easily ruined and hard to build

After Hashirama returned to Konoha with Tobirama, things started to happen rather quickly. The doctors treated Madara with the antidote Hashirama brought and hoped for the best. Tobirama prepared the contracts for Hyuuga. It was all business, with Hashirama having to marry the Hyuuga girl. Then they had to cross out the budget for the next year to have money for Hyuuga clan. Hashirama asked himself why were the Hyuugas such sleezes, simply taking things for saving lives. They wanted to suck Konoha dry.

He was sitting in a comfortable chair next to Madara’s hospital bed, reading the deals and financial means. Sometimes he felt like he was losing his mind looking at all the numbers. Things weren’t looking as bad as before, but the doctor said he wasn’t sure if Madara wasn‘t brain dead (to which Tobirama answered that Madara has been brain dead for a long time now.) It was a late afternoon, the daylight was getting lazy and Hashirama was trying to relax by sitting next to his friend. That was when Madara woke up.

Madara slowly opened his eyes. He was confused and his eyesight was blurry. His head was aching like someone hit him with an axe. He couldn’t remember what it was that brought him to the hospital room. The room looked black and white and it was like all the colors faded, like he was suddenly colorblind. There were no flowers on the counters, not that Madara would expect anyone to send him flowers, but it was not pleasant to know it for sure. He felt weak, like he was sleeping for a few months and he didn’t even bother to move. The sheets were rubbing on his skin like a sandpaper and the mattress pressed into his back like a steel. Then he carefully moved his neck. And at that moment, all the missing colors returned, like someone spilled the watercolors into his sight. There was Hashirama, calm as a water in a cup, looking into documents. „Hashirama,“ Madara sighed. His voice sounded softer than he intended, but it was probably because of the weakness he felt.

Hashirama raised his chin and looked at Madara. It was like a big rock was lifted from his heart and he couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction. He intuitively put down papers and grabbed Madara’s hand – for god’s sake, it was paler than ever before – and stood up. „You are fine!“ Hashirama announced. To his suprise, Madara did not try to pull away it, perhaps because he was to weak to fight Hashirama’s joy.

„How long have I been there?“ Madara asked.

„Just a few days,“ the Hokage answered and squeezed Madara’s hand just as hard as he squeezed the bottle with the antidote.

„Good… The damned Hyuugas, the animals! The audacity of poisoning me,“ Madara started to yell like the flames were coming from his mouth.

„They actually gave me the antidote for you,“ Hashirama stated.

„Oh good, otherwise I would come back from death and I would kill them!“ Madara threatened.

„Don’t joke about such things! Ghosts are really scary!“ Hashirama protested. „I was so scared for you, but it wasn’t a normal fear, it was that kind of fear that paralyses you, the kind of fear that you feel on your shoulders, the kind of fear that makes you scream instead of cry!“ Hashirama pouted.

„I hope I wasn’t a burden,“ Madara looked at Hashirama.

„No, you have never been a burden once in your life, Madara!“ Hashirama said and looked at Madara. His face was paler than a white chrysanthemum of paradise and his lips were deep blue. But still, for Hashirama, there was nothing half as much as interesting as Madara. Hashirama lovingly looked at Madara, „but my dear, you need to sleep. You are too weak for these conversations and I have many things to do. The Hyuugas will join our village, but their requirements are hard to fulfill so I need some extra time,“ Hashirama smiled.

„What requirements do they have? They almost killed the founder of Konoha, do they realize that? Suckers,“ Madara pointed out and looked at Hashirama. He was glad that it was Hashirama who was here. It was very relaxing when it was just two of them, just their two chakras.

„They want us to build them a residence for starters,“ Hashirama spilled.

„That will be expensive, how can we afford that?“ Madara frowned.

 „And then they want me to marry a Hyuuga heiress, so they can trust us,“ Hashirama added.

„And you agreed you fool?“ Madara asked. He realized Hashirama was still holding his hand so he dropped it fast like a hot mug of tea and put it on his forehead. He didn’t want to touch Senju’s dirty hands, hands that will touch his Hyuuga bride, hands that tore everything apart, again. Hashirama was just as destructive as he was stupid. He tended to act like a sheep and then turned into a wolf. The traitor. Madara’s stomach turned when he looked at Hashirama again because his face was making him throw up.

„I wanted to save you,“ Hashirama said.

„Thank you, Hokage-sama, aren’t you a hero? Now get out already, I want to sleep,“ Madara sharply announced, raised his hand and pointed at the door. „I don’t want to see your face here again unless you bring me food or some flowers with a get better note,“ he stated and sighed again. He didn’t want to sleep, he just didn’t want to  hear anything Hashirama had to say or see his stupid face. He didn’t want to feel his presence in the hospital room and he didn’t want Hashirama to feel satisfaction. He wanted Hashirama to feel the same disillusionment he did.

„I will not bother you, I’m so sorry,“ Hashirama whispered with a disappointment in his voice. He didn’t want to threaten Madara’s health so he decided to leave quickly. „I will bring you food and flowers to get better, have a nice evening,“ Hashirama said with a fake smile, the smile that Madara knew was fake and which irritated him even more now. Then Hashirama disappeared behind closed doors, wondering if Madara is irritated just because he was tired and hungry or because.. Hashirama didn’t even want to think that other thought, but he had to consider it. Maybe Madara was just angry that he now has to marry a girl. He needed to bring food and flowers next time.

---

The month ended and another one started since Madara stayed at the hospital. The architects were called to build a Hyuuga residency and things settled for a bit. The peonies and magnolia trees were now blooming under Hashirama’s windows. He could see the flowers, not so much of Madara though. They both sucked at communicating when it came to the root of the problem. But today, they had a meeting with the Hyuuga clan leaders in a Hokage building. Hashirama was early although Madara already sat behind the table. Tobirama had work in the Main city of the Fire country so he couldn’t attend. So it was just Hashirama and Madara versus, well, the whole Hyuuga clan. Hashirama could see Madara’s nervousness from the meeting. He couldn’t hide his contempt against the clan with Byakugan. And what was even worse, they did the Konoha dirty.

„Will your beautiful bride be there?“ Madara asked out of nothing.

Hashirama almost forgot about his own wedding. He still hoped that he will be able to stop it. „I don’t know, I hope not, you know very well I don’t want to get married just yet,“ Hashirama admitted and smiled at Madara.

„I’m sure she is going to be just delightful,“ Madara pointed out, hoping Hashirama would just say he will not marry some weak and ugly girl from Hyuuga clan.

„I’ve seen her twice,“ Hashirama admitted, hoping Madara would tell him not to marry her.

But instead, Madara grinned. „Doesn’t everyone want to marry Hokage? Last time it was that girl from that Whirlpool clan,“ he reminded Hashirama with sarcasm in his voice.  

Madara’s words were hard for Hashirama to swallow. He just clenched his jaw. He didn’t want a bride, however beautiful or charming. „We agreed I will not marry the girl I have never seen, why are you nagging me now?“ Hashirama said, embarrassed.

„They just want to marry you because you are the leader of Konoha, that’s all. Slimey leeches, whoring their daughters to gain power.  The audacity, the perverseness…“ Madara shook his head. They didn’t know Hashirama, they all just liked his act. He was everything other people wanted him to be, he was an actor trying to beguile everyone, to entertain everyone, to win everyone over. But Madara saw through it all and he felt like Hashirama didn’t even realize how their friendship was different from all the others, how he adored Hashirama for him, not for his act. How different they were just because Madara could see right through Hashirama’s mare’s nest.

„Thank you for reminding me that it’s because of my title, I almost thought that it’s because of my height and for my pretty face,“ Hashirama laughed although it still stung that Madara was fine with him marrying anyone. He was probably deluded to believe something else. Those were only things that were happening in books he used to read, but not in real life, not to him. It was probably just a feverish thought he got from the sun that abused his back every day at the office.

„Well, certainly not for your fashion sense,“ Madara nodded and laughed too.

The three Hyuuga leaders entered the room with the Hokage’s secretary. They bowed down and Hashirama with Madara did the same. Then they sat and started to negotiate the requirements. Madara often clenched his teeth instead of cursing at them. Otherwise the meeting was boring and he didn’t even need to attend. Hashirama nodded at everything as it was the only thing he could do. Hashirama’s act was perfect, to the last lines.

„And if you were to divorce my daughter, you will pay her half of your monthly paid for the rest of your life,“ the Hyuuga said suddenly.

Madara looked at him funny. This would ruin Hashirama, not to mention that it was not a fair offer. „That is absolutely inadmissible,“ escaped Madara’s mouth.

„Madara… It’s fine.“ Hashirama whispered. He was still grateful for the antidote he received for Madara. He put his hand on Madara’s shoulder and shook his head.

„It’s not fine, Hashirama, please don’t be stupid. You can’t even buy new shoes, last month I had to pay for your new doors. You would die of hunger, homeless and with no running water,“ Madara yelled. Hashirama wasn’t able to defend himself properly. Usually there was Tobirama who did it for Hashirama, but now there was only him. And Hashirama, the helpless creature, needed to be protected.

The Hyuuga looked at Madara. „Weren’t you half dead just a few weeks ago? Are you his public speaker? Shut your Uchiha mouth up and go take a cold shower to calm yourself down before your sharingan activates!“

Madara stood up and looked at Hyuuga menacingly. Then he raised his finger and pointed at the Hyuuga, „isn’t it enough that you are making him marry that terribly weak and ugly daughter of yours?!“

„Let’s not fight, please, no girl is ever ugly,“ Hashirama said with a forced smile.

„Stop the act, Hashirama and be stern for just one second! Grow some spine! I’m trying to stand up for you!“ Madara screamed.

„We can discuss it some other day,“ Hashirama forced another smile and stood up too. He grabbed Madara’s shoulder to help him sit down.

„Only if you are man enough to just turn down the wedding proposal. You need to tell them you don’t want the marriage,“ Madara said and sat down.

„Madara, I.. We need to discuss this again once I will think about it,“ Hashirama whispered with an unsteady voice.

„As you wish, Hokage-sama,“ the Hyuuga said, still looking at Madara.

---

Madara was sitting in the Hokage’s office, filling in for Hashirama, who didn’t feel quite well after last night’s drinking. Madara wasn’t very happy about it, because he had a certain disdain for Hokage’s job, but he did it anyway, as a duty to the village. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. It wasn’t unusual as people were coming and going every ten minutes. It was like the busiest place in the village.

„Hn?“ Madara voiced, continuing the paper work. He could just pray it wasn’t Hashirama’s annoying brother.

Here entered a lady. She had a dark, blueish hair, fair skin and eyes as white as an alabaster with a purple undertones. If she wasn’t a Hyuuga, Madara would consider her beautiful. But she was one of the Hyuuga, so he distorted his lips in distaste. She brought the big scroll with herself, Hashirama’s scroll that got stolen. „What do you need, Hyuuga?“

„I’m sorry, my name is Hase and I’m looking for Hashirama-san. I need to talk to him and…“ She looked up at Madara and seemed like a terror struck her. There was something eery about him. She had no doubt he killed many people. He looked like the person who would even enjoy it. „Are you the Uchiha Madara?“

„That is me. Hashirama is not here as of today,“ he growned and waved his hand. Then he stopped. „Wait…“

„What is it, Uchiha-sama?“ Hase whispered carefully, trying not to bother him.

„You’re the lady marrying the Hokage, carrying his scroll,“ Madara grinned nastily. „How does it feel to be whored out by your father?“

„I’m sorry?“ Hase asked and swallowed. He had no empathy. He talked as his mouth grew on his face. „You shouldn’t talk to a lady like this, didn’t your mother teach you that? She should wash your mouth with a soap.“

„You’re far from a lady, you’re just a thief, a simple object for Hokage and the Hyuuga leader to seal the deal between Hyuugas and Konoha. You’re worth nothing,“ Madara waved his hand. „And do not talk about my mother!“

„What is your problem?“ Hase questioned. She was shaken and when the man screamed and she started to tremble. But she didn’t want to show him that she was frightened so she held her composure.

„Hokage doesn’t love you and he never will, he’s not able to love, especially such a weak female character… Actually, even your own father doesn’t love you. You’re a sad, sad person, at least return the scroll,“ he was angry. How dare she for trying to steal Hashirama from him? Was he agressive? Yes. Did he regret it? Hell no.

„I’m sorry, but who are you to know this?“ She shook her head.

„I’m his…“ his sunrise, his noon, his sunset, his afterglow, his night, his whole day. The person Hashirama will suffer for, the person he will eventually die for. Hashirama’s fire in the cold winter, his ice in hot summer. Hashirama’s insatiable demand and obsession. Didn’t she know? Didn’t the whole world know? „I’m his friend and drinking buddy,“ Madara replied, quieter than before. Hase could see he was upset. And judging by his reactions, also hungry.

„Thank you for your opinion,“ Hase breathed out and hurried to the door that looked like a sweet escape now from the eagle’s claws.

„I’m telling you, little weak girl, leave him alone, but first leave here that scroll so I can bring it back to him!“ Madara was mad, furious even. She was prettier than he thought – Hashirama described her as homely and so he was calm. Until now when he saw her. And he never wanted to saw her again or Hashirama to lay his eyes on her. „You’re all just cowards, plague that infected the whole Konoha!“ He yelled at the girl who left the scroll by the door while she closed and left, shaken by the encounter with the strange Uchiha.

---

That night, Hashirama went to drink to a Konoha restaurant that was below his Hokage office. It was a fairly popular place in Konoha. You could meet everyone, from people of Senju clan to the people of Sarutobi clan. And the sake here tasted better than at home. Females were smoking from long cigarette mouthpieces and males were trying to get their attention through desperate acts. Hashirama usually found it amusing while he breathed the smoke. He and Madara found joy in watching the situations escalate. Sometimes, a girl would go with a guy to the bathroom. Other times, two guys would get into a fight. But Madara wasn’t there that day with Hashirama, like he was avoiding him. So Hashirama sat at the table with a few of his so called friends that Madara found annoying and boring, playing dice in a dim light of the room.

Suddenly, the Hyuuga leader made his way to the table and Hashirama couldn’t hide his suprise. This dirty place was no good for a people of such a noble clan. „Hyuuga-san,“ Hashirama said and lowered his chin.

„Hokage-dono. I was looking for you at your apartment, but that friend of yours told me you are out drinking in a local pub,“ the Hyuuga frowned.

Hashirama smiled and nodded. „Do you want to go some place quieter?“

„I think this place is fine for things I want to discuss. Actually, it’s just more than appropriate.“

„It’s fine for me too. Why were you looking for me? Don’t you like the architect’s plans?“

„Do you think that your behavior is suitable for a leader of shinobi village?“ The Hyuuga asked. He didn’t like Hashirama at all. He thought he was a freak.

„Which behavior are you refering to?“ Hashirama swallowed sake in his mouth.

„You know what the people are whispering…“ The Hyuuga indicated.

„People are always saying rumors, we let them talk,“ Hashirama smiled and poured sake to a cup in front of the Hyuuga leader. He knew about every rumor that was going around. And most of them were true and the rest of them were probably even made up by his drunk self.

„I don’t think that it’s very appropriate for you to have a certain relationship with Uchiha,“ the Hyuuga leader said.

Hashirama’s heart stopped for a second as he was trying to hide the shock. No, he did hear it, from time to time, but he never really cared much. „We are just friends,“ Hashirama smiled.

„It’s absolutely disgusting. I believe that if the feudal lord and ministry knew, they would burn this stupid village of yours to the ground. I’m just saying it because it’s going to be mine stupid village too and I don’t want bad reflection on Konoha because of your inappropriateness,“ the Hyuuga said.

„I can assure you that nothing is happening,“ Hashirama drank another cup of sake. He felt like his soul escaped his body, like this was an out of body experience. He was flying over their heads.

„Your village will end up in shambles if your people find out. They will be disgusted by you and they will hate you. They will find you distasteful, they will never accept it and you will lose their support. Are you aware of that? Even member from Uchiha clan are pretty concerned about this… Thing, the Uchiha is the poison to your life,“ Hyuuga made sure that Hashirama can hear him.

„Do you really think so…?“ Hashirama felt like his body would combust any second.

„Think about your reputation, Hokage-dono. It’s easily ruined and hard to build. Do we understand each other? I will watch you, especially when you will play family with my daughter,“ he announced and pointed his thumb at his eyes.

Hashirama breathed out with an open mouth. He felt like he had just hit the wall. His heart rate went up. He always found the rumors innocent, cute even. The Hyuuga just pulled the rug from under him and Hashirama lied on the ground. „I understand,“ Hashirama couldn’t get any more words from his mouth out. He loved his village and his people over everything. He turned white and ordered another round of sake. That night, he got drunk without a single word spoken.