in the leaves
The early Spring was futile and different that year. All the trees were flowering sooner than they used to, probably because the weather was warmer. One could anticipate a pretty rich yield in the late Summer which could mean that Konoha, the new-born baby, could last through the next winter.
Hashirama felt like the sunbeams were kissing his back as the glass windows behind himself always let the light inside his office. Hashirama was too focused on his work to notice the steps in the hall that were getting closer. And then the door suddenly opened, Madara quickly walked inside, with a sharp noise of door closing. Hashirama raised his strong chin. The rays of the sun were now desperately reaching for Madara. He was visitting the office often, to talk about the Konoha’s infrastructure or about anything, but this time Hashirama didn’t expect to see him as Madara was supposed to have a patrol by the gate.
„Madara,“ Hashirama said as tenderly as possible.
„Hokage-sama,“ said Madara sharply.
„Don’t call me that as long as you’re only calling me by the title to mock me,“ sighed Hashirama. Madara called him Hokage-sama often. Sometimes to make sure Hashirama knew his Hokage position is a bluff. Other times to play an innocent prank on him. It made Hashirama wonder what was Madara actually thinking about him being the Hokage because sometimes the sound of it, coming from Madara’s mouth, ached like a paper cut. It wasn’t a very visible wound, but it ran deep and hurt for a few days.
„If I wanted to mock you, I would mock that embarrassing gown of yours.“ It took Madara a few seconds to reply. „I was by the gate and something has happened… I thought you’d like to know from me as soon as possible,“ said Madara calmly and made his way slowly through Hashirama’s office, leaning his back against the window.
„What is it?“ Hashirama asked almost immediately as he grew inpatient.
„A shinobi team from Konoha came back one man short. And that man was of your own kin,“ Madara said.
„Did he die?“ Hashirama asked, his muscles tensed. He didn’t hear about anything like this since the peace was arranged between Uchiha and Senju clans.
„Yes, Hokage-sama, he was killed,“ Madara answered. What did Hashirama except? That the man turned into the scent of a forest and is not a man anymore?
„Don’t call me that,“ Hashirama closed his eyes. „For you I’m Hashirama, I have always been and always will be,“ Hashirama added. „So, what has happened?“
„It seems like the team got into a fight with some members of some clan nearby the borders with Wind country,“ Madara replied. „Seems like there are still many clans opposing our alliance.“
Hashirama didn’t feel sadness, but a deep feeling of failure. For Konoha, this was its first death. „That’s where the Hyuuga clan lives,“ Hashirama raised an eyebrow. He had never seen anyone from that clan, but he heard stories about their cruelty towards other clans and even towards themselves.
„I think we should exterminate them, for the village’s safety…“ Madara stated calmly like he was talking about tonight’s dinner.
„And why would we do that? Aren’t they your relatives?“ Hashirama asked.
„There is hardly any allyship between Uchiha clan and Hyuuga clan. We fought them many times, they are like a dog’s rash. You just can’t get rid off them,“ Madara said. There was a strong competition between two clans with eye kekkei genkai and Madara knew how the Hyuuga clan worked.
„Maybe we could convince them to join Konoha,“ Hashirama said innocently.
„That’s not possible, Hashirama. You know nothing about them,“ brushed Madara Hashirama’s idea off with a simplicity of a walking barefoot in grass.
„And why is that impossible? You used to say that even a peace between our clans is and look at this place now, we’re cooperating!“ Hashirama smiled.
„Because,“ Madara frowned. „Their hierarchy is very carefully estabilished. They look slick, but they are like snakes. The small group of them abuses their power by treating the larger group as their slaves.“ Madara explained.
„Are they rich?“ Asked Hashirama quietly.
„Very rich,“ answered Madara and looked at Hashirama. He could feel his friend‘s worries about Konoha’s finances because the feudal lord refused to give them more money. He made a few steps towards Hashirama and his gaze softened. Hashirama was still the closest person he had and he couldn’t see him suffer. „We’re going to be fine, Hashirama. I‘ve read Tobirama’s financial analysis and it doesn’t look twice as bad as you think,“ said Madara gently.
„Still, we don’t need to kill them,“ Hashirama voiced his opinion.
„They are blatantly murdering our people, Hashirama. What else is left? As far as we know, they could be preparing for an attack on Konoha.“
„I will send them a letter with a peace treaty. We could bury the hatchet.“
„That’s a waste of paper. And of a hatchet,“ Madara smirked. „But look at yourself, you’re stressed. Need a drink?“
„Yes,“ Hashirama replied. „Will you meet me at our place after work?“
„Anything for Hokage-sama,“ Madara replied and left the Hokage office.
---
Senju Toka was the last person to see Sarutobi Ayase alive. He fell right to her arms. His bones were fractured and he couldn’t move. He bled out to his stomach because of the internal injuries the Hyuuga caused. It wasn’t a slow death, actually, the Sarutobi was suffering terribly before his ultimate death. Toka was tormented by the memory and she couldn’t even talk about what exactly happened when she was talking to Hashirama, providing him with the knowledge. She could still see how Sarutobi’s whole body turned blue and how it felt when his body went cold too quickly.
„I’m so sorry, Toka,“ said Hashirama and touched her shoulder. „I wish you wouldn’t have to go through that.“ They were sitting with Tobirama in Toka’s apartment. They have always been close, almost like peas in a pod. Toka was the closest to a sister Tobirama and Hashirama ever had. They were protective, like brothers should be, but also… Cruel to her as brothers can be. The night was innocent, with a young moon hovering in the pitch black sky, glowing white like a fresh lily. And still, there was this perverse chip on Toka’s shoulders that couldn’t let her go.
„They are ruthless, Hashirama! We must stop them, we didn’t provoke them at all, I swear-„Toka cried out.
„I know. Unfortunately they refuse to communicate with me. I don’t think they are as happy about the idea of the village as we are,“ Hashirama breathed calmly.
„We can’t just stand and wait until they will kill another one of our ninjas,“ Tobirama joined the discussion. He was rational, as always.
„Are you implying we should start a war?“ Hashirama stood up and shook his head. This made no sense. It was his village, his lisping baby and the thought of going into war with it was against everything Hashirama believed.
„I’m not saying that we should start a war, Hashirama. We just need to deal with it, we can’t act like nothing is happening. The Hyuuga clan is obviously against our system and they will not leave us alone. What other ideas do you have?“ Asked Tobirama with no emotions at all. Although he didn’t like the idea of going into war, the idea of not protecting their people he hated even more.
„I will grace them with a visit,“ announced Hashirama suddenly.
„You’re a Hokage, you’re not supposed to leave the village,“ Tobirama sighed. His brother was always like this. He made up his mind in a split second without thinking about it.
„I must, we’re going to need to negotiate. It’s my obligation,“ Hashirama lowered his head.
„They are going to kill you, Hashirama. Or worse, they are going to kidnap you and do experiments on your body!“ Toka objected.
„It sounds like a stupid idea. But it’s coming from you, so it’s not suprising,“ Tobirama said. „Just please, don’t kill yourself to make them sign the peace treaty,“ Tobirama sighed. He could still remember how easily was Hashirama able to throw his life away for making peace with Uchiha clan. And he was haunted with the thought that his brother will do it again.
„No worries, I will take Madara with me,“ Hashirama smiled.
„And how is the other idiot going to help you with this? Will he help you stab yourself?“ Tobirama asked. He felt like his intelligence dropped by a good twenty points everytime he heard Madara and Hashirama talk.
„Don’t be mean, Tobirama,“ Toka frowned and shook her neck.
---
Madara wasn’t the only one who thought it was an idea of a mad man to visit the Hyuuga clan. But he didn’t want to let Hashirama go by himself so he agreed to go with him. Well, what he agreed to, was to go at eight o’clock. But it was already nine o’clock and Hashirama was still getting ready, but it was still a delightful morning, full of various possibilities. Madara sat by the table in Hashirama’s kitchen and watched as the other man was trying to tie down his scroll. Madara didn’t mind, he found it quite amusing. Everything Hashirama did was like a breath of fresh air for him. And seeing a man as great as Hashirama struggle with a simple thing like tying a knot was just charming.
„Let me help you so you don’t hang yourself with it, Hokage-sama,“ Madara said, trying to look as annoyed as possible.
„I’m sorry, I know I’m keeping you waiting! I’ve always been terrible with knots!“ Hashirama laughed.
Laugh escaped from Madara’s lips too. „It’s fine. I’d appreciate if you would let me sleep a little bit more, but if you need an audience to your morning routine, how could I refuse?“
„I’m glad you’re coming with me, Madara.“
„It’s a mission, Hashirama,“ Madara announced and tied the scrolls to Hashirama’s body.
„No, I mean I’m glad YOU are coming with me,“ Hashirama grinned.
„You’ve already said that…“ Madara squinted his eyes perplexedly. Hashirama was often talking nonsense. „But you’re the Hokage and you ordered me to accept this mission.“
Hashirama smiled and walked out of the door. „Is Byakugan stronger than Sharingan?“ Hashirama asked while watching Madara, looking at his forehead protector with a Konoha symbol.
„No,“ replied Madara simply. He got used to wearing the Konoha symbol. This way, Hashirama wasn’t begging him to wear it. It kept him satisfied and so Madara wore it almost daily. He felt as Hashirama was looking at him differently everytime he had it on and Madara was more than happy to please Hashirama.
„That’s what your clan told you?“
„Well, they are not stronger than me,“ Madara informed the Hokage. He smirked because Hashirama was clearly trying to poke him, but Madara had none of it.
„Then we’re lucky to have you with us!“ Hashirama declared with a Cheshire cat smile.
And Madara smiled too, like Hashirama’s mirth was infectious. It wasn’t like anyone else in Konoha happily welcomed Madara‘s presence. His own clan hated him. He was a boogeyman of Konoha. A pariah. A castaway. They whispered behind his back, but just loudly enough so that Madara could hear it. About how he killed his last brother to gain power. They were supposed to be on his side, yet they casted him out of their lines. Hashirama told him to try, but Madara’s patience and his kindness was slowly running out. They were constantly trying to compare him to the Hokage like they were trying to cause a rift between the two childhood friends. Hashirama was the only safe space he had, the only garden he could hide in, the only island in the open sea. What if they would cast Hashirama out for just haning out with him? Hashirama would be shattered. He was Hashirama’s wound, he was pulling Hashirama down with himself, he was the poison that was slowly filling Hashirama’s veins and killing him.
---
As the day advanced and grew older, Hashirama and Madara had to stop and rest. Hashirama knew the forest well and knew exactly where they should sleep so they wouldn’t be attacked by a wild animal. They could linger for a while under the trees of unutterable beauty. Madara opened his backpack and pulled out a dinner he made the day before. It was just a simple rice balls. „Are you hungry Hashirama?“ Madara asked.
„Yes,“ Hashirama replied.
„Then you can go and pick some berries for yourself, I think I’ve seen them down the path somewhere,“ Madara smirked and Hashirama smirked too. It was Madara’s pale face that caught Hashirama’s attention. The bluewhite starlight coming from the distant sky beneath the boughs was glistening on his likeness when he handed Hashirama one rice ball.
„Thank you, Madara, you’re very kind,“ said the Hokage and started to eat. He didn’t know if it was because he didn’t eat much the whole day or if Madara was a talented cook, but to Hashirama it seemed like it was the best rice ball he ever had. Madara lit up when Hashirama told him he was kind as no one else has ever said anything like that to him. He was called cruel, vicious and rigid, but never kind. Maybe it was only Hashirama who was able to bring these nice little glimmering fragments of Madara’s personality up.
„Anything for Hokage-sama,“ Madara answered ironically. Hashirama sighed and looked at the branches blooming above their heads.
„We will continue tomorrow, after we will get a good night sleep,“ Hashirama said. The earth smelled of freshness, wetness and petrichor. Hashirama didn’t expect any rain coming that day. The night consoled Hashirama.
„The Hyuugas are especially grievous, Hashirama,“ Madara pointed out once again. He didn’t want to cause any trouble in Hyuuga clan, he wasn’t hurricane like Hashirama, the fast wind that was ready to change the world anytime. Which was quite amusing, because it was Madara whose element was wind. He actually prefered it over fire, which was yet another thing that distinguished him from his own clan. Another evidence he did not belong with them.
Hashirama was listening to the familiar dulcet sound of forest. It sounded just like in their old house, the one that was in a Senju lair. The wind moved the tree stubs and combed the long grass. The night was tranquil like a dream of peace. And he was satisfied. „I know. But I have no doubts our allegiance will win,“ Hashirama whispered through the air.
„I think you can convince them to join us, of all people, you’re the best bet,“ Madara murmoned. Hashirama’s enthusiasm was contagious and people naturally followed him. He was always calm and people adored it. People loved Hashirama, maybe too much for Madara’s liking. It was hard to find someone as alluring as Hashirama. Madara wondered if Hashirama had at least the slightest idea of how magnetic he was. But he used his boyish charm for his own gain so nonchalantly that he must have known.
„Thank you, it means a lot coming from you, my dear friend,“ Hashirama smiled softly at the horizon, like he was looking into the future that wasn’t yet decided. He was hopeful that the next day would be fruitful. Madara liked the way they could both stay silent. They weren’t bound to talk all the time. Just the presence of Hashirama’s chakra made Madara feel safe and serene. And for a moment, Madara let himself forget the pain of losing his last brother and just indulge in a pristine moment. And Hashirama, he could almost taste the sweet thrill on his tongue.
----
After a while, Hashirama stood up and went to a nearby natural spring to wash up. Its surface reflected the moon and the stars like a mirror. Only a light breeze passing by could sent ripples and distort the quiescent image of the sky. Hashirama watched the stars shivering. The pebble bed that he stood on surrounded the pond together with the moss and short grass. It was just another branch of the Naka river, the river whose banks were once his hiding place. It was no coincidence that he met Madara by the river, because he recognized it as his safe place also. It was only given that they met because their two souls were tied so close together, that they shared the same desire for one simple moment of peace, for a soothing water that flowed through the forests much more delicately than the blood of their friends and enemies. Hashirama submerged his hands to the water, which rippled the perfect picture. Suddenly his face in the reflection looked more like his father. He despised it.
Hashirama turned his head and looked back because he heard steps, anticipating Madara or a wild animal but it was neither. Him and Madara weren’t exactly hidden – it was almost impossible to hide their radiant chakra, but Hashirama thought that they were far enough from any kind of civilization. A female’s figure emerged from the rose hip bushes. Hashirama couldn’t exactly tell how she looked like because the forest was dim, but he didn’t panic as he was quite confident in his fighting skills. Hashirama bowed down and smiled. He knew exactly how to behave properly and how to be pleasant. „Good evening, young lady,“ Hashirama said with an apparent smile although he still couldn’t see her face properly. He just guessed, an old lady probably wouldn’t travel this late.
„Good evening,“ answered the lady sharply, nodding her head. Her long hair didn’t even move.
„Would you like to freshen up? I can imagine that a man like me must have scared you, but don’t worry, I will leave immediately so you don’t have to feel uncomfortable,“ Hashirama cited friendly. He was a gentleman and he knew very well not to keep a female from a bathroom.
The lady looked at the man in front of her. He was tall and his demeanor was slick. He didn’t look like a threat, although she could feel he was. He wasn’t just an ordinary man. One would say he was a demon incarnated from the water. His calmness felt natural, like he was transmitting the peace of mind. „I just couldn’t sleep. I accidentally stepped on a sharp branch and I need to clean my wound,“ the lady answered. She wasn’t so sure whether it’s a safe thing to say to a complete stranger.
„Do you need help?“ Hashirama grinned and put water on his face and breathed because he didn’t have to leave his spot. It seemed strange that people would go through these woods when they couldn’t sleep. Maybe it was a soul of the forest, the force of nature, rendered into a young woman. Hashirama always thought of forest as a woman. For him, they were more human than most of the people he knew. He worshipped it and sometimes, the forests around his childhood home were his only friends.
„Not really,“ the lady answered quietly. She was still careful although some of the mental shields she had fell down when the man was talking. She would strike him if he attacked her.
„My name is Hashirama and I will not hinder,“ it was a habit from the war; they rarely revealed their surnames to strangers. And the lady twitched at the sound of his name. And from her reaction Hashirama deduced that she had already heard the name. Was she a shinobi?
„My name is Hase,“ the lady replied. Was he a demon really? It could be a trap. Was he from Konoha? They were supposed to be cruel, but Hashirama’s voice sounded as soft as cinnamon. Maybe he was a illusionist, capable of changing his attitude. These people were the worst. You could get million different faces, according to the situations. The snakes, the coyotes, the rats.
„I can look at your wound,“ he grinned and made one confident step towards her. She must have been a shinobi, that’s why she didn’t say what her surname was. They looked at each other in a dim night longer than it was appropriate. They both weren’t sure if the fight or flight will follow. But none of them attacked. Instead, Hashirama smiled to difuse the situation because the air was so dense it could be cut with a knife.
Hase didn’t want anyone from Konoha to look at her injury, but it was hurting and Hashirama was still giving her the unperturbed feeling. „Fine,“ she said and looked at her right foot. It was still bleeding. She sat at the stone while Hashirama came closer. He had seen worse, they both did. „Are you here alone?“ She asked.
„No, I’m here with a good friend of mine,“ Hashirama said while his focused gaze turned gentler. „He’s waiting for me.“ He then put his hands on the torn skin. The wound was deep and she could easily catch tetanus. It needed to be treated, so Hashirama started to clean it.
Hase flinched. The pain was sharper when he was trying to wash it. Hashirama was voluble, There were two, as she thought. Maybe the other one was more dangerous. After cleaning the wound, Hashirama started to heal it with his chakra. It was like the life itself was entering Hase’s body, like the life was sneaking into her veins and limbs. Then the pain stopped and her leg was like nothing happened. She had never seen a medic heal anything this quickly. „Thank you,“ she said, unsure whether there was something sedating about his chakra, because she suddenly felt lighter.
„It’s nothing really. If you’d felt some spasms, you must go to a doctor and tell him about your injury,“ Hashirama notified her and stood up.
„I will tell our medic,“ Hase replied to appease him and Hashirama raised his eyebrows and Hase widened her look. That moment Hashirama knew she was a shinobi.
„I should go, I have a curfew,“ Hashirama announced with a light smile.
„Nice meeting you, Hashirama,“ Hase said and bowed down.
„Nice meeting you too,“ Hashirama sighed and stayed for a little bit. She could be anyone, like a Nara clan member. But Hashirama still couldn’t let it go. It was like an intuition that was telling him with a strange voice to be careful. After he came back to Madara, he didn’t tell him about his encounter although Madara lamented about how long did the Senju take. But Hashirama’s lips were tightly sealed. They went to sleep later than they both expected, but it was a marvelous and silent night with owls howling through the trees, leaves and grass.