A/N: Takes place around Chapters 624-625 during the time Hashirama tells of his past.

Warnings: This will eventually be yaoi (Madara x Tobirama)

Credits to Kishimoto Masashi for the characters. The story is mine.

Chapter 1: Suspended Motion

A hundred years, a thousand, a millennia; a bloody rivalry that knew no beginning nor end – or so it seemed.

How many times more must the tiny body of a child-turned-warrior fall to the cold steel of a sword? How much longer could one endure hatred and slaughter and vengeance before the mind rotted and the soul bled until there was nothing left but emptiness?

The future of two powerful shinobi clans viciously hacking away at each other until nothing could be salvaged seemed imminent. The seemingly endless cycle of death, however, came to a stuttering halt on the day the leaders of both clans led their weary soldiers, driven by the deaths of their loved ones, into the inevitable final clash between the Senju and the Uchiha.

The fierce battle lasted for a full day and night, from the crack of dawn to the sun rising in pink and orange hues of the next morning. The vast land held a silence that seemed unnatural after the cries of fallen warriors and unbridled rage had sounded almost ceaselessly. The clash had ended with Madara defeated, for the first time lying on his back on the hard, cracked dirt, vulnerable and completely surrounded by the Senju clan. His armor was broken, his body a bloody mess, his long, wild black hair spread like a midnight cape engulfing the darkness festering inside him. The Uchiha leader was a pitiful sight in contrast to the fearsome reputation he had gained with his ruthless power.

The surrounding area was devastated from the brutal skirmish, but for the first time, it was only a consequence of the past giving in to the seeds of the future, just barely sprouting through the blood-soaked earth. The rest of the Uchiha lay on the battlefield dead or dying along with many of the Senju clan. This time, however, it was clear who had won. There was no time to celebrate, but now – perhaps now, they could finally move on.

Tobirama lifted his sword, the weight familiar in his hand, positioning it above Madara's prone form. His older brother and leader of the Senju, Hashirama, crouched next to Madara. Hashirama's long brown locks shadowed the grave expression on his haggard face – an expression that Tobirama took for acceptance of his old friend's fate.

"Madara...this is the end," Tobirama told the Uchiha, his voice neither sneering nor triumphant but grim with finality. This would be a necessary act to end the pointless war between the two most powerful clans in the ravaged Land of Fire – the rivalry that no one could even recall its beginning. With the Uchihas subdued and their leader dead, Tobirama was certain of the chance for the future – the kind of future his older brother had always dreamed of.

"Wait, Tobirama."

Hashirama spoke just before Tobirama plunged the blade down and ended the bitter rivalry once and for all.

Surprised, both Madara and Tobirama stared at his brother. Why? They finally had a chance to bring forth the future of peace and a world where innocent children did not have to die in the spats between merciless adults. Why would his brother not take this golden opportunity?

"But why, brother? We can finally end this senseless war!" Tobirama voiced his thoughts, his voice coming harsher than he'd intended. He was exhausted from the battle, his mind filled with the blood of his comrades and enemies, the prospect of the future so close, but all suddenly coming to a startling halt because of his brother's words.

Without warning, his brother's dense chakra overwhelmed his senses, a deadly glare that Tobirama had not expected piercing through him. Chills of fear danced up Tobirama's spine upon being slammed with the very real aggression that brought the toughest warriors to their knees in terror.

"Touch one hair on his body…" Hashirama growled, low and dangerous. "I dare you…"

Tobirama was taken aback, shocked that he had suddenly become his own brother's enemy in the span of seconds and knowing that Hashirama would earnestly take him down if he tried to attack Madara. His brother's heavy chakra oppressed him, making him fall silent, the sure grip on the hilt of his sword loosening slightly in uncertainty. A sense of confusion and hurt warred with his logical thinking, and he felt almost betrayed. Hashirama's bond with Madara was greater than he'd ever imagined – though Tobirama knew that the bond was not reciprocated considering all of Madara's past actions. He slowly lowered the blade, knowing he would not dare to flame his brother's wrath.

Knowing he had submitted for now, Hashirama eased his chakra, leaving Tobirama with a sense of relief and slight bitterness. Tobirama pushed his conflicted feelings away. Now was not the time. These next few moments would be the ultimate deciding factor in the future or downfall of the Senju and Uchiha.

"Hmph…" Madara spoke up, his voice raspy and harsh as he clung to the last vestiges of his life. "You might as well...make it quick...Hashirama. If you do it, I'll be satisfied."

Tobirama looked to his brother. Madara had given his permission – had accepted it without further fight. If Hashirama didn't take this opportunity…but Tobirama knew his brother too well. With this, peace would never be gained.

"It's no use acting tough," Hashirama lightly reprimanded, all deadly intent gone as if it had never been. "If we kill you, their leader, the young Uchiha that hold you dear will go on a rampage."

Of course, Tobirama had taken this into account. His brother might not be known for his intelligence, but he was not a complete idiot, either. The Uchiha still bent on vengeance could be easily taken care of, however, once their leader was gone. Many of the Uchiha had already surrendered, knowing the Senju's strength was superior.

"There's no one in the Uchiha who regard me like that anymore," Madara admitted, and perhaps Madara was correct – for now. Everyone, both the Senju and the Uchiha, were exhausted from a lifetime of warfare and the sorrow of lost comrades.

"No," Hashirama objected. "I'm sure there are. Can't we settle this like we used to? Just the two of us...?"

Tobirama gazed at his brother almost pityingly. They were no longer children who could settle a dispute with childish promises and silly play. Tobirama admired Hashirama's continued persistence in his adamancy to keep Madara as a friend, but reality was much harsher than his brother would ever admit to. They had the same dream, but they had gone down different paths. Madara could not be trusted. Still, it stung to know that Tobirama at his side was not enough to believe a peaceful village could exist. It was always Madara – it had always been Madara…

"We're too different, we took different paths…" Madara spoke Tobirama's thoughts out loud. "I don't have any siblings left to protect...I can never trust you again…"

"How can I earn back your trust?" Hashirama asked quietly, desperation tinged in his tone.

Madara stared at Hashirama, and Tobirama was surprised to see the Uchiha's dark gaze slide to himself. Uneasiness coiled in Tobirama's gut, knowing that the Uchiha would make a ridiculous demand for this show of trust – something that likely involved either Hashirama's or Tobirama's deaths.

"If you want us to straighten things out…" Madara began, staring intently at Tobirama with fierce eyes as black as coal, "…then either kill yourself or...give me your brother. Then, we'll be even...then I will trust your clan."

To say Tobirama was stunned would have been an understatement. He had expected something like this, but…not this. Silence followed the declaration before the other Senjus spoke up in outrage.

"To commit suicide or voluntarily give you a hostage? What the hell are you saying, you–"

The shock had worn off Hashirama more quickly than it had with Tobirama. Hashirama raised a hand to quiet the infuriated Senju, appearing all too calm for such insanity. Tobirama quickly regained his senses and looked at his brother, who was looking at Madara with an indecipherable expression.

"That man is mad!" Tobirama declared, suddenly very afraid – not for his own life, but for his brother's because he knew Hashirama better than anyone. "What do you plan to do, brother? Are you going to going to give me to him? Or do you want to die to follow this madman's nonsense? How foolish...don't listen to him, brother!"

Madara slid his gaze back to Hashirama, awaiting an answer. To everyone's surprise, Hashirama smiled. It was neither sad nor joyful, but one of utter acceptance. It punched Tobirama right in the gut, because Tobirama had already known Hashirama's decision as soon as the blasted Uchiha had spouted his demands.

"Thank you, Madara," Hashirama said as he stood up and began to undo his armor. "Indeed, you're a sympathetic person."

The armor fell to the ground heavily, the thunk and clatter of metal on the hard ground somehow final. Hashirama pulled out a kunai from his weapon pouch and gazed solemnly at Tobirama's frozen form.

"Listen to me, Tobirama. These will be my last words," Hashirama said somberly. "Engrave them in your heart, for these are the words I will be exchanging my life for. Everyone in our clan should do the same. After my death, do not kill Madara. The Uchiha and Senju must never shed blood between each other again. Vow it upon on the names of your fathers and unborn young."

Tobirama's heart stuttered in terror. No—

"Farewell."

Hashirama smiled brilliantly one last time as a single tear formed in the corner of his eye, the other Senjus too dumbfounded to think to move, as Hashirama began to plunge the razor-sharp point of the deadly kunai into his stomach. Tobirama was not known as the fastest shinobi in the world for nothing – he moved before his thoughts could completely form, snatching his brother's wrist millimeters before he could gut himself.

"Stop!" he shouted, voice echoing in the vast land and snapping everyone's attention to him. "I will do it! I will go with the Uchiha, brother."

Hashirama stared at him with wide brown eyes, stunned both because of Tobirama's actions and from what he had likely believed would be his last moments in the living world.

"Tobi…" Hashirama began, but Tobirama yanked the kunai from his hand in a swift movement and threw it far into the battle-torn landscape.

Ignoring Hashirama for the moment now that there was no chance of his brother trying to kill himself, Tobirama turned and glared down at the surprised Uchiha leader, fist trembling with the deathly tight grip on the hilt of his sword, his desire to slay the Uchiha leader so great. He could do it, he could kill Madara now with no remorse – but…Hashirama would never forgive him, and his dream would be lost. Tobirama hated to admit it, but there was no other choice if his brother was willing to throw away his life for something like this. For the sake of his brother and his brother's dream that included someone as despicable as Madara, Tobirama's own life held little importance. Tobirama knew that it would be Hashirama who could make his dream become a reality. Without Hashirama, the seemingly endless cycle of unbearable death and hatred would creak back to life after this stuttering halt. Hashirama must live no matter what.

Decision made and resolve unwavering, Tobirama loosened his grip, the sword clattering to the ground.

"I will go with you," Tobirama repeated, this time in a more controlled tone as his heart rate gradually decelerated and his thoughts reformed into more logical ones. The rash decision he had made at witnessing his brother's near suicide had been impulsive and unplanned, but he was rationalizing it now and knew it was the better option no matter how much he wished to believe otherwise.

"But Tobirama–" Hashirama started, obviously trying to catch up to the present events.

"Quiet, brother!" Tobirama barked, not intending to be harsh but still angry and terrified at his brother's foolishness just moments before. If he'd been a second later, he'd have lost his only remaining brother, and not only that, he admittedly would not have kept his brother's last wishes. He would have killed Madara without a thought and plunged his brother's dreams straight down the drain.

"You…" Madara said, bringing back Tobirama's attention. "Why would you do this?"

Tobirama looked down at Madara with barely disguised loathing, eyes narrowing. "You asked for this, did you not?"

Madara considered him intently but did not respond. Hashirama looked from Tobirama to Madara in bewilderment, clearly not understanding the deeper meaning behind Madara's demands. Tobirama, however, was perceptive enough to understand Madara's intentions with this ridiculous yet devious demand. Allowing Tobirama to live as the Uchiha's captive would weigh heavily upon Hashirama's conscience – providing an easy weakness that would allow Madara to control Hashirama as he wished if they ever became allies or even if they remained enemies. It seemed Madara had become the renowned leader of the Uchiha for a reason, Tobirama grudgingly admitted, but if it would end the pointless deaths, then he was willing to do it.

Still, there were the options to commit suicide himself or to end Madara at this very moment. Tobirama knew his own death now would only cause more dissent between the two clans considering that the Senju behind him had moved to slay Madara after what seemed like Hashirama's near suicide. Killing Madara seemed to be the better option, but…it would have to wait until the Uchiha and the Senju had established strong ties and the Uchiha cut off their radical leader for good. Then, and only then, would Tobirama personally exterminate the vengeance-filled Uchiha leader and allow the future to finally prosper.

"Do you agree to the alliance, then?" Tobirama asked Madara with utter coldness in his gaze despite his calm tone.

Madara stared at him for a long minute before his eyes slowly closed.

"Yes."