Cosmological Constant
“It seems as though we are always saying goodbye to each other these days,” Hashirama comments with a faint frown, watching Tobirama fold his robes methodically and place them in his trunk. “Nearly two and a half months apart this time.”
“They will pass in the blink of an eye,” Tobirama says knowingly, rearranging his brother’s belongings to make the best of the space. “There will be enough excitement in all you are set to experience on Uzushio that you won’t even notice.”
Scowling defiantly, Hashirama flicks the younger shinobi on the forehead. “I’ll notice,” he insists, “and I will miss you.”
Tobirama rolls his eyes. “Don’t be dramatic. You are to be engaged; the festivities will keep you occupied enough that you won’t have time to think of anything else.”
Lips pulling downwards, Hashirama’s dark eyes narrow ever so slightly. “Tobirama,” he says slowly, pointedly, “I will notice, and I will miss you.”
The repeated insistence makes Tobirama pause and peer at his brother in something akin to confusion. He has stumbled into a topic of importance somehow, but he doesn’t quite know entirely what Hashirama is agitated about. Uncertain, he acquiesces, “Alright, anija. I know you will.”
A line of tension disappears from Hashirama’s shoulders as he relaxes in two fluid moments. “Good. I will write to you. I expect you to reply.”
“Whatever you say,” Tobirama sighs. “You are being dramatic, you know. We have been apart for longer before with no problems. You will be back before you know it.”
“Perhaps,” Hashirama allows with a sniff. “If you have any trouble while I’m gone, you can always write to me for help. I’ve spoken to a few elders and advisors who I trust, and they ought to support you well, but I know how difficult it can get to deal with the council when you are acting as clan head. Should you require my help, you only need to ask.”
Humming in acknowledgment, Tobirama straightens out the last of his brother’s belongings. “Try not to worry too much about the clan while you are away,” he says drily, knowing full well that asking Hashirama not to worry is akin to asking a river not to flow—it goes against his nature. “We will be fine for the few weeks you will be away.”
The trunk is closed, Hashirama huffing as he sets its latches. “I’m sure you will be, but I can’t help it. I haven’t been away this long since I assumed this mantle. It feels odd now to think I won’t know of things immediately. Not that I think that you are not capable of handling—”
“I know,” Tobirama cuts off with a simple assurance, shrugging easily.
“I just worry,” Hashirama finishes softly. “Kaname-san seems to be getting restless lately. I’ve noticed how Hanabi-san and a few others of the neutral families have begun pulling away from him as well. I fear he may be planning something truly unwise to push them into an active stance like that.”
“And you think he will attempt to put this hypothetical plan in action while you are gone,” Tobirama concludes, brows furrowing.
His elder brother makes a vague motion with his hands. “It would make sense. He seems to have hope of finding an ally in you, after all.”
Lips pursing, Tobirama states, “I wouldn’t betray you for anything, you know that.”
Hashirama’s encompassing chakra settles like a blanket around him even as his brother reaches out to gently brush his knuckles against Tobirama’s cheek. “I have no doubts about you, Tora,” he agrees quietly, “but it makes me anxious to think of what Kaname-san and his allies might try when they realise that too. People become unpredictable when they feel cornered, and I imagine that is exactly how they would feel when they realise their biggest prospective ally does not support their cause. It could make them difficult. Dangerous, even. I would rather not have you get caught in the crossfire of that when it is my responsibility to deal with that kind of discontent.”
“We don’t know anything for sure yet,” Tobirama points out, though it isn’t entirely honest. The statistical probability leaves very little to doubt. “Besides, it can’t be helped. You will simply have to trust my ability to handle whatever they might try to throw my way. Rest assured that I would never allow any harm to befall the Senju.”
“I know,” Hashirama concedes, though he doesn’t look particularly reassured. He can hardly admit that it isn’t the Senju he is worried about. “Promise to look after yourself, alright?”
Tobirama hums and waves a hand dismissively. “I’ll be fine,” he says casually.
Hashirama is overthinking, he knows. Tobirama is entirely capable of dealing with clan affairs, having received much of the same training Hashirama himself did as the clan heir. Chances are, nothing will happen outside the realm of the expected. His little brother will probably only have annoyance-induced headaches to complain about by the time he returns from his trip.
Still, the lack of his word as a guarantee lingers in Hashirama’s mind with a sense of unease.
Hashirama departs with plenty of fussing and stressing the need for Tobirama to look after his own wellbeing, looking alarmingly close to postponing his engagement if only to wait until the political climate of their clan is less tumultuous. Tobirama is more than happy to set him straight with a lengthy lecture about the importance of this alliance and how he really shouldn’t be trying to limit the experiences of his heir who happens to be as well prepared as one can be to assume leadership of a large clan.
As soon as his overprotective, worrywart of a brother is gone, Tobirama sets up a meeting with Senju Hanabi that is long overdue.
He thinks back to his most recent interactions with Hanabi and the implications hiding in every undertone, and his instincts tell him there is more to the whole thing that he just hadn’t been aware of in his previous life. Back then, the neutral faction had often aligned with the warmongering one, but Tobirama himself had understood that sometimes responding with appropriate violence was beneficial to a clan that hadn’t been looking for peace in the first place.
Their position then had made sense logically, just as it does now for them to support the withdrawal from the frontlines because Hashirama has made his own stance clear and taken very sound and well supported steps to strengthen that stance.
On the surface, nothing about the way the neutral families have been acting is out of the ordinary. Being neutral doesn’t mean that they stay out of politics or refuse to take stances, it just means that they only ever make temporary alliance with one of the other factions and are more flexible about supporting causes based on their own private agendas. It is perfectly in character for Elder Hanabi to support some of Kaname’s plans if she sees it fit, and then to distance herself from him when he stops being advantageous to her.
Except that Tobirama just isn’t as convinced. He gets the sense that there is more going behind the scenes and since he can’t be seen approaching Kaname first so soon after his brother’s departure without upsetting Hashirama’s supporters, he will have to find out through Hanabi.
“I’m surprised that you asked to see me, Tobirama-sama,” the elder comments as they walk through the public garden surrounding the Senju Sacred Tree, smiling at him to show that she means her words as a jest. “Normally, it is us old geezers who have to chase after you youngsters so we can make your lives difficult with our demands.”
Tobirama’s lips twitch at the self-awareness and he shakes his head. “Not at all. We know you only want the best for us.”
Hanabi chuckles like she can hear the notes of insincerity in his platitude. “That’s reassuring to hear. I’d hoped you and Hashirama-sama wouldn’t dislike us too much.”
“Both anija and I have immense respect for you and the rest of our elders, Hanabi-san.”
“You can respect someone and still dislike them,” Hanabi points out knowingly. “In any case, I’ll just take your word for it. I know you and your brother have good heads on your shoulders. Regardless of what your judgements are, I can always trust you to have good cause for them.”
He doesn’t respond to that—it would be too much falsehood even by his standards. “I am glad to hear you have such faith in us.”
Hanabi smiles, eyes curving. “You’ve never given us much cause to doubt you.” She turns her head to look at the pastures of flowers they pass by. “Hashirama-sama is strong and kind, and he has admirable loyalty to his values. With you at his side to help realise his ambitions, he is only made that much more formidable.” Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, Hanabi adds, “You are certainly very devoted to your brother, Tobirama-sama.”
Tobirama can’t help but stiffen slightly at the blatant scrutiny. “It is my duty.”
“No,” Hanabi refutes quietly, “it is your choice. Just as Hashirama-sama chooses to devote himself to you as well. When you were injured, we suggested he think about who he might want to replace you as heir in case you were incapable of continuing your duties. You understand we cannot leave the position unoccupied.”
“Naturally,” he agrees because she is correct. The clan cannot be without a prepared heir should anything happen to their clan head. It is simply an invitation for disaster.
“Yet Hashirama-sama had refused and appeared to be agitated by our suggestion.” The smile at her lips becomes wry. “In that moment, he had been entirely unable to separate his responsibility as our leader from his devotion as your brother.”
Tobirama purses his lips. “Anija is ruled by his heart. That is simply his nature,” he says neutrally.
Hanabi inclines her head. “I know,” she says. “It is his biggest strength as well as his greatest weakness. I’m sure you can understand why that worries us sometimes.”
He hums noncommittally and says nothing for a moment. “No leader is truly without his faults. Two hundred years ago, the Emperor of Fire had been blinded by his ambitions. It led to something as momentous as unification, but it also got him overthrown and his work was promptly undone to the best of his deposers’ capabilities. My great grandfather had disliked our war with the Uchiha, so he refused to engage. Our civilians flourished under his policies and patronage, but our shinobi suffered, and we lost the Daimyo’s favour for a while. My honourable grandfather on the other hand served as an excellent military commander, but it was also under him that we made soldiers out of children far too young to be on a battlefield.”
“You are right of course,” Hanabi says after a long pause. “You always have been a wise young man. Such perspective is an admirable thing at your age, Tobirama-sama.”
He shrugs slightly. “Thank you.”
“I did not mean it as an insult to Hashirama-sama, you know.”
“I know.” He glances at her briefly. “I only mean to say that my brother is only trying to do what he thinks is best, just as any leader before him has done. We can try to guide him along the way, of course, but listening to all our demands would not necessarily make him a good ruler either.”
“Of course,” Hanabi acquiesces. “It was not my intention to imply that.”
That’s a lie but Tobirama doesn’t call her out on as much. It is entirely characteristic of the elders to want to exercise control over their leaders and find it to be a fault when the leaders do not bend to their every whim. The older generation will always presume to knowing best—it’s natural even if it is hugely irritating.
“That said, however,” Hanabi says, “it is imperative that a leader know when to choose their head over their heart.”
Fair enough. Tobirama dips his head and nods. “True.”
“Hashirama-sama has ideals, and they are admirable in their intention and ambition, but I’m sure you agree that they are not entirely plausible at this current time even if that reality is an unfortunate one to accept.” When Tobirama does not reply, Hanabi adds, “It does not make you disloyal to question Hashirama-sama.”
He blinks at this, a little taken aback by the sudden turn of their conversation. “I know that. I do not support him blindly.”
“And you should never feel as though you have to either,” she says firmly. “You said yourself that Hashirama-sama is ruled by his heart. That is why you are so important to the Senju, Tobirama-sama—you are your brother’s balance between his head and his heart. You mustn’t be swayed by your love for him when there is a choice between right and wrong because even your brother often counts on you as his clarity.”
Tobirama frowns at the abrupt blatancy of her urging, feeling wrong-footed. “You think very highly of me, Hanabi-san,” he observes carefully.
“Only because you have earned my confidence. Just as your brother has faith in you, so do we.”
It feels purposeful. Meaningful. Exactly the kind of thing he wanted to dig for.
“I was not aware the elders paid such attention to me,” he says.
Hanabi smiles at that. “Of course, we do. You are our clan heir after all. Though you do not make much use of it, your position brings with it influence that we have to be aware of because it is a responsibility that mustn’t be abused. Furthermore, your own actions have only increased that influence. It is our job to keep note of such developments.”
“Well, then I am honoured you find me to be adequate in my position.”
“There is no need for such humility, Tobirama-sama,” Hanabi says around a chuckle. “You have always been more than adequate. Your father knew it, as does your brother, and now, so do we and the rest of the clan. There are many pairs of eyes on you that wait for your next move, you know.”
His eyebrows rise at this. “My next move,” he repeats slowly.
Hanabi’s dark eyes fix on him with an unreadable intensity in them. “You have power, Tobirama-sama. Power of almost no parallel. In this clan, you are your brother’s only match.”
Tobirama’s own eyes narrow to slits. “You should be very careful, Hanabi-san, of what you say next.”
“I disagree,” she returns perfectly evenly, not even flinching at the hostile suspicion he openly regards her with. “I have said nothing that betrays my loyalty to my clan for everything said has been nothing but factual. You are close to being the most influential man in this clan, Tobirama-sama. Your decisions hold more weight than anyone else’s, in fact. It was your sway that ultimately drove your brother to action against the Uchiha, and similarly, it was your support that allowed him to push for the barriers that now keep us away from our lifelong enemies. Ergo, it is your opinion that is held in the highest esteem in our clan. I am simply making you aware of this.”
“I am aware.”
“Good,” she says firmly. “Be wise, Tobirama-sama, about how you wield your power. Make your choices very carefully. The Senju name depends on you.”
With that, she lowers her head in a deferent bow and turns to walk back down the way they came, leaving Tobirama alone on the path, his mind reeling with what has just been implied to him in the plainest words that would be allowed.
Because if he has understood correctly, then Elder Hanabi has just made her stance more or less clear to him, and she has also urged him to take a position as well—one that puts him at odds with Hashirama.
Izuna comes back from his mission, and he is…different somehow. More pensive. Calmer in some ways. More agitated in others. Madara isn’t quite sure what to make of it just yet.
“I heard the White Demon was involved with Hinan at some point,” he brings up conversationally after receiving the reports from the others who had been assigned with Izuna. It’s an educated guess to assume that his little brother’s moods might have something to do with his lifelong rival. They usually do if it isn’t Madara himself who has done something to set him off.
Izuna hums, absently swirling his soup with chopsticks. “Tobirama treated those who were infected with that illness.” He glances up at Madara, flatly adding, “But I’m sure you knew that already.”
Madara doesn’t deny it. “I also heard you both spoke.”
“We did.”
“And?” Madara prompts, leaning forward slightly.
With a sigh, Izuna sets his chopsticks down and regards him with an unimpressed stare. “He told me he believes in peace.”
And no matter what he expected, Madara could never have predicted that. He blinks, unsure on how to respond to something he never thought to expect because of how surely impossible it seemed. Senju Tobirama and peace don’t seem like things that can coexist. Bewildered, he says, “What?”
Izuna’s smile is wry and humourless. “It seems ridiculous, doesn’t it? I could hardly believe it myself and I was there to hear him say it. He’s pretty defensive about the whole thing.” His smile slips and that creeping, cold thoughtfulness settles back onto his face. “Senju Tobirama apparently doesn’t mind the idea of making peace with the Uchiha.”
Madara forces himself to release a breath he hadn’t he’d been holding. “He could have been lying,” he suggests but it sounds weak even to his own ears.
Looking suitably unconvinced, Izuna counters, “To what end? It is such a bizarre claim, and he doesn’t even get anything out of it while the Senju still have their barriers. Besides,” he frowns ever so slightly, “you weren’t there, aniki. The way he spoke, the way he looked—I’m sure he meant everything he said. Tobirama talks about peace like he can already see it. Even more than you.”
Hesitating, Madara prods, “You disagree with him?”
“Yes,” Izuna says. Stops. Purses his lips. “Maybe. I—” He sighs and tugs at the roots of his hair in frustration. “I guess I…can understand him. And you. I didn’t ever see it before, and I still don’t entirely, but I get where you’re coming from. Sort of anyways.”
“Oh,” Madara says to that because what else could he even say. He’d stopped even daring to hope that he would ever get Izuna to see things as he does, and yet, here they are. “What do you…?” he trails off, unsure of how to ask in a way that makes sense.
It seems as though Izuna understands him even without needing the words though. “I just don’t see it happening any time soon,” he admits. “It sounds too good to be true. Too good to trust. For better or for worse, we’ve been on relatively even footing with the Senju for so long that unless something tips that scale, it would take a miracle for either side to agree to something like peace in any meaningfully long-lasting way.”
Madara carefully does not sigh. “Right.”
“It took Senju Tobirama healing our clansmen and wanting nothing in return for me to even see him as a person beyond my enemy. Even then, we argued, and I had nearly a month to think about what I learned of him,” Izuna admits. “What will it take to establish peace between two clans of hundreds of people each?”
That is a question Madara himself has been unable to find an answer for in all these years. Instead of attempting to answer it now, he says, “Kagami went missing a while ago.”
Izuna blinks. “Hanako’s son?”
“Yes,” Madara confirms. “Some of the kids snuck out and he got separated from them. Ran into bloodline hunters.” Before Izuna can react much more beyond freezing, he carries on, “Tobirama saved him. Healed him too, and then delivered him all but to our doorstep before disappearing.”
Izuna lifts a brow at that. “He got this far, and you didn’t try to capture or kill him?”
“He disappeared, Izuna,” Madara repeats with emphasis. “Right into thin air. One moment, I could sense him, and the next he was outside my range.”
For a long moment, Izuna stares at him vacantly. Then, ever so slightly, his eye twitches. “You’re suggesting he teleported.”
Faltering, Madara makes a vague gesture. “Well, true teleportation is a theoretical thing, you know. It’d mess with too many laws of physics. I’m sure it was just some sort of technique—”
“A teleportation technique,” Izuna cuts him off, just as blank as before. Then, he buries his face in his hands and lets out an aborted sort of scream that startles Madara into knocking over his cup of barley tea. “He’s a physicist specialising in quantum mechanics. He literally told me he could teleport, and I didn’t believe him because that’s insane, but I should have known. Of course, that bastard has no regard for the laws of physics. Of course, he figured out another way to manage the impossible.”
Madara stares as his little brother attempts valiantly to melt right into their tatami mats. “Are you…okay?”
“No,” Izuna’s answer is muffled by his hands. “I’m going to go insane, and it will all be Senju-fucking-Tobirama’s fault.” He lifts his head just to ask miserably, “Did you know the Senju can use iryo ninjutsu to heal almost entirely in a non-invasive manner?”
“I—Kagami may have implied something along those lines.”
Izuna does not look happy about this. “Did you know Tobirama knows how to cure brain tumours?”
Madara has to try very hard not to gape outright at that. “I…did not know that, no.”
“Every single time I think I’ve finally figured it out, I finally get him, he goes and—” Izuna cuts himself off as though just realising something. “Wait, he saved Kagami-kun?”
Latching onto something he does know, Madara nods. “Yes. He even gave Kagami the scroll containing the bloodline hunters who went after him as proof.”
Izuna frowns. “And what was the reaction to that?”
“Confusion and disbelief mostly,” Madara reports, dropping a cleaning rag over the spilled tea. “Most people have reluctantly accepted that Tobirama makes exceptions for children, but once it gets out that he also treated the twins, I imagine the confusion will pick up again.” Inclining his head, he adds thoughtfully, “It’s a little fruitless, though. Ultimately, people will just move on from what they don’t want to understand or accept, and it will be forgotten.”
“What is he playing at?” Izuna mutters to himself. “Tobirama hasn’t ever been under the radar, but he hasn’t been this…everywhere before either.”
Madara’s eyebrows rise. “Do you think he’s planning something?”
Izuna shoots him a look. “He’s always planning something. I just can’t tell what is just coincidence and what isn’t anymore.”
Humming, Madara regards his brother contemplatively. “I suppose you know him best.”
“Barely,” Izuna snorts dryly. “I thought I knew all that I needed to. Maybe I did. I know more now though, and he’s—surprising. Enough for me to not be sure of anything anymore. He’s changed.”
Quietly, Madara points out, “So have you.”
Izuna startles at that, visible surprise crossing his face before it mellows out into something pensive. “Maybe.”