一期一会

Hashirama taking his muscle/skin back after Madara bit it off.

Meanwhile coming back from "VotE" to Tobirama was another thing.

Even if he heard it from time to time, just a few spoke of Tobirama and how he presented himself, Hashirama knew he was able to feel that way, how could you not? Especially as their brothers grew up along with them, made so many memories in those first few years... Tobirama was greatly effected by their loss, just as Hashirama was. No he was not like his older brother, and that was alright, all he needed to be was himself.

When Tobirama touched his face to help clean it, Hashirama frowned, most likely he wouldn't get to take a bath with him, unless a miracle came…but even if they did, they were snatched away from him. "I'm sorry that you have to see me in such a state." Was said ever so softly, his mind pulling, taking him to those dark depths. Lost in the moment, making his mind start to feel a bit stronger now that he knew Tobirama was alive and that he knew what was going on… or at least what had happened to him and what their father was busy doing.

As he watched his brother, Hashirama couldn't help but smile to the other, noting how Tobirama was avoiding looking at him… It had to be hard for him, in so many ways… And in a way, he was alright with his little brother not looking to him, why would he? More so now. When it came to his mini scolding about taking care of himself, Hashirama nodded, agreeing with the other. " A-Ahh… I apologize, Tobirama… I was taking care of myself I thought fairly well up until now…" He really thought had been, but fighting back against his father, he was sure he wouldn't be speaking to the other right now.

With a pout, Hashirama looked to the side, Tobirama asking him so many questions, questions about anything else that might have been done… It wasn't because he forgot, well… maybe he did forget… "After I took Chichiue his tobacco and this really amazing smelling sake... Ahhh... I bet he drank it all...." His hand lifted to rub the back of his neck, still being able to feel their fathers cold, callous hands, the memory making him visibly shiver.

"Chichiue grabbed my neck and kind of..." He just couldn't look at his brother, not wanting to see the face he would make, but... he needed to know. "...hit my head in to the table in his room…" The elder Senju closed his eyes, it being clear he was trying to remember, pausing for a long moment. "I think it knocked me out for a brief second... it took me about a day to remember the night before entirely. I've had time to heal thanks to my very special jutsu~"

Not that he would rather switch the conversation, but he had something to show Tobirama. The elder sat sitting cross-legged, placing his hands together before the ground, making the magnitude around them spike so a sharp that a laceration was made in the ground next to the Senju brothers.

Soon enough, Hashirama's eyes turned gold, them shining in a vibrant light almost along with markings surrounding his eyes and forehead, the spot on his head healing almost instantly.

It wasn't because he wanted to shock Tobirama since he was so intune with the elders chakra, that and being so close to him as one of the top sensory shinobi known so far in their time... but he wanted it to be shown, that he would follow the younger one even after casting off so much chakra. Hashirama's goal was to show that he would listen to his brother, for that reason... Perhaps that would be good enough, to play as a doll, a tool just as their father wanted so badly. "I can heal rather fast now, faster than before! I was excited to tell you." Wanting to keep it short, not to draw anyone towards the two, Hashirama let his chakra dissipate. All that training, thinking all those years ago with Madara, it made Hashirama reach for more and more types of Jutsus he could make. It wasn't just with Madara though, Tobirama had many good ideas… and a few rather… interesting ones.

Letting his chakra spike though, Hashirama was curious if perhaps that would help Tobirama's case in him visiting his 'idiotic' elder brother. "I trust you more than anyone, Tobirama. I know you will do what is best, with anything in your future and now... now, I think it's time you need to turn on me. I'll listen to you, if I do that, perhaps Chichiue will let me out of here sooner than later." It was worth a try, what was he to lose?

Being allowed to show fear? It was an odd thought, not one he thought he should show… "Scared? Tobirama, this is terrifying…" Hashirama said in a breath, shivering due to the cold and damp room. Even imagining if Itama and Kawarama were alive... what would they have to do as well? What if one grew to have the mokuton too? "I've never been able to keep a lie from you, have I? You've known even before I can tell sometimes…" He shook his head, not wanting to cry in this cell, he could do better…

Hashirama could endure.

Of course Tobirama was shocked, the look on his face making that clear, it was suprizing to pull ones hair out.. yes… "Then, if I can be scared, we will be scared together… The last thing I want is you feeling alone, more so if Chichiue is home." Hashirama stated as he handed his hair to him, moving his free one to take one of his brothers, giving it a squeeze as he looked to his eyes. "It's okay, Tobirama. If there was any other way, you should know I truly wished there was another way… I can't think of anything else other than this however." His hand with his hair, holding it out when Tobirama was ready. "When we get through this, I promise I will make it up to Kawarama and Itama… They know we don't want to do anything wrong… We can not lose one another, and I can not allow any harm to come to you even though you are wanting to protect me right now. I do not feel that is an option, but as for me, I will be alright, what ever happens after this, I will be okay. You know I will not go down without a fight." He truly wouldn't.

Squeezing Tobirama's hand once more when he heard the shake in his voice, it made Hashirama feel so guilty, so he placed his forehead to the back of his brothers hand, bowing against it. "Once we can get through this, and things have calmed down, we can go visit the tree we planted so many years ago for our brothers and I will apologize to them..."

"Tobirama..." His hand shook some, trying to stay strong but still feeling guilty for all of this, the saddened tone from the other made him frown. "I'll do my best at trying to stay calm with Chichiue, and I will take the best care for myself that I can, but you should know by know I can take a few hits~" Of course he teased, but really wanted to convue to his brother to do what he must...

“I’m telling you why you bring so much attention to yourself and why some people despise you,” he said quietly. Hashirama had to be ready for both sides of his reputation, there always were two. And Hashirama failed to see either. 

Some people were rubbed the wrong way even by kindness; it was deemed to be a sign of weakness. Just as with softness, all things his brother excelled at. 

But Hashirama had one big advantage, and it was his power. Not only mokuton, but also his regeneration, and his physical endurance. 

“Who else should see you in this state but a younger brother?” he asked. It was what siblings were for: the worst. They were the only ones who were shown the worst parts of themselves, and they were the only ones who would forgive. 

“I’ll buy you that sake once you’re out of here and we’ll drink it together,” he said, assuming that a liquor-driven motivation might work on his brother. But before he could get angry over Butsuma’s treatment of Hashirama, before he could ask Hashirama if he was alright, the air shifted. 

Hashirama’s chakra rippled into it, now smoother, energized, and green forest-bright. It wasn't only Hashirama's chakra this time, it was something different. “What…” he clenched his jaw, watching the jutsu unravel. He saw markings on Hashirama’s face appear, seals he didn’t recognize. 

“What is this jutsu? Did they hurt you?” he asked, because it wouldn’t surprise him if someone tried to make Hashirama stronger. But the jutsu was grand. Hashirama was indeed about to become a great leader one day, he always went against all odds and he won. Tobirama sometimes felt like Hashirama was blessed by gods in all regards. He really was the golden child and all Tobirama felt was contentment. He was proud to be Hashirama’s brother, and to get to see the beast before anyone else. 

“What a jutsu, anija!” Tobirama, usually calm (or so he was telling himself), couldn’t hide excitement. It was a pleasure to watch it, to experience it. He really needed to work on himself more, so Hashirama wouldn’t have to be ashamed of him. 

Their younger brothers, unfortunately, never got to see. 

“It’s me who should apologize to our brothers for having to lie like that,” he murmured, because he hated to pretend he would ever betray Hashirama. But this was what father wanted. Butsuma thought Tobirama would like to become the head of the Senju clan one day, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Hashirama was the right person for that, too good person for that - that was what tormented Butsuma like an invisible dark ghost. 

He was sure that Itama and Kawarama would hate this cold cell just as he did, he knew they would love Hashirama’s ever still-burning warmth. They wouldn’t betray anija either. 

“I’m only doing it to protect you, to shield you from chichiue’s wrath,” he had always tried, but he usually failed. Hashirama wasn’t protected, and neither was Tobirama.  

He tightened his grip around the hair Hashirama had just tore from his head. They were smooth, and he realized how little he had touched them in his life. If Hashirama was to die, he would probably forget completely how velvety they felt on his skin. It was a painful realization, one he didn’t want to. 

“Yes, you need to be calmer. He doesn’t like it when we talk back. And now that he thinks you want to ruin his authority, he gets paranoid…” Tobirama examined Hashirama's new jutsu. 

“Don’t worry. We’re now outnumbered, but it doesn’t matter,” he said. Their position now wasn’t fair, because they were barely grown ups. Tobirama finally stood up, his steps echoing in the cell. Gusts of winds were beating outside like war drums, and more cold water leaked through the ceiling to the floor as another cloud-burst attacked. The unfortunate weather was making Tobirama’s head hurt, so he put his hand on his forehead and hissed. It was truly as if the nature unleashed its fury at Butsuma for imprisoning its favourite child. 

For now though…

Such as clouds parted so the sun could break through, Hashirama leaned rather close to his brother. "Ehh!? You'll buy me some and drink with me too!?" It was as if Tobirama had watered a tree that was on the verge of death, but suddenly was hydrated, the life flowing back through his veins in a split second. Then he jerked, realizing how excited and close to the other he was. Hashirama coughed in to his hand, collecting himself… He will allow himself to be happy and excited later. "I have on condition I would like you to allow me to have, Tobirama. I would like to pour you the first drink when ever it is we are able to, since you will be paying for it, but not only because of that..." There was more to it, not sure if the other would understand, but he ended up giving his brother a stern look, making him know that was not negotiable. After so many years, one of the abilities they had trained and pretty much mastered with one another, was with a glance, a simple command, they were able to understand what was being conveying. The battlefield was one of the places that made it so they had to have such a skill, Hashirama was grateful that they could rely on one another. They had no one else but one another.

It took a moment before he realized his hair felt like it was sticking up some. Perhaps it was the amount of chakra he unleashed, he patted it, rather what was left of it down some. "No, thankfully no one hurt me when it comes to this. This is my doing, something I've been trying to hone~" He stated rather proudly. "It's a secret!" Hashirama said, like a little kid trying to hide something that was in plain sight, smirking as he did when he teased the other. "Once we have the sake, I will tell you all about it and perhaps more that you might not know…" Perhaps it was the same thing as Tobirama trying to motivate his brother with one of his weaknesses.

Hashirama's eyes softened, knowing all too well that Tobirama was excited, as someone who loved jutsus as much as he did, perhaps more, surely this one would make his mind wonder with questions. How many? The elder was sure he would find out… If all this worked out, he would stay up all night to talk with his brother, that would be if he wanted. Even in their time alone together, he never felt the need to constantly be talking, it was nice to have someone who you could just sit with, to simply be. "I think we can apologize for this, Kawarama and Itama had kindness in them too…" Perhaps too much…

Watching Tobirama's face as he took his brother's hair, he saw those red eyes thinking, processing, planning. "I'll do my best to keep calm," He really struggled with holding his tongue, especially with their father… Then a thought ran past him. "… but due to Chichiue being so paranoid, if me being complicit is not enough, you should surpress my speech." He motioned to his tongue, having seen many silencing seals on many of those who were in this room, though... the seals did not last long on them. Here Hashirama thought that it might actually be better, since now, maybe his voice was what was fulling Butsuma's wrath… Who knew. If anyone were to place any type of seal on him, if it was up to Hashirama, he would pick his brother without a thought. Not only because he trusted his insight, his skills, the elder was dedicated to him.

Hashirama's last and only little brother.

It was only when Hashirama sat back down when Tobirama was getting close to leaving, relizing only then when his palm touched the ground that there was grass and lush growth around the cell... Perhaps using too much of the Sage mode purified the room somehow? It was only recently he was able to move around freely as it was activated, at first it was quite a hassle to control, but it was his only other thing he had besides on the battlefield... fighting Uchiha Madara.

Motioning to his brother, noticing how he held his head, the slight pained look in his eyes. "Tobirama, really fast, come here." Hashirama motioned for his brother to lean some so he could place his palm right above his head. "Let me help. The storm might get really bad tonight." Would his healing chakra help Tobirama's discomfort? The thunder was rather loud tonight. Would he even be able to sleep??

When his brother told them them they were outnumbered, Hashirama clenched his teeth, his hand shaking some but he trusted Tobirama, nodded to him. "Outnumbered already...?" He had thought maybe they would have just a moment longer together, but he was sadly mistaken. Regardless, Hashirama gave him a smile, one only a proud older brother could give. "I'll be alright, Tobirama. I promise we will get through this." It was hard watching the other leave, but it was better that way, the longer he stayed, the worse it might get.

//he's running from Tobirama/paperwork lol//

This was not a sight you'd be likely to see every day...but to be honest it did happen with fair regularity. The wide sweeping motions of his arm made the sleeve of his cream haori easily catch Kaname's attention, stopping in her tracks to look up at her father where he was perched on the roof of a building.

Oh kami... Getting up there was easy enough...she may have been flunked on her nature transformation (repeatedly) but nobody could deny that her chakra control had been excellent since she'd been old enough to practice it, so scaling the building was not even a challenge.

"Otousan, what are you doing here?" The tone of her voice indicated that she had a fair idea of why he wasn't at the Hokage Tower, but was still slightly curious about his choice of hiding-place.

It was a new type of medication they had been working on, a type to help keep deseses away for those with low immune systems and other rather complicated issues... But to his surprise, Tobirama told him that Hashirama was going to have to get a shot, but he soon found out that he would be receving five of them.

So this is where the elder showed up, running from something he did knew was good in the long run, but when it came to injections... He wasn't so sure about those.

"I think technically, I might still be working...?" Hashirama looked around for Tobirama, he knew he was after him, but the wooden bunshin he made should have given him at least a couple of minuets. "I'm supposed to be receving a few injections for health benifets, plus Tobirama says I can deal with the drawbacks of them... I must be honest, I do not fully understand why they frighten me so."

So here was the mighty Shodaime Hokage, having ran before thinking, now he was going to hear about this later. "And he told me that I had to have this new type or procedure done due to my age...? I understand that medical research, but... but... " A shiver ran down his spine after hearing how and what was to happen to look for something so important to be aware of... "I'm not allowed to eat for eightteen hours..." His stomach growled like a beast that had been locked away for years, crying out for something... anything.