Chapter Text
Tobirama can't believe they're doing this, but here they are in two feet of water, trying to teach his brother how to master having only four limbs. Thank goodness the hotel kiddy pool is locked at night, that's all he can say.
"You missed one," he kicks his feet idly in the water and points. "There."
"Right!" Anija tucks it away, hiding it seamlessly, but it's useless when another one appears on his other side.
"And now, on your left..." Tobirama sighs, rubbing his jaw and wishing he was back in the ocean.
"Damnit!" Anija whisks that one away too, but it only lasts for a couple of heartbeats before he loses control and two more appear. "Fuck!"
"This is hopeless," Tobirama splashes water at his frustrated rival. "I told you it would be."
"I am trying!" All of Anija's limbs droop pathetically. "I really am!"
"Four limbs!" Izuna is ranting and Tobirama doesn't blame him one bit. "Four fucking limbs! Why is this so hard to understand!"
"This is why I don't let him out of the ocean," Tobirama can't resist the urge to point out that he was right all along. "It just never works."
"But he gets all sad!" Madara's tail expands with his upset, as pufferfish generally do, and he hugs Anija comfortingly. "Look at him! How can you say no to that!"
"Like this!" Izuna throws his hands up in frustration. "No!"
"I am a nautilus!" Anija curls up, clearly wanting to retreat into the shell he doesn't actually have right now, and Tobirama shakes his head. "This is hard!"
"We know it is," Tobirama climbs out of the pool, thankful that it's salt rather than chlorine. "But we also know that it's not going to happen, so let’s get you back home."
"At least I saw your presentation." Anija smiles as he follows, down to only six limbs rather than his usual ninety nine. "It was worth it just for that!"
"Then I'm glad you got what you wanted," Tobirama wraps his brother in the biggest towel he can find, hiding everything under cloth that he knows won't disappear. "Thank you for caring about me, Anija."
"I'll always support you," his brother leans against him and Tobirama lets himself enjoy the closeness. "Always."
"So now let me support you." Tobirama chuckles as he ushers Anija out of the hotel and down to the beach. "Right back into the water."
It's where they all belong, after all.