A/N: Still continuing my crack-fic pleasure . Insert gayness everywhere. I still have a strong belief that my readers from SD and CWF don't know I'm writing this. Also, this is just a TobiIzu fic. Madara and Hashirama are straight men just supporting their brothers in their chaotic neutral and chaotic evil ways. Can you tell which one's which?

lol.

The Origin of the Uchiha Curse

Chapter Six: Confusion

"The future is our past, but the knowledge has yet to be written."

-Lorin Morgan-Richards

"Hashirama. Itama. You are dismissed." Father took a drag from his pipe. He then breathed out thick fumes that tangled like a love affair above him. "Tobirama. Stay. You and I will have a talk."

Itama stood from his kneeling position. Hashirama hesitated. "But-" Hashirama passed a worried glance to Tobirama, who stayed in his kneeling position. His hands were on either knee and his back straight as crimson eyes gazed at father.

"Leave. Now." Father tapped his pipe against the lit candle beside him. He spread the ashes upon the flickering flame with a grace expected of the patriarch of the Senju Clan. "Don't you dare eavesdrop, boy. I will know."

Hashirama narrowed his eyes before he bowed. "Father. Please don't punish him. It was at my request that he lied to you. As the older brother, I will take whatever punishment you plan to give him."

Father gave a thoughtful hum as Hashirama stayed in his bowed position. His eyes were wide and tearful. Tobirama gave a tsk. "Get up," Tobirama ordered. He understood that his thoughtless action at the behest of his older brother would have consequences. Loyalty always came with a price. "And leave."

Hashirama sniffed. "But Tobi."

"Enough, Hashirama. I will not repeat myself." Father packed more tobacco into his pipe.

Hashirama gazed at Tobirama one last time before he left with their little brother. Tobirama waited in silence. The only sound that parted from them was Hashirama and Itama sliding paper doors open and snapping them shut behind them. The soothing scraping sound of the doors clacking together stopped. He counted five. That meant the noise suppression seals have been activated with them closing the final door. No one would be able to listen in on them without them knowing. That fool, Hashirama, listened to their father for once and did not stay to eavesdrop. Tobirama spread his senses to be sure. His eye twitched in annoyance when he found both their chakra signatures waiting for him in the open courtyard within their home.

"It is unlike you, Tobirama, to make such a lapse in judgment as to defy me." The air in the room became thick. Tobirama could barely breathe in the miasma around him. It was his father's killing intent. He tightened his knuckles against his thighs and grit his teeth as he bared with it. Father's gaze narrowed as he took a drag from his pipe. "No matter," Father breathed out. The fumes caressed Tobirama's face. His eyes watered in irritation. "You will have a chance to prove your loyalty to the Senju Clan once again. If you fail, your brothers will bear your punishment."

Tobirama stiffened. He fully expectedhis father to put the weight of his fists upon him. Never did it occur to him that he would threaten him with hitting his brothers. Tobirama continued to stare at father in silence. It would do no good to speak now. He knew lying to father would explode in his face. Now he was in a mess he had no notions of. Father was a man hidden underneath many layers, and Tobirama felt himself being spun on his web. Slowly but surely.

"I've heard a report from one of my men that Hashirama has been acting strange the past few days. He would leave at noon and not return until sunset." Father's lip tilted up in amusement. "Only when I'm gone," he added. Tobirama looked up in surprise. "I want you to find out why and report to me your findings."

Tobirama bowed his head low. "Yes, father."

"You are dismissed."

Tobirama stood and parted the paper screen doors. "One more thing," father called out to him. Tobirama paused mid shutting the door. His one eye peeked through the opening. His crimson gaze observed father. They stared at each other. Tobirama learned long ago to never look away from a predator's gaze. Especially one such as his father who could tell a lot from a person's gaze. Whether they're scared, angry, lying, or planning something. "If you ever come across Uchiha Izuna in battle it is your duty to make things right by killing him. A boy never stays a boy. They will eventually grow into a man. As a man in the world of shinobi, they could have the potential to be as equally or greater in power than you. It's best to snip that potential away before it becomes a problem."

When silence followed and father turned around to face his perched table with scrolls upon it, Tobirama took the moment to close the screen door in his dismissal. He crossed the empty room and repeated the process until he was at his last screen door. He opened it to reveal an open hallway, a courtyard with a Sakura tree within it, and two sniveling boys, who took one look at him and tackled him to the ground.

Tobirama grit his teeth and bumped Hashirama's forehead with his fist. "Get off of me, you crybaby."

Hashirama rubbed his forehead with a sniff. "I thought. . . I thought the worst, Tobi!" More tears fell. Itama, who was only feeding off of Hashirama's emotions, was crying as well.

"Onisan! Father didn't punish you?" Itama wondered.

Tobirama rolled his eyes. "He only said he'd punish you two if I ever lied to him again." It was not a lie, but it was not the entire truth also. Tobirama, however, was the master of deceit when it came to his two dutiful, loyal brothers. Tobirama only half wished he could be the same, but after today, he knew he couldn't continue to be as loyal as Hashirama was to him or as loyal as Itama was to him.

No. Tobirama knew in his heart that he had to do what was good for his clan and in turn, what was good for his brothers. Even if his brothers disagreed, Tobirama would have to be the one to make the hard decisions. The ones his brothers didn't want to make. He couldn't afford to get his brothers hurt by their naive kindness. What was one Uchiha boy in comparison to the lives of his brothers? Knowing that he wished he could go back and never have listened to Hashirama. He wished he didn't lie to his father.

But as he contemplated more, he knew his wishes were only frivolous thoughts of a boy and not a shinobi. In truth, if the Uchiha boy didn't do what he did, Itama wouldn't be here. Father would be ten times more conniving and bitter, and the Uchiha Clan, they would be celebrating in the death of the Senju Patriarch's son: Itama. They would be honing that Uchiha boy further into a Senju killer.

But was it not the same now?

Father's words haunted him all night and into the morning. Tobirama, Hashirama, and Itama set out again on another mission and another one after that. Income was brought into the Senju clan. Traveling merchants came through to their territory to sell wares and silk. As father ordered, Tobirama had kept a close eye on Hashirama, who was none the wiser. Nothing was suspicious of his brother's actions, but that was due to the missions they were a part of. Spending mere hours to days away from their territory.

One night on their way to the Uzumaki Village, Tobirama shared a watch with Hashirama. Itama had stayed behind on leave due to getting his arm broken during one of their missions. It was the only reason why Tobirama and Hashirama reluctantly agreed to take on their current mission. Itama, at least, would be in the safety of their territory and not be sent out to fight for a couple of weeks.

Hashirama and he were perched on a boulder overlooking a field of tall swaying grass. Trees rustled on either side of them and their fellow shinobi of three slept on mats under the blanket of stars and moonlight. Tobirama had his senses spread wide. The only signs of a chakra presence were their comrades, an owl in the distance hooting, and several squirrels racing up a tree and hiding within it.

"I guess this is the best time to say this now that we're slightly alone," Hashirama said into the wind as he leaned back on his hands and watched a shooting star across the sky. "Tobi, you were ordered to stay close to me for some reason, right?" Tobirama didn't outwardly react. He was too good for that. In fact, he didn't answer at all. Hashirama gave a small nod of understanding. "I really made a mess of things, didn't I?"

Tobirama narrowed his eyes. Something about the tone of his voice made Tobirama realize he was no longer talking about himself. What was his foolish brother thinking about now?

"Did you know?" Hashirama looked at Tobirama. Tobirama slowly turned his crimson gaze to his brother. Hashirama had tears in his eyes as he leaned forward and looked at the palms of his calloused hands. "Ryu is dead." He sniffed. "The boy who saved Itama killed him."

A boy never stays a boy. They will eventually grow into a man.

Tobirama had heard, of course. Three days ago before they left for their mission to the Uzumaki Village, a squad had come back from parol. Apparently, Tajima had found out about the Uchiha boy's mistake. The boy was sent out to fix that mistake that ended up in Ryu's death. An eye for an eye apparently. Ryu was the one who killed Tajima's boy, Kazuma, was his name and that resulted in Uchiha Izuna's sharingan.

"The blame is not on you, but the boy," Tobirama said simply. "He should've known the consequences of his actions."

Hashirama rubbed at his eye. "It's just so sad." Hashirama shook his head. "The ones who made it back said he was like a demon, laughing and crying at the same time. He was really beaten up too. I think Tajima hits his sons like dad does to us."

Tobirama peered at his crybaby of a brother. His gaze was red-rimmed and watery but his eyes were firm as if his mind was set. "I'm going to be strong one day and end this pointless warring between our two clans." Hashirama looked up at the night sky. "One day we'll make peace and form a village where we can live peacefully; the Uchiha and Senju will fight each other no more. They will fight together."

Tobirama scoffed. "Ridiculous." Yet he followed Hashirama's gaze and looked at the thousands of stars that littered the sky. The divine constellation that looked down upon them from a much higher place. It was as if with this simple movement, he could see the idealism of his foolish, older brother. The idealism that was treason yet sweet enough to believe in. All throughout, Hashirama was taken aback by Tobirama's blatant disrespect. Tears sprung to his eyes and his head bowed self consciously.

"Hey, Tobi. . . You really think that?" He muttered pitifully.

Tobirama smirked but said nothing.

Early dawn rose and with it their clansmen. They set out to the Uzumaki Village after eating breakfast of rice and skinned squirrels. Squirrels that Tobirama himself had hunted down, and they approached the Uzumaki gates by noon. The large doors opened slowly with no help from man. The seals upon them glowed fiercely. The only sign of what compelled the door to open on their own.

The village of the Uzumaki clan was peculiar. They were a neutral village who traded with many clans. They traded silk and extravagant wares for nobility and basic seals and weapons for clans. They were a clan of nobility themselves and unlike the Senju clan or other clans, they housed civilians that had no talent to use their chakra, but they made up for it in trade skill. The Uzumaki clan was quite known for being ahead of the times, but that didn't mean they were completely defenseless. They had their village on an island surrounded by deadly whirlpools that they controlled themselves with fuinjutsu of some kind and most of their shinobi was made up of women. The Uzumaki gene pool strangely resulted in many births of women. Although there were Uzumaki men, there were only a handful of them.

The women were known to be just as deadly as the men, however. Fuinjutsu was a shinobi art that the Uzumaki has excelled in. With fuinjutsu they could compel a sea of water to defeat foes in the desert dunes. They could have walls of fire form around them and consume you without even using their hands to perform a Jutsu. They were terrifyingly deadly. It was what gave them the respectable right to be a neutral village. No clan really wanted to go to war with them although they had tried long ago. Every battle ended in defeat against the Uzumaki.

As the large doors shut beside us a man and woman jumped down from their perch on the walls of their fort. "We've been expecting you, Senju." The woman's crimson hair was cropped short like a man, but her feline features were distinguishable enough to not be mistaken for one. She had her sword strapped to her side and the man had no noticeable weapons around him except for the seals painted on his arms.

The man spoke next. "I will lead them to Lord Ashina, Mizu."

Mizu gave a warm smile to the man. Very well." She gave a nod to the Senju and flickered out of sight.

Hashirama watched in awe before he turned to Tobirama. "Did you see her red hair? She was very pretty!" Tobirama ignored his brother as he studied the seals on the man's arms. There was a compression seal in there needed to withhold the size of the Jutsu. A kanji for wind and fire on either side of the arm. Then a seal for dimension. perhaps the size of the Jutsu itself... Tobirama took mental notes as the Uzumaki man led them down the marketplace where civilians and shinobi alike stopped to appraise them.

They finally made it to the middle of their village where the main headquarters was. It was where Uzumaki Ashina, patriarch of the Uzumaki Clan and leader of the village stayed to be a part of meetings and to aid in civilian affairs. This was another thing Tobirama knew Hashirama admired. He always talked about how he wanted to base his future village like the Uzumaki. The Senju were led inside and straight into where Uzumaki Ashina was. He sat on a platform upon a cushion with two candles lit on either side of him. He was caressing his beard as he read an open scroll.

"Lord Ashina. I present to you the Senju clansmen sent by Lord Butsuma in his stead."

"Yes, yes." Lord Ashina dipped a feather in ink and began to mark on the scroll set on top of a table before him. He hummed as he read along the scroll. "Do forgive me, Senju clansmen for my improper greeting." He gestured for his fellow clansman to come close. The Uzumaki that announced them in walked inside and took the scroll from Lord Ashina. "Take this to my beloved wife please. I trust she'll handle the peculiar matters with the elders."

The Uzumaki offered his hands for the scroll and bowed before he dismissed himself. Tobirama lifted his head from his bow alongside the Senju and they all sat on the prepared mats for them. A set of teacups were set for them along with plates.

"I have tea and food being prepared for you. You've had a long journey." Lord Ashina took a deep breath. "It would be nice to take this chance to relax now."

The paper screen doors opened and in came servants with tea and prepared rice. Tobirama took the time to observe Ashina as he smiled and thanked the maid. He was younger than father perhaps by a decade. His hair was scarlet red and his skin was tanned. Despite his youth as a leader, his eyes held a firmness to it that was dangerous. Lord Ashina took a sip as he regarded the Senju who ate quietly in his presence. "Akifune-san, have your ranks gone so low that you now bring children to complete your missions?"

Tobirama narrowed his eyes but said nothing. The appointed leader of their team was Senju Akifune. He was the one who was addressed and so he was the only one who was allowed to speak. "Lord Butsuma took advantage of this safe passage for his two eldest sons to learn trade."

Lord Ashina gave a nod. "Now, I see. Young Hashirama-kun, is it? You have grown." His gaze was narrowed on Hashirama, who bowed his head at the intense gaze from the Uzumaki leader. Tobirama looked at his older brother in suspicion. What did he do to offend the leader of the Uzumaki clan? Tobirama had no time to jump to a uniformed conclusion. Lord Ashina set his gaze on him next. "Then you must be Senju Tobirama. The firstborn to Lord Butsuma's second wife." He gave a nod in thought and caressed his goatee. "Such strong features of the Hatake Clan and very odd to see within the Senju clan."

Tobirama sat with his back straight as he regarded Lord Ashina. Not many dared speak of his mother within the Senju clan. She had died during a raid by the Uchiha and it was still an open, infected wound to this day. The day the Senju clan lost their matriarch was a sore defeat. She was a fresh memory in Tobirama's mind. She had silver hair and crimson eyes and loved all of them dearly. She even loved Hashirama, who was not her own, but she treated him all the same.

"Such a show of good faith from Lord Butsuma then to have his two sons sent to me." Lord Ashina smirked. "That conniving old man." Tension filled the room at the insult of their leader. Tobirama wondered what his father was truly planning for Lord Ashina too seem so resigned. "Akifune. I'm afraid you'll have to wait two more days. I will send a message ahead to Lord Butsuma to tell him it is my fault that the order of shuriken has not been finished on the day it's been expected. I will offer room and board."

"Very well, Lord Ashina." Akifune bowed his head in acceptance.

"As for Lord Butsuma's children, you will be under my personal care. No harm will come to you. I will have two personal guards escort you to my home. My beloved wife will treat you as if you are my own. You may dismiss yourselves."

The Senju bowed and stood. Once they were out of the headquarters, Tobirama narrowed his eyes at Hashirama. "What is the meaning of this?"

Akifune was smirking beside him and nudged Hashirama. Their other two Senju clansmen, Gin and Hideo, laughed. "Well, um, you see, last time I came here was three years ago. When I was your age and well, you know, I-"

Tobirama felt the vein on his forehead throb. "Spit it out," he commanded.

"I fell in love with the Mito-hime," he mumbled and pressed his forefingers together in nervousness.

"Eh?" Tobirama felt a headache coming.

Their Senju clansman roared in laughter behind them. Hashirama blushed a deep red. Akifune patted Hashirama's back. "Hashirama being Hashirama proclaimed his love quite publicly. It offended the entire Uzumaki Clan. Their beloved princess betrothed to him?" Akifune snorted. "They didn't like the idea."

Tobirama understood their anger. The Uzumaki Clan was a clan of nobility first. Although they did have shinobi among their clan they also had a monarchy where they respected their royal family and ultimately protected them. Uzumaki Mito was destined to probably marry a daimyo lord for the benefit of the Uzumaki clan. Gin pushed between Tobirama and Hashirama. "Don't worry Hashirama-kun," Gin said softly. "If you work really hard, you can be the successor of Lord Butsuma and challenge for Mito's hand."

Tobirama listened along, deep in thought. Logically, Gin's suggestion was a possibility. The way to win Mito-hime's hand without causing strife was to become a Lord himself: Patriarch of the Senju Clan. After all, the Senju Clan were predecessors of nobility as well, and if Hashirama did make his ridiculous dreams come true, he could be lord of an entire village like Lord Ashina himself. Lord Ashina was a mere shinobi himself in the Uzumaki Clan, and the princess, Uzumaki Seira, fell in love with him. It was how he, himself, became lord.

Hashirama was still pouting as Tobirama looked at him. "Don't pout, brother." Hashirama looked at him with wide eyes. "Work hard and be worthy of her. Perhaps, she'll come to you on her own."

Hashirama wiped his eyes and threw his arms around Tobirama. "Ototo!" Tobirama grit his teeth and thumped his fist on top of his head.

"Get off me!" He growled.

Hideo snickered as the two boys went ahead. They had stopped when one of the Uzumaki escorting them had gestured for them to follow towards the barracks. Whereas another Uzumaki followed the boys close in hand. The Senju clansmen, however, stayed to watch them as they left their sights and surely went into the home of Uzumaki Ashina. "The way he behaves. Makes people wonder who really is the older brother of the two."

Gin pressed his elbow against Hideo. "Oh leave them alone. It's nice to enjoy things like this. It's not so lively without children around."

"Don't fool yourself, Gin." Akifune looked at his comrade. "No matter how much they appear as children, they are shinobi."

Gin's shoulders stiffened. "Yes, taicho."

"Don't make another lapse in judgment like that again," Akifune warmed. "Just because we are not surrounded by Senju walls doesn't mean you may freely speak your mind."

Tobirama looked behind him and spread his senses to find their fellow clansmen. They finally have begun to walk down their own path once Tobirama and Hashirama were inside Uzumaki Ashina's compound. With his senses, he could safely tell where they were. He was glad they weren't too far away.

As for Hashirama and himself, the Uzumaki escorting them lead them into a beautiful courtyard where three children were sitting on the ground with scrolls around them at the base of a Sakura tree. Above them was Uzumaki Seira, the matriarch of the Uzumaki clan. She lay languidly on the tree branch of a thick Sakura tree, fanning herself with a red fan. Her hair was half tied up into two buns with glinting senbons.

Her hair was bright red like blood from a spurting artery, and her battle kimono was a bit dirty. She had no weapons on her except for the senbon with two tags that hung on either side of her ears. She looked regal and deadly. A fitting matriarch and lover for someone who was reputed to be just as powerful. The Uzumaki stopped at the foot of the hill but went no further. Tobirama and Hashirama bowed along with the Uzumaki but before he could speak, Uzumaki Seira spoke, "the two Senju boys. Welcome." She fanned herself in a lazy manner. "Ashina said to expect you."

Tobirama's gaze widened. How-

The Uzumaki that was bowing next to him looked to Tobirama as if understanding his curiosity. "Our Lord and Lady have a personal way of communicating with each other."

Tobirama wondered how that was, but he knew well enough that it had to do with seals. By then the three children looked up from their work. Two of them were girls about his and Hashirama's age, and the other was a boy. A toddler. One of the girl's gaze narrowed towards Hashirama's way. He followed her gaze towards Hashirama and scowled when he saw that his jaw had dropped comically. His cheeks were blazing red and if possible Tobirama could see the hearts blooming from his eyes.

Tobirama didn't realize he had it this bad, but of course. Hashirama didn't do things by only halves. If he set his mind to it, he would do it. If he was saddened, he would throw a fit that would outshine the royal theater of daimyos and if he loved, well, to put it simply, he loved deeply. Tobirama felt a bit sorry for him. The young princess, Mito-hime, didn't look at all welcoming to Hashirama's blatant admiration. No wonder the Uzumaki Clan were offended by his declaration of love. Tobirama tsked. No tact at all.

"Thank you, young Kei. You are dismissed for today. Go to your wife and daughter. I'm sure they miss you." Lady Seira flicked her fan closed when Kei gave a smile, bowed and flickered away from sight. "You." She pointed her fan at Tobirama and beckoned him over. "Come here."

Tobirama did as he was told and stepped forward. "How peculiar." She tilted her head away. "Mito, my love. What do you think of his aura?"

"It flickers like fire but it's silver; like a cold breeze among mint herbs." The girl said as she turned her gaze to Tobirama. Mito-hime's lilac gaze was sharp and solemn. Her twin buns were identical as her mother's, and Tobirama could already picture the young princess looking older in a battle-worn kimono dress like her mother.

Lady Seira smiled. "Very good. Dearest Rei-chan, what of the boy who looks like he's about to catch flies in his mouth."

Hashirama closed his mouth immediately. "Lady Seira," he whined.

Lady Seira laughed. Her smile was a curve of allurement and all things wicked. Tobirama narrowed her eyes as she spoke, "Quiet now, Hashi-chan. I'm teaching." She fanned herself again. "Now. Rei?"

The other girl, Rei-hime, with half of her crimson hair pulled back into one bun crossed her arms and turned away. "I don't like it."

"Now, Rei," Lady Seira said patiently. "Just because it's a fire other than what you like doesn't mean it's unworthy."

Rei rolled her eyes. "Yes, mother." She then looked to Hashirama. "It's very strong. It crackles all around him, and he smells of. . . Wood." Her brows furrowed. "Whatever. It's nothing like Izuna-kun's!" She said admiringly.

Tobirama couldn't help himself. "Do you mean Uchiha Izuna?"

Rei blinked at him and then her deep lilac eyes narrowed. "What of it?"

Lady Seira gracefully leaped off the branch she was speaking in and settled on the ground where she picked up the boy and placed him on his lap. Tobirama blinked at the lady, who sat with crossed legs in her battle kimono. It was unbecoming, but he didn't dare say anything. Hashirama stepped forward then. He was anything but the foolish-looking boy from just a moment ago. Now, his face was serious and eyes hard as he addressed Rei. "He saved our little brother, Itama." He sat down in front of the Uzumaki and formally bowed his head. "Please. If you have any information, Tobi and I would like to know what kind of person he is."

Tobirama narrowed his eyes, but he also sat down next to his brother. He didn't admit it out loud, but he was also curious.

Rei's gaze brightened. "He taught us-"

Tobirama's gaze widened. Hashirama breathed in sharply.

"Quiet, Rei!" Mito snapped.

All eyes turned to the girl with two buns on her hair. Her lips were pursed as she continued to dip her brush in ink. With her other hand she pushed her sleeve back gracefully with her wrist to keep the long sleeve away as she brushed along the opened scroll. She was elegant and regal in her movements. She didn't falter in her design as she spoke, "the Senju and Uchiha are rivaled enemies. Choose your words carefully, they may be used against him." Just as deftly, she lifted her brush up and dipped it back into ink.

Rei pressed her hand against her mouth in horror then looked at Tobirama and Hashirama as if they were the enemy. Hashirama watched Mito's hands admiringly and didn't look away. He looked entranced. Tobirama scowled. What a fool. He wasn't even going to defend him for being misinterpreted. Hashirama was the last person to use any tact against an Uchiha. Tobirama spoke first, "You protect an Uchiha; sworn enemies against the Senju." Tobirama narrowed his gaze. "Why is that?" He asked harshly.

Lady Seira smirked at the underlying meaning of his words. Mito and Rei paused their work to look at Tobirama and even the young boy had blinked at him with a gaze of mistrust. "Do not assume based on false pretenses, Senju, that we owe you an answer for justifying our loyalty to one Uchiha boy," Mito stated calmly. Her lilac gaze bore into him as she settled her brush on the stand. "I am finished, mother."

Lady Seira studied the scroll. "Ah, yes. Perfect, Mito. You've completed your lesson."

"May I be dismissed, mother?"

Lady Seira presses her lips into a curve of a smile and nodded in amusement. Mito stood with the grace of a princess and gazed pompously down at Tobirama. "You may be Lord Butsuma's sons, but you're not even entrusted with the politics and strife that he bears on his shoulders. Let me enlighten you. Our alliance has turned more into trade rather than allegiance. We are progressive yet you remain in the past and insult my family and in turn the Uzumaki clan with your belief that we stand with you in your pointless warring against the Uchiha. You presume too much that we will give information about a boy who risked everything by offering a hand in friendship."

Tobirama blinked at her. His anger bubbled up. "What do you risk in return for this friendship you speak so highly of? The Uchiha are nothing but murderers!" He shouted. He knew in his heart that he was sounding like a scorned child rather then a reasonable shinobi. He didn't care. He was past the point of caring. Here was another person who spoke highly of an Uchiha who killed his cousin! An Uchiha who never once left his thoughts as Hashirama's influence would plague him and he would silently question what was right and wrong. he was absolutely done with it. He wished he would encounter the Uchiha soon so he could end his ridiculous, contradicting life. "They are pulled into darkness because of their sharingan."

Mito barred her teeth in disgust. "You still hang on to the old beliefs and the superstition made up about the Uchiha. How traditional of you," she scoffed and turned away. "You need only look at yourself, Senju, in order to see that the Uchiha are merely a parallel reflection of you." With that, she strolled away.

Tobirama was insulted beyond belief. Hashirama sighed longingly as he watched her leave. Then he bowed his head at Lady Seira. "Please forgive my brother for his rudeness to Mito-hime."

Tobirama glowered.

Lady Seira waved her hand and caressed her son's hair. "Spirited, arrogant children tend to butt heads." She gave an amused chuckle as she gazed at Tobirama who was still in deep contemplation at Mito's words. He was steaming in anger and annoyance, and at that moment, he felt like sparring Mito-hime into submission. He hated when people got the last word. He hated those who turned away from him in the middle of a conversation and he especially hated those who sided with Uchiha. The only exceptions being Itama and Hashirama.

"I'll tell you one thing about the young Uchiha Izuna." Tobirama's head snapped up to Lady Seira. Her lilac eyes glowed knowingly. "His chakra is a blank canvas. It holds no fire. It does not blaze or crackle. It smells of neither mint or wood. It is the embodiment of everything and nothing. Almost as if he is something not of this world." Her fan shuttered open. The whirlpool design upon the fan glowed faintly as she hovered it in front of her curved lips.