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Once upon a time, there was a land that was rich in water with fertile soils. Its people prospered and were happy, growing fat of the fruit of the land, living under the guidance of the dragons who led them.
All was well, until the coming of the Dark, shadowed spirits which attacked people and dragons alike, turning them to stone. In desperation, the people turned to the dragons who had for so long protected them, crying out for help.
And the dragons responded.
The last few dragons who had survived the Dark, fighting it back with water and fire, gathered together. Five siblings, they gave their magic to Madara, the strongest of them all, and he made a precious gem to drive back the Dark. Wielding that gem, Izuna, the youngest and cleverest, banished the Dark forever, saving humanity and giving up his life in the process.
Some say that Izuna did not die, but instead swam upstream to the source of the life giving river and disappeared. However, no one has seen him since and most discount that story.
With the dragons gone, the humans could have come together to celebrate this great victory, united as one by their grief at the passing of their protectors. But humans are inherently selfish creatures and instead they fought over the Dragon Gem, each nation wanting to obtain it for themselves as a sign of their prestige and power.
Because of this, the Senju of the Land of Fire have always kept the Dragon Gem hidden, held precious and safe, telling no one of its location.
Until today.
Kawarama scrambles backwards, away from the billowing clouds of Dark that are racing towards him.
This is not what he intended when he made friends with the Hyūga boy! How was he to know that his new friend was only a spy sent to steal the Dragon Gem, and that all their talk about his historical research into dragons was only a ploy!
He gasps when he feels a familiar arm scoop him up. Looking up into Tobirama’s red eyes, he can see both determination and desperation.
Hashirama was the first to fall when the Dragon Gem was dropped and broken, racing to his rescue and facing down the released Dark with the sole shard that remained in their possession, only to pass it onto Kawarama in order to ensure his safety as their clan evacuated.
Forever will he remember his eldest brother’s warm brown eyes becoming dull as he was turned to stone.
Even now, in this situation, he cannot help but relax into his brother’s arms though. Because of him their clan has failed in its sacred duty to hide the Dragon Gem, but Tobirama is here. Tobirama will know what to do. Because of this, he’s utterly surprised when Tobirama flings him over the side of the bridge and into the air.
As he falls, he sees Tobirama’s outstretched arms and reassuring smile as he is surrounded and overtaken by the Dark.
Kawarama’s scream is drowned by the waters that cover his head.
The end.