to a burning world
And he will make them pay. Touka gave him a gift once, she found it in the days before she found him, it will not take long to go collect it; it is a great gift that was hard won (she carried a token from that battle ever after, gold horns would look lovely on her mantel) and will be the weapon of both of their revenge (he can’t think over the whispers in his head, he can’t think of his clan, of the brother he does still care for, of the brother he loves). He turns away again from the nightmare of his dream where his people still love him (the Uchiha hold love above all things, they couldn’t blame Madara for leaving for his beloved), there are still people that care for him but the static in his head (so much worse now that it was before Touka’s death) drowns out all but the need for his bloody justice; madness dogs him every step of the way and all that he learned to be in the time he spent with Touka fades. (he can’t feel fingers in his hair anymore, he can hardly bring himself to touch it)
The day he wakes and realizes that he dreamt of blood (of the way Tobirama’s eyes looked when they met his across a battlefield, how he looked with blood on his lips, the faint smile he gifted Madara with) and pain, and over, and over, he dreams of Hashirama never turning around. He dreams of days making something strong and of Hashirama turning down the plan writ out by a smooth hand, refusing to give the Uchiha a place of importance in the village (and he would be mad that Tobirama guessed he wouldn’t be hokage if it weren’t balanced by the attempt to make sure his clan had some say in the affairs of their home) and refusing to name the academy for the man who loved it- refusing to even acknowledge that he had a brother (maybe once he could have believed that was grief, but now? Hah). The day he realizes that he will not dream of a purple sky and love made flesh ever again is the day he is truly lost (almost he hears a voice speak to him from far away, but he cannot see though the tears to know if there is anyone there)
Madara makes Konohagakure burn. He hardly cares who stands before him, he cannot see his brother’s face; but there is a flash of silver in Mito’s hand (happuri?) and he hesitates- that is all she needs.