by: gamorasquill

Madara blushed deeply as Hashirama opened the doors to his bedchambers that the two of them would be sharing. He still couldn't shake the thought of sharing a room with the other man, let alone a bed! He was never known as one to share his space with others. A small smile graced his face as the Senju monarch led him inside and gently closed the doors behind them. The servants had already brought Madara's belongings inside and he assumed his clothes were already put away alongside their King's. 

 Curious onyx eyes looked over the large room. It was clearly designed for a royal, gold and ornate embroidery decorating almost every inch of the room. Four long and arched windows ran along the right wall. The bed was enormous and covered with silken red sheets. A desk overflowing with papers messily thrown about sat abandoned in the far left corner. Decorative couches were displayed all about the room, along with some bookcases and interesting looking plants. To his surprise there was also a canvas in the corner of the room with an unfinished painting displayed on it. 

 "You're an artist?" He thought aloud, walking over to the work in progress and perusing it with intrigued eyes. 

 Hashirama flushed and nodded sheepishly. "Well...I wouldn't go as far as calling myself an artist. I try my hand at drawing and painting but they never truly turn out the way I want them to." 

 "Hn...well it's a shame you can't see the beauty in your work. These are quite exquisite." Madara marveled as he looked over the unfished art, resisting the urge to reach out and stroke it. "You have a wonderful style." 

 Pink tinted the Senju's cheeks and he gave a humble nod. "Thank you. I..I hope you find this room to your liking. I apologize for the mess I have made of it." 

 Madara gave him a small smile. "It's fine...really. Much more grand than I imagined, truly a room fit for a King." 

 "Wonderful, so...are you prepared to meet with the rest of my court tonight?" Hashirama asked, walking up to Madara and taking his hand gently. 

 "I'm not so certain that I am. Your friend from earlier did not seem very fond of me..." 

 Hashirama smirked and raised a brow. "Mito? Oh, she's harmless...she just isn't too thrilled with our plans to end the war." 

 "Well, she didn't look very harmless. In fact...she looked like she was going to flay me right where I stood and have my body drawn and quartered." The Uchiha admit, remembering the harshness of the redheaded woman's gaze. 

 "She can be a bit...difficult to get along with when you first meet her but she will grow on you and you her. I promise you that." 

 Although the Uchiha monarch had his doubts he simply nodded with a slight smile. His eyes traveled to the bed and he smiled. "There is one thing I must ask." 

 Hashirama's dark eyes brightened. "And what is that ?" 

 "Are you a cuddler?" 

 .......................

 Tobirama watched the foreigners head into their rooms, servants carrying their belongings into the room. For reasons that escaped even him, the silver haired Prince couldn't keep his eyes off Izuna. There was just something about him...something that was almost enchanting. 

 He was like a personification of the moon. His skin pale and flawless and his long onyx black hair falling down his back, bound in a tight braid. Dark eyes were lowered and focused on his room for the next couple days, harshly scrutinizing and burning with an emotion the Senju couldn't quite place. 

 Onyx eyes suddenly flicked over to him and a deep frown etched itself onto Izuna's face. "What are you staring at me for?" He snapped, his voice sharp like a blade. 

 "Do not flatter yourself." He snapped harshly, turning his eyes to the servants. "Why would anyone want to gaze upon an ugly gorgon like you?" 

 The Uchiha rolled his eyes. "Oh, such harmful insults. What are you five?" 

 "Funny, I was just going to ask you the same thing." 

 "Bugger off." 

 "Go to--" 

 "Nice to see the two of you are getting along so nicely." Hashirama replied as he walked up to them, Madara right at his side. 

 Tobirama glared at his brother but couldn't stop himself from turning the glare upon Madara instead. "Funny." 

 The Senju King ignored him, turning to the brother of his future spouse. "Prince Izuna, I trust your rooms are to your liking." 

 "They are...though I am not comfortable with my brother sharing a bed with a treacherous swine like you." 

 Madara's eyes nearly bulged at his brother's sharp tongue. "Izuna!" 

 Tobirama quickly stepped forward, red eyes live with fury and anger. "You will watch your mouth you little--" 

 "Enough!" Hashirama shouted almost angrily, his booming voice echoing through the corridor. "Please...all this hostility is not what I wanted when I invited you all to come here. Our mission is peace and that cannot be achieved when we are at each other's throats." 

 "It's to be expected." Madara replied simply with a shrug of the shoulders. "I warned you beforehand that all the hatred between our kingdoms would not pjust vanish into thin air." 

 "Yes, I know but it wouldn't kill the two of you to at least try to get along. I know neither one of you approves of this but it will happen whether you approve or not. There is nothing that will change my mind on the matter." 

 "Or mine." Madara quickly added, glaring softly at his little brother. 

 Izuna rolled his eyes and headed for his room. "Perhaps nothing will change your opinions on this idiotic plan...but it also does not change the fact that this is dangerous and could get the two of you killed or worse! Our reactions are only a taste of what you'll receive when our people find out." 

 Hashirama shook his head. "Not everyone longs for the war to continue and not all of the Senju despise the Uchiha." 

 "Perhaps not but I am sure there are a great amount who are just like your ass of a brother. They think we're nothing but animals who deserve to be slaughtered and wiped out." The Uchiha Prince snapped at the King before storming into his room, ordering the servants out and slamming the door behind him. 

 Madara sighed, looking at Hashirama with saddened eyes. "I'm afraid our little tour of your palace will have to wait. I do not feel comfortable leaving my brother alone in this condition." 

 The Senju monarch smiled and nodded. "No, I understand. Please by all means stay with him. I shall see you at supper." He replied, pulling the other's hand up to his lips and kissing his knuckles. 

 Madara's cheeks darkened and he returned the smile. "Yes, of course." 

 The two shared one final smile before Madara turned and entered his brother's room. He softly closed the door behind him with an irritated outtake of breath before turning to face his brother, who was already glaring daggers at him. 

 "You are in no position to be glaring at me." The elder replied, his face immediately stern and full of disappointment. "I told you that--" 

 "I'm well aware of what you said to me. Do not scold and upbraid me like some child!" 

 "Then stop acting like one! Honestly, can you not at least try to get along with the Senju?" 

 "You act as if I'm the one always running around and starting these conflicts but I am not! I would manage to be civilized to your precious husband to be if his brother wasn't constantly acting like a piece of horse shit!" The younger Uchiha snapped. "He's just so arrogant and ignorant not to mention he's becoming a constant pain in my side! And he keeps staring at me like I'm a pound of meat and he's a hungry tiger about to pounce!"

 Madara sighed and shook his head. "I know that Prince Tobirama can be...a bit difficult to be around but he is--"

 "Completely insufferable!" Izuna nearly shouted, his face burning with anger. 

 "Be that as it may you still need to try and make an effort to act civilized." Madara replied, trying to get rid of the teasing smile on his face. Soon his lips were drawn in a tight line and he looked his younger sibling in the eye. "We can't...we just cannot lose this opportunity Izuna. It's our only hope for peace." 

 The younger Uchiha sighed, his anger ebbing away at the tone in his older brother's voice. He nodded gently, crossing his arms over his chest and looking away. "I know. I know...I'm sorry." 

 Madara smiled and pulled his sibling into a tight hug. "Don't be, there's no need. Just try not to make such outbursts at supper tonight." 

 Onyx eyes rolled and Izuna buried his face in his brother's shoulder, nuzzling him lovingly. "Perhaps I'll just hold my tongue completely, would that satisfy you?" 

 Madara laughed heartily, running his fingers through his brother's hair. "If it keeps you from making relations with the Senju even more strained than they already are then be my guest brother." 

 .......................

 "What if they have decided not to come? Or they're so angry that they are leaving right now even as we speak!?" Hashirama thought out loud, twiddling his thumbs above the table. 

 "Then good riddance." Tobirama snapped coldly. "Then we can settle things properly with those dogs and kill them like we ought to." 

 "Your Highness!" Mito exclaimed, her eyes wide with shock. "Don't say such awful things!" 

 Hashirama glared up at his brother and slammed his fist on the table. "Perhaps I should have sent you off with Danzo!" He snapped. "It seems you have much more in common with that slimy old fart than I suspected!" 

 "I agree!" The Prince quickly shot back. "Perhaps you should have sent me off! At least then you would have spared me the burden of sitting here and dealing with your childish nonsense!" 

 "Enough!" Mito shouted, bolting to her feet. Her face was flushed a dark red just like her hair and her furious emerald gaze shifted between both men. "This is ridiculous. Your Majesty, I'm sure the Uchiha have a perfectly good explanation for why they are tardy. And Your Highness...this is your brother's dream for peace and that is no way to speak of it. Disagree if you must but please do not attempt to bully him into changing his mind. You may not like his solution to ending the war but the least you could do is try and support him." 

 Both men looked away at her words and the noblewoman returned to her seat with a satisfied smile. As she sat, the doors were pulled opened and all three turned to watch as Madara, Izuna and the rest of their court filed into the room. They were all dressed in alien but lavish clothing and none but the Uchiha King looked very pleased to be in attendance. 

 Hashirama let out a sigh of relief and quickly rose out of his seat, nearly rushing to the other monarch's side. "Your Majesty...I was beginning to worry." He greeted, taking the Uchiha's hand and leading him towards his chair at the table beside his own. 

 "I am dreadfully sorry for keeping you all waiting. My brother and I were in his rooms and I'm afraid we lost track of the time." Madara explained softly, smiling as Hashirama pulled his chair out for him. "I thank you King Hashirama." 

 "The pleasure is all mine." The Senju mused, pushing him in gently. "Please, Prince Izuna allow me." 

 The younger Uchiha rolled his eyes but didn't mutter a sound of challenge or resistance as the King approached him. With a light sigh he took his seat and adjusted himself once he was pushed up to the table. "Thank you...I see Your Majesty is feeling rather kind tonight." The Prince muttered, glaring softly at his plate. 

 "I'm afraid you are mistaken Prince Izuna." Mito replied, tucking her napkin neatly into her lap. "That is just his Majesty being his usual self." 

 "Hm. Well, forgive me for not being so thoroughly impressed.""Brother." Madara warned, giving his brother a glance that all but screamed caution. "I do hope you remember our earlier conversation." 

 "Oh, all too well do I remember brother." The Prince murmured, lifting his goblet and taking a sip of his wine. Immediately he made a sour face and discarded the cup with a soft gag. His gag soon turned to a harsh bout of coughing and the Prince raised a hand to excuse himself. 

 "Izuna, are you alright?" Madara asked, leaning over and brushing a hand over his younger brother's forearm. 

 The Prince, completely red in the face and still coughing, raised a hand to him and nodded quickly. "I'm fine. I'm fine." He croaked out. "This wine is just terrible." 

 "Brother--" 

 "You cannot blame me for telling the truth. The vile stuff nearly killed me." 

 "My dearest apologies Prince Izuna." Hashirama chimed in politely, offering the Uchiha Prince another kind smile. "Can I get you anything else?" 

 Groaning lightly in somewhat annoyance at the polite smile thrown his way, the Prince turned away. "Water. Please." 

 Madara sighed but knew that that was as good as his brother's tone was going to get. With a shake of the head he brought his own goblet his to his lips and took a sip of his own wine. His eyes widened a fraction in surprise and he took another sip, fighting back a soft groan of approval. Izuna's taste in wines was definitely lacking. 

 "I must disagree with you brother. I found the wine to be quite delectable." The Uchiha monarch teased, sending an almost cruel smile to his brother. 

 Izuna retorted with a light scuff. "Yes well it's no secret to anyone that you have some rather... peculiar tastes.""Oh?" Madara inquired, crossing his arms. "And just what is that supposed to mean?!" 

 "Yes, please do explain." Sakumo chimed in with a wicked smile. "I think I speak for everyone here when I say you've piqued all of our curiosities." 

 "Ah, ah! Not one more word out of you brother!" Madara immediately warned, throwing a harsh glance at his younger brother. "And you!" The monarch snapped at Sakumo who merely grinned teasingly. "Hush." 

 "Don't worry dear Sakumo." Izuna murmured. "I'd be more than happy to tell you everything when my brother is not present in the room." 

 Madara's cheeks flared red and he kicked his brother underneath the table. "Izuna!" 

 "Well, I do hope that that offer applies to everyone at this table Highness." Mito mused with a smile. "I too would love to hear about these peculiar tastes." 

 "There are no peculiar tastes!" Madara replied, his cheeks growing darker by the second. "My brother was just making up stories." With another furious glare he threw another kick across the table, smiling when his younger brother jumped in both pain and shock. "Right brother?" 

 "Ow...yes." Izuna muttered softly, throwing a pout in his brother's direction only to be ignored. 

 "If you're all quite finished...I believe it is high time to discuss the terms of this alliance." Tobirama replied, sitting back in his chair and folding his arms over his chest. "After all, that's what you two hope to achieve with this frivolous marriage is it not?" 

 Hashirama threw a glare in his brother's direction. "So soon brother? The Uchiha just arrived after all and dinner is hardly the time to discuss such--" 

 "The sooner the better. After all, the Uchiha cannot stay for long. Their people need a King to lead them." The Prince retorted cooly."Though it pains me to say it...I believe the Prince is right." Tsume begrudgingly agreed, keeping her eyes downcast. "Our stay here cannot be long. We will have to return to our home with news of the war's end and our King's marriage." 

 "Yes, of course and surely you will also want to coronate Prince Izuna quickly as well." Mito added, beckoning a servant to who was carrying a tray of salted meats and cheeses. 

 A stunned silence followed after the redhead woman's words and Izuna frowned deeply. He looked over at his older brother who returned his gaze with just as much confusion."And...why would I need to be coronated?" Izuna asked, his eyes lowering. 

 Mito looked around and blinked at the sudden tension in the air. "My apologies...I was under the impression that King Madara would live here after marrying King Hashirama." 

 "Why would he do that?" Sakumo inquired meeting Mito's gaze. 

 "Well, surely one of our monarchs will have to leave their kingdom and come to live with the other. What kind of marriage would they have if they were not ruling together? Side by side as most married rulers do. The union would be pointless if they were not truly going to act as one." 

 "And you just assumed that my brother would be the one to leave his home and stay here? Why not your King?" The Uchiha Prince nearly demanded. 

 "This is exactly why we need to negotiate these terms." Tobirama stated matter of factly, turning to glare at his older brother. "We have no idea what's going to happen after this wedding." 

 "Alright brother, you've made your point." Hashirama muttered, ignoring his brother's hardened gaze. "However, I still don't think that dinner is the proper place to do these things.""Well, I think the timing is just right." The white haired Prince mused, an almost devious smile tugging at his lips. "We're all here so why don't you and your betrothed make some decisions. For instance who will be the one to relocate?" 

 Another moment of silence passed and Hashirama turned to Madara, who was staring intently at the table. His hands were gripping his silverware so tightly his knuckles were turning white and his cheeks were darkening by the second. Just as the Senju was about to open his mouth and ask the other King if he was alright, Madara spoke up; his voice barely above a whisper. 

 "I will." 

 Izuna choked on his water, nearly knocking down his chair in his haste to stand. "Brother!" 

 Sakumo wasted no time speaking up, his voice filled with disapproval. "Your Majesty, that is quite a--" 

 "You all said it, one of us must leave our kingdom! Why not me?""Because you have a kingdom to run!" Tsume exclaimed. 

 "And he does not?!" Tobirama quickly snapped back, jabbing a finger in his brother's direction. 

 The noblewoman threw a feral glare in the Senju Prince's direction, resisting the urge to snarl like she always did when upset. "Begging your pardon...Highness, but I meant a kingdom that truly matters." 

 "Tsume!" Madara warning, eyeing her with a stern gaze. "Enough. I will leave my kingdom and come here. It's not that heinous a situation, besides it's not like I'm leaving you with no ruler at all. Izuna has been preparing to inherit my throne since our father died. I'm sure he is more than ready to take over our kingdom and rule in my place." 

 The Uchiha Prince shook his head slowl, his breathing hitched and his eyes panicked. "Brother, I beg of you don't--!"

 "Everything will be fine Izuna...you are more than prepared for this." Madara whispered, feeling his brother's panic from where he sat. It tore him apart to see his brother so scared but he knew the Senju would never agree to send Hashirama away. Someone had to compromise... 

 Izuna shook his head, his breathing growing more and more rapid, almost as if he were hyperventilating. His eyes widened and it was becoming clearer that he was a little disoriented. A shaky hand came up to clutch at his chest and his footing unraveling. 

 "Your Highness?" Sakumo called, worrying quickly taking over his face. "Your Highness, are you alright?" 

 The Prince opened his mouth to speak but no words would form. Instead he choked and gagged, roughly gripping at his clothes before finally he coughed up blood. Crimson erupted onto the table, the ground and even managed to spray Mito who was unfortunate enough to be sitting near him. Immediately the noblewoman shrieked in shock, quickly scrambling away from the table and frantically wiping her face. 

 "Brother!" Madara cried out in absolute horror. He practically leapt out of his seat, along with Sakumo and Tsume who rushed to the Prince's side. Izuna instinctively reached out for his brother with a pained gasp before collapsing to the ground. The Uchiha monarch and his court knelt down around the Prince, surrounding him. As gently as possible, Madara pulled the other's head into his lap, flinching when Izuna hacked up more blood. 

 "Guards!" Hashirama yelled, his voice just as frantic as Madara's. "Guards come quickly!" 

 Madara cradled his brother close though his tears obscured his vision. "What..what's happening to him!?" He demanded. 

 Sakumo looked back at the table, specifically Izuna's goblet, before his eyes returned to the Prince, his expression dark and grim. "Poison." He rasped out. "Prince Izuna has been poisoned."