“I'm too old for this"

Morning, approximately 4am. Today was Hashirama’s coronation as Hokage. Until three weeks ago, they didn’t even have a name for the title. Their dream of a peaceful world where children would not have to throw away their lives was near. But it also felt so far away. Madara, in his usual style, left the village in a huff after not being chosen as leader. His peers, the Uchiha, also seem to have turned on him, choosing peace over another senseless war. So many clans have aligned themselves to our cause. The Aburame and Hyuga clans to name a few. But, Tobirama could not help but feel.. bitter. Something ate at him and he was uncertain at what it was. Like as if the knife that kept him on his toes was becoming dull. Sitting at a newly carved, oak and cherry desk was Hashirama. The olive skinned man was pouring over maps and paperwork of their new territory as well as plans and architect designs for the borders and walls. Hashirama would be building the wall himself and so his indecisiveness of how far to put the wall from the current borders was destroying his mental well-being. “Brother.. you have been staring at that map for 6 hours. Take a break. You’re going to go blind from stress.”

But back to the village, there were soon to be walls surrounding the land, the lingering thought that Madara would come back at any time. Something felt off due to how his friend left, saying how he couldn’t wait to fight the elder Senju again. Peace… They really had it, didn’t they?

Ahh… this wasn’t helping him focus.

With a loud sigh Hashirama was going to ask his brother about some of the clans requests of the housing structures before his mokuton was used to build them, but Tobirama pointed out what exactly the elder was doing.

Chuckling sheepishly, he rubbed the back of his head before leaning back to his chair. “I don’t think I’d go blind,” There was a glance to the papers that were all around him, making a mess in his panic to get things done as fast as he could. “Maybe a headache, but if that could happen from looking at papers, I think you’d already have gone blind~” It was clear between the brothers that Tobirama was far better at this sort of thing. 

Placing his elbows to the desk, Hashirama cupped his head in to his hands so to rub his head, his hair being out of sorts from running around, looking to the other with a shy smile. “Besides me, how are you holding up? Today’s a big day, I worry for your health as well. And Tobirama, I really do appreciate you helping me with all this, you don’t have to, yet you still do. But I know you’ll just say ‘Anija, if I don’t help there will be no village leader’.” His eyes welled up with tears, holding himself back from lunging to hug Tobirama.

He sighed, his thick shoulder still leaning against the door seal. He watched his brothers arms lift up, signaling he wanted a hug, and so he walked over and obliged. “Of course I’ll help you, you idiot. If I don’t who will?” He embraced his brother, Tobirama’s thicker form enveloping his brothers body. In truth he wasn’t helping his brother because he enjoyed it. In reality he was protecting his brother. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew Madara would return. He also didn’t trust all of these clans that Hashirama had miraculously invited to join their village with only a little vetting beforehand.

When Tobirama was quiet, most of the time it didn’t bother the elder, but when he was quiet and looking at the mighty Hokage with that look… Well, Hashirama would much rather be focused on anything he could do to not get scolded.

Ah! The paperwork!

This could work. Grabbing a pile, Hashirama placed it before him, pouting to his brother. “If you are upset with me about something, I really don’t know what I did… But I can do this… If that helps?” He motioned to the work he had been putting off.

“It’s this… isn’t it…” Oh no, now he was sad.

Hashirama knew he was lucky to have a sibling left after the relentless and gruesome war they grew up in…

“Packing will take no time!” Hashirama was bouncing with excitement, eyes shining as he spoke. “Tsuna I think will enjoy this time away, she will be able to learn a lot from all of us traveling together.”

“Should we camp out as we travel, or find an inn for the nights? It’s been getting a bit cold lately, fall is approaching…” He knew this due to how his garden was doing and lately, it had been getting rather sad looking, even with help from his healing chakra.

“My poor bonsai… Should I bring them-…” A glance to Tobirama reminded him that no, he shouldn’t. “N-no, never mind.” He rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish laugh.

Making the hand sign, a couple clones grew from the elder, them soon scurrying off to get Tsuna and to pack. “Now, I should leave a clone here just in case… I know we have good security but the village is part of me.”

“I think camping would be fun, but only within the Land of Fire. Then again, we can create water and wood clones to keep watch if an inn is not an option. We could also create our own inn….” He said, eyeing his brother, knowing full well his abilities. “I could even create a flowing River if I find a stream.”

He watched as the elder summoned the clones. He too had plenty to do to prepare, mainly prepare the route. He was just thinking of which road to take in the Land of Sound when Hashirama mentioned his bloody bonsai. One stern look shot him down. He felt bad, but Hashirama would just neglect it in favor of Tsunade and then it would truly die.

When Tobirama was quiet, most of the time it didn’t bother the elder, but when he was quiet and looking at the mighty Hokage with that look… Well, Hashirama would much rather be focused on anything he could do to not get scolded.

Ah! The paperwork!

This could work. Grabbing a pile, Hashirama placed it before him, pouting to his brother. “If you are upset with me about something, I really don’t know what I did… But I can do this… If that helps?” He motioned to the work he had been putting off.

“It’s this… isn’t it…” Oh no, now he was sad.

“I-I didn’t mean gamble gamble, it’s more like pretend gambling at home… Besides, she has been really persistent on playing again, am I really supposed to say no to that face of hers?” Hashirama was then making a similar face, unknowing how much he really effected Tsunade when she was around her grandfather.

“Scolding me can only do so much…” Hashirama huffed to himself before he then gave a soft smile to the other. 

“I’m sorry, Hashirama….” He placed his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose, squeezing it lightly. “I forget my temper at times”

He contemplated the options laid out so far and then his head landed on one that he wasn’t sure even Hashirama would like.

So he moved next to the other and wrapped his arm around Tobirama’s shoulder, patting it softly to try and calm him down a bit if he could. “Time really does pass us, it’s hard to believe our princess is going to be turning ten already.” The thought alone brought tears to his eyes, the pride he had for Tsunade was that of a true grandfather. 

“It would be good for her to know the area better, knowing your surroundings is very important, though someone is special at chakra sensory~” Hashirama playfully poked his brother’s very impressive talent. “Then how about we make up a plan, I can pay for the trip.” He did have the money right now to do so. 

His mind began firing off like a piston thinking of all the places they could go. There was the waterfalls in the land of…. What was it again? He thought on it for a brief moment before moving on to the land of wind and then the beautiful but rain ridden land of Rain.

When Tobirama was quiet, most of the time it didn't bother the elder, but when he was quiet and looking at the mighty Hokage with that look... Well, Hashirama would much rather be focused on anything he could do to not get scolded.

Ah! The paperwork!

This could work. Grabbing a pile, Hashirama placed it before him, pouting to his brother. "If you are upset with me about something, I really don't know what I did... But I can do this... If that helps?" He motioned to the work he had been putting off.

"It's this... isn't it..." Oh no, now he was sad.

"I-I didn't mean gamble gamble, it's more like pretend gambling at home... Besides, she has been really persistent on playing again, am I really supposed to say no to that face of hers?" Hashirama was then making a similar face, unknowing how much he really effected Tsunade when she was around her grandfather.

"Scolding me can only do so much..." Hashirama huffed to himself before he then gave a soft smile to the other. 

“I’m sorry, Hashirama….” He placed his thumb and forefinger on the bridge of his nose, squeezing it lightly. “I forget my temper at times”

He contemplated the options laid out so far and then his head landed on one that he wasn’t sure even Hashirama would like.

When Tobirama was quiet, most of the time it didn't bother the elder, but when he was quiet and looking at the mighty Hokage with that look... Well, Hashirama would much rather be focused on anything he could do to not get scolded.

Ah! The paperwork!

This could work. Grabbing a pile, Hashirama placed it before him, pouting to his brother. "If you are upset with me about something, I really don't know what I did... But I can do this... If that helps?" He motioned to the work he had been putting off.

"It's this... isn't it..." Oh no, now he was sad.

When Tobirama was quiet, most of the time it didn't bother the elder, but when he was quiet and looking at the mighty Hokage with that look... Well, Hashirama would much rather be focused on anything he could do to not get scolded.

Ah! The paperwork!

This could work. Grabbing a pile, Hashirama placed it before him, pouting to his brother. "If you are upset with me about something, I really don't know what I did... But I can do this... If that helps?" He motioned to the work he had been putting off.

"It's this... isn't it..." Oh no, now he was sad.