Theme: "Three times Madara wanted to die."
Character(s): Uchiha Madara; brief mentions of Uchiha Izuna, Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Sasuke, Uzumaki Naruto
Pairing(s): None.
Warning(s): None.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but these words.
Note: Written as a reply to a Three Times Meme request.
Dedicated to: Um... whoever made the request I suppose. Sorry it took so long. _;

The first time, he couldn't.

He had made a promise to Izuna; to do what he couldn't. To bring pride to the family where there was nothing but defeat and regret. The younger of the two, Izuna had given him his eyes and his will. His pride and his determination. The Uchiha clan would survive. Would prevail. Would rise up out of the ashes like their ancestors did when faced with opposing forces. And as his eyes burned with scar tissue and new power, he resolved to hold on just a little bit longer until Izuna's dream could be realized. And because of that, there had always remained a lingering sense of resentment on his part towards him for it. How DARE his brother impress such a promise on him? How DARE Izuna die while he was left only wishing for it? Was Madara not worthy of finding that same peace that was promised to them all after a long life of servitude and suffering?

But the younger had made a sacrifice for elder. And Madara was not the sort to waste a gift. Not when it had been given with the sort of love and loyalty that only brothers could share.

The second time, he refused.

He would not die at the hands of that... that SENJU. That was not a death befitting an Uchiha, and Madara had vowed that not another one would fall at the hands of their mortal enemy. Not as long as he lived. And friend or not, he would live... even though his body was old and tired and weary from all of the torment and torture life had pitted against it. Even though death would bring him the peace he so richly desired in the world. He couldn't. He wouldn't. His pride would not allow dishonor besmirch the Uchiha name, not even for his own, selfish sake.

Not again. Not ever again.

The third and final time, he finally did.

It was as if his spirit had been waiting. It was as if he had know all those years ago. Like a hand guiding him along the path of his seemingly endless existence, everything Madara had worked towards ended with this last battle. With this heir to the Senju legacy. And the eldest and almost last - second only to Sasuke who would no doubt be next - closed his eyes with relief while the blond fox cradled his head in his still young lap. So many more years in the boy's life. Not enough seasons to change the world as he did. And yet, even after all he had seen - all he had lived - Madara still spent his dying breath wondered and asking why.

Why would anyone cry for him as he left this world, decades too late to mean anything...