Crumbling Walls Chpt. 2

Madara rode the kyuubi toward the Uchiha clan. "I don't know why that Senju won't let me keep you. You're a good fox... well, most of the time. Eh, whatever. I don't care what he says, I'm keeping you," Madara sat on the beast's head snacking on the food that was packed for him. The fox didn't respond to the boy's rambling as it walked along. "I can't believe you showed up on the front doorstep this morning. I know I told you to come back, but not to the house, Baka! It was funny to see that damn Tobirama's face, though. I hate that guy. I hate all the Senjus."

The Uchiha clan's village came into view and Madara jumped from the kyuubi. "Hide somewhere till I get back," he ordered then sprinted to the village. He snuck around the perimeter until he came to a hole in the wall. It's been a while since I used this, I hope I can still fit. He crawled on the ground and tried to squeeze through the ragged split in the wall. After a bit of maneuvering and brute force, he managed to get through.

He came into the village in an alley that he knew was near his house. He snuck cautiously out of the alley and made it to his old home as the sun began to sink low. Madara found his target in the kitchen attempting to make a meal for himself. Izuna...

"Bleh! Damnit... milk's expired," Izuna had sniffed the milk. He threw it away and continued rummaging for something edible.

Madara walked silently into the kitchen observing his blinded sibling. Izuna wore fresh bandages over his eyes, wrapped around his head. It hurt to see him like this. No one else was around to even help him.

Suddenly Izuna pulled out a kunai and jumped away. "Who's there?!" Izuna faced Madara with the kunai ready to strike. He was listening closely. He had felt a presence near him.

"It's me," Madara replied calmly.

Izuna's mouth parted in shock and he dropped his kunai, "Mada-nii!" He dropped his voice to a whisper, "What are you doing here?! If someone sees you--"

"I don't care."

"But Madara!" Izuna was worried.

"It's ok, I can deal with anyone who gets in my way. Kyuubi is waiting for me just outside the walls."

"K-kyuubi? You mean you're actually going to tame the fox?" Izuna relaxed a bit.

"Yup... were you trying to make dinner with this crap?" Madara walked over and inspected the food gathered on the counter. "This won't make anything."

"Well, yeah, I.... it's...." Izuna fiddled with his hands.

Madara looked back over to him. "Oh..." he knew being blind wasn't easy. "Here, I'll make something for you."

"Thank you, Madara," Izuna nodded and found a chair to sit. He listened to Madara pull out pans, dishes, spices, and food. He smiled as Madara started humming as he always used to when he would make them dinner. "Mada?"

"Hm? What is it?" Madara glanced back at him.

"I.... I've missed you," Izuna kept his head looking down at his hands. "A lot," he added.

Madara was dishing food onto a plate. He walked over and put it in front of Izuna and put chopsticks in his hand. "I've missed you too, Baby Brother," he kissed Izuna on the head and sat next to him.

"Mmm..." Izuna shoveled the food into his mouth. It was the only real dinner he had, had since Madara left. Since then he had been living off of snack foods and plain ramen. Madara rubbed his back as he ate. "More please?" Izuna finished and nudged the plate back to Madara.

"Sure," he chuckled. Izuna ate all of the food Madara had prepared and was quite sated.

"You act like you haven't eaten since I left," Madara was a bit bothered.

"Well, its kind of hard to make things for myself. I eat mostly bread and plain ramen. Sometimes I make onigiri. I tried making some fish, but that didn't work out very well... I burn things a lot," Izuna explained.

"It's probably hard to find things, too," Madara started pulling out all the food. "I'll organize things to make it a bit easier for you."

"Organize it? How?"

"By type and in alphabetical order. You'll see." Madara rearranged everything perfectly as Izuna listened. "This top shelf has the eggs and dairy products, the second shelf has drinks, the third shelf has meats, and the last one has vegetables. The alphabet starts on the left and goes to the right. Each new thing is a new letter. If there is more than one thing that starts with that letter it will be lined up behind the first one. Spices and noodles are over here, same system. Got it?"

"Uh... I think so. Thanks, Nii-sama!" Izuna smiled.

"Yeah. You should probably get to bed. It's getting late," Madara could tell by looking outside.

"Oh, ok," Izuna got up to leave. "Come with me so we can still talk."

"Hm? Ok," Madara followed Izuna to his room.

"So where have you been all this time?" Izuna asked as he changed into pajamas.

"Uh..." Madara was lying on Izuna's bed. "Living in a house."

"Oh? Where at? Is it nearby?"

"Uh... no, it's a bit of a distance. You wouldn't be able to visit, its too far."

"Just because I'm blind doesn't mean I can't travel. Where is it?" Izuna turned to his brother.

"Its... just past the forest," Madara was hoping Izuna wouldn't understand.

"But that's the Senju's.... Madara?," Izuna came closer and sat on the bed. "Have you joined the enemy?" his voice was grave.

"No! Look, I just live there. I'd never fight on their side, you know that! Besides, this way I can act as a spy. I'll get info on them and bring it back to you."

"But how am I supposed to explain to the rest of the clan where I get my information? I can't be seen talking with you just as much as you shouldn't be seen here at all. Not that they listen to me anyway..."

Madara stood and paced the room. "I don't know... Maybe we can think of a way to let you come live with us."

"Us?" Izuna was still sitting on the bed, cross-legged, watching Madara.

The former Uchiha leader froze. "Uh... us as in... um... me and the kyuubi," he lied.

"Liar. What are you hiding? Who are you living with?"

"Izu..." Madara sighed. "I had no other place to go and I couldn't reject the offer. Without you, they outmatched me. I live with... Senju Hashirama."

Izuna's mouth hung open. "You... what? Madara did they hurt you?"

"No, I'm fine. Actually, it really hasn't been that bad. He hasn't even yelled at me really. I'm ok. But maybe you could come live with us. The Senju's a pretty good cook."

"... well, if it means I get to be with you, I'm ok with it," Izuna lied down on the bed and got comfortable.

"Ok, I'll see what I can do," Madara pulled the blankets over Izuna and tucked him in. "But for now you get some rest, ok?"

"Mada-nii, will you be here in the morning?" Izuna asked.

"Um... no, Izu. I've got to go home."

"Then I don't want to go to sleep," Izuna sat up. "I haven't seen you in six months, Nii-sama. I wanna spend time with you."

"I'm sorry, Izu, but I've got to go home. I wish I could stay, but if I take too long, the Senju's might come looking for me or I could be discovered by the clan," Madara looked out the window.

"...ok... Mada, do you think you could come visit more often? I miss you a lot, you know," Izuna looked to him.

"I'll try. Here, I'll stay until you fall asleep, ok?" Madara got into the bed and pulled Izuna close.

"Ok," Izuna clung to him. "I'm sorry I couldn't convince the council that I gave you my eyes, Nii-sama."

"Hm? It's ok. The council was going to get rid of me one way or another, they just needed an excuse. But that's in the past now so don't worry about it. Go to sleep," Madara rubbed Izuna's back so he would fall asleep faster.

"Ok. Good night, Madara. I love you," He yawned and snuggled close.

"Night. I love you, too, Bro." Soon, Izuna fell fast asleep. Madara watched over him and eventually (and accidentally) fell asleep himself. It was early morning when Madara left. Luckily Izuna was still asleep. He traveled back out of the house to the crack in the wall. He hurried to the woods and met up with the kyuubi for the trip back. "You know what, Kyuubi? I think I'm just going to walk back. I know it'll take a long time, but I need to think about some things... but come back tomorrow and I'll feed you," Madara dismissed the kyuubi.

Madara watched the kyuubi vanish and began his walk. It would be nightfall by the time he returned home.

********************

"Do you think he's ok?" Hashirama worried. It was the second day Madara had been gone and it was getting very late.

"Do you think he'll come back at all?" Tobirama was visiting. He liked the idea of Madara not returning.

"I hope so. He has no other place to go. Oh well, I suppose I'm worrying too much. He probably just spent the night and stayed for a while. He'll be ok."

"You act like his mother," Tobirama laughed.

"I feel like it sometimes," Hashirama chuckled. "I've been taking care of him for six months, now. I've seen a different side of him, the human side of him, and he's not all bad. He has good qualities in him. I think he can be rather amicable if you get to know him. I don't know, I guess my paternal instincts could have taken affect," he shrugged.

"You always were more like Mother," Tobirama smirked.

Hashirama rolled his eyes, "Either way, I am responsible for him. I signed the proposal with all of the council standing witness."

"And you are the most feared man in the world?" Tobirama laughed.

"Oh hush, you," Hashirama smirked and playfully smacked him in the back of the head. The younger Senju tried to stifle his laughter. "Don't make me beat you... impudent little brother."

Tobirama laughed even harder at the empty threat. "Haha! Sorry! Hahaha! Sorry, sorry!" Hashirama stood to prepare some tea. "You must see the irony in this situation, Nii-san."

"Yes, I understand. How is it that I can be the fearless ninja on the battlefield and worry about a kid at home, right? I'm only a threat to people who want to fight, you know."

"Ah yes, then you'll rip them to pieces like a rag doll until they beg for mercy. Killing is a last resort. You're so weird."

"Weird?" Hashirama gave Tobirama an amused smile.

"Yes, weird. Any other normal person would have taken advantage of the fact that Madara was exiled and taken a kunai to his throat without a second thought. No, not you! No, you want to take him in and give him a place to stay because he's not on the battlefield anymore and he's a lonely kid."

"Useless killing. He's not hurting anyone by being alive, there's no reason to kill him," Hashirama came back to the table and filled Tobirama's cup with tea, then he sat and filled his own.

"Yeah, I guess. Aren't you a little worried he might try to attack? Or leak information back to the Uchiha clan?"

"Well, I can handle him if he attacks, but that's why you live nearby, too, just in case. At first, I thought he needed to be watched carefully for that, but now I think we can trust him. I think he's severed his alliance with the Uchiha clan, or with all clans for that matter. I think he's a little confused right now and he's just trying to find a purpose again."

"Hm... well, I hope he figures it out before he drives the rest of us crazy. He's lucky you're so patient. Eh... well it's late. I think I'm going to turn in for the night. I'll see you tomorrow," Tobirama stood after finishing his tea and headed for the door.

"Yes, see you tomorrow," Hashirama accompanied him and closed the door. He sat in the front room to think over the conversation with his brother. A few hours later, Madara would walk through the door.

Madara was very tired. He trudged into the house with his eyes practically shut.  Hashirama stood up from his place on the couch. "Welcome home, Madara," he smiled.

"Wha?" Madara hadn't noticed him. "Oh, uh... yeah."

"How was your brother doing?" Hashirama walked next to the teen as they headed to their bedrooms.

"He's fine. He was glad to have me there."

"Good! Well, you look very tired. Good night, Madara," Hashirama patted Madara's shoulder.

"Yeah, night," Madara shuffled into his room, shut the door, collapsed on the bed, and fell right to sleep.

Hashirama retreated to his own room. He stripped off his shirt and changed into new pants to sleep in. He brushed his teeth and went to bed himself. The bed was soft and comfortable so he fell asleep pretty quickly.

*********************

"No!.... Stop it!" Hashirama was jolted awake by shouts. "Let me go!... Leave.... Leave him alone!" Hashirama got out of bed and hurried to the hallway. "STOP! No don't--!!" it was Madara's voice. The Senju leader quickly made it to his room.

Madara was asleep but still shouting, "Get away from him! Let go!" He moved and pulled at the blankets.

"Madara, wake up! You're dreaming, wake up," Hashirama said calmly. He put his hands on the Uchiha's shoulders and shook him a bit. "Wake up, Madara!"

"Stop!!!" Madara sat up quickly, looking around the room frightened. He flinched away from Hashirama when he saw him.

"It's ok, it's just me. You were having a nightmare," Hashirama sat on the edge of the bed.

Madara took in the situation. "O-oh, yeah..." he couldn't get his hands to stop shaking. Cold sweat ran down the side of his face.

"Here, come with me," Hashirama led Madara to the bathroom and turned the sink on. "Wash your face." Madara put his trembling hands under the warm water and leaned down to bring it to his face. He stayed leaning over the sink, bracing himself with his hands and trying to remain steady on unstable legs. He was remembering the dream. Hashirama ran a cloth under the water and wrung it out. He placed the cloth on the back of Madara's neck. "There, it's alright," Hashirama soothed.

"Yeah..." Madara was trying to snap out of his panic and disorientation. "Did I... wake you up?"

"You were shouting so I came to make sure you were ok. That must have been a pretty bad nightmare," Hashirama patted him on the back.

"What did I say?" Madara turned his ear slightly towards the Senju.

"You said things like 'stop' or 'let me go' and 'leave him alone'. What were you dreaming about?"

"Nn.... nothing. I'm ok now," Madara stood and removed the cloth from his neck. He was beginning to calm his nerves. His hands had steadied. He handed the cloth to Hashirama

"Will you be able to get back to sleep?" Hashirama took the cloth. "Do you want some hot tea? It would help."

"No, thanks-- er, I mean, I don't need it. I'm fine," Madara blushed at his own courtesy. He shook his head and walked back out and down the hallway.

"Alright," Hashirama smiled. "Sleep well this time." Madara gave him a confused look before retreating into his room. The Senju leader went back to his own bed to try and sleep again.

Madara was curled up in the blankets and pulled the pillows close to him. That was the worst dream I've ever had. He remembered vivid images of his blinded, helpless brother being tortured. He was screaming for Madara to help him, but he couldn't. Madara was being held back by the Uchiha clan's council members. They had ordered Izuna to be tortured to death because of Madara's crimes. Madara could do nothing but watch and shout threats at the clan as Izuna was mercilessly beaten and slashed. He gripped the pillow tighter. Hashirama-san... you came to help me. He couldn't understand why Hashirama came. He couldn't understand why Hashirama had helped him calm down by letting him wash his face. The wet cloth had felt very nice on the back of his neck. Hashirama even offered to make hot tea for him to get back to sleep easier. Why? Why would he do that? He hated to admit it, but it was comforting just to have him there. Were we not enemies on the battlefield? Has he truly put the past behind him? Is he..... a friend now? Madara nuzzled into the pillow, confounded by this notion. He slowly drifted off into a more pleasant sleep.

Is this a trick?