Destined Meeting

Tobirama Senju was a practical man.

It was one of the reasons he was still alive, and it was what made him an asset to Hashirama. During his time as a Senju, Tobirama had seen three of his brothers die in his early years. And he'd lost many friends.

Some of those deaths had been unavoidable.

Most of them had happened because someone did something stupid. After the death of his younger brother, Itama, he was done. He had allowed his emotions to live, but only insofar as it did not interfere with war.

"Hashirama, are you certain about this?" asked Tobirama. He had not been opposed to the idea, but he made a point of playing devil's advocate. Hashirama needed someone to question him, after all.

"Why not, Tobirama?" asked Hashirama, walking along the path without a single guard. "The Hyuga have invited us to meet and discuss an alliance? What could possibly go wrong?"

"I have several thousand answers to that question, brother. Do you have even one?" asked Tobirama. He had never been sure if Hashirama was making things up as he went or carefully planning things out.

Tobirama did not really care. Whichever it was, Hashirama needed a reality check now and then.

"Of course, it could be a trap, Tobirama. We all know that," said Hashirama. "That doesn't mean we shouldn't try it. If the Hyuga really are interested in discussing an alliance, it could mean a new age of peace. Perhaps Madara will be there as well, and the old hatreds between our clans can be set aside." Hashirama had always been a dreamer.

"Yes, well, we should keep our hopes within the realms of possibility," said Tobirama.

"You always have been too cynical, Tobirama," said Hashirama, enjoying the sunlight. "You can't give up on dreams because the way is hard."

"I don't deal in dreams. I deal in practical realities," said Tobirama. "Only by accepting what is can one improve it.

"The Hyuga have a history of intrigue within their own family. Their house is mired in treachery. Why should we trust them enough to come personally?"

"Because you'll catch any ambush in the act, and I can defeat anything they throw at us," said Hashirama. "So we may as well give them a chance."

That was the problem of debating Hashirama.

Hashirama had grown so powerful over time. So powerful that he could undertake plans that on paper were stupid. But Hashirama was Hashirama. So all those reasons why he didn't stand a chance didn't show up for the battle.

"...A fair point," said Tobirama, who was nothing if not rational. "Hold on a moment." Sending out a pulse, he channeled. "Someone is watching us, Hashirama. They are observing through a remote jutsu..." He located it. Then he hurled one of his kunai through the air toward it. Waiting a moment, he teleported to where it was. It was an eye of green. Grabbing it, Tobirama crushed it in one hand. "Got it."

Then he went back and came to Hashirama. "It is Kakazu."

"Kakazu..." said Hashirama, expression going sad. "What is doing here?"

"I told you you shouldn't have let him live," said Tobirama. He remembered finding the brutalized corpse. That and a pink-haired peasant girl Hashirama played with.

"We don't even know why he is out here, Tobirama," said Hashirama. "For all we know, he's working as security for the Hyuga."

"And that makes what he did right?" asked Tobirama.

"Of course it doesn't, Tobirama," said Hashirama. "Saka didn't deserve what happened to her, but Kakazu suffered because of it. He was cast out of his village, almost killed.

"And he only came after us in the first place because he was ordered to as a snipe hunt. He was supposed to die in that mission because he was of no use elsewhere. After all he'd gone through, killing him would be rewarding those who started the fiasco in the first place.

"They didn't deserve the satisfaction."

"What they deserved was irrelevant," said Tobirama. "Kakazu hates you, Hashirama. He stabbed Madara Uchiha in the back and threw you into a gorge. From there, he raped one of your childhood friends and killed her.

"This was all before you did anything to warrant his hatred."

"I'm not saying that Kakazu was a good person when I fought him," said Hashirama. "But it's been years since that happened, and he was on a mission. He might have changed.

"And... well... as vicious as what he did was, I found him pitiable.

"You didn't see what a state he was in after what his village did to him. His village used corporal punishment for being unable to perform the jutsu he was trained in. And Kakazu was never able to do anything but taijutsu.

"As a result, he was an outcast, beaten and indoctrinated.

"And then he thought he'd succeeded. When he got back, they ran him out of the village in terror of what the Senju would do to him. His crime was succeeding at the impossible task they sent him on. By the time I found him, he was almost a feral animal, filled with hatred and self-loathing.

"So... I let him live.

"When he came after us last time, he'd actually seemed to have become more coherent. And I beat him far more easily than the first time. He could barely stand up to you."

"That pity could get us all killed, Hashirama," said Tobirama. "And I don't think it's a coincidence that Kakazu's village was burned to the ground after you had your fight. I believe you suggested he come to terms with his village. What would you say if you learned that Kakazu was responsible for that?"

"I would say that it couldn't have happened to a nicer group of people," said Hashirama.

Tobirama couldn't help himself. He roared with laughter. "That's not the sort of thing I'd expect you to say, brother."

"Tobirama, I don't like hurting people," said Hashirama. "I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I want to help everyone, if possible. Senju, Uchiha, Hyuga, Inuzuki, I want to help everyone.

"But the world we live in doesn't allow me to do that.

"And even I have a limited amount of empathy. What happened with Kakazu was completely avoidable. All they had to do was, at some point, treat him with some small amount of empathy. He wouldn't have burned their village.

"They got what they deserved. Of course, I don't believe in hurting people because they deserve it. An eye for an eye would leave the whole world blind.

"But if someone treats children like they do, and has one of them come back for vengeance?

"I don't have the resources to feel empathy for them. There are plenty of other far more redeemable people to feel sorry for.

"Besides, the Senju Clan has burned villages in our history. Kakazu wasn't a part of that village anymore, so he owed them no loyalty. And technically speaking, we don't even know if he did it. So until Kakazu decides to come back for round three, why don't we just live and let live."

"Perhaps, but I think we both know that he will attack us from a position of power," said Tobirama.

"Good, maybe he'll make things interesting," said Hashirama. "I haven't had a good fight in a long time."

Tobirama hesitated and sent out his senses. Closing his eyes, he opened them again. Hashirama must have seen the look on his face because he became concerned. "What is it?"

"I'm sensing a large number of chakras heading toward a village due west of here," said Tobirama. "They aren't Hyuga, and their chakra is unfamiliar. I've felt this sometimes from northerners from the Cloud Highlands.

"They often raid these areas."

Hashirama nodded. "We'd best head them off, then. I'd hate for them to take a village unawares. And saving those people will only help relations with the Hyuga."

"Take hold of my hand, then," said Tobirama.

Hashirama took it. Tobirama then hurled a kunai through the air toward the village. It arced through it, and when it hit the trees, Tobirama teleported them into place. The two brothers landed on a tree branch together.

They melded out of sight and watched as a gang of perhaps twenty-four men rushed through the trees. They were clearly ninja and were armed for battle. However, Tobirama detected something else.

Hyuga.

Dozens of them were trailing behind the dark-skinned ninja from hiding. Tobirama hadn't even sensed them. Hashirama moved to make a hand sign, but Tobirama caught it. "Wait."

"What do you mean?" asked Hashirama.

"Hashirama, the Hyuga are responding already," said Tobirama. "Perhaps we should observe how they fight."

Hashirama nodded. "...Very well, but only until one of them is almost killed. I do not want anyone to die for a tactical advantage we don't need."

"As you wish, brother," said Tobirama.

The barbarians came to the outskirts of the village and peered down at it. It was a well-ordered place, surrounded by walls. Sentries were in place, and Tobirama saw seals on them. Someone had put a lot of work into the defenses.

What then ensued was almost comical. The barbarians all stood in hiding, peering down at the village and drawing weapons. They seemed very pleased to have avoided notice. At the same time, the Hyuga were following them like shadows. Tobirama found himself having difficulty pinpointing their location.

How had they managed to fool these men so easily when they were so close behind? It was an impressive display. Or rather, it was an impressive lack of a display.

"Alright, there they are," said one of the brutes.

"That'll be easy," said another. "We'll slaughter those Hyuga and get their eyes for our Chieftain Ayn."

"From who?" asked one of the Hyuga as they closed in.

As the barbarians turned around, the Hyuga sprang. They attacked with their hands and moved fast. They had a complete surprise and were faster and more skilled. The barbarians hardly had time to reply before they were fighting for their lives. More Hyuga came from outside the forest, and they began to drop like flies.

At that moment, two hands struck Tobirama and Hashirama's backs. Both whirled around and saw a beautiful, dark-haired Hyuga girl. If she had been using the gentle fist, both of them would be dead.

"Peace, Hashirama, Tobirama, we're not here to fight," said the girl. She looked about seventeen, three years younger than Hashirama.

Tobirama looked down to where all the barbarians were dead. Not one injury had been dealt with the Hyuga. "Well, that was an efficient demonstration."

"We've been aware of them for weeks and have been keeping track of their progress," said Hinata. "We allowed them to pick up a number of renegades so we could destroy all of them at once. Bandits often put themselves at the disposal of foreign armies. They know the ground and can act as guides.

"Now, the land should be safer."

"You didn't even look into their eyes," said Hashirama, seeming unsure of how to speak. "Just slaughtered them like cattle."

"Would they have looked into the eyes of the civilians they killed?" asked the girl. "Why then, should we treat them any differently?"

"Lady Hinata, we're almost finished here," called a soldier.

Hinata nodded and leaped down to meet her men. All of them had a brand on their forehead. Tobirama and Hashirama descended to walk behind her.

"Is anyone wounded?" asked Hinata.

"No, milady," said one of them.

"Good," said Hinata. "I'm sorry to not be able to fight with all of you, but my match earlier took a lot out of me." That was false humility, but the purpose was to establish her as desiring to please them. To be concerned for their well-being.

"You mean he fought evenly with you?" asked one.

Who was 'he?'

"Well, no, um, you see, he wasn't really in any position to win," said Hinata, looking down sadly. "But he used what resources he had to put up a better fight than I expected. It took me a bit off guard." Tobirama could usually tell when someone was lying. She seemed to be projecting the emotion in question.

"I can't imagine you being taken off guard, Lady Hinata. Especially not with that-" began one.

"Let's not speak of that here," said Hinata. "I think people have misunderstood him; he had a very dangerous mission. I'd appreciate if you could be understanding with him."

"What about the corpses?" asked a man.

"The renegades we'll hang from a roadside from a tree," said Hinata. "And leave a warning to other bandits. This one murdered a family after being accepted into their home. And this one killed his brother for the inheritance.

"As for the barbarians...

"I need you to preserve the bodies. Once we've determined which Clan sent them after us, we will decapitate them and send their heads as a gift. It should ensure that nothing like this happens again.

"Now um... I actually have to get going. I need to prepare for a reception."

Hinata Hyuga was either a very good actor or very well informed. Certainly, everyone around her seemed impressed. Hinata turned to the two of them and bowed her head. "Lord Hashirama, Lord Tobirama, I must leave you now."

"For one so soft-spoken, you are brutally efficient," said Tobirama.

"With respect, Tobirama, we have not the gifts of the Senju and must use what powers we have," said Hinata. "Fear can be a very effective weapon.

"Until we meet again."

And her water clone lost cohesion and sank into the ground.

"...She is very good, isn't she?" asked Hashirama, adjusting his collar.

"Lady Hinata is the best of a generation," said the Hyuga. "Now come on, let's get these bodies preserved."

Hashirama shifted uneasily. "Come, Tobirama, let's explore the village down there and learn what we can. It can't hurt to take the scenic route to meet with the Hyuga.

"It may be wise to discuss what to do in light of what we'd just seen."

"As you wish, brother," said Tobirama.

Tobirama decided that a marriage between Hashirama and Hinata would be for the best. He'd try to advance things in that direction when he could.