Believe in Me

  A/N This chapter is a bit jumpy, but it is a result of me having studied for hours on end for my Psychology exam, which then resulted in my brain dying.  I never study, so having spent so much time worn me out, and working on my fics is my reward for a job well done ^_^

  “Wake up, boys…” Yuki called the next morning, shaking the kids’ shoulders.  “Breakfast is ready.”

  While Tobirama woke instantly, it had taken Hashirama a little longer to wake up and get off the futon.  The younger Senju ran excitedly to the kitchen, not even bothering to wait for his brother.

  When Yuki and Hashirama arrived at the kitchen just minutes later, they laughed when they found Tobirama waiting for them impatiently with his little arms folded across his chest and his foot tapping against the hardwood floor.

  “Someone’s hungry.” Yuki smiled.  He walked over to the bench and grabbed two bowls before placing one in front of Tobirama and the other in front of Hashirama – who was now sitting beside his brother.

  “Once you finish eating, I’ll take you into town and get you some new clothes and stuff.  Hashi-kun, would you like to be ninja?”

  Hashirama dropped his spoon at the question and nodded, a large grin on his face.  “I do!  Our parents were ninja!  I mean – they taught me some things, but...”

  “That’s okay.” Yuki smiled, noticing the depressed aura that was soon enveloping Hashirama.  “There is a Shinobi school in this town.  I’ll enrol you today.”

  Hashirama cheered loudly.  “Tobi, I’m gonna be a ninja!  It’s so lucky that you found Yuki!” 

  Tobirama was not so happy – he knew that his time with Hashirama would be taken away if they went through with this.

  “’niki…” Tobirama whined, reaching up to hug his brother.  “…Leaving me…?”

  “Never!” Hashirama smiled.  “I love you too much to leave you, Tobi!”

  “Tobi, when you’re older, you can become ninja, too.” Yuki smiled.  “Your brother will not leave – I promise.”

  Tobirama pouted.  “…”

  Hashirama giggled.  “Silly Tobi!  I’m not going anywhere!  Hey!  When I become a good Shinobi, I can teach you!  I’m gonna become the best Shinobi in the world!”

  Yuki smiled.  “Wonderful idea, Hashi.”

  “Yeah!  And I’ll protect Tobi, too!  That way, no one can hurt him again!”

  Yuki chuckled.  “Well, you definitely do look like you have potential.  Eat up – we’re going, soon.”

  The two Senju smiled and nodded, quickly finishing their breakfast.

  -XX-

  “Oh, Yuki-san!”

  Hashirama hid behind Yuki timidly, looking up at the lady behind the administration desk at what he had been told was the Shinobi School.

  “What can I do for you?”

  Yuki smiled and pushed Hashirama out in front so that the lady could see him.  “This is Senju Hashirama, and he would like to become a student.”

  The lady smiled softly.  “Senju?  As in…  The clan…?”

  Yuki nodded sadly.  “Yes…  He wants to become the strongest Shinobi so that he can protect his brother.”

  The lady smiled down at Hashirama.  “Admirable plan, young one.”

  Hashirama shyly smiled back.  He looked up at Yuki, but he frowned when he saw that his brother was in the elder’s arms, sleeping.

  “Hashi-kun is a little shy,” Yuki gently explained.  “He likes to be with his brother.”

  The receptionist smiled again.  “Not a problem.  We shall fill in some forms and then he may be enrolled.”

  “Hear that, Hashi-kun?” Yuki grinned. “C’mon.”

  Hashirama smiled back.  He took Yuki’s hand and followed the man nervously.  Was this the beginning of a fresh start?  The Senju certainly hoped so.

  -XX-

  “Have you got everything ready, Hashi-kun?” Yuki smiled the next day at breakfast.  “Can I help you with anything?”

  Hashirama smiled back, shaking his head.  “I have everything.  I only ask that you take care of Tobi.”

  “I will.” Yuki chuckled.  “He’s still asleep.  Shall I wake him so that he can see you off for your first day of school?”

  “Just let him sleep.  He’ll appreciate it in the end.”

  “Okay.  Are you sure that you can go by yourself, today?”

  Hashirama nodded.  “If I want to be strong, I need to start as soon as I can.”

  Yuki grinned.  “Okay.  Have a good day.”

  “I will.” Hashirama smiled brightly.  He grabbed his bag and ran from the house excitedly.  He couldn’t wait to get to the school. 

  Yuki smiled. He loved both of the boys like they were his own sons.  But alas, things couldn’t always be good.  Soon enough, things would get messy for the Senju boys.  Would they be orphaned once again?

  -XX-

  When Hashirama returned home from school, he seemed sad to Tobirama.  The younger Senju approached his brother, sitting on the ground beside him.  He rested his head on Hashirama’s shoulder and sighed.

  “Sad, ‘niki?” Tobirama asked.  “Why?”

  Hashirama frowned deeply and pulled his brother onto his lap.  He hugged the smaller boy tight as he teared up.   “…The kids at school are mean…”

  “’niki…” Tobirama said softly, hating to see his beloved brother sad.  “’niki, no cry…”

  “Hashi-kun?” Yuki had appeared in the doorway.  “Why are you crying?  What happened?”

  “I…” Hashirama wiped at this eyes.  “…Everyone teases me because they think that I’m a girl…  They’re so mean…”

  “Hey, don’t cry…” Yuki said softly, pulling both Senju into his arms.  “I don’t think that you look like a girl…”

  Hashirama choked on his sob, hugging the man. “…Thank you…”

  “You’re welcome.” Yuki smiled.  “Go wash up and I’ll make you some afternoon tea.”

  Hashirama nodded.  “May I go for a walk first, please?”

  Yuki nodded, knowing that Hashirama was feeling a little depressed.  “Be back before dark.”

  Hashirama left the house quickly and ran to the forest – the only place he truly felt safe.  He sat down underneath a large old oak and brought his knees up to his chest.  He wrapped his arms around them, rocking back and forth.  He had never cried so hard before – not even after his clan had been wiped out.

  Everything was catching up to the young boy, and Hashirama felt as if he couldn’t handle it.

  Hashirama cried his heart out for however long until he finally fell asleep.  When Yuki found him – hours after the sun had gone down – he dismissed the small patch of seedlings that the boy was sleeping in. 

  The only thing was that those seedlings certainly hadn’t been there before the Senju had arrived.