Chapter Text
'Now listen close
You owe me ears for dropping eaves
Forget it all
You caught me in a moment weak
And sometimes I just can't help myself
Sometimes I can't help myself at all
Are we allies or enemies?
This will be the death of me'
Senju Tobirama notices things. Such as how the tides are effected by the pull of the moon, or the way the clouds shift depending on the season.
Or how Izuna has long lashes, the daylight casts shadows onto the Uchiha's sharp features, and the way his onyx eyes shine under the sun's rays.
The many healed scars that cover Izuna's pale skin are another thing that draws his attention. A result of the two's past battles as bitter enemies. A drunk Mito once made a comment that Tobirama was a snow leopard marking his territory.
This resulted in the biggest scowl from Madara and the most mortified look from Tobirama. All the while an equally wasted Hashirama laughed uselessly.
Regardless Tobirama's knack for details isn't a matter of coincidence, but rather a byproduct. He has to, it comes with the circumstances of being partially blind.
Like how chakra, — chakra was something he understood and could wield like second nature. That was the reason his senses were so honed.
He could feel the subtle shifts in the ambient chakra around him. He could read the minute changes in a person's mood based on their chakra.
But most of all he notices the little changes in Izuna's behaviour. More lively, no cold cordial facade, more expressive and more open as of the recent teleportation scroll incident. Which had left him and Izuna stranded in some unrecognizable place.
The Uchiha was sprawled across his lap, head cradled in his lap. The black strands of hair were fanned out across the grass.
Tobirama had a clear view of Izuna's face, which was slack with a peaceful expression. The sight was a rare one, and it brought a ghost of a smile to the Senju's lips.
He had the sudden urge to reach out and caress the sleeping Uchiha. Instead he opted to brush Izuna's hair out of his face.
One thing that baffled Tobirama was Izuna and his workaholic tendencies. Always running around the village and doing various odd jobs. Taking on missions, never once taking a break, as if infinite stamina was a thing.
Which led him to wonder if the Uchiha even slept not counting now. No wonder Izuna had a headache, and passed out.
As soon as they get back to Konoha, Tobirama is putting a stop to Izuna's absurd work ethic even if that means getting Madara involved. Certainly there's a fine between being productive and overworking.
Still the current situation wasn't ideal. While Izuna had proper travel attire consisting of his usual armour he was still out of commission. Tobirama, meanwhile had no idea where the hell they were and he was only wearing a yukata.
Tobirama glanced down at Izuna, the Uchiha was beginning to stir. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. Disbelief, shock, annoyance, acceptance, a while range of emotions played on Izuna's face.
"Ughh.. I'm awake.." The Uchiha mumbled, his voice was groggy and he sounded quite unhappy. Izuna gave Tobirama a sour look. "This is still your fault." He grumbled, arms crossed.
Tobirama snorted. "Who's the one who passed out from fatigue, hm?" He retorted. "Besides, I numbed the pain from your headache."
"Well... yeah.. thanks." Izuna admitted, a flustered expression crossed his face. He stood up and brushed off his pants. "I'll give you that you're a good healer." Izuna admitted. "I guess I don't detest you as much as I did before."
Tobirama's brow rose. "How gracious."
"Don't push your luck." He huffed. Izuna stretched and stood up. "Let's go scout out the area."
The Naka River was as wide and deep as ever. The water was crystal clear, and there was a forest of trees in the distance. With the trees happening to be the important factor.
"Good news it seems we're still in Fire country." Izuna stated as his eyes surveyed the scenery. "Just on the other side of the river, near the outskirts of your old compound before the move."
Tobirama nodded in agreement. The trees were a dead giveaway. Hashirama trees, specifically the type native to the Fire Country, could not be found anywhere else. Which only existed as a result of Hashirama's mokuton.
"So the village is a mile away or less." Tobirama calculated. Following the river was a direct path towards the village. So began their journey back jumping from tree to tree.
"Hey." Izuna called out. Tobirama slowed his pace to match his and then they were side by side.
"Yes, Uchiha-san." He drawled.
"What kind of food do you like? I'm only asking this because I owe you, and I feel like cooking dinner tonight." Izuna stated. "I'm a decent chef, at least according to Aniki."
"Hn, are you sure it isn't just Madara being biased?" Tobirama countered.
"I'll have you know I make the best tako yaki and ramen . So that's what you'll get." Izuna retorted. "So, are you in or not?"
Tobirama's eyes widened, his stomach growled at the mention of food. He hadn't eaten since breakfast. "That sounds agreeable. Although if anything I'm probably the better cook."
Izuna looked offended. "I take offense to that. Just for that, I'm going to have to show you the difference between my skills and yours."
"And if you can't?" Tobirama quirked a brow, a challenge glinted in his red eyes.
Izuna scowled, his nose wrinkled. "Then you'll see. Besides I've heard a thing or two about you, and that you can't even tell the difference between sugar and salt."
"That was one time, and it was an honest mistake!" He exclaimed. "Hashirama promised to never speak of that incident..."
"You mean you're infamous killer 'sugar' cookies." Izuna teased, his voice held a playful tone. "Your reputation proceeds you."
Tobirama's cheeks burned and his ears tinged red.
"Uh-huh." Izuna smirked. "Anyway, time to continue trekking on."
They had been travelling along the Naka River until Tobirama stopped.
There was something amiss, and it had him on edge. "We should tread carefully." Tobirama cautioned, his voice a low whisper.
"Why, what is it?"
"Something doesn't feel right. Like the chakra in the air is.. different." He frowned. It was a subtle shift in the atmosphere, but it was something.
"I'll take your word for it." Izuna replied. His gaze was fixed ahead.
A friendly spar was a natural occurrence between Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui. One that happened every week without fail. It was a way for the two Uchiha to let loose and have some fun.
A distraction from the murmurs of growing discontent with the village and the heavy weight of the clan's expectations.
"Give up yet, little cousin?" Shisui taunted as he dodged Itachi's blows.
"Not quite." Itachi replied, his tone was flat.
Shisui's Sharingan spun into focus, and his eyes glinted mischievously. "C'mon Itachi, it's just us here. No need to hold back."
Itachi sighed, his Sharingan activated and they began again. The sound of punches and kicks being thrown, and dodged echoed in the air.
"Oh?" Shisui's gaze drifted towards the Naka River. He had halted his movements and his stance was frozen.
Itachi paused mid punch, his arm stilled. "Is something the matter?"
Shisui blinked, his dark eyes scanned the forest. "Nothing, I thought I saw a flash of silver." He frowned.
"It must've been a trick of the light, perhaps." Itachi said. "I didn't sense anything."
"Hmm.." Shisui's lips twisted into a frown. His eyes narrowed.
"You're worried, aren't you." Itachi said, he knew the signs of a fretting Shisui all too well.
"Nah.." Shisui trailed off, his shoulders slumped and he exhaled. "I'm just being paranoid."
"If it's any consolation, I'll keep a lookout." Itachi assured.
Shisui flashed him a grateful look, his grin was bright and cheerful. "Thanks. But I'm sure it's nothing. Now, back to sparring!"
Two blurs of movement caught Itachi's eye, he had turned his head towards the Naka River. There was someone there, a man dressed in a tattered blue yukata.
Behind him was another man, one clad in metal plated armour and outdated traditional Uchiha clothes.
Itachi and Shisui were frozen. The flared chakra signature of the first man was like a tsunami. A raging sea of power, and his presence was not the type one would associate with an average jonin.
It wasn't so much killing intent as it was a warning, a sign to stay back and not interfere. Blood ran cold. The stranger was dangerous.
"Tobirama! Don't intimidate my clan, especially since Kagami thinks of you as an uncle." The Uchiha complained, he gave an exasperated sigh. "Fuck... That's not Kagami is it?"
"Of course not. Although the one does bear an uncanny and striking resemblance." This so called 'Tobirama' stated.
Shisui and Itachi stared. The yukata wearing man had the same face as one of the individuals depicted on the Hokage monument.
"Who are you people? Not only that but impersonating a deceased Hokage is a felony." Shisui spoke up, his voice was firm and filled with authority.
Itachi's head swiveled and his jaw dropped. "Shisui!" He hissed, his cousin had no sense of self preservation.
However, no transformation techniques seemed to be in use. It was no illusion, it was the real deal.
"I'm afraid there's been a misunderstanding, I am no pretender. My name is Senju Tobirama and the Uchiha beside me is Izuna."
The two cousins paled, their jaws went slack and their eyes were comically wide.
"Izuna.. as in Uchiha Madara's younger brother? But that's impossible! He died from Madara stealing his eyes." Itachi pointed out.
"Yeah, and you're supposed to be dead, Lord Second." Shisui added.
"You've got it all wrong seeing as I'm a women." Izuna huffed. "Plus Aniki would never do such a thing. He would sooner throw himself off a cliff! And you can blame someone's faulty scroll for our sudden appearance landing us in what I'm guessing is the future..."
"It was an accident." Tobirama interjected, a defensive note to his tone. Standing especially close to Izuna, despite the Uchiha's exasperated expression.
"So.. we have one of the original founders of the village in the flesh." Shisui stated. "What a mess.." He trailed off, the situation was too absurd.
"This is a lot to take in." Itachi paled.
As Itachi's mind raced with thoughts and emotions, he couldn't help but feel a mix of disbelief, curiosity, and apprehension at the sudden appearance of Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna. The events unfolding before him challenged everything he thought he knew about history, reality, and the ninja world.
Yet each person lives, dependent, and bound by individual knowledge and awareness. All that is what one calls 'reality.' However, both knowledge and awareness are equivocal. One’s reality might be another's illusion. Everyone lives inside their own fantasies.
Deep down, Itachi's four-year-old self's resolution echoed in his mind, reminding him of his initial dream to rid the world of violence. This encounter with figures from the past, especially Tobirama, one of the original founders of Konoha, made Itachi ponder the complexities of peace and conflict. He wondered about the truths hidden beneath the layers of history and how those truths shaped his own journey.
The memories of his past flashed before his eyes—the joy of meeting Shisui, the trials of the academy, the accomplishments as a genin and chunin, and the intense responsibilities of being an Anbu. Each step on his path had been purposeful, driven by a desire to protect his loved ones and create a better world.
But now, faced with the unexpected presence of Tobirama and Izuna, Itachi couldn't ignore the darkness lurking within the shinobi world. The clash of ideologies, the weight of history, and the uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on his young shoulders. He realized that his dream of becoming the first Uchiha Hokage might be entangled with challenges far greater than he ever imagined.
As he processed the situation, Itachi's mind raced with questions about destiny, choices, and the sacrifices necessary for true peace. The innocence of his childhood dreams clashed with the harsh reality unfolding before him, leaving him to grapple with the complexities of his own beliefs and the turbulent world he was a part of.
Only for his spiralling conscious to be interrupted by Tobirama choking on air. "You're a woman? Since when?" He asked, bewildered.
"Since I was born, stupid Senju!" Izuna scowled. "In war time, a girl is often better off as a boy. Less attention drawn to oneself, and not treated as a walking baby factory." She explained, her arms were crossed.
"Ah.." Tobirama didn't know what to say, it made sense. Although the revelation was a bit of a shock. "My apologies." He muttered.
"You didn't know, and now you do." Izuna shrugged. "Still they call you the perceptive one but Hashirama was the first to figure it out. That's saying something."
"Hashirama, really." Tobirama groaned. His face was in his hands. He had the sudden urge to find his idiot of a brother and throttle him. "He never said a word, just kept insisting I go visit the hot springs more often."
"Yep, that's Hashirama alright." Izuna chuckled, yet then an abrupt frown tugged at her lips as if she realized something melancholic.
"How does one even begin to unpack this?" Shisui wondered aloud, he ran a hand through his curly hair.
Despite being before legends of the past, the two historic figures were as normal as one could get for a shinobi that is. Tobirama and Izuna were surprisingly human, with all the complexities and quirks that entailed.
At the same time Itachi and Shisui felt like nothing more than background characters as Izuna and Tobirama continued to bicker like an old married couple.