Echoes of the promises
Chapter 4: Echoes of the promises
A month after the council meeting
The first rays of sunlight were filtering through the treetops as a rider appeared in the distance, his light armor and clothes laden with dust from long journeys. The Senju messenger was returning to camp with a solemn expression that belied the accumulated fatigue of weeks on the road. Upon his arrival, the Senju gathered around, eager to know if the Uchiha had responded to Hashirama's peace proposal.
Hashirama, standing in front, struggled to remain calm, though his scent betrayed the mix of anxiety and hope that filled him. The messenger dismounted and approached, bowing his head in respect.
–"Leader Hashirama," the messenger began in a firm voice, –"the Uchiha have responded. They have agreed to begin negotiations for a peace treaty."–
The murmur among the Senju turned into a clamor of voices, some excited, others skeptical. Aromas mingled in the air, an amalgam of concern, interest, and the slight tension of those who doubted the Uchiha's intentions. The messenger, however, continued, clearing his throat.
–"Furthermore… the leader of the Uchiha clan, Madara, has proposed that negotiations take place in neutral territory. A meadow that, according to him, lies between our lands and theirs."–
Hashirama held his breath, surprised. He knew perfectly well what meadow Madara was talking about: the same one where they had secretly met as children, far from the conflicts and expectations of their clans. A place that had been a refuge for both of them, and now seemed to be a symbol of the possibilities of peace between the two clans.
The reaction among the Senju was immediate and varied. Several murmured in amazement, others, like Sawarama and Kurarama, crossed their arms in distrust.
–"A meadow? Are you serious?"– Sawarama exclaimed, his voice full of skepticism. His neutral scent intensified, full of tension. –"Who ensures that this is not a trap? The Uchiha have never shown interest in peace, and now, suddenly, they accept our proposal and even suggest a meeting place. This… this is suspicious."–
Hashirama raised his hands, seeking to calm the growing unease. –"I understand your doubts, but if this peace treaty has a chance of avoiding more death and suffering, we must try it. I have met Madara, and I believe in him. This step is not easy for any of our clans."–
Kurarama, another of the elders, let out a heavy sigh. –"Hashirama, I know your intentions are sincere, but we cannot afford to be naive. The Uchiha may simply be seeking an advantage in the conflict. If this meeting takes place, we need to be prepared."–
Hashirama nodded. –"I'm not asking you to let your guard down. We can make sure we take precautions and set clear rules for the meeting."–
Hashirama's strong, optimistic scent wafted through the room, filling the air with a euphoria that slowly began to spread to several others. Some of the younger advisors looked at each other, the influence of their leader's excitement encouraging them to imagine, for a moment, a future without constant wars. But not everyone shared that optimism.
Tobirama, who had been silent until then, stepped forward. His scent was dry, almost hostile. –"Brother, do you realize that you're letting your emotions control you? This… this cloud of pheromones is unbearable."–
Hashirama looked at him, bewildered. –"Tobirama, what are you talking about?"–
–"Your scent, Hashirama. You're releasing too many happy hormones, and it's affecting everyone here,"– Tobirama replied, crossing his arms with an annoyed expression. –"I know you're excited, but as a leader, you have to stay in control. This isn't a situation to act naive."–
Hashirama smiled slightly, but made a conscious effort to control his scent, trying to reduce the intensity of his pheromones. Still, the emotion was too great to hide completely.
–"I'm sorry, Tobirama. It's just that… Madara has chosen the place where we used to meet when we were children. Don't you see? It's his way of saying that he believes in this too."–
Tobirama snorted, his face hardening. –"Believe in this? Hashirama, the Uchiha are not like us. They have lived in their own world of secrets and violence for generations. Even if Madara was your friend at one point, we don't know what he has become now."–"Too much of what Madara was, what you would like him to be. But the Uchiha… they are not like us." –
Hashirama was silent for a moment, letting his brother's words sink in. –"Maybe you're right, Tobirama. But I think we must have faith. If there is a chance, however small, of achieving peace, I am willing to fight for it." –
Tobirama did not respond immediately. He only gave him a stern look before turning away, emitting a disapproving grunt that needed no words. The other Senju present in the room watched the scene in silence, some still immersed in the tension of the moment.
Once the council dispersed and the messenger left, Hashirama remained in the room, breathing deeply as the scent of joy and hope latent in his chest slowly dissipated. Tobirama's words echoed in his mind, and although he understood the logic behind his arguments, he could not help but cling to his memories.
Hashirama thought with joy and some feeling that he was not sure what it was...
"Madara... you and I promised to build a place where there would be no more war, where no one would have to lose their family. Now, everything depends on you still being that child who dreamed of me under the sky of the meadow. We may not be the same as those days, but I believe in the power of our shared dreams."
Hashirama closed his eyes, breathing deeply, letting the image of a young Madara smiling and the memory of that meadow fill him with determination. Deep inside, he felt that this reunion, this possibility of peace, was the beginning of something that could change the destiny of both clans.
Hashirama, keeping his cool, replied serenely. –"I don't think Madara has forgotten what we shared. Despite the war and the years, I know there is something inside him that desires the same thing we do."–
Tobirama pressed his lips together, his scent becoming increasingly stiff and tense, a reflection of his concern. –"Hashirama, this is a war, not a childhood fantasy. Do you trust too much of what Madara was, what you would like him to be. But the Uchiha… they are not like us." –
Hashirama was silent for a moment, letting his brother's words sink in. –"Maybe you're right, Tobirama. But I think we must have faith. If there is a chance, however small, of achieving peace, I am willing to fight for it." –
Tobirama did not respond immediately. He only gave him a stern look before turning away, emitting a disapproving grunt that needed no words. The other Senju present in the room watched the scene in silence, some still immersed in the tension of the moment.
Once the council dispersed and the messenger left, Hashirama remained in the room, breathing deeply as the scent of joy and hope latent in his chest slowly dissipated. Tobirama's words echoed in his mind, and although he understood the logic behind his arguments, he could not help but cling to his memories.
Hashirama thought with joy and some feeling that he was not sure what it was...
"Madara... you and I promised to build a place where there would be no more war, where no one would have to lose their family. Now, everything depends on you still being that child who dreamed of me under the sky of the meadow. We may not be the same as those days, but I believe in the power of our shared dreams."
Hashirama closed his eyes, breathing deeply, letting the image of a young Madara smiling and the memory of that meadow fill him with determination. Deep inside, he felt that this reunion, this possibility of peace, was the beginning of something that could change the destiny of both clans.
-----------------------
4th parameter of this omegaverse world: the emission of hormones is possible for all genders, it is easier for alphas and omegas to emit hormones unconsciously, betas have to make a conscious effort to emit hormones that are noticeable in the environment. If there are many hormones of one type in the environment, it can affect the mood of those who are in that place.