{Adaptability}

{Chapter Seven}

"Are you even aware of the damage you've caused? Not just physically, but politically as well!" Tobirama roared, pacing frantically around his brother's living room and casting seething glares at Madara, who sat quietly at the kitchen table with a cup of tea. "All of the negotiation that anija had with the Kazekage is practically null because of you and your temper! You killed thirteen Suna shinobi today! Thirteen!"

"That's all?" the Uchiha patriarch questioned coolly, not bothering to meet the other man's gaze. "Let it be a reminder then, that neither I nor Konohagakure are to be trifled with. And as far as the damage to the landscape goes, just have Hashirama grow some trees and a cartographer alter the maps."

It took significant effort for the younger Senju not to strike his brother's lover, but he drew several deep breaths and fought to calm his chakra, straining to remind himself that Madara scarcely listened to reason in situations like this. "That land was valuable to Konoha as well, and all that's left now is a crater. I can't believe you used your Susanoo for something so… trivial. Mad dog."

"They attacked my son!" the elder man shouted in reply, fists slamming down on the table and toppling his teacup.

"How convenient that you now call that boy 'your son'. You were just looking for an excuse to wreak some havoc, weren't you? It's been too long since you've had blood on your hands, and I'm sure you were getting thirsty for it," Tobirama spat, folding his arms over his chest defiantly.

Madara growled, a low, feral rumble that rattled deep in his chest. "What are you implying…? If I truly wanted to kill something, I would have started with you."

"That's enough! Both of you!" Hashirama barked when he emerged from their bedroom, his chakra flaring dangerously in warning and causing the rafters to groan. "You'll wake Kise. He just fell asleep."

"Anija…."

"How is he?" the other founder interrupted.

The Hokage sighed, taking a seat beside his lover and pouring himself a cup of tea, his tanned fingers weaving between Madara's own. "He'll be fine. The head injury that caused him to lose consciousness was very minor, but he has a slight headache that will probably fade with rest. Otherwise only a few chakra burns – some from his own katon jutsu and some from your Susanoo, but nothing too serious."

"He managed a katon on his own?" the Uchiha questioned as a proud grin crept onto his face. "Good boy, he put up a fight."

"Be glad my students were there, otherwise he'd be dead."

"Tobirama!" the elder Senju scolded, silently urging his lover to contain his rage at the brash comment. "You don't know what it's like to be a parent. I was terrified when Hiruzen came busting into my office, shouting about Kagami and Kise being attacked outside the village. Do you know how sick I felt when I thought that something had happened?"

Narrowing his crimson glare, the younger brother squared his shoulders rebelliously, biting the inside of his cheek. "I'm being realistic, anija. And now all the diplomacy that you managed to establish with Suna is gone. Ruined by some lunatic who couldn't control his temper."

"I've heard enough," Madara spat, his voice a bit too calm and oddly unnerving as he rose from the table, stalking away down the hall. "If the pair of you can come to an agreement regarding my punishment, then I will face the consequences of my actions. But for now, I'm going to check on Kise."

He was relieved to find the boy resting soundly in the center of the futon he and Hashirama shared, precisely where he had slept on the first night he stayed with his new parents after awaking from a bad dream. It had largely faded into a pleasant memory, though Madara could vividly recall how frustrated he had been during those first few weeks, feeling much like he was being forced to function in a foreign nation without knowing the native tongue. Hashirama had adapted flawlessly, of course, but was patient with his lover's awkwardness, regardless of how ridiculous he behaved during his rather childish bouts of rejection. Still, the Uchiha patriarch had managed to acclimate as well, though the process was tedious and rocky and full of misunderstandings that could have been easily avoided. Now, nearly five months later, he was at last accepting of the title 'father', and was prepared to destroy entire countries in order to protect the boy he called his son and heir.

Sighing, he sat beside the slumbering child and brushed dark fringe away from his brow, his voice low and gentle when Kise blinked awake slowly. "Go back to sleep, you need to rest."

"Father," the little Uchiha croaked, drowsy as he fumbled about for the elder man's hand. "Are Kagami and Hiruzen okay? They didn't get in trouble with Uncle Tobirama, did they?"

"They're fine. And Tobirama is only angry with me… he's glad that you're all safe."

"That's good," Kise sighed as he rolled onto his side, stubbornly refusing to release Madara's hand even as his eyes fluttered shut again. "Why is Uncle Tobirama mad at you? He should have seen your Susanoo, it was so cool. But your chakra kind of makes it hard to breathe sometimes. I want to have big chakra like you and dad one day, too."

"You will," he assured, deciding that it was best to save elucidations of his uncle's disapproval for another day. The boy was weary from his injuries, now was not the time to explain that his adoptive father's concern for his safety had cost the lives of thirteen shinobi from a village with whom Konoha had tremulous diplomatic ties, at best. But Madara merely shrugged away the fact, dragging his thumb over Kise's knuckles gently and coaxing him back into slumber. "Rest now. Hashirama will make you something simple to eat."

The child nodded, but held fast to the Uchiha patriarch's hand nonetheless. "Will you stay until I fall asleep?"

"Yes."

"Thank you, father."

It did not take long for easy monotony to conquer the little Uchiha's sleeping breaths, and in the silence, Madara huffed a heavy sigh himself, forcefully expelling the remaining tension from his body and into the open air. His shoulders sagged as he scrubbed at his tired eyes with the heel of his free palm, vaguely wondering what Izuna would have to say if he saw his elder brother now. Something sarcastic, to be sure. But perhaps he would be somewhat forgiving of the choices that his aniki had made, upon seeing the satisfaction that his current situation seemed to bring. It was chaotic, certainly, and by default Hashirama was as troublesome as ever, and yet it was oddly fulfilling in a way that Madara himself never would have anticipated, let alone strived to maintain.

"Hey, love, is he still asleep?" said brunet asked quietly when he slipped into their bedroom, kneeling beside his dark-haired lover and setting a tray of rice porridge and miso on a low table.

"He just dozed off again, but we can wake him to eat if you like. Is your brother gone?"

"Yes," the Hokage sighed wearily as he closed his arms around the smaller man's waist. "I assured Tobirama that I will handle whatever problems arise from today's incident."

Madara snorted, at last wriggling his fingers free of Kise's grasp and leaning into the tanned shinobi's warmth. "I most certainly will not apologize. To anyone."

"I understand how you feel," Hashirama muttered between kisses laid along his lover's shoulder, the sniffles of his suppressed emotion growing louder. "I was terrified when I found out that something had happened and could barely feel Kise's chakra. To be honest, I don't know if I was relieved or even more concerned when I felt the power of your Susanoo swell up to the south. I just… I just love you both so much, and if either of you were hurt, I don't know what I would do."

"Don't cry, stupid Senju," the Uchiha scolded gently, patting deep brown locks with bemused affection. "As often as you spill them, tears never have suited you. We're both fine. And frankly, I'm offended that you would even consider the thought that I would be in danger up against such pitiful opponents. This is what you get for doubting me."

The pair fell into a long silence, only Hashirama's fading sobs echoing through the space until he too at last grew quiet, his face still buried weakly against Madara's neck. After a while, the shorter man drew a deep breath, his voice but a mere whisper when he spoke once more. "Idiot Senju, do you think our brothers would be disappointed in the choices we've made?"

"Tobirama is always disappointed in me," the brunet chuckled after a moment of thought.

"Be serious."

"Okay, okay," he conceded, grinning despite the rather vicious swat to the head he received in reprimand. "I don't think that any of them would have expected things to turn out the way that they did, but I doubt that they'd be disappointed. To be honest, I have a feeling that Itama and Izuna would have gotten along quite well if given the chance – they viewed the war in similar ways, and were concerned for the pride of the dead as equally as the living. Neither would reject peace if it was offered them, though not at the detriment of their own clan's honor. Kawarama would probably feel much like Kise seems to: simply glad to have a family that is happy and healthy. But I will make sure that Kise sees his eighth birthday, and many more afterwards.

"And while I never knew your other brothers, I think that Izuna would be very proud of all that you've done, Madara. Just like I am. He probably expected you to use his eyes to crush the Senju into submission, but I honestly believe that he would be content with the result that came of his sacrifice… after some well-deserved griping, of course," Hashirama huffed in amusement, recalling the way a young Madara would whine about his pesky, stubborn otouto while they basked in the sun along the riverbank all those years ago. "I think that peace would have made him restless, though he'd quickly adapt. And I feel that he would genuinely like his nephew."

Scoffing, the Uchiha leant forward to rest a calloused palm against Kise's brow, checking for a fever that thankfully was not there. "What a scathing review of my brother's personality," he laughed bitterly, fully aware that his lover's assessment was, in all likelihood, perfectly correct. "Though you had better prepare yourself, Senju… there are more than a few drops of Izuna in this boy. I've seen some of that stubbornness already and I can only imagine what he'll be like as he grows older, especially if Tobirama becomes his sensei. He'll be an insufferable teenager."

"Kami help me," the Hokage sighed with feigned exasperation. "Between the three of you, I'm sure you can drive me to an early grave. At least Kise is more respectable than either you or my brother."

"I take offense to that. Don't lump me in with your oaf-touto."

Hashirama arched an amused brow, pulling the smaller man close once more. "I haven't heard that insult before. When did you come up with it?"

"Just a moment ago, if you must know."

"Tobirama has had some clever ones for you as of late, as well."

"Doubtful. He's about as clever as a toad."

The brunet groaned and shook his head, but stunted the conversation with silence before it became even more offensive than it already was. In all the years since his brother and Madara had first been acquainted, the disparities between taunting threats and insults and true malice that the two shared had grown excessively clear; though Hashirama was glad that the latter had lessened considerably over time. Aggression between the two people he cared for most was always taxing, and it never failed to sadden him, even if the only way to cease it from escalating was generally to respond with aggression in kind. Flaring chakra, raised voices, stern expressions – reminding them of his true power seemed to be the only method for distracting them from whatever row they were engaged in, as each man was too stubborn in his own right to defer to diplomacy in such situations. But despite it all, the elder Senju was grateful to have them both. They were the foundations upon which the pillar of Konohagakure stood.

"You know," Hashirama purred against his lover's neck, "even if Izuna isn't here to say it, I will say it for us both. I am so, so proud of you, Madara. And I love you."

Reaching to shoo long bangs from Kise's face, the Uchiha patriarch frowned, hiding behind the shroud of ebony hair that shielded his expression from view. "You and the brat both," he mumbled bitterly, "I love you, too."

Madara could feel the wetness of tears on his lover's lips when a soft kiss was placed against his temple, but neither spoke on the matter, their mouths simply moving to meet in a deep, heady kiss that tasted of salt. They melted together for several long moments, savoring the warmth of the other's touch and clinging tightly until Kise began to awaken once more, stretching and stirring with weak whimpers.

"Hey buddy," Hashirama sniffled as he wiped at his eyes and swollen lips. "How are you feeling? Are you hungry yet?"

"Why is dad crying?" the boy asked sleepily, struggling to sit up.

"Because he's an idiot," Madara coolly replied, smirking when the child nodded in understanding, as if that were the absolute most logical explanation. "You need to eat, and then back to bed."

"I'll go to my room."

"You will stay right here, with us," the elder Uchiha scolded mildly.

"I thought I was only allowed to sleep with you that one time…?"

Madara snorted, folding his arms over his chest with a stern frown. "Well I've changed my mind. I'm your father, now do as I say."

Kise smiled, big and bright despite the ache of exhaustion that showed clearly in his dark eyes, and crawled to lean in his clan head's lap contentedly. "Yes, sir."

*Notes*

Final chapter! Yay! But never fear, I'm going to continue adding to this series, so keep an eye out!

Thanks to everyone who had read, reviewed, favorited, and followed! I really appreciate it, you guys are the best!

Meadie out.