After chatting with @copyninken last night I have decided to add tiny Kagami to ao3. Partly for my own sanity since for the life of me I couldn’t remember if I had posted part four or not and needed to know before working on part five. And I’m hopeful that I’ll have part five up in the next few days.
Getting a letter from Hashirama so soon after Kagami’s little excursion wasn’t a surprise. The contents on the other hand…
He had expected a letter asking for peace talks, a meeting between old friends, blubbering praise for Tobirama (yes, there was a bit but not as much as he was expecting), something along those lines. Instead he got a letter urging him to keep “little Kagami” away from the Senju lands. The Senju Clan Elders, it would seem, were just as callous as the Uchiha Elders. Disgusting. Wanting to endanger a child to further the war.
Still, it was good to know his old friend hadn’t changed as much as he’d been led to believe. And learning that Tobirama shared his beliefs about children was welcome. Very welcome. The spies they had placed weren’t the most reliable, it would seem.
However he looked at it, the letter was as it appeared. Concern for a child and a gushing older brother being disgustingly proud of his little brother. Bastards, both of them. It was so much easier to lead his clan into battle thinking the spies reports about Hashirama going a bit mad were true.
Now, with the most recent battle and Kagamai himself providing so much evidence to the contrary, he wasn’t sure he could send his clansmen to their deaths so readily. It all seemed so unnecessary.
***
Hashirama froze in alarm when he saw his little brother stiffen n glare out the window in the middle of a meeting with the elders. The elders had noticed as well and seemed almost gleeful.
“Another visiter, Tobirama?”
If he hadn’t been watching his brother so closely Hashirama would have missed the slight twitching of his fingers. As it was he knew the warning signs and very nearly winced. Those poor brats picked a bad time to test Tobirama’s patience. That Sarutobi kid was a walking disaster and Hashirama was quite certian Tobi only trained him because his father had somehow become Tobi’s best friend.
“No. My students are going to be running laps until dusk. Anija, if you wouldn’t mind?”
Hashirama waved him off, turning his focus back to the elders, frowning at their disappointed looks. Bastards, the lot of them. How had they survived so long?
***
Hiruzen wanted it to be known, that for once, it wasn’t his fault. He had been the voice of reason this time! But the Senju kids were just so offended that an Uchiha kid was getting Tobirama sensei’s time and attention.
They had also been offended when he had joined their lessons but at least he was from an allied clan.
But this wasnt the same and they wanted to make sure this Kagami knew better than to think he had any right to their Tobirama-Sensei. He honestly couldn’t say who’s idea it was to go /to the Uchiha territory and tell him to stay away!/ but he had been carefully glaring his chakra at set intervals, knowing that his sensei would pick up on it and come to get them. And hopefully not kill him for this one.
His prayers got more desperate as they approched the border and came face to face with a patrol.
“Fuck me…”
****
Life has been hectic. Have a short chapter. Just wanted to share this before life hits me like a train this weekend.
I’m sorry to hear that you had some awful days! But I’m happy to know that my blog had brighten you, even if only a little <3. I hope things are going to be better for you, and in the meantime have this little doodle of Tobirama ad his favourite Uchiha! ❤
Really short. But it seemed like a good place to end it.
***
When the patrol returned with little Kagami, everyone let out a sigh of relief even as they looked him over. He was completely unharmed, chattering away with the amused adults and startlingly cheerful for someone who was about to be grounded for life.
Yukina rushed forward and swept him up in a fierce hug, “where have you been?!”
The child beamed up her, completely unaware of the shuffling patrol behind him. Madara’s eyes narrowed as he looked at them. None of them would meet his eye.
“I went to see Tobi!”
The silence that fell over the gathered Uchiha was stiffling. It took a moment for it to sink in. Izuna was the first to find his voice.
“You mean… Senju Tobirama?”
His answer was a happy hum and a nod before the child was focused on his mother again, ignoring the stunned elders. Izuna hung his head in despair. He just knew Madara would take this as a sign that the Senju could be trusted to be honorable. He’d start talking about peace soon, and while peace would be nice Izuna just couldn’t see it happening while the Senju still lived.
“You said I should always thank people when they help me. I forgot. So I went to find him! Chinatsu-San was really nice and sent her friend to find him for me, since I’m not allowed to go across the river. I stayed on a tree.”
Gently scolding her wayward child and informing him that he was, under no circumstances, allowed near the river again, Yukina led the boy home.
Izuna risked a glance at Madara and bit his tongue. He looked thoughtful, and a little unsure before turning to the patrol.
“Report!”
***
Word spread fast in a ninja clan, so it didn’t take long before the elders were at his door. They beat around the bush for a while, asking his opinion on a few issues that had cropped up since the last meeting. Asked after his students training and for some minor clarification on his most recent mission.
Finally one asked the question he knew was coming.
“The Uchiha child, could be be useful in winning the war?”
Forcing down the surge of resentment he shook his head, face carefully neutral.
“Not in the least. Oh he talks plenty, but it’s childish chatter. Nothing of use to the war.”
A few more questions followed before they cleared out, obviously dissatisfied. Tobirama waited a few minutes, following their chakra signatures, before turning and marching back to his brother anger in every line of his body. Hashirama watched with a worried frown.
“Those bastards want to use the child!”
A spike of cold dread slipped down Hashirama’s spine. The child had already come to their boarders once to seek Tobi out. There was no guarantee that he wouldn’t do so again. And if the elders found out…
“Anija. Write to Madara. Ask him to keep the child away.”
Hashirama couldn’t help his shock and Tobirama shifted uncomfortably under his gaze.
“Kagami said he helped kick his uncle out after the last battle since he’s the one that took him. If Madara cares enough about him to remove a threat like that…”
Hashirama’s eyes widened. That would explain the corpse they found a few days after the battle. Madara’s gunbai left very distinct wounds and never before had they seen them on another Uchiha. It was also a good thing to know. A letter to him asking him to keep the child away from their lands, and thus their clan elders, would likely be listened to.
“I’ll write it now and send it. Would one of your summons be willing? I don’t want it intercepted.”
He pretended not to notice his baby brother slum slightly in relief.
“I’m sure they would. You know how they view children.”
*coos* It’s all so adorable! Everybody’s preconceived notions get turned upside down!
copyninken 