Naruto (c) Masashi Kishimoto

Stars glimmered in the indigo sky, as a huge bonfire illuminated the large open air courtyard. “Three cheers for Madara!” a thousand voices shouted, hoisting a young man into the air, along with hundreds of saki cups. “Yeah! Madara!” more people shouted, as the crowd carried the young man around the bonfire, shouting his praise. An identical man stood up, the crowd hushed, but didn’t lower Madara. The other young man stared out at the crowd, before his eyes settled at Madara; he smiled, raising his saki up.

“Well, once again, my brother faced down that bastard, Senju Hashirama, and,” the young man paused for dramatic effect, “defeated the bastard! Let’s hear it for Madara! Greatest shinobi in all of Uchiha!” and he thrust his cup high. The crowd cheered, tossing Madara into the air, while everyone else drank to the toast.

Madara, finally on the ground, sat down next to his brother. “Wonderful speech Izuna, really stirring,” Madara tussled his brother’s hair.

“Ack, Nii-san!” Izuna laughed, shoving his brother good-naturedly. “But seriously, you bring such pride to Uchiha. Father would be proud of what you have done for the clan, how you have risen in the clan’s ruling circle,” Izuna gave a warm smile to Madara, before rising his saki cup. “Here’s to you, our parents and Uchiha,” Izuna inclined his head towards his brother. Madara grinned, picking up his own saki cup.

“You know,” he smirked. “I’ll always drink to that,” he clinked his cup with his brother’s before the two young men downed the contents in one gulp. Madara closed his eyes, enjoying the few brief moments of relaxation he could get.

“Look alive Madara! We got company,” Izuna whispered, nudging his brother in the ribs, as two young women came before them, both giggling, shy to be in the presence of the clan’s rising stars.

“Madara-san, Izuna-san,” they bowed. “We were very impress with your victory over Senju Hashirama, Madara-san,” the older girl said, she was a tall woman, with noble features.

“Thank you, Taka,” Madara bowed his head respectfully. Taka smiled before looking at Izuna, and then dragging the second girl into view. “Izuna-san,” Taka smiled brightly. “This is my sister Takara,” Taka gave her sister a little shove. “Make a good impression on Izuna-san, got it!” Taka hissed feverishly to Takara. Takara blushed.

“B-but…Nee-chan…I like Yukiro,” Takara whispered.

“Baka!” Taka cuffed her sister’s head. “I’m securing your future! Having Madara or Izuna as a husband…you’ll thank me later!” Taka hissed, before smiling brightly at the brothers. Madara and Izuna looked at each other. Takara looked at Izuna, blushing heavily.

“I’m…s-sorry Izuna-san, for my sister’s rudeness,” Takara whispered. Izuna blinked before laughing.

“Ah, its nothing, Madara is a stick in the mud half the time anyways!” Izuna clapped his brother’s back forcefully, causing Madara to grunt, and glare at Izuna. “But, Yukiro is a fine shinobi,” Izuna smiled at how Takara brighten at his praise for her crush; Izuna then smirked. “But Yukiro has nothin’ on Madara!” Izuna grinned, snickering.

“Izuna?” Madara arched his eyebrow, wondering if his brother was drunk.

“See, Takara! Yukiro is nothing but trash!” Taka then flashed a dazzling smile at Madara. Takara looked away.

“Well, calling Yukiro trash is a little harsh. The kid isn’t that shabby in genjutsu,” Izuna smirked, and Madara feared whatever his brother was plotting, wouldn’t bold well for him. “But, Madara here, can disappear!” Izuna grinned. Madara sighed raggedly, hiding his face in his hand.

“Disappear?” Takara looked at Madara.

“Nobody can disappear, there is always chakra left to follow, even with a teleportation jutsu,” Taka waved her hand dismissively. Izuna draped his arm over Madara’s shoulders.

“Doubtful, I know,” Izuna nodded in agreement with the girls, acting like a salesman selling something worthless and cheap, but shiny. “But it’s true! My brother really can vanish! Not even Aburame or Hyuga can find him!” Izuna poked Madara in the chest. “In fact, I bet he’ll be more than happy to demonstrate his little vanishing act!”

Madara glared hatefully at Izuna.

“Really?” Takara looked at Madara. “Would you really show us?”

“Yeah, c’mon Maddy! Show us!” Izuna smirked.

“Don’t call me that!” Madara huffed, pulling away from his brother. Izuna gave a hearty laugh at his brother’s attitude.

“I bet these lovely ladies would love to see how brave and strong you really are,” Izuna’s voice was a sing-song quality, while he beamed at his brother.

“Oh, yes, please! Show us the jutsu Madara-san,” Taka batted her eyelashes.

Madara sighed, standing up.

“Now you see him,” Izuna gestured towards his brother. Madara wiped a hand over himself, disappearing with a soft pop. Takara and Taka gasped. “And now you don’t!” Izuna pointed at the empty space his brother was moments ago.

“Impressive,” Takara whispered.

“Yes, gave Senju a headache for a while,” Madara said from behind Taka, who yelped in fright.

“Takara! There you are! I’ve been looking all over for you!” Yukiro ran up. “Oh, Madara-san, Izuna-san,” he bowed. “Can I steal Takara-chan?” he asked, looking at Izuna. The younger brother stood up, and grabbed Takara’s hand.

“Sure,” Izuna grinned. “But I would hate to be robbed of such a beautiful treasure that sweet, sweet, Takara-chan is,” Izuna brushed his lips on the back of Takara’s hand. “But I suppose you can steal her away for the night,” Izuna handed Takara’s hand to Yukiro.

“Thanks!” Yukiro beamed.

“I guess I will just have to settle for admiring those eyes, like black pearls from afar has I have been doing for so many years,” Izuna faked a dramatic melancholic sigh. Yukiro walked off, with Takara in toe. Takara glanced back at Izuna and gave him a warm, heartfelt smile.

“Well, I better go mingle, finding husband for four younger sisters is a pain in the ass,” Taka sighed. “I rather be killing Senju bitches, any day,” she waved at Izuna, almost threw herself at Madara, before walking off into the crowd.

“I don’t like her,” Madara grumbled.

“Who? Takara? She’s sweet, Taka is a hawk though,” Izuna sipped more saki. Madara looked at Izuna.

“You do realize that Taka is going to rope you into marrying Takara, right?” Madara asked.

“Let het!” Izuna replied. “Takara is nice, I’ll do my husbandly duty, get a couple of kids and be done with it,” Izuna placed his cup down before lacing his fingers behind his head. “Life is too short to marry for love, if there was peace or Senju wasn’t breathing down our necks, I would seriously consider marrying for love,” Izuna grinned.

Madara shook his head, while he rolled his eyes.

“You know me Madara! You are the big tough iron-hearted one, while I’m the one that wears his heart on his sleeve,” Izuna elbowed his brother. “You always said I was too soft to be Uchiha. Hell, Father agreed with you,” Izuna pointed out. Madara looked away.

“I was wrong okay,” Madara sighed. “You are a strong shinobi and a great Uchiha. I’m sorry I ever called you weak,” Madara looked away.

“Ah! Is Madara finally admitting he’s wrong!” Izuna snickered. “That’s so sweet! Who knew Maddy had a heart!”

“Shut up, Izuna!” Madara shouted, shoving his brother. Izuna just laughed. “Father wasn’t the same after Senju killed Mother,” Madara hung his head. “I’m sorry I ever doubted your skill.”

“Ah! Don’t make me blush!” Izuna then tackled Madara. “Noogie time, big brother!” Izuna rubbed his knuckles into Madara’s hair.

“Ack! Izuna! You brother!” Madara shouted, finally shrugging off his brother, Izuna fell on his back, laughing.

“Speaking of women, you need to get yourself a girl,” Izuna sat up, only to poke his brother in the ribs.

“I’m busy protecting our clan from Senju, I don’t have time for women,” Madara sniffed. Izuna laughed.

“You aren’t clan leader yet! So, keep dreaming and go whoring before the next fight! I hear the Haruno kunoichi are dragonesses in the bedroom,” Izuna smirked. Madara paled.

“IZUNA!” Madara cuffed his brother across the head. Izuna only laughed, eyeing the red face of his older brother. “Who the hell told you that!?”

“Sanosuke, apparently he fucked one, said it was the best bedroom romp he had in a long time. You should try it. Kosuke suggested Inuzuka women, if you like things on the wild side,” Izuna smirked.

“Your friends need to get their heads out of the gutter,” Madara grumbled.

“The gutter looks prettier than a blood soaked battlefield,” Izuna whispered dryly, his eyes distant and tired.

“That’s true,” Madara sighed. “War is hell.”

“Life is war,” Izuna countered.

“Death is peace; Lust is life and love is death,” Madara recited. “I know, I know.”

“Anyways, I hear that Yakazaki needs a couple of shinobi, apparently we’ll be going up against Hyuga this time,” Izuna patted his brother’s back. “No epic battle against Senju Hashirama this time.”

“Hyuga? That’ll be a nice change,” Madara smiled.

“So, should I tell Yakazaki he can count on Uchiha? Cause if not, he’s gonna go with Namikaze or Uzumaki, maybe even Kaguya,” Izuna muttered.

“Namikaze? The teleporting clan? Why would anyone want to hire a bunch of teleporters? Uzumaki, never heard of them and Kaguya,” Madara shivered. “Their creepier than Aburame!”

“I think Uzumaki is known for their skill in ninjutsu,” Izuna shrugged. “So, are we going to take the job or what? Yakazaki pays well,” Izuna asked.

“If we take the job, Yakazaki’s rival will fire Hyuga and hire Senju instead,” Madara muttered. Izuna sighed, he was tired of the fighting, Madara seemed to reveal in the bloodshed; Izuna knew most people where getting weary of the constant never ending war, but they all knew peace only came in death, and you just learned to live with it.

“It’ll give you another chance to fight Senju Hashirama,” Izuna pointed out.

“Who’s Yakazaki’s rival?” Madara asked.

“Ishida, though it’s nearly bankrupted,” Izuna informed.

“Take the job, Ishida won’t be able to afford Senju, we’ll end up fighting Hyuga,” Madara nodded.

“Okay, I’ll send the bird out first thing tomorrow morning,” Izuna pulled out a fist full of coins and shoved them into Madara’s hand. “Here, go to one of the brothels, find a rent girl, spend a night with her, and come back in the morning,” Izuna grinned up at his brother. “Cause you look like hell,” he whispered. Madara laughed, taking the money.

Hashirama hissed as warm herbal water washed over his wound. “Dammit! That hurts!” he dark hair was in his eyes.

“Sorry, Hashirama,” Take muttered meekly, washing the wound.

“Why don’t you just heal it with medical ninjutsu,” Hashirama looked at his black haired cousin.

Take looked away, “Its best if I clean the wound first before using medical chakra to heal it.”

“Hmph,” Tobirama snorted, “you’re just weak.”

“Tobirama,” Hashirama sighed, “give Take a break. She’s a fine healer and Clan Senju is proud to have her among our ranks.” Hashirama groaned when Take pressed her glowing palm against his wounded side. “That damn Uchiha bastard, Madara!” Hashirama growled, a death grip on his cousin’s shoulder. Take didn’t so much as whimper, even though it hurt.

“Don’t worry Hashirama, you’ll kill him,” Tobirama smirked. “I heard that Yakazaki is hiring Uchiha to combat Ishida, who has hired Hyuga.”

Take whimpered, but didn’t stop healing.

“Really?” Hashirama looked at his brother. “Should we talk Ishida into hiring us?”

“No, they don’t have enough money in their coffers,” Tobirama shook his head. “Not enough to fire Hyuga and then hire us. If Uchiha doesn’t take the job, Yakazaki will hire Namikaze or Uzumaki. It’s doubtful,” Tobirama shrugged.

“Done,” Take smiled.

“That’s a relief,” Hashirama rested his head against the wall. “I have no desire to fight Uchiha right now. Madara has a new teleporting jutsu, I couldn’t even sense his chakra. Maybe Hatake or Yuhi, hell, Sarutobi would be a nice change. But Madara’s teleporting jutsu…is something I’ve never seen before,” Hashirama sighed.

“Teleporting jutsu that is better than Namikaze?” Tobirama leaned closer to his brother.

“Yes, for a moment, his chakra just vanished,” Hashirama looked at his brother.

“But…that’s impossible! Nobody can just vanish!” Take gasped.

“Madara can,” Hashirama sighed.

“Those fucking Uchiha bastards! Now they have a vanishing member! Damn them all to hell!” Tobirama kicked an empty bucket.

“Take, leave us,” Hashirama whispered.

“Hai,” Take stood up and hurried out of the room, shutting the door.

“Nii-san, what are you thinking?” Tobirama asked.

“I’m thinking, next time I face Madara, I’m going to use one of them,” Hashirama whispered.

“One of the Nine? No! They are too unpredictable! You even have trouble controlling ichibi! Just think if one of those chakra monsters gets loose! There will be more death than there already is! No! Don’t attempt to even summon one!” Tobirama said.

“It would throw Madara for a loop, and just might give me the upper hand in our next fight. I was thinking about using the nibi,” Hashirama muttered.

“No! If Madara sees one of them, he’ll want one, and then other clans would seek to get their hands on one as well! If other clans know we control the one of the Nine, we’ll never hear the end of it! They’ll try to rob us of them! You told me you’ll only use on of the Nine if our clan was in dire jeopardy! The way I see it, you are just trying to show up Uchiha! Hashirama, brother, Madara isn’t worth revealing our secret weapon!” Tobirama pointed out.

“I guess you’re right,” Hashirama muttered. Tobirama sighed in relief.

“Thank goodness,” Tobirama mumbled.

“But we still need a way to get the upper hand on Uchiha,” Hashirama replied.

“Let your wounds heal first, then we’ll work on a trump card for Uchiha, which I need to do too, as it is, Izuna is getting better.”

Hashirama smiled.

Well? What do you think? I personally liked it, and I’ve been wanting to write a story set in this time in Naruto, ever since I read the truth about Itachi. Now, onto a few notes.

Notes: Taka (Japanese girl’s name meaning tall/honorable, or hawk, but in this story it’s the former meaning), Takara (Japanese girl’s name meaning treasure), Take (Japanese girl’s name meaning bamboo).

When the Hokage brothers are speaking of “The Nine” they aren’t talking about the Nazgûl from LOTR, but rather the nine Bijuu that Hashirama had several under his control. In this story, he has 1-6 under his control. 7-9 are “wild” still.

Personally, I love Izuna, he’s my new Uchiha bishi slave. Madara…I enjoy him before the peace, just because he’s cool then, but once he steals is brother’s eyes he should die.

Before you guys go yellin’ at me, I did look up on Narutopedia for Madara’s brother’s name, it is Izuna! I’m not making this up! Look for yourself. Take, Taka, and Takara are OCs.

Anyways! R’n’R or I’ll sick Kyuubi on you!

DJ