rest on anyone else’s shoulders. This is his cross to bear and fixing it will be his task alone. 

Or, it will be if he can figure out how. 

For now he curls tightly against the warmth of his loving wife and whimpers as the tears begin anew. Perhaps it makes him a weak man to accept her comfort when he probably shouldn’t but this is a strength he has never pretended to have. To lean on those who offer support should be one of life’s greatest joys. How terrible that such offers are made only in times of despair. With a whimper building in his throat, scraping past his teeth as something of a muted howl, Hashirama lets his despair run freely and revels in the darkest hidden corners of his mind. For now he will grieve. 

Tomorrow he will go to his brother again and bend words to scribe his thoughts as best he can. Tobirama always did hate when their conversations grew overly emotional. Approaching him from a more reasonable frame of mind will surely afford him an opening to talk about their situation at the very least. He prays so. Words are all he has to offer, words and a bleeding heart. 

He would give his heart a thousand times if only doing so would bring joy to his last, most precious brother. 

[kakakakashi]

hi! i’m the one that asked for “I see you” with Itachi and thank you for doing it! also I LOVE the idea of him in glasses! he’d be so cute with little glasses perched on his nose! and I can just imagine kisame seeing Itachi like squinting at distant sign posts and holding books WAY CLOSER to his face than he should need to and kisame puts two and two together and just teases him mercilessly about it (Kisame, standing 5 feet away: Hey Itachi, how many fingers am I holding up?) (part 1)

and since you asked *deep breath* so I think Itachi conflicts me so much because he seems so aloof and untouchable (and so overpowered they had to nerf him with a fatal illness because no one could kill him) and I feel like a cliche fangirl that I like him. but also I’m still so intrigued by his story and I know he can be sweet and caring and has more depth because with see him in flashbacks with Sasuke being such a loving brother. (part 2)

and I’m also conflicted about what he did. like I can agree with putting the village and his brother over anything but? forcing his brother into such an awful hateful life? Torturing him with the Tsukuyomi? Not hot. i’m so sorry this is long I have a lot of thoughts! (part 3)

Y’all probably know what happens, but I’ll say it anyway just in case. SPOILER ALERT!

Also, this is going to be long, so buckle up, buttercup. 

I’ve also linked this post throughout if you’re confused as to what I’m talking about. 

OMG! YES! Okay, so let’s talk about this! I have lots of ideas. Okay, let’s start with Itachi & glasses. So, my theory was confirmed recently when I watched the part after Sasuke kills Danzo. The mangekyou basically deteriorates your vision like a normal vision deterioration for someone with glasses. Let me also preface this with the fact that I have bad vision, and I’ve worn glasses full time since second grade.

Anyway, when I saw the scene illustrated through Sasuke’s eyes, I laughed because that’s almost exactly what my vision looks like without glasses. Therefore, we can assume that my vision is about the same as Sasuke’s before Sasuke had off brand Madara Lasik. Knowing this and knowing that glasses do exist in the Naruto universe, Sasuke literally had no reason to not get glasses. Now, knowing this, let’s move on to Itachi. Shall we?

We don’t know how often Itachi uses his mangekyou, but we can assume it’s about as much as Sasuke does. Just look at how much he uses it to fight Danzo. I think Itachi used it over time, but Sasuke used it all at once. Therefore, let’s just say Itachi had vision like Sasuke. Therefore, he could have gotten glasses too! Even if his vision was worse, there are higher prescriptions he could have gotten!

Therefore, I like to think that in some little crack AU, Itachi has these little old man glasses that he REFUSES to wear, and Kisame always tells him to wear them because “Itachi, you tripped over the curb. For the love of all things holy, WEAR YOUR DAMN GLASSES!” & Itachi is like “No, I don’t look scary enough with them.”

This also goes along with my crack idea that he loses his glasses on top of his head ALL THE TIME! I had a teacher once who had like 5 pairs of reading glasses, because she’d always put them places and forget about them, but her lessons were always so fun, nobody wanted her to interrupt the lesson to look for her glasses. One time, she ended up with two pairs on her head and one on her face. This is basically Itachi.

(Now I miss my teacher. She was so cool! Her class was so fun!) Anyway!

You are 100% right about Kisame teasing Itachi. He teases him NONSTOP about it. The man is merciless because there is literally NO reason for Itachi to resist wearing his glasses. Like, it’s so stupid. It works especially because I know I wouldn’t be able to see him 5 feet away, so there’s no way Itachi could either.

Oh! Itachi also thinks he looks more intimidating when he squints, so it’s a bonus, but he’ll never admit it.

Okay, now let’s talk about Itachi as a person. I totally get this & agree so much more than you could ever know. I literally go on this rant every damn day.

I fuckin hate Itachi. He is an idiot. He and Shisui just… Have you ever worked on a project in school with a boy who thinks there’s only one way to do a thing? Even though you show him 12 other ways to do it? And he still just ignores you even though your ways are all better? Yeah, that’s Shisui & Itachi. They may be “prodigies” but they’re also dumb boys & totally not prodigies.

Now, let’s talk about Itachi literally TORTURING HIS 9-YEAR-OLD BROTHER WHEN HE HAD NO REASON WHATSOEVER TO DO SO! Okay, so Danzo told him to kill his clan. He’s a 14-year-old boy at the time, so that’s kind of… *so-so hand motion* Now, his justification of doing it was to protect Sasuke, right? THEN WHY DID HE LITERALLY TORTUR HIM? There is no reason Itachi had to literally torture his 9-year-old brother. He chose to do that for shits n giggles. Also, what was his bullshit overdramatic teen angst bullshit thing about “testing his ability?”

Itachi should have told him something along the lines of, “You’ll understand when you’re older.” Itachi probably knew about the “curse of hatred” or whatever, and he literally encouraged it in Sasuke! He literally did more harm than good, and this bitch had the audacity to say that he did it all for Sasuke, the person he hurt the most.

Also, let’s discuss how 14-year-old Anbu level ninja Itachi should have fought Danzo on it with Shisui, and worked with their family and the leaf to help unify those bonds. This is also going back to Hiruzen being a shitty Hokage, but let’s not get into that. My point is that Itachi should’ve recognized how Danzo was wrong and fought against him. There were many, many better ways to do things. 

Wait a second! This whole thing sounds exactly like something an abuse apologist would write! Oh, wow! Never would’ve guessed! *looks at the camera like on the office because I’ve been saying this since episode 1*

Anyway, this goes back into my fanon vs. canon chat I had a little while ago. I fucking HATE canon Itachi. I never got why people liked the Uchiha, especially Itachi, until I discovered Shisui. (Let the record reflect that while I do like Shisui, I stand by my previous statement that he is stupid in canon.) I don’t even care about fanon Itachi much. I didn’t care about him at all until I discovered an artist I really liked. I only followed them for Shisui, but I gradually came to like Itachi too. Now, I like fanon Itachi somewhat. I don’t even know why I’ve been having a thing for him lately. Frankly, I’m shocked. I think it might be for the drama with Shisui, but idk. Sometimes, my pussy just wants something, and my brain is like, “wtf is wrong with you?” This is one of those times. 

It’s mostly because Itachi’s simply not my type, though. Like, some people like him, and that’s totally fine. I just never really got the appeal, but that’s my opinion. We all like different aspects of different people, and that’s cool. He’s just not my usual type at all.

I’m not too mad about it either, because I like fanon Itachi. I like the good aspects of Itachi magnified and the not so good aspects removed. It’s like Jaraiya and Sakura. Therefore, I’m not as against him as I am canon Itachi. 

Long story short, canon is horrible. I hate it, reject it, and create my own in my brain.    - 🍒

[louiserandom]

Choose Your Own Adventure - MadaTobi Soulmate AU Arc II

Heart’s Desire (Ice and Fire)

Rated: E

Summary: A touch is all it takes, to find one’s soulmate, to initiate an exchange of chakra natures and powers that would later intermingle and make both of them stronger. Madara craves this—or at least thinks he does, until he awakens one morning sans Sharingan, his chakra alien and freezing, and watches an angry Senju Tobirama crash into his room, glaring murder at Madara with what used to be his exclusive Mangekyō pattern.

Or, Soulmate Idiots in Love and you get to choose how these fools get to the love part

A/N: Finally got to the second arc :3 Arc I updated over here. Read the whole story on AO3 or Arc II under the cut :3 (and just in case, all the survey comment replies will be on AO3)

Chapter 6

Madara awakens feeling refreshed and oddly comfortable, with vague memories of surprisingly enjoyable dreams. A pleasantly warm weight rests atop him, quiet birdsong echoing from the outside as the sun’s rays caress his eyelids.

The morning seems perfect.

Right up until the second he opens his eyes to see a fluffy mass of white-gray hair right under his nose and his sleep-addled brain informs him that it’s Tobirama Senju using Madara’s chest as a pillow.

Which doesn’t make any fucking sense.

What is he even—oh, right.

Memories of yesterday’s wreck of a conversation rush through his mind and he curses himself, as well as all the gods that thought it’d be a fun idea to bond him to this insolent prick.

(The insolent prick who has his arms slung around Madara like a godsdamned octopus, which really shouldn’t feel as good as it does.)

Deep breaths. No panic. Everything is going to be fine.

All Madara has to do is wake him up and push him off, not necessarily in that order.

It’s then that Tobirama squirms against him in search of a more comfortable position, just so happening to press against Madara’s crotch—and of course, Madara’s cock is half-hard.

Fuck, his thought process stalls.

That’s just his luck. Virtually nonexistent.

He attempts to reposition them to disentangle them at least a little, but that proves difficult with Tobirama’s iron hold. To make matters worse, he clutches at Madara harder after just the first hints of movement.

Fuck.

“Senju?” Madara tries, a bit panicked as he tries and fails to ignore the tingling arousal building in the base of his stomach, spurred on by the mesh of their chakras sending wave after wave of soft, thrumming pleasure through his limbs.

Fuck.

On second thought, maybe he shouldn’t wake Tobirama just yet.

“I hate you,” Madara whispers, not quite sure whom he’s talking to—Tobirama, the gods, or himself.

Using more of his strength but still being slow and careful, Madara forcefully flips them over, pins Tobirama’s wrists with his and lifts his hips to avoid… unnecessary friction.

Well. That’s one problem solved.

Despite the scuffle, Tobirama somehow remains asleep, and a slight frown is his only reaction to the movement.

The sight makes Madara pause.

It’s so strange seeing him like this, unbothered by bureaucratic concerns or obsessive research, completely relaxed next to someone who was, not too long ago, an enemy. With long white lashes resting on his cheeks, lips slightly parted and his hair strewn on the pillow, chest rising and falling with soft, even breaths, Tobirama looks… unthreatening. Approachable. Peaceful. It’s mesmerizing in a way that makes Madara lament his lack of Sharingan so he can’t embed this rare occurrence into memory.

The thought seems normal, until it doesn’t, and the panic returns full force.

Fuck.

He scrambles off the bed and, ignoring the pulses of pain returning to gnaw at him and goes to sit at his desk, willing his heartrate to slow down, godsdammit.

It’s just the bond, he thinks, and a mild case of morning wood.

Nothing to panic about, right?

Except there is. There’s still the exhilaration and the sheer bewilderment he feels at the situation fate’s gotten him stuck in. The realization that after a whole life spent searching, yearning for a soulmate he’s finally found his. And that despite the hostility, despite the insults and quips the Senju keeps throwing his way just to be annoying, Madara foolishly, desperately wants. Wants something he can’t have, because Tobirama isn’t nearly as enamored with the idea of a life partner as Madara would expect… anyone to be, really.

But as he often is, Tobirama is an anomaly.

Not in any negative sense, as Madara has come to find out in the year he’s gotten to know him off the battlefield.

(Although he had been guilty of uttering the occasional insult when the peace talks were just starting, and tensions were high. Back then, Tobirama had been known as nothing more than the Senju demon, the Senju freak among his clanmates—for his ruthless reputation and the terrifying, unheard-of jutsu he created.)

It took Izuna working the one project with Tobirama at the start of the village’s construction. Cooperating with the man made him realize that Tobirama was all right, really, which spurned his ensuing rambling about his new “best friend—I can’t believe he’s not my platonic soulmate, nii-san,” and that made it all the more easy for Madara to stop seeing Tobirama as a lingering threat.

He began to see, instead, that Tobirama stood out not with his freakish experiments but his genius, working around jutsu limitations and making scientific breakthroughs like it was nothing. It was jarring, too, that he seemed to take their village even more seriously than Hashirama did, presenting plan after plan for every sphere ranging from infrastructure to electricity to the educational system, all written up during his teen years, way before peace between their clans was a possibility. He performed unthinkable feats with his water jutsu (and Madara hadn’t even suspected that blood manipulation was in the realm of possibility), was proficient in all five elemental releases and easily the best sensor in Fire Country, and yet still managed to make it all look like no big deal.

Like it was a given.

Madara sighs. The man is an intriguing paradox. One that he’ll have fun trying to solve, he thinks.

A glance back at the bed has him shaking with laughter at the sight of Tobirama hugging a pillow, now that Madara is out of his clutches. One thing Madara would never have guessed about the man is how clingy he is in his sleep. And that he is, apparently, by no means a morning person, despite how organized and scarily efficient he is at every hour of the day. Now he’ll have the striking image of Tobirama cuddling a pillow (and possibly drooling all over it) to juxtapose to that.

His soulmate is a ridiculous man, indeed.

Madara diverts his eyes when Tobirama turns again, dragging the edges of his yukata to open up more of his chest—that’s definitely not a distraction he needs right now.

It’s at that moment that he feels a suddenly much sharper jolt of pain that almost makes him cry out if not for his lungs feeling as if they’re on fire.

Madara tries to stand and promptly falls over to his knees, the pain crippling to the point that his vision starts blacking out.

Ah, shit.

Probably someone overpowering a jutsu nearby, or throwing an unnecessary temper tantrum, or something monstrous passing by the village and assaulting his senses—the increasing pain makes it impossible to focus on trying to figure it out, and Madara shuts his eyes in hopes of drowning out the world around him.

Hopefully, it isn’t an attack, because Madara is as good as dead if he’s forced to defend himself.

He calls for Tobirama but isn’t sure whether any sound actually comes out. He manages to keep himself from falling face-first to the floor, but just barely, supporting himself on shaky hands as icepick blades chip away at his strength and consciousness. There’s loud banging echoing from afar, getting nearer and further away intermittently, and suddenly the whole room is pulsating with energy, the wood beneath Madara’s palms starts burning with hostile energy. Madara manages to curb an impending to a muffled grunt and huddles to the nearest corner, overwhelmed and hurting, desperately willing this to stop.

Gods. What a terrible way to die.

Only he doesn’t, and the throbbing agony subsides the instant he feels all-too-familiar hands on his shoulders, a distant but soothing voice saying Madara’s name over and over again.

Tobirama.

His touch is… safe. Easing the pain almost entirely, enough for Madara to reopen his eyes—and promptly close them again just to block out the sight that greets him.

“Ugh. What the fuck are you doing here?”

The one person Madara had spent the whole of yesterday avoiding, whom he wasn’t ready to face, what with the inevitable overemotional reaction and the very predictable questions—Hashirama is there, kneeling next to his brother and staring at Madara with that annoying puppy-eyed look of his.

“Madara, what’s wrong?”

Predictable question number one.

“Are you injured—you look injured—where does it hurt?”

Two.

“And Tobi, why are your eyes bleeding? Why are your eyes the Sharingan? What the hell is going on?”

Three. Four. Five. Ad infinitum.

Madara responds with a glare.

“Can you get him out of here?” he says, tilting his head to Tobirama, who’s running his hands softly along Madara’s back, his arm, through his hair. It would feel heavenly if not for the eyesore that is Hashirama’s concerned face ruining everything—and his monstrous chakra that still causes him pangs of pain, despite Tobirama’s closeness. “Please?”

“Anija,” Tobirama says, albeit uncertain, “it really isn’t a good time.”

“But Tobi, you’re both wounded!” Hashirama looks torn between moving to heal one or the other, fingers already glowing green. “Madara, where does it hurt? Did you have a fight like I explicitly asked you not to?”

Madara growls, recoiling from the idiot’s hands and banging his head against the wall behind him. It doesn’t even make the migraine worse than it already is.

“Madara isn’t hurt, Anija.” Tobirama reaches to run his hands through Madara’s hair, massaging his scalp softly. Gods, but how quickly that curbs the. Madara isn’t letting Tobirama anywhere out of his hold from now on. “We’re soulmates. We exchanged chakras just yesterday, so we’ll be adapting to the different natures for a while.”

Hashirama gapes.

“Soulmates. You. You two?”

Madara scowls. He himself had much the same reaction but it still irks him to see Hashirama, the ever-sappy fool, as shocked by the news as he was.

“Yes,” Tobirama replies, “Madara seems to be overwhelmed by my sensing range and the unfamiliar chakra is causing him pain. This,” he points to his eyes, tinged red and bleeding around the edges, “is the effect of the Sharingan.”

“Let me.” Hashirama moves to coat Tobirama’s eyes with iryo chakra. “You should have come to me the minute this happened, Tobi. You know the initial side-effects of bonding can be permanent.”

“I’m fine. And this isn’t just the bond’s side-effect,” Tobirama says, pausing for a moment before he goes on, “it’s the Mangekyō, in general. Apparently, it deteriorates eyesight.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?” Hashirama asks stiffly. “Madara?”

Madara stays silent, ignoring Hashirama’s frown and the way he shoots Madara that look of utter disappointment before returning his focus to the task at hand. He watches Hashirama strain with whatever manipulations he’s attempting, hesitant to admit even to himself the slight hope he feels, that maybe, just maybe, this is the one thing that’s going to work.

Hashirama lowers his hands, a deep frown on his face, as Tobirama clutches at his eyes with a quiet hiss of pain.

“It’s… not working,” Hashirama admits, “I have no idea how but… I-I think I only made it a bit worse, is all.”

“WORSE?” Madara would have hit him, were it not for Tobirama holding him back. “Hashirama, get the fuck out of here before I do something you will regret.”

“I won’t,” Hashirama says, pinning Madara with a glare of his own. “Not until you explain why you didn’t tell me about this before.”

“Because it’s none of your concern,” Madara snaps.

“That’s what you said to me, actually,” Tobirama says, just to be contrary, it seems, “and we’ve talked about that—”

“It’s not the same, Tobirama, and shut up!” Madara shoves him off and away in a fit of foolishness. The pain submerges him once more and he gasps at the force of it—not for long, because Tobirama is back again, arm wrapping around Madara’s shoulders, chakra grounding him, soothing and comforting.

All the things he doesn’t really deserve, does he?

Hashirama looks torn again. Madara takes a deep breath. Hashirama is not to blame for his chakra, and his concern is understandable. There’s no need to be so harsh with him. Madara forces himself to ask nicely.

“We can talk later,” he tells his friend, keeping his voice even, “please. Just not now. Leave and tone down your chakra while you’re at it.”

Hashirama frowns, confused. “But it’s how it always is when I’m not actively using it.”

“He’s right,” Tobirama says, throwing Madara an apologetic look. “It’s all over the place, all the time.”

“Oh, great.”

“That’s not what we’re talking about, though,” Hashirama insists, with all his Senju stubbornness that Madara is really getting tired of as of late. “How long have you known about what the Mangekyō does, Madara?”

“Since I was born,” Madara says, “I’m not the only one with it, obviously.”

“Then why the hell did you use it so much during the war? You should have told me—”

“You just said, the war, treehead. Our clans were at war. What the fuck was I supposed to do?”

“Not use it? I wouldn’t have gone as hard as I did. You’re my friend, you know that!” Hashirama is, of course, oblivious to the implicit insult in that statement. “Or, I don’t know, you could’ve accepted the peace earlier?”

“Can you forget for one second about your godsdamned peace?” Madara says upon an exasperated sigh. “Just this once?”

“Not really, when an earlier stop to the war could have prevented your eyes getting this bad!” Hashirama waves his hands to the Mangekyō still burning bright behind Tobirama’s half-closed eyelids. The man looks just about ready to strangle them both. “This—this bleeding and the dead and unhealable cells!”

“Senju—" The vase and the glass of water on his desk fracture as Madara senses, viscerally, how the water in the pond outside, in every piece of plant life starts churning in response to his anger.

“Anija, please,” Tobirama implores, placing a hand on Hashirama’s shoulder, “just let this be for now. I’m working—we’re working on a way to fix this.”

“Glad to hear that, Tobi, awesome, amazing,” Hashirama says in a tone that does little to match the words, standing up to pace in front of them, riling up his chakra even more because apparently, he’s an utter idiot. “I just don’t understand why you couldn’t have just come to me earlier, Madara, and—oh, I don’t know, prevented the countless deaths in the war? Kept not just yourself, but your clanmates from going blind? Discovered your soulbond sooner, for gods’ sakes?”

For a while, Madara is at a loss of what to say. It’s too familiar an accusation. Such a familiar pain—the reminder that no matter what Madara does, it’s always wrong, or mediocre, or lead to disaster. Somehow, coming from Hashirama this way, it’s so much harsher than when Tobirama blamed him for the same inaction.

Neither brother knows that Madara issued a decree forbidding everyone without an Eternal Mangekyō from using it the second he became Clan Head. That little to nobody listened to him, unwilling to let him bear the brunt of the burden in the war. That he couldn’t even begin to understand where to look for answers to keep his people from being blinded by this curse, the elders too stuck up their ideals to try something that might possibly upset the gods—and too loyal to his father’s ideals to even consider the prospect of peace until the volatile ultimatum Madara had faced them with.

(A failure, so many voices call from his memories, you always will be.)

“There were reasons I couldn’t, dumbass,” Madara says, tone biting, holding back the chakra that yearns to lash out at his friend. “And oh, what a delightful fucking experience. A soulbond so painful it makes want to kill myself.”

It’s an unnecessary, spiteful remark he utters only because he’s peeved that Hashirama, of all people, would know how much a soulbond means to he, knows where to strike the hardest.

Madara feels Tobirama flinch just after he realizes what he’s said.

“Wait—I didn’t…” It’s too late, as always, to hold back his thoughtless, stupid words. Tobirama is still there with him, still holding on to him, albeit with a face that’s back to its neutral, unfeeling expression. “I didn’t mean—”

“I don’t appreciate you upsetting my brother, Madara.”

And now Hashirama is truly angry at him. Even better.

Madara glares at him, facing Hashirama’s dark eyes glowing with a light-green hue, his chakra permeating every piece of wood on the room, clashing against Madara’s senses.

“We’ll talk when you’ve calmed down then,” Hashirama says in what Madara’s dubbed his ‘Hokage voice, “And I expect a more coherent explanation. Tobirama?”

The man in question lifts his head. Madara half-expects Hashirama to bark out a command at him, but the words he utters next are soft, almost hesitant, “Will you come with me?”

Madara turns his head away, feeling his eyes prickle with treacherous, unshed tears. Of course, he’s ruined everything once more. With words said in anger, without thought or reason—something Izuna incessantly warned would get Madara into trouble again and again, but Madara never listens.

And now his soulmate is leaving, the sliver of progress they’ve made towards some kind of relationship squandered by Madara’s stupidity.

Then again, another thing Izuna keeps telling him is to own up to his mistakes. So Madara does, forcing himself to look back at Tobirama, hoping to the gods his expression doesn’t reveal how utterly dejected he feels.

Tobirama contemplates him for a few torturous moments, face impassive, then turns back to face his brother. “I’m sorry, Anija. But I’m going to have to stay.” Its evident, the strain in his voice, the way it pains him to say it, but his chakra feels determined, steadfast, almost protective as it winds further around Madara’s own. “I’ll find you the minute I get to the Tower, I promise.”

Tobirama is looking at the floor, face marred by a frown. “We’ll meet today as we decided. After work. You know the training ground.” He gives Madara’s shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll try to have that seal ready for you.”

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[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Forty-Two: Taking Chances ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata ] [ SasuHina, gun ] [ Verse: Of Monsters and Men ] [ AO3 Link ]

She was never really the type to take chances, but then, well...Uchiha Sasuke came into her life, and nothing has been the same.

Hinata had been trying all her life to just be a normal girl. She went to school, never skipped, got good grades. Maybe not enough to be top of the class, but close. Bookish, introverted, and shy, she coasted through most of her educational years alone. Her grades did well, but...her social life, not so much. It wasn’t until college where she really began to branch out a bit. She met a few other girls her age taking what was meant to be her core classes that they were taking as electives: those relating to horticulture. Sakura took it slightly as a vanity project, given her name. And Ino’s family owned a flower shop in her hometown. The former wanted to become a doctor, and the latter wanted to study cosmetology. While Hinata didn’t consider either of them close friends...they were the closest she’d gotten to the notion in quite some time.

The changes college brought about meant changes in her, too. Ever so slightly, she felt herself growing bolder. She’d skip study hours to go with them to movies. Listen in to gossip as the pair would mull over boys in their classes or spotted on campus. None of it was really her typical style, but...she told herself she liked it. Told herself it was normal to befriend people her age, especially girls, and actually do things besides study and lurk online.

And then life had to go and make her wish she’d never stepped outside her comfort zone.

It was stupid. She knew it was stupid. But she also told herself it wasn’t that big of a deal. The odds of something going wrong were surely not that high. Her university city is big, sure...but the crime rate isn’t too high. Surely a quick jaunt on her own wasn’t going to land her in any trouble, right?

...wrong.

Walking quickly and eyes flickering, she’d found herself suddenly grabbed by an arm and dragged into an alleyway. Heartbeats soared with panic, mind screaming, “I told you so!” as a man leered down at her, gripping her neck and pinning her up against the building behind her.

But it wasn’t just any man. This man wasn’t human...he just looked the part, sans the bright red eyes and sharp teeth in his grin.

Hinata knew what he was. She’d seen beings like him since she was small. A talent - or in her mind, a curse - she’d had for as long as she could remember...one her father had insisted she stamp out, ignore, somehow cure herself of.

But for all her playing ignorant, for all her pretending not to see...Hinata could never fully escape her sight.

And even then...it wouldn’t have saved her.

No...her saving grace came in the form of another man. Another vampire. This one wielding a gun and demanding the attacker let her go. Claimed to be an Enforcer...whatever that meant.

The word had stiffened her assailant, bolting only to be struck down. Hinata was alive...and in shock. Though, admittedly, not as much as a typical human would be.

The officer attempted to drug her, to help her forget...but there would be no forgetting. She’d been privy for their world long before then.

The world of monsters...of Nightwalkers.

Awakening something long buried within herself, she’d managed to break free with what felt like a kind of...magic.

And then she fled.

She had fully expected that to be the last incident. No more taking chances - she’d just...hole herself up in her dorm when not in classes, and get through the rest of her schooling without anything else going wrong.

But Ino and Sakura were relentless, and a few weeks later insisted she join them for another movie. No matter her insistence otherwise, they wouldn’t let up...and finally she caved. The movie itself was fine, the gaggle of them heading back to the station to take the train back across the city. But little Hinata, short of stature in the crowds, was lost and left behind.

And that’s when he found her again.

Part of her had panicked, wondering if he was here to arrest her, or try to take her away. But all he’d offered was a ride back, given she’d missed her train.

Wary...she’d agreed, part of her admittedly curious about him, and his world. He’d introduced himself as Uchiha Sasuke: a vampire, and a kind of officer tasked with protecting their world from detection.

He also told her she wasn’t human. Not...completely. Hinata, as it turned out, was an odd in-between. The term varied by culture, but in Japan they were often called mikos...or in less friendly terms, witches.

It had been...only partially shocking. Hinata had always known she was different, but wasn’t aware of how rare, or that she wasn’t just crazy, but...simply something different than anyone else she’d ever known.

To her detriment, however...the rather handsome vampire was spotted taking her home, spurring rumors and begetting interrogations from her friends. Barely holding them off with his tale of being a cop (which...was true, just not the way they thought), she’d found herself at a crossroads. No longer could she keep trying to be blind to the other world, but...doing so would make existing in the human half difficult.

Sasuke kept contacting her. Kept trying to learn more about her. About her lineage. The pair grew closer. She even dared to call him a friend. And that friendship was tested when Sasuke found himself wounded nearby her campus, stopping in and asking for her help...only to end up drinking her proffered blood to help overcome the silver-inflicted injury.

...but that’s when the trouble truly started.

There was something...else between them now. The act had felt...strangely intimate. Hinata wasn’t sure what to call it. But it wasn’t long after that she found herself dragged into a political disaster.

Sasuke’s boss - the leader of his coven, and one of the most powerful Nightwalkers in the world, Uchiha Madara - had finally taken interest in Sasuke’s little project of studying witches. He had her kidnapped, dragged to one of his many hideaways...and wanted to study her for himself.

It was then Sasuke showed his true colors at last. Nearly going feral with anger, he’d been stopped only by his brother in an attempt to attack the Japanese vampiric Senator of the Nightwalker Senate. Madara, explaining more of their history, also put the pieces together and declared that Sasuke had fallen quite deeply in love with the little witch, if his reaction to her being stolen away told them anything.

...Hinata wasn’t sure what to think.

But that wasn’t all Madara wanted. Backing her into a corner, he forced (under a guise of choice) Hinata to agree to work for him: to ally her budding powers to him and his own. She was given a week to think it over, during which she consulted Sasuke...but there wasn’t much to discuss.

To refuse was to be killed.

...she’s taken a few days to - rather than mull the ‘offer’ over - simply...come to terms with it. Part of her still isn’t sure about...well, anything. But though meeting Sasuke has led to this entire chain of events...she can’t bring herself to regret it. Any of it.

She knew that, eventually, there’d be no more running. Either she’d accept her oddity, or she’d succumb to it. And if nothing else...well, at least she’s finally made a true friend. Conquered her fear. And become a person she never really thought she could be.

“...ready?”

Staring up at the doors before them, Hinata turns to Sasuke. As he’s been since Madara’s revelation, he holds a carefully blank expression. She has yet to address the accusation of his being in love with her. Partly because there’s just...too much else to think about. But mostly because she really isn’t sure how she feels, given the chaos that has ensued since learning the truth. There’s been no time to sit and think about it. Consider their history, their bond, their experiences...and the feelings they all bring.

But at the very least...she knows he’s the most genuine friend she has. No one else has ever cared about her like he does...even if the birth of their bond was an odd one.

So, with a small glance to his hand, she gently reaches and takes it. Unlike all of those silly vampire stories, it isn’t cold or hard...but warm. Calloused. Maybe just a little sweaty.

It feels so...human. Even if she knows he isn’t.

But mostly it feels...familiar. Comforting. Reassuring.

It makes her feel that she can do this...so long as she doesn’t have to do it alone.

A hint of a smile curls her lips before looking up to his face. “...yeah. I think I am. Are you…?”

“...if you can do this, so can I.”

That earns a brief laugh. “And here I was t-thinking the exact opposite.”

“Some people tell me that what I do makes me brave, but...in a lot of ways, it’s what those like me have always done. But you...you’re being far braver than I’ve ever been, Hinata. You’re taking one hell of a chance with this. For someone like you to do what you’re doing...that takes far more guts. I hope you realize that.”

Her smile just softens. “...I guess so. It just feels like...w-what I’m supposed to do. And...thank you for being with me.”

“I can’t abandon you now - you wouldn’t be in this mess if not for me.”

“...no, I wouldn’t be.” Slowly, her expression warms. “...but I think...I-I think that, as much as it’s cost...it’s been worth it...ne?” Her grip on his hand tightens.

Something flashes through his eyes for the briefest of moments. “...if you say so, then...guess it’s true.”

“...come on. Let’s...get this over with.”

                                                                .oOo.

     (This is a sequel to days 35, 44, 52, 80, 82, 105, 115, 133, 159, 162, 188, 193, 289, 298, 307, 310, and 317!)       I am...so behind OTL And this is really late. Like...almost 20 days late. I'm just so stinkin' burnt out and busy and blegh. So lemme just apologize for like the fiftieth time about how badly this is crumbling here toward the end. Life is just really making it difficult these last few weeks. I'm sorry.      BUT, either way, I'll finish! Just...very late, ahaha~      Anyway, on to the story. A bit more of the Nightwalkers crossover. Sort of a recap kinda thing given just how LONG this one's gone on, and partly as a refresher for myself. I LOVE this accidental mini series, and have every intention of making it into a proper fic down the road, and even have the ending plotted, which is exciting! So I don't want to go TOO much further with it during the challenge. But this prompt just...insisted on being in this verse, lol      I'd...say more but I'm very tired. It's 3am and I'm a doof for being so late, but...guh. Writing is a real struggle nowadays, so hopefully y'all don't mind being patient with me ;w; Either way, that's all for now...thanks for reading!

[ombreecha]

The Uchiha’s Wife

FF.NET Fandom: Naruto Pairing: SasuSaku Rating: M Summary: She was an otherworldly being of healing. An absolute nymph of spring. He was an otherworldly being of destruction. An absolute god of war. In a world where war makes him death, and chaos she will be the life, and love his people will talk of for years to come. AU x Warring States Period.

Author Note: Ayyyyye, dooooooooooope I'm still alive. Somehow? My dudes I'm officially 27 today haha and so with this birthday I present to you chapter 19. I've been up to my eyeballs in foam, glue, and more with Katsucon being next week. I wasn't about to not keep my word though, and so here we are. I get to dip my feet deeper into ol' maidhood, and you get new content.

Anyways. . .Man I'm gonna eat some motherfuckin tiramisu to celebrate when I get back from Katsucon and it's gonna be fuckin great #inserttonythetigerhere

Until then, please get some cake or whatever the fuck ya'll like. I love celebrating with you guys even if I can't IRL until after my shoots. Fanfiction is a pretty sweet way to celebrate yisssss.

Chapter 19 The Pandemonium 

Exhausted and worn she’s fallen with her hands digging within the earth. Those scarlet locks the only thing vibrant in this state. It’s those strands that keep him connected to the present.

The oxygen she’s taking in makes it perfectly clear how much this task has drained her. The nine tails is no longer bound by the Uzumaki. They’ve seized him and taken control. 

Words linger upon his tongue never entering the air even as he watches Obito reach down and grip a hold of her arm. After everything she’s done to remove the tailed beast they’re still not done with her. There’s a part of him that feels the need to stop this—there’s something eating away at him as he watches this.



This feels wrong, but this is what Madara demands.
 All of this feels like it’s too much.

What they’re doing right now—could you possibly say this was right?

Was this what their ideals had turned into? Had they become as cruel as the Senju and Uzumaki who had painted their love in the blood of others?

Were they truly any different? Were they not one and the same using such methods?

“You know what you have to do.”

He doesn’t need to be reminded of what’s expected from him. He remembers the words scrawled upon the scroll. He knows what his part in this is. Yet, it doesn’t lessen the way this continues to dig further and further upon his moral compass.

Hesitant. Unsure. He’s of two minds. Yet, he gives that nod of his head.

The way this man drags off his teammate has him wanting to reach out—to yell for him to stop.

To extend his hand and take a hold of her. Protect her. To save her.

He won’t. He can’t. To do so would be to go against what Madara has already put into motion. The way their treating her—she’s no more than a tool.

She was a person. She held a heart. She held a purpose beyond that of a tool. She was no different from him or them.

She had a worth beyond this plan.

“Sasuke! Help me!” her hand flies out as if to reach for him before being yanked without care.

As if she is nothing more than an object.

She’s never dared to say his name without a horrific attached. No apology he gives will ever be enough for what he’s allowing them to do—for allowing this person who had stood beside him unwavering and all on her own to be used so maliciously.

And now against her own will.

The scream she produces and the desperation that echos with the night haunts him. It twists him in uncomfortable ways. Refusing to lift a finger as she tries in vain to stay only makes this feel even more disgusting—more sickening.

He can do nothing. He is not the leader of their clan. He is just an heir meant to inherit the throne.

That’s how he’ll battle the guilt—the wrongfulness of his part in this. He’ll cling to the fact he’s not in control.

Inhaling deeply and removing his eyes from her only increases the disgust before he casts his eyes upon the male who can no longer defend himself.

Step after step—each one slow and careful. Naruto Uzumaki is no longer a threat. He’s on the verge death after having lost the nine tailed beast. Madara had gotten what he had wanted. Obito had succeeded and now all that’s left was to finally be rid of the blonde.

Yes.

Madara demands this. He orders it.
He will follow his leader down this road.

He’ll further dirty his already scuffed moral compass. He’ll ignore the increasing cracks that form upon it. He’ll ignore the voices screaming within his head. 



It’s bittersweet as he watches the weak rise and fall of his chest. He’s known this boy since he could remember. Their mothers had been close friends—a war separated them but they defied refusing to lessen their bond. It was overlooked and it was ignored all because she was a direct heir.



Whispers had filled the funeral when she had passed. —they had mocked and made claims no child should hear.

If she hadn’t been friends with that Uzumaki maybe she’d have lived.


Maybe she wouldn’t have left her children behind.

Traitor.



His tongue slides against the roof of his mouth. The resentment from that time has lessened over the years. It has become a dull ache.

This boy hadn’t harmed his mother—no, she just happened to be on her way home from visiting them when she was murdered in the name of war. Senju and Uzumaki were one and the same to him. They stole his mother from him, and robbed him equally of his father. The days where they played in their garden were nothing now. 



Could you have called them friends? 
Naruto had chosen the Senju, and he had chosen the Uchiha.
 They knew nothing of each other now outside of the battlefield.


No. They were never friends.
Their mothers were, but they, they, were never friends.



What would his mother say if she saw him preparing to kill her bestfriend’s son? 

His throat constricts at the thought. He loved his mother far more than that. He would do whatever it took to avenge her.

He feels lost in time—if he waited here forever would this feeling die? 
Would this sudden fear that his mother will forsake him disappear?

 He won’t cry if he kills this boy his mother had doted on as a child.

He won’t regret this.


They had tried to kill each other plenty of times before this—
Never had they been so close.



This is different. This situation is real. He’s going to kill this man—he’s going to kill Naruto Uzumaki.
He’s going to kill someone his mother had cherished.

She’d understand. She’d know he was doing what was right by her brother’s decree. There would be no shame upon her face for doing what he needed to in times of war. Fingers curl around the hilt of his sword and as it clicks from its hold it’s slide is slow and steady. That floral pendent his wife had given him swaying equally as slow with such movements. 



“Sasuke-kun! Stop!”



Freezing he can’t help but follow the call of her voice—how? How had she found him deep within the chaos? The grip upon his sword becomes loose as he takes her in. She’s out of breath and followed behind.

Seeing someone so close to her makes his grip tighten once more until he can clearly see who is with her—this man had made it clear he adored his wife during the festival.



“This is war Sakura.” 



Can she see how conflicted he is in this moment? Can she see how much it’s twisting him to know he’s going to kill someone so precious to his mother? 
Can she see the way his moral compass is spinning erratically?

Does she see the disgust brewing inside for himself? Does she know he’s dying inside?



Those even steps are there and there’s no missing the wounds she’s suffered on the battlefield. They’re not serious. They’re not fatal—but there is blood, and discoloration upon her skin and that’s terrifying enough.

It’s around her throat, and so many other places.

But as terrifying as that is there is something far more frightening in this moment that he’s clinging to. Is this where her love came to a halt?

She’s stopping him. She’s keeping him from slaying the enemy. They knew each other. Naruto had said it right before her dance. He hadn’t asked. He hadn’t meddled and now it’s clear he should have. 

Had they always been close even before she became his wife?
Was he also cherished by her as well?

Naruto had gained his mother’s affection and now he would take Sakura’s from him just the same.

This. This is what hurts. This is what makes him question what he’s done to deserve his enemy taking everything from him. All of this—everything he’s ever lost—was thanks to the Senju and Uzumaki.

He loathes himself or being so weak. For playing into such thoughts—but how could he not?

He had reached out for her when he had known better. He had known not to give her any part of him. He had—he had given in to her. He had fallen for the anguish he had put her through. He had been desperate to fix all the cruel things he had done to this woman he had finally begun to see as his wife.

He rightfully deserved such things—yet the self pity in him refuses to accept that. He had lost so much already and the world was continuing to take everything from him.

He hates this blonde. Because projecting his self hatred onto him is easier to accept.

Fingers tighten around the hilt only to loosen a moment later. He wants to scream at her—she’s the one being cruel now.

How can she stand with them when she said she supported him? She’s not with him—she’s betraying him.

She is the one who’s cruel for coming into his world and lowering his guard. She’s the one who had made claims she wasn’t intending to keep in this moment.

She is the one he had desired to go further down the road of life with and now they were diverging.

He’ll loathe her too instead of overcoming his own faults—his own disgust for what he’s willingly becoming.

If it wasn’t for her he wouldn’t feel like this.

His mouth has gone dry as he tries to keep himself composed. She’s ruined him. She has completely destroyed it all. He wants to take back everything he’s ever tried to do and every attempt he had made to understand her better. He wants to take back believing she had become an Uchiha.

—as if it had been her birthright. As if she had loved him deeply.

He had never asked for a wife. He had never asked for any of this. All of it had been decided for him.

He wasn’t given a choice in any of this. Yet, he had been the one to let her in.

He wasn’t good enough for her. He wasn’t good enough for her to put him before the enemy.

The tightening of his jaw slackens and then the control he always seems to have in place breaks in two. There’s no way to stop the way his eyes flutter and the way his mouth quivers alongside his heart that drops so painfully within his being. His eyes descend from her to the dirt below only to clamp down in an effort to keep himself together.

“S-Sasuke-kun?”

Teeth dig painfully into his bottom lip as she speaks—she sounds as if she’s panicking. She has no reason to be panicking. She’s not the one being betrayed. She’s not the one being cast aside—he’s not the one abandoning her.

It’s just her pushing him away for the family that came before him.

He had wanted a family with her—he had wanted her to be he one that brought a new life into his world.

He had wanted her.

His eyes snap open and it’s here and now that he realizes he has to stop her. He had done what his leader had told him not to—there’s was no guarantee she wasn’t carrying his heir.

He would not have her rip more from him.

Hands shake. Palms sweaty. Eyes burning. Sword raised high.

She had dug her roots deep—she had squeezed through iron and pushed through stone.

He would cut them down. He had said he would not gaze upon her with these eyes so many feared.

He had been wrong.

He can barely hold his sword still—his heart is loud and the trepidation it sends throughout his body only seeks to send his mind further into the confusion and loathing that’s painted within him.

“You don’t have to do this! Sasuke-kun, please!”

That’s all she has to say to dislodge his voice from the bottom of his throat—it’s filled with petulance soaked in disquietude, “Shut up!”

The way she shrinks back before him sends his heart aching before him, “Not another word—not from you!”

“S-Sasuke-kun—This isn’t war! This is a slaughter.”

He’s seen this look upon her face before. He saw it when he murdered that medic so long ago. He saw it upon that woman’s face when she begged him to give mercy. She’s covered in terror as if he’s already run her through—

He can’t take her back—not when she’ll betray him again. If he can’t have her he’ll be damned if the Senju will.

Can she see how he’s vacillating as she protects Naruto? Can she see how much her choices have completely twisted his world?

Does she know how much he’s dying inside?

He won’t cry if he kills her. He’ll rebuild what she’s dug her roots into.
Their ideals had truly been far too different—

He’ll burn everything down.

His spring wife is daring a step closer and those fingers that had brought him comfort within their two years are raising. She’s stopped all at once with a hand on her wrist.

Yes. He’ll burn it down to the ground.

“This isn’t her betraying you.” there’s an exhaustion in those words as that male he had trusted in Konohagakure to keep his wife safe restricts her from coming closer. 



Here she is against him—not with him. Yet, this man claims otherwise.



He is a criminal without a crime. His good fortune had run out this time. There’s always a reason. There’s not always a rhyme to follow behind it. Those eyes of hers are glowing and just as equally those viridian are showing all that she intends.

She stands before him unable to compromise. That much is clear.

When he was already so hesitant and so lost in the direction his leader was taking them she does this to him. She sends him over the edge, and she casts him aside. Why should he care if the Uchiha are no better than the Senju?

Why should he care?

“Sasuke-kun.”



He’s not crying. He won’t do so in front of her again.



Those shallow breaths, and those twitches that come from her muscles. Tense cannot even begin to describe this moment between them. He’s out of time. He must make a choice, he must follow a faith, and he must cast this ache aside and move forward. Not once has she ever stood before him quiet like this, “Sasuke-kun!” 



No he’s certainly not crying.
 But he is most definitely dying. 



He’s absolutely running out of time. He’s lost in time and he’s certain this ache will never die. He’s truly a criminal. 
—and he holds all of their crimes. He is the one meant to be the example. He is the one meant to show his people where to go.

He’s choosing his leader. He’s choosing what he knows is wrong.

He’ll choose anything that’ll hurt her the way she’s hurting him right now.



She’s never turned against him. She’s never been one to lie. That look upon her face—the tightening of her jaw, and that gaze that bleeds through the night—she’s always been honest and she’s always held her heart upon her sleeve.

It’s the joining of two people. A union. A marriage.



He can question it all, and yet he knows he won’t find the answer of how they now stare back at each other at odds. This woman was his wife, and the one he meant to keep beside him. This woman was one he had allowed himself to trust, and the one he had wanted to bring new life into the world.



This woman.
 He trusts her.
 That’s what makes this bittersweet.



She loves him. 
 Deeply. 
She asked for his love to be just as deep.



He had agreed and allowed himself to feel such a way when he decided that the Uchiha clan was just as much her birthright.


He had trusted her. He had felt so much pride in her.

If I could bring all of that pain you hide onto myself I would do so.

He knows this battle is wrong—he knows it’s exactly what she says. This is a slaughter. There’s no denying the claim. This was no longer war. This blood bath while great and one of the largest was no battle. She was here to rein him in. She was here to make sure he didn’t falter and head down the wrong path. She was the voice that would lead him back from the chaos.

She was the voice inside his head as Karin was dragged from him.

Could he kill her? Could he kill what he had allowed her to obtain? Could he close her out as he had when they first met?

To anger and fight Madara would be to go against the Uchiha. Could he go against his leader? Could he go against his family?


Isn’t that what he is expecting of her?


A shift of his foot and the fall of his crimson from her viridian comes. He doesn’t know what the answer is. He doesn’t know what he’s supposed to pick.

Would following her down this unknown road be the right choice? Would he regret not killing Naruto down the line? Would he forever harbor feelings of distrust because of what she’s doing now?

Why do you continue to follow blindly at his call?

His hand wavers and with it his sword scrapes the earth. He’s at the end of the line. Alone in his head—waiting for something divine to answer him. Drowning in silence he prays to make it through. Out on the edge as all these things echo internally.

The storm winds are blowing. His dreams are falling apart. Just like her.

He’s crying internally. Because he cannot do this—he cannot harden himself to do what he has to.

That concept of him and her. It’s blowing away.

And he hates himself for it—he places such hate upon her to make it easier to live with.



It’s that lack of time that seeks to make it clear he’s lowered himself upon the battlefield. It’s that pounding of his chest and that pain deep within his gut. This man. This Senju always catches him when he’s bewitched, and it just proves she would be his end. 



It’s her voice that makes his eyes force themselves open as the contents of his stomach cover the grown and upon his person. The gravel and stone he had set to walk upon with her has given him padding but scratched all that it could touch—

he’s here. 



The force is harsh and enough to send his head back and mind reeling. That punch has made his mind halt to two simple questions—what was he doing here, and was this ever even truly a war?



It’s the collapse of waves echoing out internally.
 Why does his heart feel like it’ll break further than just in two?



“Kisetsuma-san!”



He cannot control the roll of his head and that blur of his eyes. She’ll leave him and there’s nothing he can do. She’ll return to this man who sought her out so violently. 

He can’t protect her—he can’t protect any of them.



“It’s okay.” there’s so much warmth in Kisetsuma’s words for his wife, “We’ll take you back here and now. I’ll protect you from him.”



He feels it deep within—



“Kisetsuma-san, what are you—?”



“I won’t let the Uchiha hold you any longer. You will no longer be a prisoner of war.” 



This exchange. 
 It’s the death of a desire—



The vexation. The distress. The exasperation. The absolute loss.


It’s her choice. It’s always been her choice.



She could hate him. She said she loved him.
 She’s slipping through his fingers. This man will take her even though they—



“Kisetsuma I am not a prisoner—”



“What lies have they been feeding you all this time? These Uchiha—they’ve done everything they can to turn you against your family and friends”



—even though he’s the one she said she loved with all of her heart. He must confess that he feels like a—

“I will protect you.”



Monster.

All of that loathing, and poisonous vexation he’s placing upon everyone but himself. It’s revolting.



He’s barely aware of what he’s even doing. Everything in his world has fallen out of reach. He can’t protect her. He can’t protect the Uchiha. He can’t even protect himself. He’s lost his sword somewhere. He’s lost the ability to feel just the same. He’s lost his mother. He’s lost his father. He’s lost his brother. He’s lost his uncle. He’s lost his grandfather.

—and now he’s losing his wife and any possibility of a child. He’s losing the possibility of a family.

His heads thrown back as this Senju strikes him once again, but that doesn’t stop him from throwing his own fist right within their jaw. Dirt finds its way deep within his nails as he twists to make himself rise.

“Sasuke-kun move!” her voice is shaking, and terror-stricken as it comes within his ears.

She’s calling out to him—if he caught sight of her right now would she be in tears? Hadn’t she abandoned him already? Why is she calling out for him at all? She had chosen to protect Naruto over standing beside him.

She had chosen them over him.

He’s managed to do as she’s plead out, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s raising his hands up and lacing his fingers together before bringing it down upon this Senju’s back and preparing to raise another fist. All of these things are barbaric. All of these things aren’t strategy. They’re literally beating each other down. They’re doing everything in their power to harm the other.

She’s clouded all of his judgment with her abandonment—that’s what he tells himself when he feels that foot connect with his stomach before the ground shakes with an almost godly force. It’s enough to make them both halt and look to her.

She’s taken her arm back, and that male of silver stands beside her ready to attack, “Don’t touch my husband.” her breathing is erratic as if she’s been sent over the edge just the same.

It’s enough though to send his mind back into pandemonium. She’s claiming him. She’s making her position as his wife clear—even though she stood against him.

Even though she—

“Don’t you want to come home?”

His knees are weak but he’s pushing himself up. There’s a stagger to his stance, but he’s not backing down. There’s swelling in his left eye, but that doesn’t stop him from looking at her with his right just the same. Pressing his hand against a tree he’s steadying himself even more, “Sakura.”

“He is my home—” her voice has broke and it’s as those fingers twist within the fabric of her warn torn clothes against her chest that she finds it once again, “To hurt him is to hurt a part of me!”

He’s still and there’s the lightest of feelings within his chest—this woman saw him as home. It hadn’t just been him looking to her for that feeling of home. These words. These feelings.

They’re a lie.

He can’t trust what she says. She’ll trick him once more.

She’ll lower his defenses and then twist the knife she’s dug between his shoulder blades deeper.

How can she say these things?

Yet, here she is. Here she is making her feelings clear even to this man who had sought her out. She had said she loved him with all of her heart—and that’s what makes his mouth drop. She felt that his pain would harm her just the same. She saw him as a direct part of herself.

Is this what marriage was? A union? A joining of two?

His fingers curl into a fist and his teeth grind together—he had never asked for a wife. He had never asked for any of this—but he definitely wanted her. He wanted to keep his trust in her. He wanted to keep that unbelievable pride for her.

He wanted to have a family with this woman. He wanted to continue walking down this road with her. He wanted to travel through the gravel and stone. He wanted to come back to that world of spring she makes a possibility—yes, he wanted her.

God, does he want her.

He can’t. He won’t.

Because it’s all a lie. Everything this woman spills is for show and not out of love. If she had loved him she wouldn’t turn against him at a time like this.

Yes. She’s brought him into complete disarray.

His mind had broken out into pandemonium—and she almost sadistically continues to shove him into it further without remorse.

He can barely hear her. All he hears is noise. It’s loud. It’s hot upon his ears. It’s too much to take in. Shaky fingers hesitate to raise. Lightning flickers upon the tips. To reach for her out of comfort or in an attempt to harm her he’s unsure. He doesn’t know what he wants anymore.

She’s thoroughly split him in two. He’s of two hearts.

It all truly echos internally. 
Failure. Just like him.

He can’t find such things like that right now—she’s completely out of arms reach as his head cracks against the tree he had used for support, and his body is thrown up within the air. The instinct to defend himself is there but it doesn’t lessen the blow of being tossed across the battle field as he seeks to shield himself with his arms.

Her voice is so much further now than it ever had been—it’s masked and drowned out. He’s crying.

[slashers-hell]

Hi, it's me. What I wanted to say is that the more I reflect on Naruto as a story, the more I dislike it. Kishi's writing has left me w/ so many conflicted feelings. The biggest problems I have with it are the Konoha nationalism & the contradictions between part 1 & 2 of Naruto. When I finished Naruto, I became an anti ender. I didn't like Hyuga slavery not being addressed, Orochimaru bring free, the solution to the cycle of hatred never being resolved, no help w/ amagakure, (1/?)

As well as the Uchiha genocide hidden away & justified. Then I thought about it & realized Naruto (the character) never addressed those issues. When Nagato, Madara, Sasuke, Neji were told that their beliefs/solutions to the shinobi system were wrong, Naruto never came up w/ a solution. This is when I started to dislike him as a character; I began to see how shallow & hypocritical he is. The TnJ was just a device to shut those who were against the village. (2/?)

In order silence those who were against the village & Naruto, he would compare his suffering to theirs & then say bc he suffered & he is not against the village, then the other antagonists shouldn’t be either. This makes Naruto close minded & self centered bc he tries to equate his suffering to others in order to invalidate them. Not all suffering is the same & he doesn’t realize this. (3/?)

What boggles my mind the most is that he says he’s against the shinobi system yet supports the village that functions of the system. He doesn’t realize that in order to fix the system & end cycle of hatred you need to create a whole new system. That being said I especially saw this when Naruto tries to reason w/ Sasuke. I used to be a huge sns shipper bc of how deep and developed the bond was (especially compared to other ships) but the more I see Naruto not understanding sasuke (4/?)

And his own blind jingoism, the more I started to not like the ship. I know that none of the ships are perfect & sns is flawed but I like how there is a sense of mutual understanding & care for each other. I still like sns for what it added to the story but not with naruto being pro konoha. Naruto wasn’t the only character I began to have 2nd thoughts on. What also bothers me is that Itachi is well loved within the fandom. Itachi is still my fav character but not for the reasons (5/?)

Everyone else has. I like itachi bc he was the epitome of a konoha hound dog who blindingly supported whatever the village said, even to. The point of committing genocide. I dont like how itachi is seen as a hero & he shouldn’t be excused for his actions. I do think itachi loves sasuke above all else & did everything to protect him but he also did bc he is the biggest supporter of the village, despite being an uchiha. (6/?)

Lastly I wanted to say that I naruto went downhill rapidly when part 2 contradicted part 1. Naruto used to be kid that was in last pale & had to work hard to catch up to everyone else. However in part 2, its revealed that he’s gifted under his bloodline, he was prophesied twice by the sage turtle to be the child of prophecy, & the fact that he’s the reincarnation of the son of the saye of 6 paths. That’s when everything felt disingenuous. Everything naruto stood for was gone (7/8)  

I found that there was no reason to support him as a character & kishi’s writing made it seem like he didn’t know what he was doing while writing naruto. Despite all of this I still did not regret going through the series. I dont really like as much as I used to (to me its mediocre at most.) Anyway I love your blog and your analyses. They’re well thought out. Thank you for reading my thoughts & I’m sorry my ask was so long. (8/8) 

I do agree with you for the most part, and thinking about it, it’s actually incredible sad how the series went downhill. From propagating nationalism to ignoring the Uchiha genocide---it’s as if nothing was important anymore at the end of the show. I genuinely do not care about the rest; it’s just so incredibly boring and senseless to me. But no matter what, I will still love Sasuke and SNS and believe that he and his clan deserve the justice they were withheld. Ugh, I mean we have discussed about this so much, and honestly, what Kishimoto did to the ending and how he didn’t resolve all of these issues is his own fault. Also, thank you for the kind words, I appreciate them so much!

[hoe-imaginess]

Part 4

She moves her general directly into a compromising spot. An amateur mistake. With a simple move, he adds it to his captured pieces.

“You’re not thinking this through,” Madara murmurs.

She doesn’t reply.

She should be drawing back rather than advancing. If it were gall and confidence making her moves so impulsive, he might have been able to admire it a little, maybe enjoy it. But he doesn’t admire her mindlessness.

They would usually play on days their workload was at a low. Now, the mundane comfort that shogi is meant to offer is replaced by prolonged silence. They both know normality is a far reach at that point.

Not that she can boast at a winning streak, or any winning of any kind when it came to playing Madara, but she usually presents compensation in the form of a decent challenge. But it’s hardly satisfying for him now.

When he had asked her outside the academy if she planned to come to the library, it had been completely antagonistic in nature, just meant to remind her that he was aware of her little ruse to evade him, and that he didn’t find it at all entertaining.

Fine. I’ll be there.

Words spoken with such bitterness, but the conviction to validate those words did not reach her face. He could see the unease swimming in her eyes. The same unease he assumes keeps her in the constant, annoying state of equivocation, where all she does is avoid him.

She puts one of her generals back into play, but it’s by no means a calculated move. He doesn’t comment that time, only moves a piece to counter it. At that point he’s certain he could wear a blindfold and she would still pose no better a challenge.

“What is it, _____?”

“Nothing.” She looks at the board without seeing it. No amount of strategizing will do anything for her. She just needs to bide her time away from his scrutiny. 

"Look at me.”

She stiffens. Then after a moment’s hesitation, obeys.

His eyes are dark, unforgiving. “You were very clear when you told me that your absence was a result of work. Nothing else. That what happened between us did not trigger this behavior. ”

So, he’s not going to beat around the bush. “Maybe it’s just taken me time to understand.” She looks away from him then, unable to hold the thick gaze.

His eyes narrow. “Understand what?”

“What you’re doing.”

She moves one of her pieces again, to a much more perceptive place. Sharpness surged by swelling frustration, he assumes. How interesting.

“Then tell me what I’m doing.” He puts his next piece down with punctuated force, and she looks at him. 

“I think you’re just antagonizing me.”

He scoffs arrogantly. “If you’re still referring to that day after the academy meeting, then forgive me if I didn’t convey my intentions correctly. My plan was not to antagonize you.”

She scowls, but shivers when a ghost of his touch slides across her thighs, like his hands never left. There’s even a blush on her cheeks as she thinks carefully about his words. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about. You can’t stand that I’m on good terms with the Senju now, can you?”

He wins the game, again. With no lament of defeat, she stands from her seat and moves over to a bookshelf. Anything to get away from his deep glare.

“Interesting theory,” he says. “Then would it be fair of me to assume you’re more frequently collaborating with them on purpose?”

“Why would I be doing it on purpose?”

“To antagonize me, perhaps. Or to prove me wrong about everything I’ve told you. Why else choose to mend a broken bond with Tobirama, of all people?”

“I’m just discussing policies with him,” she says as she idly searches book titles, “and assisting when necessary.”

“Assisting,” he scoffs. “Don’t you think you’re being a little too generous? Given that he did next to nothing for you and your clan when you needed it most.”

“That’s not true,” she insists. And the defensive tone surprises her. 

She realizes then that Madara isn’t aware of the negotiating Tobirama facilitated between the Shimura and Sarutobi, all for the sake of accommodating her clan. She hadn’t disclosed that fact, not previously. And something tells her she shouldn’t at all. He would probably refute it, and convince her that Tobirama had ulterior motives, that it wasn’t genuine. She’s half-afraid she would believe him. 

But he’s impressed, nonetheless. "Oh no? Then tell me how magnanimous and understanding he was.”

She doesn’t like the way it’s spoken with such condescension. “Forget it, Madara.”

“Do you know what he plans to do with your clan?”

She looks at him now, eyes narrowed. “What?”

Glad he’s caught her attention, he doesn’t beat around the bush. “Your clan is not contributing to the academy. Not as much as Tobirama would like, at least. He will not stand for that. You get what you put in, that’s how he sees it. Because you will not sacrifice your resources, your clan loses out on opportunities in the academy.”

“What are you talking about?” she counters automatically, as if it were ridiculous. But it reels her in, nonetheless. She carefully returns to the table, drawn in by his words.

“Think about it.”

And she does. What he’s implying certainly is by no means unfathomable, but would Tobirama do that to her? After they had finally managed to appease tension? After she started trusting him? 

She looks at him. “Are you doing it again?” she asks.

Annoyance sharpens his features. “Am I doing what?”

“Trying to instigate me.”

“Of course I am,” he says with no hesitance whatsoever. “So you clear your mind and start thinking straight. But what I’m saying is no lie. He gives privilege to clans that conform to his needs. Your clan does not. Therefore, your rights to in village are limited. Ask him yourself.”

“Is that what you want? A confrontation? To create more tension between the Senju and my clan?”

“No,” he grunts sharply. “That’s not what I want.”

He stands from the table and walks to her. After so many chilling and unnerving encounters, she wants to step away. But she’s swept up in confusion and concern. She doesn’t even flinch when he comes close to her. 

“I want you to know what exactly you’re getting yourself into by trusting him.”

“I know what I’m getting myself into, Madara. Don’t act like I’m naive.”

“You are if you trust him.”

She scowls. “By what he’s told me, I shouldn’t be trusting you either.”

“So that’s what he’s been doing? Filling your head with—”

“No. That’s not what he’s doing.” She sounds exasperated. “If anything, you are the one trying to manipulate me and fill my head with lies.” 

He remains silent when she says that. For what reason, she doesn’t know. But the air is subdued then, still lingering with distinct tension, but the aggression weathers away. 

“I don’t want to argue with you,” she continues. “Don’t do this again. You’re only stirring tension where it doesn’t need to be stirred.” It isn’t what she wants. It was never what she wanted. To be so combative every time she was with him, when she truly considered him to be one of, if not her closest companions... It didn’t feel right. “Where is this coming from, Madara? Is it just because I’ve been spending time with Tobirama? Is that really it?”

“Yes,” he snaps. It’s the truth. He doesn’t care to deny it. “In the beginning you  bore the brunt of Tobirama’s negligence. For weeks on end, all you did was complain. And now? To put faith in him? To open yourself and your clan to disaster so easily?” Something changes in him, something dark and morbid. She can see it in his face, in his eyes. “Every clan, yours included, cannot be expected to relinquish all resentment from decades of war. It’s just not possible. You see the tension that surrounds us. Are we supposed to just forget? How can you be so trusting?”

“How can you be so doubtful? I was always cautious, Madara. You don’t think I felt the same way about the Uchiha when we first joined the village?” Her eyes plead with him, though she wonders if it will do any good now that they’re both so passionate about their conflicting beliefs. “Don’t think I didn’t. Because I did. Then I met you. Here. In this very library. And when we spoke for the first time, you were kind to me, and nothing like I expected. I learned to trust you. Just as I have learned to trust Tobirama.”

He scowls and scoffs, like it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard. “Even after what I’ve told you? That he plans to punish your clan for not yielding to his demands?”

“How do I know that’s the truth, Madara?”

“You really think I would lie to you?”

“To aggravate me? Yes. You even admitted it yourself. That’s all you’re doing, trying to antagonize me.”

“I would not steer you in the wrong direction,” he snaps. “But he will. And when your clan is facing the consequences of your naivety—”

“You’re not concerned with my clan,” she says sharply. “Or me.” The bands that held her anger together break under his ignorance. “This is just part of your own agenda, using me for your animosity. You’re not doing this for my benefit.”

“Then for whose?” he counters angrily. “Mine?”

“Who else?” She sounds afflicted. And in the tangle of emotions suddenly attacking her, she reaches for whatever counter she can, and regrets it immediately.

“Is this because of your brother?” she says. “Is this for Izuna? Has it been for him all this time? Some twisted desire to avenge him—”

A hand twists into her collar and pushes her back roughly against the shelves, hard enough to knock scrolls loose from their place and tumble to the floor.

“Do not bring Izuna into this.” 

His voice is threatening and cold, cold as the pits of his dark, intense eyes.

The sting of impact floods her back, but it’s not the pain that’s disconcerting, not the fact that he physically acted out on the aggression. It’s the pure malice in his words. It’s the first time he’s raised his voice to her like that. 

She would twist away from his grip, but her veins are ice cold, her body unresponsive. She imagines that it’s exactly what it must have felt like to fall to Madara Uchiha in battle. It must be the same sense of urgency, the same dread. He might as well have a kunai pressed to her throat.

Seeing her like this, anxious, frightened, looking at him as though he’s the enemy, the way everyone looks at him... it disgusts him. His grip subsides, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, his hand flattens and gently rests against her collar bone, like the tender contact will atone for what he’s done.

She peers up at him, expectant but frightened. Imperceptible tremors run through her body, which he feels under his palm. He closes his eyes and gathers his thoughts. He doesn’t want to apologize. Not for his intentions. He might apologize for his emotions, since for the first time, he realizes what she’s done to him.

In the beginning, he admittedly toyed with her emotions, though not for malevolent reasons. It had only been out of a need to gauge her temperament and her judgement, toward the Senju, mostly. Toward Tobirama. It was all so much easier when he thought she shared the same ill will toward the man. Now, Madara is painfully aware that she doesn’t. Not anymore. He’s losing her to the Senju. Just like he lost his brother.

But it appears that nothing he said would change her mind. The cycle of frustration and pain and desire would only continue. Nothing could be done about it.

“Do whatever you please,” he says finally. And he walks away. 

There’s no ultimatum. No threat. No admonition. All things she had come to expect. Now whatever tie they had stands irrefutably cut. She can feel it, can feel the depravity as he grabs his belongings and departs.

“Madara,” she tries to plead. But there’s no reply, not even a parting glance.

The comfort leaves with him, and she feels alone.

                                          ~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Do you need anything from me, ______-san?”

“No. You’re free to leave. Thank you for sorting these scrolls for me.” She waves the assistant off, wishing he would just go away, but the young man looks unconvinced. It’s only after she gives him an earnest, regrettably forceful look that he bows and leaves. Then she turns back to her work.

The suspicions Madara implanted in her mind had been supplemented in a matter of days. She’s dubious. Dubious, worried, anxious—and almost convinced of Tobirama’s plot. 

It started directly after her altercation with the Uchiha, when she wandered over to the Senju office. She couldn’t think straight. She just needed to be somewhere else, and found the promise of being with Tobirama, or even Hashirama, for that matter, compelling her toward their side of the village.

When she arrived, it was a relief to see the younger Senju sitting at Hashirama’s desk. Comfort found her, in a desperate, cynical sort of way.

“I’m conducting a meeting soon with two clan heads. We’re discussing the academy,” he had said when he saw her.

They had discussed the academy with advisors before, but never with the private audience of a clan head, not since the initial meeting. She had been excited at the idea, hopeful that they could offer more to their cause now that higher-ups were involved.

“Alone,” he had clarified as soon as he saw the eager smile on her face.

Even now, she remembers the awful sting in her body as a flood of uncertainty hit her, shattering the denial she had built since hearing Madara spew his libel. 

Usually, she would have argued and inquired as to why she could not attend the meeting. Did he not know that she would be interested in what the clan heads had to say? Especially when she had been collaborating with him all this time? They were both advisors. He had no higher authority than her that dictated whether she should be involved or not. It was insulting. She had every reason to question him.

Yet she did nothing of the sort. She just apologized, an uncharacteristic gesture he didn’t seem to catch, and left. 

Then the next day, an envoy had come to her home with an offhand message from Tobirama, simply stating that he would be busy, occupied with more meetings that he needed to settle on his part. And that it would be best if she left him to his work.

A clear statement. She needed to keep away. She was not invited, or wanted.

Is this how he would do it? she thought. How he planned to move her out of the picture? Tobirama had yet to call on her clan heads to hold any sort of discussion pertaining to the academy. Not just that, but through the hours spent planning and brainstorming, he had not mentioned her clan’s involvement once. Madara’s words seemed truer with every cumulative thought.

Of course, she could write it off as an unnecessary discussion. The fact she collaborated with him at all surely meant he was keeping her clan in mind. Yet what prompted him to exclude her from his meetings? Why had he not requested an audience with her clan heads like the others? Did that really mean that he planned to penalize her clan...? No. It couldn’t be. It was just Madara’s words twisting her rationality.

But the idea of not knowing the complete truth hinders her concentration, and the Uchiha’s voice at the back of her mind persists as a reminder of the unknown.

One of her assistants is suddenly calling to her and kneeling outside the room, waiting for entry. She accepts, and the young girl who looks crossly disheveled doesn’t look her in the eyes. 

“Madara Uchiha wishes to speak with you,” she whispers. “He asked to be escorted here.”

Her mind draws blank. She would prepare herself for whatever it was he sought out, but she doesn’t see the point in guessing. If there’s anything she’s learned from Madara, it’s that he’s unpredictable.

She tells the girl to let him in, and waits in fretful anticipation. With a slide of the door, the Uchiha is there standing in front of her.

It’s silent.

She watches him closely for any signs of acrimony, but there are none. He spares only an expectant, but impatient glance to the young assistant that shadows him.

The woman understands immediately, and dismisses the girl. “Thank you. Go home now. It’s getting dark.”

This assistant is much more obedient than the last, likely unsettled by Madara’s strong presence. She forces herself to bow, then scurries away, leaving them alone at last.

His calm is remarkable, but inside, a swirl of emotions he hasn’t quite tethered. He hadn’t considered what he would say to her, only that he needed to say something. Hours of enduring the waves of regret and anxiety crashing over his train of thought, and he couldn’t stand it anymore.

“I leave today,” he begins, almost methodically, “to meet with the daimyo. With Hashirama.”

She nods slowly. “I know.”

“I need to explain something,” he begins, hesitantly. But earnestly, nevertheless. "What I said that day. I was irrational. Paranoid, as of late. It was wrong of me.” That morning, he had taken some of those same fears and unleashed them onto Hashirama. 

This visit to the daimyo would finalize the village as a permanent settlement in the Land of Fire. It should have been a good thing to be progressing like they were. Finally, their childhood dream would come to fruition.

But he couldn’t see it that way. Not when he could still feel the friction between clans. Not when Tobirama was already moving to cause strife. It pushed him to the edge of doubt, and triggered a long suppressed outrage.

Hashirama had been unprepared for his friend’s anger. Fortunately, an argument that took the better part of the day finally put Madara at ease. Hashirama may not have been a diplomat at heart, but all he had to do was remind Madara of what the village stood for, of the violence and mayhem that could be avoided by uniting the shinobi world, and the Uchiha yielded.

The reluctance Madara felt is no longer potent. It still remains, however, somewhere in the depths of his heart. He expects it won’t be the last debate he and Hashirama have about the matter.

But for now, he knows how agonizing those doubts can be. The possibility—more like fact—that he left her agonized in the same way, and for so long, is what brings him to her. To alleviate the dilemma, because he knows it’s his fault.

"I want this village to work.”

He hadn’t anticipated her voice to be so soft, so vulnerable, so hesitant. It makes the searing guilt even worse.

"So do I.” Despite the complications. Despite the doubt. He really does. “I want it to work.”

“But it can’t if you keep acting this way,” she adds, and immediately, his civil composure threatens to fall. He closes his eyes and exhales deeply, trying to persevere as she goes on. “You need stop trying to fill my head with lies that will get me into trouble, Madara.”

He steps closer to her, through the door until he’s fully inside of her home, all in one swift motion.

She doesn’t realize how close he is until her feet hit the wall and he’s in front of her, solemn, tense, determination swimming in his charcoal eyes. “I am not lying. The only thing I’m trying to do is help you, _______.“

He’s so close that her scent floods him. That tint of warm sugar and fresh flowers that has always seemed so calming and pleasant to his senses. He reaches out to touch her face, and she stills. She never realized how large and slender his hands were, fingers stretching along her cheeks to caress her lightly in an effort of apology.

She stares fretfully over his shoulder, outside the open door where the sun is peeking out above the trees surrounding the village, descending for the night. If anyone were to come across the compromising situation, it would be difficult to conjure an explanation. 

“I know,” is all she says. 

There’s nothing else she can think of to subdue the rising pressure. She understands what he means. But she can’t accept it. Maybe it’s because she can’t abandon the progress she’s made, or what she thought she had made so far, with the village, and with Tobirama. 

There are no changes in his expression. He examines her. Her eyes, her lips, her hair. Everything. Like he’s focused on nothing else but drinking up the sight of her, accepting the pain he had brought her, owning the regret.

“Did you ask him?”

Her eyes return to him, confused, but she thinks she knows. “What?”

“Tobirama,” he clarifies, voice so soft and quiet she doesn’t recognize it as his. “Did you ask him about his plans?”

Then she’s looking away again, reminded of the suspicion that has persecuted her all this time. She doesn’t want it to be true. 

“No.”

“Ask him,” he says, retracting and staring down at her, almost expressionless. “You deserve to know.”

She only stares, and he doesn’t waver from her gaze, letting her swallow down the severity of his words. It’s by no means deceit. He’s honest. He’s doing it for her. She thinks she realizes that now.

And when he pulls away and leaves, the dismay returns, like his presence kept her grounded. 

                                                  ~~~~~~~~~~

There are footsteps approaching from outside the door, but Tobirama is hardly in the mood to be disturbed.

“Who is it?” he calls before they can even announce themselves.

It better not be Hashirama. His elder brother was already late to the congregation at the head of the village where he was meant to depart on his trip, yet he had come to wish his younger brother farewell just a few minutes prior.

“Me,” the firm voice comes from the other side of the door.

Definitely something Hashirama would say, Tobirama thinks, but it’s not his brother.

She doesn’t wait for permission. She walks in, and he only offers her a glance of acknowledgement before returning his attention to the scroll in his hands, surprisingly unruffled by her lack of courtesy.

“The amount of people who come into this office and I’m expected to know who ‘me’ is?”

“Yet you still let me enter.” She moves to the edge of the desk and draws her eyes over the heap of scrolls. “Besides, you’re a sensor.”

"I’m not charging chakra every second of the day. I shouldn’t have to.”

“That makes it even easier to sneak up on you, then.”

He tries to glare at her, but it comes across as a harmless, fatigued frown. He’s thoroughly weary from all the work on his plate, but that’s suddenly no longer his primary concern. He can’t concentrate on his own demeanor when hers is pressing his curiosity.

He hadn’t seen her once since he practically dismissed her from his presence before his academy meetings, something he regrets deeply. The calm when she left Hashirama’s office that day had been palpable. Suspiciously palpable. Which is what led Tobirama to sit and brood far longer than he cared to admit, trying to understand what could have possibly extinguished her normally fiery attitude. It made little sense that she would settle so easily with being barred from his academy discussions, no matter how gently he had tried to let her down.

Over the past weeks, there came a sinking realization that their intimate interactions would boil skepticism from others at some point. Tobirama is convinced that the key to harmonizing the village is equal discretion; favoring one clan over the other would not encourage that. It was for that exact reason he had chosen to subtly exclude her from his discussion with the clan heads, and even sent an envoy to suggest that they forgo on their seeing each other again the following day.

It had all been for the sake of discretion. Nothing else. He assumed that she wanted attention drawn to them no more than he did, and that precaution was necessary. Had she questioned him, he would have gladly explained that. But when he received no reply to his message, he knew she was likely offended. Which is why it’s so curious that he can’t find a single trace of solicited hostility in her expression now. Not even in her voice. 

She’s too calm. He doesn’t know how to feel about that. 

"Are these for the academy?” she asks, running her hands along the strewn scrolls.

He says nothing, but passes one over to her.

“Hashirama will have to build this, no doubt,” she notes as she examines the paper. Blueprints for expanding academy grounds, she thinks. "After he’s worn himself from the village’s infrastructure, you don’t think this is too much for him?”

“He will work with whatever I give him. He’s intrigued by the prospect of the academy, anyway. If I have to do all the administrative work, he can suffer a little manual labor.”

"And the Uchiha?” she asks, biting her tongue as soon as she says it. A stupid impulse that spills from her mouth only as impatience takes over. 

Tobirama’s ability to hide his emotions is excellent when he wants it to be, but she notices the slight tug of his lips into a frown. "What about them?”

“I don’t think I ever asked. What are they planning to contribute? Will they have something to do with the academy? ”

He stops reading and exhales heavily, like he’s annoyed. “Of course they will.”

“Are you sure?”

Now he looks at her, furrowing his brows in suspicion. “Madara agreed to assist, and thereby, his clan will have input… Why are you asking? Did he send you here to pry?”

“He didn’t send me to do anything. He and I were just discussing the academy recently, and I realized you and I hadn’t spoken about his plans. That’s all.”

It’s that complacency in her demeanor that he does not like. Not at all. Something is off. “You were with him just now?”

That seems like an obvious question. It had only been a few hours since he had come to her home. Come to clarify, come to… well, whatever else he had hoped to accomplish. 

“Why do you care?” she returns swiftly.

He scowls, and considers lying to snake away from the truth. “I don’t. I only ask that next time, you let me know when you’re consulting with the Uchiha about academy business.”

“The Uchiha,” she echoes quietly, wondering how it can sound so hateful spilling off his tongue like that.

The exasperated tone catches him. “What?”

“Nothing…” And she almost leaves it at that. Because the more she considers it, she doesn’t want to dig any further. Doesn’t want to find out the truth, because she fears what it will evoke. "You just make it seem as though he has no right to involve himself in academy affairs.”

Not this again, Tobirama thinks. “Of course he has a ‘right’,” he argues. “Even if I know he has more than enough grievances with my agenda. Like I said, he agreed to contribute. He will have a say in academy affairs.” For what seems like the hundredth time, he tries to focus on the last paragraph of the scroll in his hand.

She’s silent after that. Which is odd, he thinks. Usually their mild sparring persists much longer, or at least until it breaks into something more intense. But no, the silence is stretched almost uncomfortably.

She wonders whether she should say it. Madara’s words have been hammering away in her head in an agonizing way. Now it’s all the worse when she’s standing right in front of the accused.

Distress persists, and forces the words out of her. 

“Interesting. Because I need to know why you’re excluding my clan from affairs, even though we’re doing everything we can to contribute to the academy. Or does your courtesy only extend as far as your mood at the time?”

He visibly stiffens, and slowly raises his gaze to her. “What are you talking about?”

"I thought we were over this, Tobirama.” There’s the bite in her voice that was previously absent. “But I come to find out that you’re displeased with what we can offer you? And because of that, you’re plotting against us?”

“Plotting?” The calm leaves his voice. “You’re the one who said you didn’t have enough resources to contribute.”

“And that means you take away my clan’s opportunity? The children’s opportunities?”

“That is not even remotely close to what I am doing.”

“Then what is it?”

“The academy will be limited in the beginning, yes, that is true.” He’s trying to be understanding, but he’s never responded well to confrontation. Her belligerence blindsides him, makes him instinctively defensive. “I’m not punishing you for what you can’t offer. There is no penalty for that.”

“Then what would you call it?”

He opens his mouth, then closes it. He actually doesn’t know. If he’s being completely honest with himself, a penalty is exactly what he had considered it to be. That had only been on account of the troublesome complaints he had received from many clans. But when it comes to hers, labeling it as something so crooked seems wrong.

“Necessary governance,” he mutters finally, unable to look at her.

“Does Hashirama know about this?” she contends; anger is simmering at the surface.

He frowns. “What does that matter?”

“I can’t imagine your brother would let something like this happen. He’s too kind. Too considerate. Too concerned for the well-being of this village.”

“And you think I’m not?”

“You’re just focused on molding the village’s authority to your liking. You’re forcing us into contributing and punishing those who don’t adhere to what you want, Tobirama. This is supposed to be a unified village. You can’t treat people like this… Madara was right.” The exasperation subsides an entire level when she thinks about the Uchiha, about the way his fingers caressed her face. She had been wrong to doubt him.

“What do you mean?” he inquires, anger replaced by frustrating curiosity.

“He told me about this. He told me what you were planning." 

His face twists into something worse than a scowl. “What exactly did he tell you?”

“It doesn’t matter what exactly he told me. He couldn’t have possibly made it any worse than it is. I thought I could trust you. But all you’re doing is scheming for your own benefit. For yourself.”

“For myself?” He stands from his chair.

“Of course you are!“ Her voice transcends a volume she’s not used to, and her heart pounds at the audacity. "And if not for yourself, then for your clan. Not for the village. You preach about village prosperity, but that only applies if it’s under your conditions. This is exactly like it was in the beginning. You’re narrow-minded, and inconsiderate. I trusted you, Tobirama.” She sounds hurt, and he hears it. Then her tone welcomes malice once again. “But you don’t deserve my trust.”

The way ire thickens around her is probably enough to silence anyone. That sharp pain of disappointment in her voice, completed by an edge of regret. Her fiery glare, so close to him now that she’s leaned closer, puts him on edge.

But Tobirama is silent. He can’t fully comprehend what he’s just heard. No one has ever spoken to him like that. 

His expression softens to a bleak, listless frown. Even his voice is unexpectedly calm. “Is that really what you think?”

Her tone is agitated, still marred by the intensity of her outburst. She’s almost disappointed that she received such a lenient reaction. “Yes.”

A closer examination reveals his true sentiment. It’s like pure indignation burning in his scarlet eyes, hot emotion twisting into his features. Some part of her is intimidated, but it’s a part she can’t welcome right then.

He should hate her for coming to such audacious conclusions. Mostly because they’ve been devised by Madara. He had suspect as much all along. If anyone else had done this to him, if anyone else had spoken to him with such lawless impudence… well, he would hold nothing back. 

But now, he doesn’t know. He doesn’t know what to do.

The fervor in her expression hasn’t disappeared. The furrow of her brows betrays anger and poses what he notices for the first time now as uncertainty. Uncertainty and confusion and pain.

It’s then that he becomes aware of just how close they are, only a few inches more and they would touch. Hands, body, or lips. 

His heart quickens its pace at the notion. He doesn’t know why the idea intrudes his thought process, especially when he’s searing with enough anger to choke her. He can’t handle it any longer.

"Get out,” he mutters, voice filled with a threat that he can’t form into words.

"No.” It doesn’t deter her, even if she is unsettled by the tone. It gets under his skin, she can see it in the way his face tightens into a hard scowl. "I’m tired of this, Tobirama. I’m tired of constantly wondering whether you’re going to go behind my back and—”

“I’m not going to tell you again,” he says angrily. “Get out.”

“I’m not leaving.”

They’re still so close, so close she can hear the frustration in his shallow breaths. And now, he doesn’t bother hiding it. He’s staring at her lips. She can see it. He knows she can. Somehow, she finds her eyes drawn to his own lips, lips set in a thin, angry line. 

Through all the rage, she feels a drowning hope. Hope that the happiness and companionship she found in him would still be alive. That his schemes, lawful in foundation or not, wouldn’t ruin what they had. But she knows better. Feelings of sad warmth take over her, and she realizes how weak she becomes in the face of their turmoil. 

Eyes still on his lips, her breath catches when he dips his head down. She prepares herself, feels her heart stop, but he doesn’t do it.

He just lowers his head, and shuts his eyes in an attempt to gather his wits. A passion he doesn’t understand courses through him in defeat.

“Leave.”

It’s difficult to readjust her concentration, especially when her body is still filled with some odd, fluttering warmth. 

“No,” she manages.

He withdraws quickly, grabs a stack of scrolls and makes to leave, but she moves to block his path. He has half a mind to move her, but he doesn’t want to touch her.

“Don’t run away from this, Tobirama.“ She knows what she’s doing is completely reckless, and that the repercussions will be dire. But she can’t hold back. She didn’t come so far to receive no closure. The confusion and misplaced trust eats at her without fail. Who is she supposed to believe? "I can’t handle this anymore. This uncertainty and this distrust. I need to know why. Why are you doing this?”

His face falls in anger. “Why trust the word of that Uchiha?!” He’s yelling now, right in her face. He’ll regret his volatile temper later, but it’s his defense against the bubbling anxiety in his chest.

“Stop saying that,” she protests. “He’s been more help than you have, Tobirama. He’s been honest, and genuine—”

“Don’t call him honest,” Tobirama seethes. “If you weren’t so obsessed with him, then you would see he’s anything but honest.”

“I trust him. If not for him, I wouldn’t have even known about this little plot of yours. I would have made a fool of myself, hoping that you would take my wishes into consideration. I had to find out from him… Why is that?”

“You would see Madara for what he really is if you would just clear your head, if you weren’t so absorbed in this misconstrued idea of him.” Tobirama feels like he’s speaking to his brother. An endless argument that neither of them can ever win. But with her, it’s much more frustrating. 

“Is this still about Madara?… Why, Tobirama?” She steps toward him, too close for comfort, but he doesn’t draw back. “You never gave me a clear answer when I asked you. Why do you hate him so much? Why are you punishing me now for finding a friend in him?”

He scoffs in disgust. “You’re gullible.” The intent of his words is earnest, but the spite isn’t. He would say her logic is twisted, but it makes sense. He hates to admit it. But it does. 

He tries to side step and move to the door, the only destination that seems safe at the moment. She presses a hand against his chest and pushes him back. That’s when his self-restraint teeters.

“Why?” she pleads, desperately now. He can see it in her eyes, can feel it in the way her fingers tighten just slightly into the fabric of his shirt. “Tell me why.”

He doesn’t answer, only glares at her. 

Attempting to step by her again proves to be a fatal mistake. A disgruntled, frustrated protest, and her hands shove at his chest, hard. Instinctively, he snatches her wrists before she can set upon him again, and all at once an endless tangle of emotion and tension and exasperation snaps like a coil.

“Because!” he yells down at her. “I don’t trust him not to hurt you. I—”

Common sense returns to him just in time. He reads the flash of astonishment and confusion on her flushed face, and briefly shuts his eyes, trying to figure out what the hell he’s just done.

And then there’s silence. He wishes the earth would swallow him up, make him disappear.

What does she say to that? Does she follow the scorn that lingers, and reprimand him? His outburst makes that impossible. She can’t even bother to wrench her hands out of his grip.

She swallows, but finds her throat dry. “That’s—”

“Enough. It doesn’t matter.” 

He lets go of her, doesn’t even look at her as he moves to the door. “You and your clan will have anything you need for the academy. There will be no more complications.”

Then he leaves, slamming the door behind him. 

An odd, unshakable pain of separation grips her. One that has her losing sleep every night for weeks on end.

[lunaneko14]

This started out as a response to @commanderkurama‘s ask but then it got too long and I didn’t want to hijack his post. 

Sakura fans literally don’t care about Tsunade. No Sakura fan does. They just see her as a vehicle to push up Sakura’s “power” and reputation just like she does.

I don’t even think Sakura wanted to be Tsunade’s student until Naruto went with Jiraiya and Sasuke ran off to Orochimaru. She thought she could get all the power she needed through being taught by Tsunade (a powerful sannin) and she’d finally get to be equal to Naruto and thereby get Sasuke’s attention as much as he does.

Sakura lets it show here, she’s gotten her use out of Tsunade, so she doesn’t even feel the need to respect her anymore.

she thought she achieved what she wanted, to be equal to the boys so she would have grounds to ignore Naruto and gain Sasuke’s attention and respect

But like all things Sakura does (with bad intentions) she finds out that she’s wrong, Tsunade wasn’t enough and within an hour (?) of “catching up to them” she’s back at square one when Naruto and Sasuke get the sage power ups.

She had everything she wanted in her grasp and I personally think the karma from that slick Tsunade comment came back to bite her

because then she got desperate, not desperate to save the world or even beat Madara, no, she got desperate to prove that what she had in chapter 632 was still there. 

and it wasn’t. Sasuke ignores her this time but she still has time to ignore Naruto’s efforts to save her ass yet again, just brushing him off with a “don’t worry about me”/”I’m alright” not even a fucking “thank you”

And I think this continued rudeness just made her situation even worse

because now she’s totally lost Sasuke’s respect

 and he doesn’t even think she’s worth anything for the team. 

And this serves her right. When Naruto is trying to save the world and Sasuke is trying to get in the position to change it, Sakura’s top priority is 1. Competing with Naruto’s power and 2. Trying to force a reaction out of Sasuke in the middle of a fucking war. 

Like have you EVER seen Sakura work with Naruto or Sasuke the way they work with each other?

No? Gee I fucking wonder why.

One other thing I realized is how the reason why Sasuke and Naruto are so ahead of Sakura in terms of power is because they had bonds that she threw away. 

Like apart from their sannin masters, where did Sasuke and Naruto get their powers?

Sasuke got a lot of it from his family, namely Itachi. Something Sakura had long forsaken. 

And Naruto got his from both his friends and family. 

Who does Sakura have other than Tsunade?

NO ONE

Because she’s rejected everyone else and no one wants to even try with her. Not Kakashi, not Iruka, no one. 

And we know why, because the one person she did have she talks shit about because she’s just like her fans. 

I’m not even comparing her to Hinata, just people she’s rarely compared to: her own team mates. 

[lazyaris]

[MadaTobWeek] Third Day: Hidden Relationship

Title: Promise

Pairing: Madara x Tobirama

Theme: Hidden Relationship

Summary: People believe Hashirama is Madara’s first friend, but is it the truth? People think Tobirama hates Madara, however, they never know it is far from the truth. Sometimes, what they see simple isn’t reality... However, perhaps if they talk less and try to accept what is around them, perhaps things could have been better...

@madatobiweek

Read here or Read More 

                                                               Promise

[Is this what you truly want?]

 Small whisper echoed in his own mind and he wondered to himself, yes, is this what he wanted? They have been facing against each other as if they were enemies, as if they hate each other, yet, he knew that is barely the truth. Dark hair flowed in the wind, sharingan actived, despite the crack line on his skin – proof that he no longer alive and nothing but an edo tensei – no one can deny that the man is far powerful than any of them. Fear worked its way to their mind and soul, but truth is, the man hardly take a look of them. He just sat there, without a care and mind drifted to somewhere. His plan is progressing nicely... Soon, no one will feel the pain of losing someone again, and they too, no longer need to hide behind the mask they wear. It is a promise, one that he made to himself for the sake of Izuna and said person, but he knew, those two would never know about it.

 It was ironic how everyone just trust what they are seeing so easy, Madara knew they are good actors, but he never thinks the whole village would be that naive. Perhaps Hashirama has always suspect them, but without proof, there wasn’t anything the Senju could do, especial when Madara knew for sure the man wouldn’t manage to get any information from neither of them. Chuckled, the corner of his lips tugged up slightly, how long has it been since the last time he felt this way? The Uchiha could no longer remember, but it doesn’t matter, because soon... he could finally meet him again, the one that mean so much to him...

 “Tobirama”

 The word left his lips, and Madara knew, their time have come.

.

.

.

Even until now, the Uchiha could never forget it – the first time they meet. It wasn’t just because he saw himself in his opponent’s eyes but also because of how the Senju looked like. While the jaw line remind him about the Senju Clan, but Tobirama was nothing like his clan member, maybe because he takes after his mother more? Madara never know, but he must admit, first impression is very important, because one look and it was enough to make him drunk. Beautiful red orbs bored straight into his onyx one and Madara wondered how can someone from the Senju Clan can have such amazing eyes like that. The spot they met, while still at that same river, it wasn’t that close to the clans and quieter than the place he met Hashirama few years later.

At that moment, Madara knew the Senju could recognize the fact both of them came from different clans – enemies to be more specific, but as he stated before, it wasn’t a problem to them. The Uchiha could understand it, it wasn’t pure fate that made them meet each other, it was due to their similar thought, they both wanted to find a place to escape from all the responsible. Yes, they knew it is their duty, something they won’t abandon, but even so, they are only human, they needed their own moment, where they can be themselves and not some weapons for their Fathers...

He was 8 and Tobirama was 6, however, they knew what it means to lose someone close to then, knew how it feels to being forced to grow up so quickly as it was either kill or be killed. They knew the feeling of being treated as the perfect soldier and weapon for their clans, knew how cruel this world is. They knew and they saw all of it. How the world is, how they are expected by everyone around them. Their position is different, because Madara is like Hashirama, who mean to be the future clan head and Tobirama only the Second Son, but it is the same, they are believed to inheritance their father’s will.

 Madara and Tobirama, in a way, they are similar, because they have the same thought about the world, but at the same time, they are different. They weren’t suppose to meet, they weren’t supposed to be friends, Fate has different thought in her mind, unfortunately, the two young shinobi were never one to follow her order, after all, Fate is never set in stone, yes? So they ignored the fact they are enemies, that their clans would kill them if their clans ever aware of this meeting. The two kids are loyal to their clans, but just this one thing, they can’t listen to them. Because the other made the hole in their soul disappeared, and for the first time in their life, they found happiness, they found their own piece of heaven in this hell and they made a promise, to see each other again and again at this very same spot.

They both aware of what they are doing – something no one will understand, something will be frowned upon because of the blood in their vein, the clans they belonged to. But, despite all of those guilts, they can’t deny it, whenever they are here, named and clans are meaningless and they only two normal kids, spends their time together. Yes, they considered their opponent as a friend, someone they can trust and share everything, despite the fact this small heaven can disappear any moment, despite this friendship only last when they are alone... They know very well of what they are carrying out, but they just don't care. The most important thing? Well, Madara still remember the promise he shares with Tobirama, one that they swear on their name, on the honour of their clan... It doesn’t matter if they are destined to be rival, doesn’t matter if one day, they will surely meet on the battle field, doesn’t matter if promises are made to be broken. They have a promise, and that is what important.

.

.

.

"Promise me you will survive. Promise me you will be the strongest person. Promise me you will live through this war."

"I promise you. And you, will you promise the same?"

"I do. Until Death claim me."

.

.

.

Childish Promise, yet, it was and still his motivation... Madara wondered how would Tobirama feels if he knew it was their promise what push him to this point? Yes, he decided it on his own and Tobirama has no knowledge of it, he is sure that he will have to fight against the whole world, but does he even care? No, of course not. He doesn’t regret what he is doing, because the world needed it, because he needed it. A world where no one will feel the pain Madara and Tobirama have felt, a world where everyone’s precious will live, and a world where both the Uchiha and the Senju no longer burden by everyone’s expectation.

 [Is this the happy ending you wish for?]

 Familar imagine flashed through his mind, his brother’s smiling face, Tobirama’s young version, the memory they share, and Madara knew, there is nothing left to hold him back. The world has take away everything he ever holds dear and now, it is his time to take it back.

 [You were the one who abandoned him, abandoned the chance you could have with him]

 The whisper didn’t seem to agree with him – something Madara already get used to, and he honestly wondered if this is the sign of madness. But hey, maybe he truly is, after all, he lost Izuna, and then betrayed by his clan – which made him leave Konoha and leave behind everything, especial Tobirama.... He could have stayed and continues his friendship with Hashirama, but more than that, he could have archived what he has always dreamed of – to make Tobirama his. Because yes, although Madara and Tobirama barely say a word about it, they know of each other’s feeling. Ridiculous, isn’t it? People thought they are enemy, thought they hate each other, but truth is, they know nothing! It is the rules, isn’t it? To hide away their relationship when in front of people, even if it is Hashirama, and it has been too many years already, which made it hard for the stubborn Senju to break out of his habit – despite the two clans no longer enemy...

Does he regret throwing away his chance with his Tobirama – the one he loves with all his heart?

No, he doesn’t. Because sometimes, it is necessary to sacrifice the bonds they have in order to get something better. Beside, Madara believed his plan will work, and then, he can claim Tobirama – something he should have done long time ago. Perhaps people will call him crazy for this, and he knew his stubborn Senju won’t agree with him, but even so, he still wishes to try and archive his goal. If Hashirama can, why can’t he? He isn’t wrong, it is the world who is wrong. . .

 “Soon... Tobirama, soon...”

 With those final words, Madara once again withdrew back inside his own mind, to wait, because he has no doubt that Hashirama and Tobirama will be here to stop him. He promised him, didn’t he? That he will be the strongest and the Uchiha planned to hold onto it, to made it becomes reality, instead just a childish promise. He will be the strongest, and the world should bow to him. The plan will success, and no one will ever feel pain again.

 “It’s for the greater good...”

 The words left his lips and perhaps, Madara is just trying to convince himself. However, he is a stubborn person, who can be ruthless when needed. There is no turning back – not that he plans to. No matter what is the outcome, he will still do it, for the world, for Izuna, for Tobirama, and for himself...

 [You will regret this...]

.

.

.

“You’re an idiot, you know?”

“I know.”

“Do you regret it?”

“You know my answer.”

“Stupid Uchiha.”

 He lost – even when everything was progressing rather well – he was betrayed by the one he less expected the most, not because he trusts him but more like because he never considers said person as someone who capable to pull something like that. The Uchiha paid the price for his arrogant, however, he doesn’t regret it at all. He almost archives his goal, everything was so close and he only lost because the damn Black Zetsu. Sighed, Madara knew this was enough, it was time to end everything, he shouldn’t be so bitter about this even if he knew he didn’t deserve such end... It is stupid, he honestly wondered if this is some kind of joke, but he knew, everything has ended.

However... Perhaps this is for the better. Gazed at Tobirama, who clearly too pissed off at everything the Uchiha has committed to even keep up the cover, or maybe the Senju just didn’t care anymore. They are both dead, the world no longer the same as they know, their Clans almost extinction, only one still alive. In the end, everything that kept them away from each other no longer exist, isn’t it? They wasted their whole life trying to keep up the cover simply because they still have their responsible, isn’t it? But perhaps, the one who should be blamed probably himself, if only he stayed and ignored his Clan, then perhaps things could have turn out better? Still, there is no time for wishful thinking like that, Madara knew his time is about to end and same for his sexy Senju...

Madara doesn’t think he can care about what is happening anymore, so he laughed and reached out his hand. Ignored the fact everyone is highly tense when he did that – except for Tobirama – which they too, found it strange, because Madara and Tobirama were supposed to be enemy, yet the way they talk just now, as if they are even closer than the friendship Madara shares with Hashirama.

 “I make you wait too long, didn’t I?”

 The words left his lips and without any warning, the Uchiha grabbed Tobirama by the fur on his armour. Lifted an eyebrow at this, but the Senju barely show any surprise, he only narrowed his eyes and followed Madara’s movement, leaned down close enough for them to feel each other’s breath, but their lips have yet to meet. Tobirama knew he should hate him, because Madara was the caused of everything – especial this damn shinobi war, because Madara was the one who left him behind and broke his heart. But deep inside, he believes it is his fault too. If that time he was more brave, if he reachs out for the Uchiha, then perhaps, things could be different.

They weren’t young and far from naive, but they allowed their responsible and their mind to stop themselve from taking what belong to them – afraid of what the two clans may thing even if the Senju and Uchiha no longer enemies. But maybe, they were afraid of losing what little they have. Probably because he was the one who ended Izuna’s life as well – something he still felt sorry for Madara. But the past is the past and it wasn’t like they can turn back time. Tobirama isn’t the type to waste time thinking about impossible thing like that and he aware that Madara is the same. A small smirk appeared on his face, and as their eyes met, he answered him.

 “Indeed you did.”

 Tobirama knew they are being watched and the war has yet to end, but fuck, they did what they needed, can they have their own moment for a while? He lost him, they lost their chance, all because they worry too much about the world and too little of themselves. Dead and back, Tobirama doesn’t want to make the same mistake, even if this just last for a small... Madara won’t survive and Tobirama’s body is beyond saving even with the Edo Tensei. Soon, they will both return to the Death world and the white-hair Senju doesn’t want to die with regret like last time. It is enough, isn’t it? They have give the world everything, so right now, they can just follow their heart, yes? Tobirama isn’t that sure, and perhaps Madara sees it, because before he even knows it, the Uchiha has closed the gasp between their lips, ignored the gasps from people near them.

 “Don’t think, just feel.”

 Madara mumbled against Tobirama's lips and rubbed his tongue against it. They are far from naive - because yes, they have learn about it before, for the sake of the mission - it wasn't that hard for the Senju to get what the Uchiha is asking. He parted his lips for him, tilted his head to make it easy and he could feel eyes on them. Cheek heated up due to embarrass, but he knew Madara won't let him get away nor did he wanted deny himself what he has been wanting. Tongue slides in, Madara wasted no time to taste him, to explore the warm mouth, to mark him everywhere and made the kiss deeper if he wanted to take away everything. His hand gripped on Tobirama's hair, forced his secret-friend-turned-lover to be closer as the kiss became more and more. Tongue stroked and rubbed against each other, the world seem lost to them as all they could ever think is their partner, and fuck, Tobirama hated to admit this but Madara is a good kisser.

However, the Senju wasn’t going to let Madara has his way like that, the Uchiha isn’t the only one with skill. So he took the kiss to another level, more passionately, with their tongue stroked and rubbed against each other. Saliva dripped down from the corner of his lips but Tobirama could barely notice. It was the same for the Uchiha, they kissed with everything they have, for the time they wasted when they could have been together.

Only when they are both out of breath did the kiss ended, but even so, Madara still quite pleased with what he saw. Tobirama’s lips was wet and swollen, so kissable and it made he wanted to pin his lover down. Unfortunately, the Uchiha is more than aware how that wouldn’t happen. At least they didn’t hold back their feelings this time, and if there is after life, even with all the crime Madara has committed, he does hope he could see Tobirama again. . .

 “I love you...”

 Caressed Tobirama’s cheek, Madara said it without a care, because right now he just wanted to let Tobirama knows that he has always love him, even after many years, his feeling still the same. Eyes widen and then became soften, Tobirama once again leaned forward and pressed his forehead against Madara’s. He could feel it, how their time is about to end. Right now, the world can go fuck itself and Tobirama wouldn’t give a damn about them, they are going to disappear and he doesn’t want to leave behind any regret.

 “I know, because I love you as well.”

 It were the words they have always wanted to hear and even if it is a little too late, they are happy. And as Madara slowly closed his eyes, Tobirama never moved away from him. The Senju won’t admit it, but it hurts a lot, to see Madara’s dead body not just once but twice. However, unlike last time, this won’t last long because he will follow him soon enough. Just... not here. He doesn’t know what will happen next and unlike him, Madara won’t crumble back to earth. The moment Tobirama could no longer feel Madara’s chakra signature, he opened his eyes, hand stroked through his lover’s hair gentle.

 “I’m sorry for this... But it is for the better...”

Tobirama spoke, without turning back to look at the rest of those Shinobi.

“You guys still have your mission, the world is waiting for you to save it. I know this is selfish, but...”

Lifted his head up from his lover, dark orbs swept to them and there was hardly anything inside, maybe because Tobirama is a good actor, or maybe Madara has take away what is left inside his heart.

“I will go now.”

With those simple words, the Nidaime was no more and it was the same with Madara’s body. The Shinobi could only sighed, because they knew, they wouldn’t have time to find them, so Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke turned over and glanced at their real opponent. This will be a long fight – they just knew it, but it will be alright, yes? Because... Team 7 is here!

“Well then...”

“Let’s go!”

“Hn”

 .

.

.

And as the war continued, far away from it, the Nidaime once again reappeared with Madara’s cold body in his arms. They were closed to the place they first met, however, at this moment, they were at the underground – where Tobirama kept Madara’s false body. People thought he asked for the Uchiha’s body after Hashirama brought him back from the Valley of the End, but they never know the real reason behind it. Even after everything, in the end, Tobirama still loves this damn idiot a lot, back there, he wished it just a lie, that’s why he kept his body, to study and see if Madara truly dead. Unfortunately, with the lack of nowaday devices, Tobirama was tricked by his lover and well, he didn’t think he mind, because Madara survived and that’s what he cared.

 However, this time, it wouldn’t be same but that’s alright. This time, there will be no regret, and they could finally be together...

 “Even Death cannot apart us.”

Whisper echoed through the tomb and Tobirama laid Madara inside the coffin he made for him. Caressed his handsome face once more time, the Nidaime leaned down and gave him a small peck on lips. There are a lot things he regretted and blamed himself, but his brothers and Madara will always stay at the top of his list.

“Don’t worry... I’m coming now.”

With those words, part by part, his body slowly crumbled to earth. But this is far from the end, this is only the beginning, where they finally freed from this hell.

 [Under my name, I promise you... I will never leave you]

[Under my name, I promise you... Even in death, no one can apart us...]

[So mote it be]

[So mote it be...]

 End.

[sun-summoning]

What about 18 or 22 pleasee?? Thank youu

22 two miserable people meeting at a wedding au

they make her watch her planet’s destruction. madara takes her to the bridge and reminds her that she’s alive only because she is of royal blood and that this is what happens to planets that rebel right before ordering that the ion canon destroy her home. she cries, first from her own sorrow, but then when she feels the planet’s pain. sakura falls to her knees, feeling every crack and crumble run through her core until the fire sets in and she’s screaming. one of the guards slaps her for her insolence, but the pain is nothing in comparison to her home’s.

“get up,” the guard orders.

but sakura can barely hear him. her head is spinning and all she hears is a faint buzz. from the corner of her blurry vision, she sees the guard come closer, until someone else steps in between them.

she looks up through tear-filled eyes and before her stands madara’s heir.

“the princess is ill,” itachi tells them calmly enough. “like the rest of the royal family, she is tied to the planet itself. naturally its destruction has severely weakened her.” he turns to madara. “i take it she is free to leave now?”

madara doesn’t even answer him though, already having moved on to other priorities. her planet and her pain are nothing more than an afterthought.

“shisui, take the princess back to her quarters,” itachi tells his personal guard.

the man lifts her, his hold on her surprisingly gentle, and he carries her back to the luxurious room intended to be her prison. he lays her on the bed and pulls the blanket over her form. he stands by her door and waits until, finally, the crown prince arrives.

she will be taken to the planet uchiha, she is informed, where she will remain for the rest of her days as a ward of madara. she will be taken care of and still be treated like a princess. she will have personal attendants and personal guards monitoring her, and if she exhibits good behaviour, this security may be lessened in time.

sakura says nothing in return, finally numb from her pain.

-

she thinks they keep her alive as a cruel reminder that she is the last of her race, but if she’s honest with herself, the reality is that madara most likely just hasn’t even considered her since he made that show of power. destroying her planet wasn’t meant to hurt her – not entirely, at least. no, madara was sending a message to all other planets that might have hoped to defy him.

soon after, the petitions for alliances all came, and for the more important planets, madara married off his kin. 

she is forced to attend the wedding of one of madara’s other descendants, a lesser one, not quite from the main line. 

sakura is still royalty in her own right and is considered one of madara’s wards, so the ladies dress her in fine silks from far across the galaxy. she chooses to wear a gown of red and white, her family’s colours, but is furious when she notices that it is the colour of the uchiha as well and assumes that that is the only reason she was allowed this choice. 

her hair is done up intricately and her makeup covers up her sad, tired eyes. when she looks at herself in the mirror, she remembers the happy girl she used to be back before her planet’s destruction.

sakura is silent through the wedding ceremony and still through the wedding feast. she ignores the people around her, nibbling at her meal and raising her glass when required of her. when it’s finally acceptable to leave her seat, sakura excuses herself from the table and goes to the balcony she’s grown fond of.

despite the conquerors and soldiers this place births, sakura thinks that the planet uchiha is beautiful. having come from one of the galaxy’s most lush places in existence, sakura is surprised by the expansive foliage and the variety of flora and fauna she sees. 

the uchiha allow her to wander the castle and the grounds and sakura has begun to spread her roots much like she did back on her own home planet. sakura felt its explosion in her very core, being tied to it as she was, and she wonders if her exploration of the planet uchiha will result in the same sort of bond.

standing alone on the balcony, sakura is able to ignore the various nobles and politicians inside celebrating this union. she leans on the railing and despite the night sky, she can trace the edges of the trees.

her silence is ruined by the sound of two people fighting. standing in the shadows, sakura watches unnoticed as the crown prince speaks calmly to someone else who seems to be coming down from a rage.

itachi looks sad and sakura almost pities him. the heir has always been cordial to her – kind, even – but sakura will never allow herself to do something as foolish as befriend him.

eventually itachi leaves, rejoining the party, and his companion remains on the balcony. sakura watches as this other man runs a hand through his hair and sighs heavily. he looks annoyed and sounds upset and soon he is looking right at her.

sakura is still, feeling as though she’s been caught doing something wrong, but the other man just leans against the balcony.

“so you’re the flower princess,” he says dryly.

sakura frowns. once upon a time, back on her own planet, the moniker might have been a sign of affection. here, it feels like an insult. 

“i am,” she replies slowly enough.

he nods once. “i’m–” he frowns. ���your planet was very beautiful.”

sakura walks out of the shadows to stand by his side. “you’ve been?”

he nods again. “i’m the best pilot uchiha has,” he declares smugly. “and i intend to see every planet before i die.”

“pilots don’t live very long,” sakura points out. she doesn’t intend to be rude, but it is the truth. “not with this war.”

he smirks though, and sakura looks away. he’s so terribly handsome and that roguish grin makes her feel warm. “neither do princesses when they forget their place.”

“are you threatening me?”

“hardly. advising you, really.” he shrugs and he turns to look at the greenery she so admires. “from what i hear, you’re better than most at manoeuvring through this court. you’re very quiet but you’re very intelligent, my brother tells me.”

“and who is your brother?”

“itachi uchiha.”

sakura stiffens as she realizes who she’s speaking to. “you’re the second son.”

“i am.” he bows but sakura knows the gesture is hardly for formality. then he takes her hand and places a mocking kiss along her knuckles. 

and for whatever reason, sakura does not pull back.

“you carry an ancient bloodline with rare abilities,” he reminds her quietly. he nods to the party taking place behind them and then looks back at her. “don’t doubt for a moment that madara isn’t planning on marrying you off to one of his descendants.” 

“i never have.” 

“then you really are smart.”

she takes a deep breath. “i’ve only ever prayed that the one he chooses is not cruel.”

sasuke finally releases her hand. “i assure you, princess, i am not a cruel man.”

he ignores how she gasps in realization, sliding his fingers along her arm and to her waist so that he might guide her back to the wedding inside. 

[paststory]

Naruto/Beauty and the Beast AU

!!!POSSIBLE SPOILERS FOR 2017 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!!!

Ok so hear me out but I swear the live action movie fits the characters so well.

Beast - Obito 

Usually would help anyone he can but the day of the ball he was in a bad mood cause daddy issues and thus our story begins

Super awkward around pretty people (Read: Rin and Kakashi) and is just awkward in general

Didn't like books when he was younger but his appreciation grew over the years because reading is really the only thing to do in the castle 

Legit loses the ability to speak when he sees the masterpiece that is Kakashi's face for the first time

Knows Kakashi has a thing for his growl and he uses that to his advantage

A lot.

 Belle - Kakashi 

Loves reading

Even the pervy stuff

His favorite book is still Icha Icha Paradise

The villagers find him weird but damn is he pretty

Wears a mask so people will stop staring at him

His father has taught him lots of moves from his military days

Is 143% over Zabuza always following him and asking him out

His left eye gets scarred by the wolves when he tries to run from the castle the first time

Sadly a stick and a mean left hook doesn't do much against a 150lb wild animal

Literally faints when he sees that library 

Somehow they even have Jiraiya-Sensei's novels?!?! 

Slowly starts to like Obito as they bond over books

Frequently tells himself he's not a furry

Finally takes off the mask when he meets Obito in the ballroom

Enjoys how Obito proceeds to forget how to function

After Obito is human he Cannot Handle that freaking growl it's his weakness

Continues to tell himself he's not a furry

 Maurice - Sakumo 

The village outcast that no one listens to ever since he was dishonorably discharged from the war

Teaches his son to protect himself

Mourns his wife every day

Needs to be protected

 Gaston - Zabuza 

Strongest fighter in the village

People are attracted to him because he has saved the village from bad people time and time again

Actually has a nice face under the wrappings

Noticed Kakashi first for his beauty but obsessed over him when he saw that even tho he's a bookworm man can he kick some ass

Convinces himself Kakashi started wearing the mask to resemble him

He's wrong. 

Cares for Haku but won't admit it

LeFou - Haku 

Has dedicated his entire life to Zabuza

He loves him. 

Wants to please him and obeys his every order

He knows deep down Zabuza cares for him 

(He hopes) 

Hates Zabuzas obsession with Kakashi

Doesn't like how Zabuza changes the further the plot moves along

Mourns Zabuzas death but realizes that things never would of worked out between them

Eventually finds happiness

 Mrs. Potts - Rin 

She's like a sister to Obito

He had an awkward crush on her at one point but after the transformation it died out 

She tries to comfort Obito when she can but that usually results in Obito yelling at her to leave 

According to her Guy is the closest to getting smashed by Obito

She wishes she cared more about that happening then she actually does

Sakura helps her stay sane. 

Becomes instant BFFs with Kakashi

Recognizes how Obito feels before even he does

Deserves better

 Chip - Might Guy 

A Full Grown Man that for some reason sounds like a child after his transformation??? 

Boundless energy and is always trying to get Kakashi to drink out of him

Rin tries her best to keep him away from Obito so he doesn't get annoyed and shatter him but she can't be everywhere at once

Believes in the power of Love™ and Youth™ 

Is always super happy 

Always. 

 Cogsworth - Sasuke 

Is Eternally Suffering™ 

just Done. 

dealing with Naruto every hour of the day just takes its toll

claims he hates Naruto but is crushing so hard it's painful to watch

also sometimes doesn't find Sakura annoying

only sometimes

who are we kidding he crushes on her too

 Lumiére - Naruto 

 All that charisma and excitable energy is the bane of Sasukes existence

Flirts with Sakura and Sasuke like crazy 

but while Sakura ignores it, Sasuke doesn't even notice he's doing it

Honestly is beyond ready for Sasuke to realize how he feels

Cause it's obvious.

So freaking obvious.

His dream scenario is getting both Sasuke and Sakura to date him

Since he still retains legs he can actually walk the steps to the other floors

Keeps his parents updated on how they're doing

Loves watching them get so happy every time he tells them their spouse is doing just fine

 Plumette - Sakura 

Finds Narutos flirting equal parts entertaining and annoying

Wonders if it is possible to like two people at once because sometimes her heart skips when she looks at Sasuke AND Naruto????

Tries her best but come on she's a flying feather duster what is she suppose to do??? 

She and Rin have nightly discussions about all the weird shit that happens in the castle

Rin is her only link to normalcy

Madame de Garderobe - Minato 

Every second Minato is awake he is longing for Kushina

He honestly just misses his wife

HAVE YOU SEEN MY WIFE?!?!?! 

Comforts Kakashi when he first gets to the room

He has good advice but is so Dramatic™ that Kakashi is initially put off

His only happy moments during the curse is when his son comes to visit him and tell him how Kushina is doing

The second he became human again he gave Kushina a hug that lasted exactly 10 minutes and 27 seconds

Proudly admits he cried the whole time during it

Maestro De Garderobe - Kushina 

She is always worried about Minato and has nightmares that he'll never wake up again 

Her worries are only appeased when Naruto tells her how he's doing

Silently roots for her son to win over both Sasukes and Sakuras heart

She doesn't cry when she sees Minato again for the first time

She doesn't dammit. 

Usually hates hugs and kisses but is happy to learn she can tolerate a crushing hug for 10 minutes and 27 seconds 

After that she goes on autopilot and punches the offending person

Of course Minato forgave her immediately

Enchantress/Agathe - Madara 

Gets pissed off super easy and Did Not Appreciate some kid trying to kick him back out into the rain

Like do you know what drenched hair looks like??? 

Not good that's what

He grudgingly reverts Obito back once even he can see how much Kakashi and Obito love each other

Still super salty about the past tho

and then the rest of the other villagers can fill in for the other Naruto characters that didnt make the cut but like holy jesus this fits????? I admit I may have gone a bit overboard but come on. 

(and yes I was going for an OT3 along with Obito/Kakashi)