It wasn't like suspicions resided solely in the Senju compound, that wasn't to say anyone was out and out pointing a finger at Madara saying he was up to more than he said, when down at the river. But roaming scouts had been seen, which signalled to those within the safety of the Uchiha compound that the Senju were near, or at least possibly seeking new ground to settle down in, it was unknown what the agendas were.

Those that encountered these scouts had fought with them, had tried to at least capture one alive to get answers from, but they managed to fight their way to freedom. Junpei was one Uchiha who had tried and failed to capture a Senju, and he was taking it badly that he had failed in some way. No matter how many times his cousin and others had to state that the Senju were crafty, and quick.

Looking over the high collar of his top, Tajima narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Which way did you say the scouts went in?" It was all well and good if they had caught one, but the next best thing was to retrace their steps, the best they could. Anyone with half a brain would try and cover their tracks, and Tajima was hoping that in the panic of crossing paths with a few Uchiha, that the Senju hadn't done this.

It was more than clear that Osamu, as off the deep end he went with revenge, managed to find them. He never let anyone know his plans, not really, other than those which followed him. Tomoko and Mariko were probably fed a watered-down plan, that's if Tomoko was even told anything. Because no one survived that, no one could tell them where the Senju were. This was the next best option, and it did wholly revolve around hoping someone was too panicked to cover their tracks.

Junpei had scratched his head in thought for a moment, he only got prompted to talk because Junichi swiftly elbowed him in the ribs. From the swift and pointed look from his cousin, Junpei got it, dragging this out for dramatic purposes did nothing but have Tajima narrowing his eyes more. It was clear he was slowly losing his patience; his question was a simple one, he didn't know why it took so long to answer.

"Across the river, I'd say. I followed as far as I could before I lost sight of them. Crafty bastards dropped smoke bombs behind them, I lost sight, I couldn't even sense them." Junpei admitted, even with his sharingan, they were gone from his sight which was more insulting to him. It wasn't look he was some naive child; this wasn't his first chance encounter with the enemy and most times he had succeeded in capturing for information or dispatching them. He really did not like those which managed to escape him, even more so if they were Senju.

Tajima nodded slowly, processing that information before his eyes narrowed again. The cousins stood there with wide eyes, they both thought he was thoughtfully glaring their way, it wasn't that; realisation or rather a thought crossed his mind which had him turning on his heels and trying to find his youngest son. "Has anyone seen Izuna?" He asked, casting a look back at the cousins, both shook their heads, they hadn't seen the small boy.

Tajima clicked his tongue, knowing his youngest, he was either hiding away trying to train on his own, or he was in their home. There was the slim chance he was with Tomoko, Tajima knew the girl was clearly more attached to Madara than Izuna, but he couldn't imagine the girl shunning any chance of a friend, especially considering most still looked at her like she was a guilty party to what her grandfather did.

"Did you want us to try and find him?" Junichi asked, stepping forwards and standing next to the older Uchiha, the look on Tajima's face was troubled and had Junichi worried that the man thought his son was in danger. Junichi liked Izuna, he was a bubbly young boy who was usually always smiling and up for whatever was set before him.

"If you do find him before me, say I'm looking for him." Tajima waved them away and went on his own search. His sons were close, told each other most things, he knew that well enough. But he also distinctly remembers overhearing Izuna bugging Madara about where he goes sometimes. Tajima remembered full well his eldest saying he visited the river. Now, Tajima wasn't one to believe in coincidences, but something felt like one here.

Rounding the small family's house, Tajima paused to watch Izuna try and target practice. He was good, of course his big brother was better, but Izuna definitely gave it his all and put his heart fully into trying to succeed. Clearly sensing someone watching him, Izuna lowered is arm and twirled the kunai in his fingers before grinning and running towards his father.

Tajima couldn't help but smile, Izuna's smile was contagious, he never seemed to be in a bad mood, even with all the awful stuff that he had seen and been around. Of course, Tajima would prefer his youngest hadn't had to do any bad, or seen any bad, but this was how things were for them. Crouching down, Tajima reached up and ruffled Izuna's hair, much to his unhappiness. His pouting little face had Tajima chuckling, Izuna's spiky hair was more in disarray now than it was from his solo training.

Sheathing the kunai and reaching up to try and control his hair, Izuna looked disparagingly at his father. "That wasn't fair."

Tajima rolled his eyes and shook his head, out of everything, ruffling his hair was unfair? Tajima didn't even question it, "How is your training going?"

Izuna beamed at that before sighing and tilting his head, "It'd be much easier with a partner," he even looked sadly at the ground and kicked it with the toe of his sandal.

"Where is your brother?" Tajima got the hint, Izuna would rather Madara train with him, but he would also not deny finding it fun to train with his father. To be honest, maybe Tajima was a little easier because as any good parent, sometimes he'd let Izuna win at such easy things like target practice. Madara didn't, there was no humouring or letting his brother win when it came to games, Madara was a hard child sometimes.

Izuna puffed out his cheeks as he sighed. "I don't know, he left early this morning. He's probably gone to the river, again." He sounded sulky, Tajima could sense Izuna's unhappiness easy enough.

"Do you know what he does there?" Tajima asked, if Madara was up to something, he couldn't imagine him not telling Izuna, they did tell each other things they didn't tell him. Tajima accepted that ages ago.

Izuna shook his head, he even looked utterly lost. Tajima could see his son literally had no clue, though he could also see Izuna was jealous that he was being shirked for a body of water. "He never tells me anything when he goes down there and comes back."

Tajima looked thoughtful before hearing the familiar voice of Junpei calling out for him, the young man was very vocally saying he hadn't found Tajima's youngest son. How from even the small training ground at the back of the house that the pair heard him was truly a marvel. "How would you like to find out?" Tajima asked while standing back up, Izuna's eyes widened at that before looking less enthusiastic when he realised what his father was suggesting.

"Spy on him?" Izuna's voice sounded suddenly quite small, Tajima felt bad, he should go himself but if Izuna could go with one of the cousins, then Tajima could go with the other and seek out the elders of the clan. There needed to be something done about this. If the Senju were so close, they'd be fools not to act on this. Though Tajima reckoned the scouts had gone and told those within their clan on what happened. It was a race against time to strike out first to get the upper hand.

Tajima looked sympathetic, "Izuna, I wouldn't ask this of you, unless I had to." Crouching onto his haunches again, they had walked to the front of the house, Junpei had waved their way, and Tajima held a hand up delaying him running over. Tajima placed his hands on Izuna's shoulders and looked at him still with the same sympathetic expression. "Earlier today, Junpei crossed paths with a couple of Senju scouts. They were spotted heading back over the river, which means chances are that is where they are camped. It could be their main compound, or just a group, but either way if Madara is down at the river, there is a good chance they could've encountered him, or he could've seen them."

Izuna frowned slowly and looked Junpei's way, the young man was absentmindedly rocking on his heels, swaying his arms by his sides, he looked bored in standing there waiting. "If that's the case, then I wouldn't need to spy on him..."

"You will need to be quiet and as stealthy as possible, Izuna. I don't know if the Senju are doing the same thing as us. If that is the case, I'd rather you not be out in the open."

"But I could take them!" Izuna exclaimed, he sounded so adamant on that.

Tajima smiled, he wouldn't fault his son's optimism, but he doubted he could...and he didn't want to find Izuna somewhere, or Madara find him, losing his last brother would destroy him. "Izuna, if Madara is in trouble, he will need your help. But also, if he is just down there hiding and surrounded by Senju, both Junpei and you will need to get him out. You're both going to the river to get reconnaissance, do you understand?" Tajima was dumbing the situation down, he also didn't want to mention if Madara had crossed paths with the scouts, but he could see Izuna caught the hidden words.

"Okay," he eventually nodded and looked up when his father stood. Izuna still looked troubled, but he looked sterner than he did moments ago, the gravity of this situation was sinking in, and he was going into battle mode. Walking past his father, Izuna went into their home, he needed to get his katana before heading out.

Junpei nodded at Tajima as he approached. "Are you sure you're wanting him to go?" Junpei too didn't want to think of the negatives, mainly because Madara was so damn stubborn he couldn't imagine him being hurt, or worse, but that could be a possibility.

Tajima frowned and looked at Junpei with a rather deadpanned expression. "If my son is down there minding his own business, then he surely won't say no to company. If he isn't doing that, then it is good for him to know he's being watched. Alternatively, if he is hurt, or has been taken or killed, you are one of our best trackers and are more than able to deter Izuna doing something he shouldn't. If I go, then the whole forest will burn."

Junpei nodded slowly before scratching his head, "Would it be bad to burn them out?"

Tajima tilted his head, "At the price of us losing our home too?" He paused to let that question sink in, Junpei was really thinking over it. "You don't have children, and when you do, I pray you don't have to bury any of them, Junpei. Believe me when I say, regardless of us all and our survival, I would destroy all of this forest to try and exact revenge if they had done anything to Madara."

Junpei awkwardly smiled, "No forest fire then."

Tajima turned when he heard footsteps, Izuna was adjusting the strap around him, his katana was sheathed and on his back, he patted himself down just making sure he had smaller weapons if needs be. "Come back when you have sufficient information." Tajima nodded at them both, watching as Junpei placed a hand on Izuna's shoulder and encouraged him to follow his lead. Tajima looked to the lone impressive building in their whole compound where the clan elders were, he could already see Junichi at its doors, hands behind his back and waiting for him.

—

Tobirama and Saruyama stayed in their tree and could only watch as the two boys eventually said their farewells, one sibling watched the pair while the other concentrated on those hiding in the foliage across from them. Those chakra signatures weren't moving, they were very much stoically sitting still like they were, watching the moment and how this would play out.

Tobirama narrowed his eyes when he heard his brother rather cheerily say farewell, the casual way in which he did it just had him feeling like this situation was always playing out when down here. The boy was less cheery, he just waved his way and went crossing the river quickly. Tobirama tracked him with his eyes, Saruyama was focussing on Hashirama and making sure he continued onto their home.

Those from across the river slowly faded, following the boy back the way they came. All the children were unaware that more upstream some scouts had crossed paths with some Uchiha. Considering how strong of a beacon Hashirama could be, it was no wonder that he was easily found by those across the river. The evident Uchiha were looking for the boy and found him with as much as ease as Tobirama found his brother.

Turning and setting his eyes on Saruyama, Tobirama just glared at her nonchalance. Leaning against the wide trunk of the tree, she was clearly waiting for him to speak. Tobirama just shook his head, "I am disappointed in you both." He said slowly, watching her nonchalance fade as her eyes slowly widened. Never before would she ever think she'd hear those words from his mouth, that was clear. Tobirama was disappointed, he wasn't going to lie, they had thrown caution to the wind here.

If this boy was perhaps specialised in more of the information gathering sides of things, then who only knew what he could've garnered from any words they had said. The attack on their home, was it instigated because of whatever this boy had gone back and told? He knew Hashirama could sometimes ignore common sense, but Tobirama didn't think Saruyama was as air headed as their older brother.

"You could've put us all in danger, do you understand this?" Tobirama honestly wasn't even sure they hadn't. Truthfully, they could've already endangered them all, he just didn't know. Nor did he know how he was going to get them both out of this hole they'd dug themselves into.

"This works both ways, and we never got anything from him." Saruyama decided to say, as if she had read his earlier thoughts.

Tobirama just looked at her for a few long and hard seconds. "You two have been meeting with a Uchiha boy, for how many months now? How many times could you both have let slip something, that you didn't mean to? Even the smallest thing, could be weaponised. We're always looking for something to give us the upper hand, Saruyama. That boy, is our enemy, so is his clan."

Saruyama opened and shut her mouth, Tobirama just watched her try and think of a way to contradict him, she couldn't. He spoke sense, it was blatantly obvious sense, but it was sense that herself and Hashirama were clearly wanting to ignore. "Take away our clans...forget that we are at war, and what do you have? Too many orphans to count, a load of angry adults, and children who can't be children. I will not apologise for wanting to make a friend, enemy or not that boy was as lonely and a little broken as us all. It isn't us that's wanting to fight, it's those in charge and we're just having no option but to listen, because we're scared of repercussions either way."

"Saruyama," Tobirama sighed heavily, he pinched the bridge of his nose and looked at her blankly. "In any ideal world, I'd want you to have friends. But friends that can be trusted. We are all we have, at the end of the day, do you understand? If you or Hashirama meet that boy on the next battlefield, friendship means nothing. You're both an obstacle, something to overcome."

Saruyama threw her hands up, "I don't know what you want me to say," she despaired, and anyway, the way she looked at it is that Tobirama was perhaps right about finding out information. At least Madara had made it known that a girl had marked her, the next battlefield Saruyama was going to get hunted out by that girl, not Madara. Madara was Hashirama's hurdle, as awful as that was, they were strong enough to cancel each other out.

"I want you to realise that this was dangerous, not just to you two, but to everyone." Tobirama frowned at her, Saruyama just nodded slowly, of course she realised at any point this could've gone bad. "Think of it this way, if he had betrayed you, set up an ambush, Hashirama would've done anything to get you to safety, even at the cost of his life. That is presuming you'd even survive the initial attack, then what do you think that'd do to him, or to me?"

"Tobirama," Saruyama scooted along the branch, she held her hands up and looked at him. "Tobirama, there is never a passing moment where you are not in my thoughts. You're my brother, I knew that this would cut you, Hashirama knew this was all on borrowed time and knew you were likely going to be the one to find this out. Do you know what? He accepted it, and said he wouldn't hold this against you, because it was something that was asked of you. I think if anything, he's disappointed in himself for not being able to be open to you." Did Hashirama verbally say he'd accept this, not entirely, but he had been fine and acceptant that out of everyone, it was Tobirama to find this secret out.

"I have to tell father," Tobirama said while turning and throwing his legs over the branch. He inhaled and shook his head, looking sidelong at his sister, he tilted his head. "All Hashirama and I want, is for you to be safe. I'm sure Hashirama had his reasons for allowing this, and I feel it revolves around something more sentimental. Whereas I see the hurt and danger this situation will bring on you both. I can't protect you both from this."

Saruyama mimicked him and sat beside him, reaching up and placing a hand against his shoulder, she merely smiled. "We knew this was coming." He nodded, Saruyama removed her hand and looked around themselves, it really was peaceful here, she was going to miss it even more so now. "Just do damage control, Tobirama."

Leaning down and slipping from the tree, Tobirama watched her land quietly beside him. "We should get back," he gestured to the path ahead, Saruyama nodded and walked beside him. He could lie to their father, but that was more damaging. He could try and keep Saruyama at least away from the most of their father's annoyance over this, but that also wasn't fair to let Hashirama go down with this all. They were both clearly known to the boy, there was no denying that.

"How do we approach this?" Saruyama asked hesitantly, she didn't quite know what the next steps were.

Tobirama looked her way before looking at the forest around them. "We find father, in private we tell him what has happened. We then wait and see what he decides."

"Am I allowed to come with you?" Saruyama presumed Tobirama was allowing her to sit in with his report to their father.

Tobirama looked at her sympathetically. "You know the boy's name, how strong he is, what information has been shared, what you have all done at the river. Saruyama, you're coming with me because right now, you know possibly all the information we need to help our father to figure out his next steps."

"An informant?" Saruyama's eyes widened at that, she felt suddenly really dirty. Like every conversation they had as a small group was to be aired out for their father to listen to, to judge, to cynically pick apart.

"This is what you're asking of me, damage control. You either be forthcoming with information, or the alternative is...I wish you hadn't put yourself in this position." Tobirama said, sounding strained as he frowned and shook his head. Did he think their father would hand her over to those which were specialised in the more torturous ways of seeking and finding information? No. But then again, desperate people did desperate things and the information in Saruyama's head, could rightly mean that was more important than her as a person, to their father or those within the clan, that's if their father shared what he was about to be told.