Chapter 2
Yuna looked at her cousin surprised. “What?”
“Can you get our guest from his room?” Madara asked even as he looked over the latest financial reports.
“Can’t my husband-”
“Hikaku is busy keeping his brothers busy and away from the house. Himari should be about done dinner, yes?”
“Well yes,” Yuna spluttered. She was responsible for keeping the Main house clean with her mother, but she didn’t think she’d be a maid for a senju.
“Then please make sure our guest will be ready. He has been oddly silent since after i gave him a tour.”
“What if he-”
“Senju-san will not harm you unless he wishes for war.” Madara told her bluntly. “I have complete control of his chakra. The little he does have access to is due to his status as a sensor. Or would you rather he be going mad under my roof because of sensory deprivation?”
Yuna bowed her head. “I-i-i’ll fetch Senju-sama for dinner.” She stuttered and dragged her feet the entire way to the guest bedroom. She knocked and called for him, but when there was no answer, she opened the door and about swallowed her tongue. There was a massive cat blocking the door. It took a step forward, Yuna fell as her legs gave out and a scream left her throat as she scrambled back to the wall. The white feline just stayed sitting on the other side of the doorway looking unimpressed and baring sharp teeth. Yuna continued to scream for HIkaku, Madara, Izuna, anyone.
Madara was there first, Izuna a moment later. Both froze at the massive cat taking up the doorway.
Himari arrived and cuddled her trembling daughter close.
“Cat.” Izuna stated dumbly.
Unimpressed blue eyes landed on Izuna. “Human. Now that we have identified each other’s species, care to explain why the female tried to enter without permission?”
“I-i knocked!” Yuna stuttered. “The Senju didn’t answer!” She answered sharper, confident with Madara and Izuna present.
The Snow leopard snarled. “While Tobi-cub is here, this is his territory. You had no right to enter it without his permission. We were not going to wake him up even though we could scent dinner. Tobirama has never slept as deeply and you were interrupting that!” She snarled and snapped her teeth at the girl. Yuna squeaked.
“Akira.” A rough voice called weakly. Eyes shot to the rumpled form of Tobirama, his eyes were barely opened and looked red rimmed...had...had he been crying? “Cold. Loud.” He muttered, sounding like he had a cold while also sounding like a child.
“Back to bed Cub.” Akira cooed and nudged him back to the three other Leopards who gently nudged the albino back into the nest of bedding and furs they’d made. Tobirama flopped into it and was soon lost to the cuddle pile. Akira turned back to a wide eyed staring Madara. “Tobi-cub is sorry Uchiha-sama, he will join you for breakfast. Normally i do not condone him skipping meals as he’s already too skinny, but he has been through much today. Please forgive any offense.”
Madara cleared his throat. “No, it’s fine…I was there. Hashirama….was not how I expected.”
Cool blue feline eyes narrowed. “That idiot tree has and will only think about his peace. Of course he wouldn’t care about how his choices affected Tobi-cub. If you excuse me I have a cub to comfort.” She turned and with a flick of her tail shut the door.
“Kagami didn’t mention how big the cats were.” Izuna stated bluntly.
Madara sighed and ignored his muttering brother and his slight jealousy towards his rival having such a cool summons. Instead Madara’s eyes were on his cousin’s wife. Yuna tensed when Sharingan eyes were on her.
“You will respect Tobirama as you do any other Main branch son. Am I understood?”
“H-hai.” She whispered bowing deep.
~
Tobirama didn’t want to get up. He was warm, he could feel Madara in his coils, his pack was purring in a cuddle pile, and he knew there was no urgency to actually get up and keep his clan running. Plus he wanted to go back to his dreams hunting with his mother. Teaching Kawa and itama how to hunt, despite Kawa not being Hatake. He was raised by one, he was one.
“Wake my precious cub.” Akira’s voice filtered through his dreams and Tobirama let the last visages of his dreams slip away. His mother’s sharp but loving smile was the last image to leave.
Red eyes opened and met Akira’s. He was still buried under Niko and Kiku, he was partially on tala, but none of the cubs cared. It was warm and comfy.
“The anniversary nears.” Tobirama whispered.
Akira’s eyes turned pained. “I know cub.”
“I’m not going to be able to clean her grave.”
“Maybe you can ask Touka-cub?”
Tobirama just turned his head. “Why did you wake me?”
“You missed dinner. It is breakfast. I can scent the one named Hikaku nearing.”
Tobirama let out another sigh and got moving. Niko, Tala, and Kiku growling displeased as he left the pile. Quickly changing from the previous day’s clothes, tobirama pulled on a spare set of clothes and held onto his bathing supply scroll. He’d take a long bath in that wonderful bathtub he’d spotted yesterday, after breakfast.
Hiding only his mother’s tanto on his thigh, under the yukata and on top of his pants, Tobirama rang his fingers through his hair and felt the yearning to grow his hair out for the first time in years. Father had cut it after Kawarama had died. He’d cut it again when Itama died. Tobirama hadn’t let it get long again. He knew why father wanted it short, not just as punishment or mourning. But because he looked the most like his mother. His father had despised how much he looked like her, and could tolerate tobirama’s presence more if his hair was short.
Shaking the silly thoughts away, he opened the door before Hikaku could knock. Black met ruby.
“Breakfast is ready Senju-san.”
Tobirama nodded and waved for Hikaku to lead the way. His throat was still sore from his prior emotional outburst.
HIkaku didn’t mention his silence and led the way. Tobirama was surprised when Akira followed him instead of his littermates. He poked her neck in question. She chuffed and headbutted his side letting out a soothing purr. Hikaku only eyed the leopard, but let the summons be. The other three had stayed in the room. He hoped Madara had a plan to feed the four cats because Hikaku knew their food stores were low.
Thankfully they made it to the dining room and Hikaku pointed to Tobirama’s spot as guest to Madara’s left, across from Izuna. Hikaku sat on his other side. Yuna and Himari served and stayed to eat.
Tobirama eyed the minimalistic but satisfying breakfast. He ate slowly and only took more bites despite his protesting stomach when he was whacked on his head by Akira’s tail. He shot her an annoyed look. She just met it with a deadpan stare.
Only a small hiss left between his lips but he ate more until half his food was gone. Akira purred pleased. Tobirama ignored how he’d been observed the entire time. No one knowing what to talk about. Finished, Tobirama sipped his tea before looking at madara.
“Madara-sama, is there anything I can do to assist your clan during winter? I understand tightening rations during the winter and do not want to be a burden while I am here.”
“Thank you for the offer, but for now you are restricted to a few places in the compound with a guard. Your only task is to help the rest of my clan see whatever you made my younger cousins Kagami and Kenshin, see in you.”
Tobirama frowned. “Am I allowed to train? I am aware I can't use chakra, but surely a few taijutsu spars will be accepted. I’ve heard that it can be a way to make friends.”
Izuna snorted. “You heard? What, does the great White Demon not have friends?” he asked a bit cruelly and bitterly since he had to share his home with his rival and enemy.
Silence filled the table and Izuna looked back to see Tobirama spinning his teacup around.
“With your permission Madara-sama, I'd like to be excused. I would like to bathe.”
“You don’t need to ask, or be so formal Tobirama-san.”
Tobirama bowed and practically ran from the room, the Large feline hissing at Izuna before following her summoner. Izuna sat there a completely stunned.
“You seem to have forgotten what Kagami said before.” Hikaku broke the awkward and tense silence. “Apparently Tobirama isn’t liked by his own clan.”
“I thought he was just exaggerating!” Izuna hissed bristling. “The Demon could have told those two anything!”
“Izuna.” Madara called sharply. The Uchiha winced and looked at his frowning brother. “Control yourself or you will stay with Aunt Mikoto until you can be civil with our political Guest.”
“Tch.” Izuna stormed away from the table and left to go burn something. It was better than feeling the low curling of guilt in his stomach.
~
Tobirama let out a soft hiss of pleasure as he sank into the hot water. He’d already pushed what he’d heard from his rival’s mouth out of his mind…mostly. Now Tobirama just wanted to enjoy a nice long soak in his element. Closing ruby eyes, he pulled his little chakra in and just instead focused on the natura chakra within the water, feeling it caress against his body and wash away his darker thoughts. It never really washed the wounds that were there, but it eased the aches for now.
The Albino stayed in for as long as socially acceptable before climbing out and putting on one of his last spares of clothes. A civilian Yukata and leggings just in case he’d ever had to blend in. Not planning to go out, he only kept his fur pelt around his shoulders after pulling the water from his hair. A quick shake and his spikes were wild again.
Mother would scold and nash her teeth if she saw how bad he’d been doing at tending to his hair. She’d always loved his snowy locks. Itama had taken over brushing them for him, crying after father had cut them all off.
Shaking off the depressing thoughts, he headed back to his room to drop off his dirty clothes and see if the family library was open. Please to see that it was, he went for the sections that weren’t warded heavily. Akira dragged one of his favorite pelts in a corner across from a window, so that the sunbeams would keep them warm, but they were far enough from the outer wall to not get cold. His littermates were already getting comfortable for a cuddle pile and Tobirama joined them with a few books on Lore that the Uchiha had.
The albino didn’t notice the time passing until he felt a familiar spark slip into the house followed by a slightly bigger spark. Their hushed voices reached him next.
“We shouldn’t be sneakin’ in Kagami.” Kenshin hissed. “Madara-sama said we needed to be patient and wait.”
“But what if Bira-nii is cold!?”
“I highly doubt that-”
“But mama said they cut off his chakra. How can he stay warm without it! He said it’s harder for him being water and wind natured!”
A groan. “Fine, let’s keep searching.”
Tobirama heard the soft clicks of doors and padded feet before the door to his hiding place opened and Kagami about squealed in joy. Tobirama was quick to put a finger to his lips, and two tiny hands slapped over Kagami’s mouth.
Kenshin looked on surprised and relieved. “Tobirama-sama do you mind if we-”
Tobirama chuffed and kicked Tala off his lap. The leopard hissed but perked up when she realized there were cubs to cuddle with.
Kagami giggled and jumped for the pile. Tobirama caught him before he landed and gently settled the child in. Kenshin did a little dance around feet, paws, and tails before settling down on Tobirama’s other side.
“What are you reading?”
“Lore about your patron goddess Amaterasu. It’s very interesting as both Senju and Hatake worship other Kami.”
Kenshin and Kagami settled deeper into their newest favorite person and listened to his melodic baritone talk about their patron goddess and the other kami. Neither child nor teen noticed their eyes getting heavy or their bodies leaning heavier against Tobirama.
Kenshin’s last thought was of how he once more felt so at home as he felt the flickers of Tobirama’s chakra against his own.
The Senju Teen paused in his reading when the soft breaths of deep sleep fell upon his ears. A tiny fond smile lifted his lips as he put the books aside and adjusted himself to also settle in for a late morning nap.
Tobirama and the pack just started purring and enjoyed the cuddle pile time. With Kagami asleep curled up in his lap, Kenshin tucked in as close as possible to his left side; Tobirama was warm and content. The White senju let sleep call him back under and figured they’d grab a late lunch after a catnap.
~
Madara was interrupted from his walk back from checking on the south gate guards when Mikoto rushed to him.
“Aunt?”
“They slipped away.” She told him, eyes wide and scared. “I can’t find them Madara.”
“Calm Aunt Mikoto. They are probably doing what i warned them not to do.” the Head sighed and turned for the Head House. Mikoto hot on his tail. Hikaku joining a moment later at the sight of his frantic mother.
Madara was following the ‘tug’ of awareness he had towards Tobirama’s chakra. He found the Senju in the library. Entering quietly when he heard nothing, Madara stopped and couldn’t help his sharingan activate at the sight before them.
Peacefully asleep, Tobirama senju was surrounded by leopards, yet had a child and preteen practically glued to his sides and had such a peaceful and soft look on his face that made him look so young. Kami, how old was Tobirama anyways? He was around Izuna’s age, right? Heck he was almost as tall as Hashirama, but all senju tended to be tall. Madara was one of the few lucky Uchiha with Izuna who got the recessive height gene. Yet they both barely reached Hashirama’s ridiculous height.
“He….he looks like a kid.” Mikoto whispered the longer she looked at the ‘White demon’.
“Mom, it seems like they are safe.” Hikaku hummed, laughter in his tone and Mikoto reluctantly agreed. “Come, I’ll walk you home. You’ll have the rest of the day free if Kagami gets his way.”
Mikoto perked up at that. Don’t get her wrong. She loves her boys, even her second husband’s son who was practically her own too, but they could be handfuls.
Madara wasn’t surprised Mikoto-oba was quick to scatter with the hope of a free day to herself.
“Madara?” Hikaku whispered.
“Go. I’ll keep an eye on them here. Please bring my work down so i can work in here today.”
Hikaku nodded and left as silently as they had come.
Madara moved to one of the work tables and observed the nest of sleeping figures, until he realized they’d been noticed. One sleepy red eye was open and on him. Madara focused in on the ‘link’ between himself and tobirama, Kijima-san explaining that he’d be able to read intentions and emotional states of Tobirama so he could control when to release more chakra.
The Albino senju was dazed with sleep, a little content, but surprisingly seeming…relaxed. How could he be so relaxed in the home of his enemy? He wondered if it had been like that since they arrived. Kijima only explaining the seal after breakfast that morning.
He focused on his chakra resting in Tobirama, connecting them, and…tried to gently as possible ‘poke’ Tobirama. He was curious, sue him. (He also didn’t want to hurt the younger man who had been practically sold to his enemy for peace.)
Instead of Tobirama’s chakra recoiling like he’d thought it would, like everyone else did, soft soothing cool chakra instead wrapped around his own and seemed to relax even further. Tobirama let out a small little sigh and fell back asleep.
Madara sat there dazed as Tobirama’s chakra practically snuggled into madara’s own chakra link. He flushed when the Albino started purring pleased.
If his chakra didn’t hurt tobirama….then the other day…when he’d sagged, it hadn’t been from relief of pain….but…boneless relaxation?
There was a reason Madara had a summons with the ninneko. He was too damn curious for his own sanity. He wanted to poke again to see what else would happen. But instead a large head with sharp blue eyes and a mouth of teeth, turned to him. Those blue eyes narrowed in protective warning, and Madara was saved by Hikaku’s return. The younger man tilted his head curious at his older cousin’s red ears, but didn’t ask and instead left to do his other duties for the clan.
~
Tobirama was escorted to the gate the following day and it was Touka there and her knuckles were freshly wrapped. Tobirama sharp eyes caught it when she handed over his scrolls of things. In a sharp movement he snatched her hands back, startling the guards and Izuna who’d been the one to escort him. (he wanted a peek at the scary deadly woman.) He’d stepped back to give them a sense of privacy, but still in hearing distance and…the Uchiha would never be the same after the two senjus’ conversation.
Touka stiffened as Tobirama held her knuckles up to his face and sniffed them. Sharp red eyes were then looking her over.
“You hit Hashirama.” He stated, the eavesdropping guards were shocked.
Touka bared her teeth. “He practically sold you to die to the uchiha. If you hadn’t sent your letter to Mito confirming that you were just a political guest, i would have been here after really killing my clan head instead of bashing his head in.”
Tobirama sighed and pulled up enough of his chakra to heal her. “Nee-san….”
“Don’t even try to excuse this. I know you well enough to know how you took bark-brain’s actions. This is betrayal by Hashirama and don’t you dare deny it. You just say the word and Mito and I will kidnap you and we’ll hide on Uzu. Hashirama wouldn’t dare cross mito.” She pressed her forehead to his own and let out a sigh as she felt his chakra brush against her own. “Kami Tobirama, when mito told me, i thought you’d be dead before i got to give you your gift.”
Tobirama perked up “Gift? More ink and scrolls-”
Touka snickered and flicked his nose. He let out a small sneeze and glared at her. She smirked.
“No you seal obsessed brat. I worked my ass off to get in contact with your Aunt and Uncle. They were more than happy to help me get your coming of age Gift.”
Tobirama’s eyes widened, and a few of the Uchiha whispered in the background about ‘coming of age’.
Touka pulled out a wrapped bundle from her armor and presented it to Tobirama. “Oba-san said it’s about time you had a Fang that fit you. Rikona-Ka-san’s was sized for her and her spirit. Yours is sized for you and your potential.”
Tobirama pulled at the cloth wrapping and sucked in a gasp. His own Bone handled, white chakra blade, blessing seals carved into the bone handle and blade, and capped with a leopard head instead of a wolf’s like most of the Hatake. Only his mother and Uncle had Feline contracts.
“Happy Sixteenth Birthday baby cousin.” Touka smiled and pulled him into a hug. Tobirama went willingly, hugging his anue tightly. (missing the dropped jaws of all the Uchiha around them. The white demon wasn’t a full adult when he’d been given to them? Izuna knew Madara would blow his top. Izuna had thought tobirama was only a year, maybe two younger. Not three almost four years younger.) “I expect you to master your new blade and challenge me to another spar.”
“Of course.” Tobirama said through his emotion clogged throat.
“And don’t worry about your mother’s and brothers’ graves. Mito and i have already planned to clean them for you and make sure they get their offerings. We’ll sit and talk with them all day for you, so make sure you send us letters with what you’ve been up to here. We’ll read them for you.”
Tobirama bowed his head and nodded. “Thank you Nee-san. I didn’t know what to do about the anniversaries coming so soon.”
Touka ruffled his hair and looked at it fondly. “Ya know, Rikona oka-san would absolutely love it if you grew your hair back out. I remember sitting by the hearth, her singing, you singing, the pack lazily purring, the cubs sleeping peacefully, while her fingers seemed to glide through your hair. She adored your locks, Tobirama.”
“Father-” He cut in.
“Is dead. I know you forgave him Tobirama, but I have not and never will. We almost lost you because of him and his recklessness. Now that bark-brain walks in his steps. How long Tobirama, how long until Hashirama is the one this time to scar you?”
Tobirama met her eyes and touka realized it then. A sad laugh left her.
“I spoke too soon.” she whispered.
“I’ll write Nee-san. Please don’t kill Hashirama. He’s my last brother. Despite his recent actions.”
“You are too good, cub.” Touka sighed and hugged him once more. “Send Akira. I want to watch her bite off the tree’s balls. I know she’s itching too. I remember when she almost did to Batsumu.”
Tobirama snorted and left the hug. “You are an enabler, but i love you Touka. Now you need to head back. I’m sure you’re making our audience uncomfortable as it is being a senju. I do not want to burden my hosts anymore than i have been.”
Touka’s nose scrunched. “You aren’t a-” She sighed at his stern look and sighed. She flicked his nose and turned to head back. “Don’t be stupid cub!” She shouted before taking to the trees and left Tobirama’s shorter range a moment later.
His eyes went down to his own Tanto blade and smiled. Carefully he channeled chakra into it and it glowed a soft white.
Izuna whistled impressed (hiding his frazzled mind and shock with practiced ease). “Never seen you use that on the battlefield.”
“Fangs are used to cut down those that deserve our teeth. I’ve only ever used a fang against your clan once.” Ruby eyes met obsidian. “The four men that killed my baby brother. The fifth got away and hides in his home as we speak. He was the one that probably spread the lovely name Demon around for me.”
Izuna stared a little slack jawed as Tobirama pulled off his mother’s blade, and instead put his new one in place. It was a few inches longer and had a larger handle for his slightly larger hand. He strapped his mother’s to his left thigh to keep it close.
“If you would excuse me i promised to walk Kagami through some control techniques.” And with that, like part of Izuna’s world hadn’t changed views, the Senju walked deeper into the Uchiha compound willingly. A guard shadowing him at Izuna’s order.
Izuna himself headed for his Aniki’s office. He’d flip when he learned just how young their captive was.
~
Izuna stared at Madara who just sat there unblinkingly. “What?”
“Tobirama’s birthday is today. Touka said as such. He’s Sixteen Aniki.” izuna swallowed and voiced something that he’d thought along the way. “If you had instead demanded peace through marriage, would your friend have sold his underage brother to you in marriage without a thought too? You know the elders would have demanded consummation as well to ensure he’d been bound in the eyes of Amaterasu.”
Silence. “You know the only reason the elders didn’t bring it up was because of your last reaction to them meddling in our love lives.”
Madara went green. “Where…Where is Tobirama now?”
“Training Kagami. Brat is ecstatic to have his sensei here.”
“I think…you need to see what happened at the river. I think….Kagami’s desires of protecting Tobirama from his own clan aren’t some elaborate plot.”
Mangekyou met mangekyou and Izuna learned what happened a few days ago. Saw the scaring on Tobirama’s back, and Touka’s comment suddenly made sense.