Needless to say, Saruyama struggled to sleep that night; the conversation as brief as it was with her father and Tobirama just kept replaying in her mind. She curled up on her bedroll and stared across at the brown haired boy sleeping away heavily. Hashirama hadn't returned home much later than they did, he came home just in time for them to all have dinner, that was awkward to say the least. The conversations were short, clipped and not entirely memorable. It was uncomfortable to say the least, Hashirama, ever the sensitive one thought that something had happened between their father and his sister, only to end up witnessing them converse like they were back to normal.

Saruyama wanted so desperately to tell Hashirama something, hint at what had happened before he came home, but anytime they were alone was brief as Tobirama was there. It was like he suspected her to go back on her word and promise to their father. It was awful, and a hard position to be in, especially seems Butsama's past behaviour and treatment of Saruyama, it was as if Tobirama knew that Saruyama's loyalties were probably more tied to her brothers, then their father.

She blinked slowly and watched Hashirama squirm about in his sleep, she couldn't help but sigh. Even asleep he was always moving, she swore he had to always be in motion, unlike Tobirama who was still and silent in his sleep, Hashirama was the complete opposite and Saruyama's bedroom was between the two of them. Itama and her used to sleep at the other end of the room, next to Kawarama. But the thought of sleeping at the other side of the room on her own was depressing to say the least.

"You're never going to go to sleep laying there overthinking." Saruyama had sighed heavily without knowing and even more unknown to her was that Tobirama had slowly opened his eyes and looked towards his sister's back. He could tell she was awake, even while lying on her side her shoulders seemed too tense for sleep, her breathing wasn't slow enough and the sighing really gave it away she was awake and aware, but not aware enough to notice him waking.

Looking over her shoulder, Tobirama could see her eyes narrow before she rolled and faced him. "Are you really fine with this?"

"It isn't like I can decline doing it, can I?" Tobirama turned and looked her way too, his sister's expression was worried whereas his own was rather stoic. "It would be easier if you both just came out with what you really do down there, but I doubt that'll happen. Did you honestly think eventually something like this wouldn't happen?"

Saruyama knew that Tobirama didn't believe her words, she knew he probably humoured at best and took it with a pinch of salt. It wasn't like she was totally lying; she was just missing out one person. "I was referring to stalking our brother to see what he is doing." Saruyama was sticking with her previous words, Tobirama just rolled his eyes, he wasn't surprised to see her sticking her heels in.

"Defies the point of reconnaissance if the person being watched knows that they are being watched." Was the ever-pragmatic response from Tobirama as Saruyama wiggled her legs about underneath her blanket. "It's just tomorrow, Saruyama. Just tomorrow, and then this is done with." Tobirama wasn't expecting her to just go completely silent on him, so he spoke up again. It was barely a day away, Tobirama doubted very much that it would even take a day to figure out what was really going on.

"He'll feel really betrayed though." Saruyama whispered painfully, her expression matching her tone. She understood where her father and brother were coming from, but even still, it'd look like a complete betrayal of trust from Hashirama's stand point. That two of his family members don't trust him at his word, when Saruyama understood too why they wouldn't because Hashirama was a little flaky with his river visits, but he had never truly lied or done anything that'd bring disaster on them.

"If it's for his own good, he'll understand why we are doing this. Hashirama has always been able to see the bigger picture, he isn't an idiot, even if he acts like one sometimes." Tobirama said slowly watching as Saruyama just stared down at the little piece of floor between them. "Get some sleep, Saruyama."

She looked back up at him just to watch his eyes shut and for him to roll and face the other way. She wished she could be like Tobirama with his rationale and thinking, but she couldn't help but feel like Hashirama would just feel hurt from being followed and spied on by his brother, who he loved dearly because their father had set him after Hashirama.

Rolling onto her back, Saruyama looked up at the ceiling, there was a candle or two still lit in the corners of the room and the shadows just flickered about, stretching over the wood and curling about like fingers of some unknown figure. Turning her head to look at Hashirama, she just sighed, his arms and legs were everywhere and the blanket was more kicked off him than covering. Stretching over, she grasped the blanket and pulled it back up and over him, Hashirama fidgeted to get comfortable again and stilled again. This was going to be an incredibly long night.

—

"You don't look well, what's the matter?" The last thing Hashirama expected when he finally surfaced was Saruyama laying her head on the dining table and looking groggily towards the door. Butsama had already left, something about a meeting with others and the elders, Tobirama had left not long after, already waiting at the compound's gates for when Hashirama would undoubtedly leave.

Naturally before both left, they reaffirmed to Saruyama to keep her mouth well and truly shut. Maybe not in such blunt terms, but the implication to letting Hashirama know what was about to happen wouldn't be good. Saruyama scrunched her nose up, it was like some form of blackmail or emotional warfare. Tilting her head against the table, she watched Hashirama slowly sit down with a worried expression.

"I really didn't sleep well, my tummy and head hurt." She said, which wasn't a lie, her head hurt because of thinking over this, and how Hashirama would come out of this, her stomach hurt because of much the same reasons, and lying to her older brother made her feel wretched.

Hashirama placed a hand against her forehead and looked a little more worried, if that was remotely possible. "You're a little warmer feeling than normal, maybe you've caught something? Do you need me to fetch someone?" Hashirama was fine with medical things to a point, but if his sister had a bug, she'd need more in-depth skilled healers than him. He wasn't quite there, yet.

Saruyama shook her head and shut her eyes, "Tobirama thinks I just need to sleep it off, and father didn't think there was anything wrong with me. I think he believes I'm faking to get out of training, Satoko has recovered enough to come back fighting fit, she had called asking to spend time with me the other day, and this morning too actually, Tobirama had to tell her I wasn't well. But yes, father thinks I'm faking to continue avoiding fighting. I want to see Satoko, I just...feel sick." Saruyama rambled out and rested her head against her crossed arms once she had pulled them from her lap. She couldn't even look at Hashirama, knowing full well the moment he'd leave the house Tobirama would be tailing him, and his skills with staying hidden and concealed were truly second to none, Saruyama knew no one better than him in this department, same with sensing.

"I don't think you're faking; you seem unwell. Come on," Hashirama forgot all about his breakfast and leaned down and picked her up, she was rather limp and all too accepting to being carried back to bed. She had made somewhat of an effort to get dressed, even if that was in loose fitting clothes which came from either Tobirama or Itama.

"You have plans today, I take it?" Saruyama asked once he had placed her back in bed, she looked up at him and saw him nod quickly with a grin. Saruyama's eyes darted around the room, if she could prolong the inevitable, who'd she be to not try? "Can you stay with me, just for a little bit? I'm sorry to cut into your plans, Hashirama."

He scoffed and plopped down to cross his legs, he even waved a hand her way. "As if looking after my little sister wouldn't come first. Although I'm more surprised Tobirama hasn't stuck about. I remember the last time you caught a cold, he was fussing about, not that he'd say he was. But I distinctly remember him being by your bedside day and night, even making you special food none of us could have." Hashirama said wistfully remembering to a smaller sicker Saruyama and Tobirama, who was seemingly adamant that if anyone could make their sister well, it was him. Hashirama chuckled and shook his head, scratching the back of his neck as he found the memory funny. For someone so stoic and indifferent, Tobirama sure as sure could be could switch as quickly as blinking an eye for those he cared for. Of course, Hashirama was more than happy his brother wasn't completely void and cut off from emotions.

Saruyama tilted her head and smiled up at him, "And if I remember rightly, it was Itama that gave myself and Kawarama that cold, then Tobirama went down with it because he wouldn't listen to father telling him to stay out the room where we three were."

Hashirama laughed and clicked his fingers, "You're right!" Rubbing a hand over his eyes, as if to get rid of invisible tears, Hashirama sighed heavily. "He really is stubborn."

"He's got to get it from somewhere."

"Hey!" Hashirama exclaimed and looked down at his sister chuckling quietly away and looking a little sleepily up at him.

"You're the first born, Hashirama. We have your traits, just in different ways."

Hashirama pouted at that and clasped his hands on his knees. "I'm not sure I like it that way."

Saruyama raised an eyebrow and looked at the ceiling. "I have foggy memories of mother, so I can't remember if we have her traits. As for father...our family's stubborn streak clearly comes from him."

Hashirama tilted his head, pout disappearing as he looked at Saruyama. She seemed so small laying there, she also looked sad and distantly up at the ceiling. "You're much like mother, you look like her, at least. You also have her smile, I see a lot of mother in you, Saruyama." She blinked slowly and looked up at him, Hashirama smiled and gave a nod. "Both you and Tobirama have traits of hers, predominantly the fishing but also the white hair, and red eyes. He's more stubborn than you, so there's father's traits. But you have this compassion in you for wanting to understand and help where you can, much like mother." Hashirama further explained and watched Saruyama smile softly up at him.

"Thank you," she said quietly, Hashirama looked confused, he wasn't sure why she was thanking him, Saruyama turned onto her side and looked at him still with a smile on her face. "Father's gone to a meeting, by the way. I'm not sure what it is about, he never tells us anything unless we need to know." A part of her did dread that some others in the clan had figured out Hashirama's river visits and who with.

"And Tobirama?"

Saruyama shrugged, "I'm not sure, he left with father but I don't think he's at this meeting." She lied and blinked slowly, feeling a little sicker for it. Frowning, Saruyama looked upwards at Hashirama who looked confused by her sudden serious expression. "If you are going out, be careful though, Hashirama. Please, be careful. I did hear father say that some enemy clans had been spotted roaming not too far from our borders. I know some patrols have also been sent out to keep an eye and report back what they see." Saruyama looked imploringly up at Hashirama, she was being as subtle about the hint as possible, she watched his brown eyes grow distant before nodding slowly. Tobirama was right, although he could act like a fool, Hashirama was one of the cleverest people she knew.

"Is Tobirama part of one patrol?" Hashirama asked while reaching forwards and tucking Saruyama in more.

"I believe so. I'm not sure." Saruyama bit her lip and looked at Hashirama worriedly.

He smiled and placed his hand against her hair, "It's okay, Saruyama. Everything will be fine. You have not betrayed anyone, or anything. Just rest, and what will happen will happen and was most likely always going to. We are all accepting of that in some regards, right?" Hashirama stroked his hand through her hair and felt her nod, he leaned down and kissed her on the temple.

"You're still going? Even though you know what's going to happen?" Saruyama looked close to sitting up and stopping him, Hashirama placed a firm hand on her shoulder, she looked comfortable and he didn't want her to move and make herself feel worse.

It was clear this whole thing had been eating her up inside, if Hashirama knew it was this in particular, then he'd definitely have tried to make her feel reassured sooner than now. "Can't go disappointing now, can I?"

"This will truly be the end of your friendship, Hashirama. Make peace with that, before the end actually comes."

"If you can make peace with it, then I'm sure I can too." Hashirama patted his knees and stood slowly, "Well, here I go! I'll see you later, Saru, you just rest up and I'll check on you later!" He beamed and waved her way as he backtracked to the door. Saruyama watched him go and hadn't ever seen such a fake smile on her brother's face before, she knew he'd take this badly, she didn't think he'd still go walking out there to a possible set up; but as he said, it was clearly all going to happen at some point, and today was seemingly that point.