Author's Note: So here is the final chapter, at least I hope so. I'll try to stick to my word. Like the last chapter, this one will begin with a flash back. So enjoy.
PS: If you want a prequel to this, then please, vote on my poll. It will close by Saturday. So if you want to know how the two actually got together, how it ties in with the manga and so many other unanswered questions, then vote!
Hashirama remembered the days when Tobirama agreed to carry the heir (heiress) for the Uchiha clan and have the fertility jutsu performed on him. During his pregnancy/ies, Tobirama remained contempt whenever he wasn't at his house. In public, he used a henge jutsu to hide his changing body. His mood however, stayed the same, mostly. He lunged out at Hashirama more than usual, and was quick to blame Izuna for his misfortunes, but overall he was normal.
Madara on the other hand, was a completely different story. Upon waking up, and recalling the shock of his own pregnancy, he wanted nothing more than to kill Shodai. Without so much as a knock, he burst into his husband's office and began to yell.
"You selfish bastard! You specifically ignored me! I told you no!" Hashirama made way to run, but Madara had already jumped over the desk to tackle him. "I can't believe you_"
"Madara_"
"No! I specifically told you_"
"This stress is bad for the_"
"Don't you dare lecture me_
Their bickering went on for seconds more until finally, Hashirama did something strange. He just softly, placed his hand on the clothed surface of Madara's stomach and rubbed it. It didn't take long for Madara to sigh and let Hashirama do as he pleased.
"I can feel it."
Madara remained silent, as he allowed Hashirama to rub his stomach. There was too much anger stored inside of Madara to mutter a word. He sat up, trying his best not to punch Hashirama in the face. There were so many things wrong with this picture that Madara felt so strange, so out of place.
Softly, much softer than he intended to, he pushed Hashirama away and glared at him.
"Come on, you can't be that mad, Mada-chan?"
Madara caught his breath as he reflected on the name 'Madara-chan'. He glared even harder as he slowly stood up.
"Go fuck yourself." He couldn't find anything better to say, aside from 'go kill yourself', but Hashirama continued to follow him.
"Why are you so angry?"
"Because I didn't want this!" Madara turned around in anger. "You wanted this, just like wanted me to come back to the village, just like you wanted me to create this village with you in the first place! Just like you wanted me to do a lot of things! But never did you take what I wanted into account, like I don't want this baby!" The words stung Madara, but he continued, he just needed to get his point across. "For once, why don't you ask me what I want? You have children, why...why did you have to do this to me?"
Hashirama was beyond hurt, yet he managed to talk without completely falling apart. "I didn't think...I didn't think it was fair_"
"Of course it wasn't_"
"I didn't think it was fair that, I had a family, and you didn't. My biggest fear for you was that...in the Valley when we fought, that you would die and you wouldn't have a legacy. You wouldn't have any children to remember you, you wouldn't have..."
He trailed off as Madara listened, feeling his heart soften with every word. Like always, he regretted yelling at Hashirama, he regretted being angry at him. Hashirama was nothing but a softy, a teddy-bear and couldn't at all handle being yelled at well, especially being yelled at by Madara.
"I'm sorry I didn't get your permission, I'm sorry I messed up, I'm sorry I destroyed up your life. I'm trying so hard to make you happy and I don't even realize you hate me."
Those words stabbed Madara through the chest as he quickly began shaking his head.
"No...no...no...Hashirama, I don't_"
"If you don't want to be with me, if you don't love me, that's completely understandable...And the baby, I can use a jutsu to terminate it."
There was a pause, and Hashirama's shoulders slumped, Madara instantly walked over to him and hugged him.
"Of course I love you, Hashirama. I don't hate you...I could never hate you, no matter how hard I tried." He smiled when he felt Hashirama's arms wrapping around him softly. "And I don't want to terminate the baby...I'm sorry I made you think I did."
"You don't?" Hashirama looked down at him, shocked, there was a newfound hope in his eyes. "You want to keep it?"
"Yes." Madara rolled his eyes, stepped back and crossed his arms. "I want to keep 'it'." He sighed. "I'm sorry for being an ass, I'm sorry for yelling at you. Don't say it's okay. I said very hurtful things and I...I hate being angry, I hate to be angry at you."
"I understand though." Hashirama gave a small smile. "For such a long time, I've ignored your opinions and your emotions. I haven't been fair to you, but trust me, I try. I just don't know why I'm like this when it comes to you."
"Because you know what's best for me, better than I do." Madara hated to admit it, but it was true. It had been true ever since they were children, they just didn't know it then. "You know me, better than I know myself...You have the best intentions for me...you really do care about me. You have cared about me, for all your life and I tend to just push you away. This baby is the least I can do for you." He walked over to Hashirama and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. "Thank you...for everything."
Hashirama smiled, and with a quick motion of his finger, moved Madara's hair from his hidden eye. "I want to start seeing this a lot more."
The two really didn't sleep that night, they talked, about many things. However, the one thing that their conversation revolved around the most was perhaps their baby.
"I have a name." Madara finally announced with his back towards Hashirama.
"You're only two months along, you don't have to come up with a name now." Hashirama quietly replied. "But let's hear it then."
"Cain if it's a boy, May if it's a girl." Madara spoke.
There was silence for a while, and then Hashirama shook his head and sighed. "The thing I love about you is you tend to be different from everyone, even your own clan, you set yourself apart and I admire that. However, Cain is an untraditional name. As Akio has already surrendered leadership of being the Senju clan Leader after me, then our new baby, boy or girl, cannot be named Cain or May. As the father, I'm going to require a much more traditional name."
Madara smirked. "How authoritative. It's just a name."
"A name that will go down in history. I don't want Cain or May to be the names of my children."
"Well, it's in my body, so my opinion rules over yours."
"Oh really?"
Hashirama pulled Madara into an embrace from behind and placed his hands on the former Uchiha's sensitive stomach. "Some things are going to change."
"Obviously." Madara sneered.
"Well you're going to change of course...but I mean, you need to change yourself for this lifestyle."
"Meaning?"
"You need to look like kind loving Madara Senju, not scary, ruthless, sadistic Madara Uchiha." Hashirama rolled on his back, Madara did the same.
"Scary? You thought I was scary?" Madara laughed. "You of all people."
"Well you controlled a fox...In addition, you can make your eyes turn red at will, put people in terrible illusions_"
"You can make wood come from your body, you can go into 'Sage Mode', and you don't look very welcoming then either. In addition, you can sneak up behind someone without them even noticing, and_"
"Don't think about that Madara. We have a new life ahead of us, you have a new life ahead of you." He turned back on his side and kissed Madara's forehead. "Good night Love."
Madara turned on his side and yawned. "Good night Shoadime."
Hashirama's only laughed as he slowly drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
"Good night Cain." He heard Madara whisper quietly and mockingly, he rolled his own eyes.
It was late, when the two found themselves sitting down at the edge of the valley, overlooking the village. The Flashback left Hashriama with a clam feeling, but brought him back into reality.
"This was the place we first met." Madara said quietly. "Except...this wasn't all here."
"I remember." Hashirama spoke quietly.
The village itself wasn't asleep, as there were lights on, people moving from here to there going about their business. Both Madara and Hashirama stared down in silence, as a warm summer breeze made its way through.
"You may be a grandfather soon." Madara turned towards Hashirama. "I hear your daughter is having a baby. I think you should go visit her."
" 'Grandfather', that makes me seem old." Hashirama laughed, but sighed. "I'm not sure my daughter even wants to see me."
"It's worth a try." Madara softly nudged him. "Besides...she's your daughter, you wouldn't want to miss the birth of your grandchild."
Hashirama's thoughts drifted towards his youngest daughter, Yukio. She had been in an arranged marriage to a cousin in the Senju clan, just like Mito had been to Hashirama. Like her parents marriage, it was not only to strengthen the clan politically, but also to produce an heir with both Senju and Uzumaki blood.
Yukio had been married since age thirteen, never really giving her the chance to be a child. Unlike Akio, she was a woman of the Senju clan, therefore, as far as producing heirs, the job fell on her, meaning she couldn't enjoy her childhood like her brother.
Things were like that, in both Senju and Uzumaki clans. As young as age twelve, the girls would be given away to their cousins to keep the bloodline strong. Rarely did they ever marry outside of the two clans. Tobirama, with his marriage to Izuna was amongst the first, and Hashirama, after his divorce with Mito as well.
Both Uzumaki and Senju clans were amongst the noble families, and their customs were strong and concrete. They rarely welcomed outsiders, and more than often they tended to look down upon those lesser than them (the Uzumaki more so than the Senju).
The other two noble clans however, Hyuga and Uchiha (Izuna's Clan), were welcome to more things. For instance, they didn't marry within their clan, as they believed that spreading their kekkei genkai made for better shinobi. They welcomed outsiders, no matter what class, as Izuna's eldest daughter was best friends with a poor boy from the Umino tribe. Above all, they had big hearts, both Uchiha and Hyuga.
Their love for those, less fortunate than them was what made them more welcoming, more lovable.
Strangely, Hashirama had to get used to Madara's strange customs, things that he wasn't at all used to. Madara lived up to his clans expectations, meaning that he saw goodness in everyone he met. Whether it be a poor beggar on the street or a rich man who lost his way. Madara could see past all their vices, and see the goodness in them.
It was strange, as one would think that this was a trait would be seen more in the Uzumaki and Senju clans, rather than the Uchiha and or Hyuga.
Because of this however, there tended to be friction between the clans. For instance, Izuna's daughter and Hashirama's daughter could never get along, regardless of the fact that they were cousins. Perhaps it was the fact that Ruth, along with Naga (Hyuga clan Heiress), had more freedom while Yukio's life was planned out from her since birth, like her mothers.
Still, Madara was right, Hashirama had to at least try to reach his daughter, disregardless of her feelings towards him, still it wouldn't be easy.
They were shouting, both Yukio and Hashirama, as if they were enemies. Mito stood in the doorway silently as Akio sat in his father's chair with a disinterested look on his face.
Today, Yukio was dressed in a fashion much similar to her mother's, with her red hair in two perfect buns and her face smothered with make up. Her kimono, like Mito's, was exquisite and beautifully white - engagement colors. She was twelve now, but she was engaged to a man about nineteen. He was a Senju, a close cousin to the head family.
"I'm not staying here!" She yelled at Hashirama. "Not with them!" She pointed at the desk, where her brother sat. However, sitting on the surface of the desk was a girl, about sixteen years old. Her hair was black and unkempt, in a very messy ponytail. Her dark eyes were that of annoyance, and her lips were molded into an unhappy frown. She wore a plain red Yukata as she crossed her arms in an angry fashion.
"What makes you think I want to stay with you?" She snapped. "You're nothing but a snobby little princess who disrespects her father! I'd never want to spend a week with you."
"How dare you! You're nothing but a reckless Uchiha clan heiress that lets her clan do whatever! That lets her women do_"
"Women? What's that supposed to mean_"
"Women are supposed to always be commanded by a man_"
"That's dumb! I'm not a slave, maybe you and your clan are_"
Akio laughed at that moment, as the two girls bickered with each other. Hashirama sighed, as Mito repeated his action.
"While your father and I are no longer together, Yukio, I personally think it would serve as an advantage for you and your cousin to bond. As you are both heiresses, you can help each other in the future. That is if Ruth remains unmarried, and keeps the clan to herself." Mito smiled and turned towards Hashirama. "I trust that the two will bond, like cousins are supposed to. Until then Hashirama, I leave our daughter to you...I will be back for her in a month." Hashirama faced her with a hopeless expression on his face.
"Really?"
"I trust you, Hashirama. You've done so well taking care of Akio alone...and besides, you need to teach Yukio a lesson or two about respect!" She inclined slightly. "I will be back in a month, and then we'll proceed with our daughter's wedding."
Mito had left without so much as saying goodbye to her daughter. As she exited, two other people entered the room, Tobirama and Izuna. Respectfully, they both said hello to Mito, who returned it with the same enthusiasm.
Izuna was carrying about three suitcases as he entered the Hokage's office, dropping them down on the floor before him. Hashirama rose an eyebrow.
"Three suitcases?" He asked. "For what?"
"Ruth invited Tomo to stay...and I think Naga." He stretched when he was finally free of his luggage. "Misaki is still in the hospital, and so are the twins. So we're happy to leave Ruth and her friends on your hands."
"Wait no..." Hashirama felt at a loss. "Tobirama, I can't keep three more kids!" He looked at his younger , brother for support who rolled his eyes. "Stop overreacting. Tomo and Naga are teenagers, not children. And I have to provide for four brats, not to mention a husband with the eyesight of a bat."
Izuna looked from where he stood and frowned. "Why are you always so mean_"
"Daddy!" Ruth jumped from her desk and let ran towards her father. "Please don't make me stay! I don't want to stay with her!"
"I thought we came up with a compromise. Tomo and Naga are staying over!" Izuna replied.
At the mention of 'Tomo', Akio sat up from the desk and a smile crept on his face, however his sister made a noise of disgust.
"That dirty, stupid , poor uneducated, gypsy, Umino boy!" Yukio stomped her foot. "I will not have that trash_"
"He's not trash!" Akio slammed his hand on the desk, causing everyone to stare in shock. "You need to realize that more people exist on this Earth other than you. Do you even think I want you here? Do you even think Dad does? No! The only reason you're staying here is one, because of the court rule, and two, because you need to bond with Ruth so when you two become older, you can be partners while running your clans. But you're not going to have a clan to run because you're getting married, and I'm pretty glad. You'd be a dictator if you ran our clan!"
Ruth sniggered and stared at Yuki, sticking her tongue out slightly. Tobirama shot her an ugly glare, and she retreated just a bit.
"That's lovely." Tobirama crossed his arms, wearing the same lovely expression. "You have more work than I thought on your hands, brother. As much as I'd love to stay, I have work to do."
"Or work not to do." Izuna approached him and pulled him into an embrace. "Remember, we're finally free?"
For the first time in months, Hashirama saw his younger brother smile and thought how easy it would be for him to do that if he himself came up with some sly catchphrases when they were kids.
"Oi, how's my brother doing? You're not keeping him as a prisoner?" Izuna brought him back to reality. "I'm trusting you with my daughter and brother."
Hashirama's eyes opened wide a bit. "Madara is sleeping in the bedroom, he doesn't want to be disturbed now. And while Ruth is your daughter, she is also my brother's daughter. Of course I'll take care of her, as if she was my own child."
Izuna crossed his arms and grunted. "I guess I can trust you." He looked at Tobirama. "Let's go dear. Tomo and Naga will be by shortly Ruth, maybe Danzo and Kagami will show up. I'll see you in a month."
Tobirama didn't say goodbye, he only gave his daughter a calm smile before exiting the room with Izuna, leaving his elder brother alone.
There was silence, as Hashirama stared at the kids. He very much wanted to know what they were thinking, and if they were plotting against them. Never had he been thrown into a situation such as this one, he very much wanted to avoid it.
"I'm waking Madara up." Aki said, rising from his father's chair. "I want to go on a hike with him_"
"I'm coming with you." Ruth said before he could finish, jumping off of the desk. The duo didn't even bother looking at Yukio, who stood there fuming.
Hashirama watched as they left his office. He then made way towards his daughter, who drew back.
"I want to go with mother." She said. "I don't want to be here with you."
The words hurt Hashirama, but he hid his emotion. "Yukio...you're my daughter and you're still a child_"
"Child? Ha!? I am to married in a month and you still consider me a child!"
"Yes!" And for the first time, he actually hugged her. "You are a child, you are my child. I know you hate me for a lot of things going on between you and mom, between you and me, but I'm sorry. I know you don't want to get married...and I wish sweetheart, that I could fix that. But I can't...and I'm sorry...I know you hate me for that and you deserve to. I only ask that you forgive me for my mistakes, and that with your family...we can make this month memorable."
Yukio didn't say anything, she didn't have to. She only melted in her father's embrace and cried harder than she ever had before. She clinged on to him and began to tremble, letting him hold her up.
"I love you daddy, and I'm sorry for the way I've been acting."
Hashirama only embraced her tighter. "Don't be Yuki, and I should be the one saying sorry. And I love you too, I always will."
Madara sat on the pond's edge and watched as the two cousins trained. He wasn't very interested in their conversations, he was just observing their fighting techniques. It was obvious that Ruth had adopted the Uchiha way of fighting while Akio on the other hand, fought like a Senju.
Like Izuna, Ruth was quick, yet she neglected to use her sharingan. That was understandable, she was competing against a friend, not an enemy. Plus, Akio wouldn't know how to react to such a technique.
Madara was quite surprised when Akio fell on his back and Ruth's foot ended up square on his chest. She was grinning down at him with her black bangs over her head.
"I am the winner!" She proclaimed. "You have to buy me ice cream now." Ruth giggled as she helped her frantic cousin up. He dusted off his Yukata and frowned.
"I'd buy you ice cream, but I don't have any money." Akio replied, standing up.
Grunting Ruth rolled her eyes. "Why you idiot, would you make a bet and you know you don't have anything to back it up?"
At that moment Madara stood and laughed. He slowly walked over to the two and put a hand on Akio's shoulder. "He's as bad at gambling as his father is. There's no point in trying to tell him to play fair."
Akio blushed but chuckled ignoring Ruth's pouts. He then turned around and without warning began to poke Madara's stomach. The former Uchiha caught off guard, jumped back just a little bit, but the young Senju ignored this and continued to poke.
"So what's it going to be? Girl or boy?" Akio grinned. "I want a little brother!" Madara smiled a little bit, feeling warmth in his heart. He was glad that Akio would accept his baby as a sibling, in all honesty that's what he was most worried about.
"I think he's going to be a boy." Madara looked at his stomach. "I already have a name for him."
"Oh! Tell me!" Akio grinned.
"Cain..." And of course there was silence, Akio wore the same expression as his father. He crossed his arms and shook his head. "What about a more traditional name."
"Yeah!" Ruth spoke, as she presently sat down. "Your brother named me 'Ruth', what the hell is a Ruth? I hate my name, I wanted to be named Sayuri, but I got stuck with 'Ruth'! What is it with the two of you and weird names?"
"It's a long story...but I'm willing to tell you, if you'd listen." Madara carefully sat down on the stone ground once again and beckoned the other two to do so as well. With one hand holding him up for support as he leaned back, and another draped protectively over his stomach, he began his story.
Walking back to the Hokage tower was silent, as expected. As much as Madara tried to make his husband feel better, he still couldn't deny the fact that their infant son was missing, perhaps miles away from them.
Still, Madara wasn't going to breakdown because of it, if certain matters had to be addressed, then they would be. If Madara had to leave the village again to seek out his son, then he would do it. There was only so much he could do at that very moment. He only prayed that, by some miracle his son would be returned to him.
"You look tired." Hashirama noted, as the two walked upstairs. "You should go straight to bed after this."
"Yeah..." Madara replied, placing his hand on the knob to Hashirama's office. "I think we both need some sleep though."
He opened the door slowly and jumped when he heard all the laughter and talking inside. If they were intruders, Madara didn't seemed alarmed or anything as he rushed inside. Hashirama, not sure what to do stood there for a while pondering on who could have been in his office at such a late hour. As he made way to walk in, Madara suddenly rushed out of the room with an enthusiasm that Hashirama hadn't seen in years. And there, in Madara's arms was none other than their small baby, Yuukana.
"Hashirama! Hashirama! They found him! Oh they found him! He was here all along...he's safe!" Madara jumped up and down, alarming even Yuukanna. He then pressed the baby's face to his own and began to tear up slightly. However, the large grin on his face never subsided.
"Yuukanna...I was so frightened...I was so worried that I would never see you again..." Madara whispered. "Please don't ever vanish like that again."
Hashirama walked closer and stared at the two for a while. It was truly a wonderful image, seeing the two embrace like that. Madara however, did carry that somewhat frightening image about him, even when holding his own baby. Still, Hashirama knew that there was nothing he could do about that now. It was just the way Madara looked, but that didn't define his personality, or his parenting.
Hashirama bypassed the two and entered his office. There he saw his two confused looking sons Akio and Sam, and another person, a girl, Ayana.
"Hokage-Sama!" She shouted nervously.
"Ayana...did you bring Yuukanna back?" He asked, sheepishly.
"Yes...you left him there with me by accident I suppose. I didn't notice until he started whining for you, but I brought him back. I see Madara-sama is very happy."
Hashirama smiled. "Yes...he is." He sighed and walked over to Ayana, pulling her in a soft hug. "Thank you so much for returning him, and not doing anything strange...I don't know what I would have done without you."
For seconds the two stood like that until someone cleared their throat. Releasing and look towards the doorway, Hashirama saw Madara. The former Uchiha carefully gazed in Ayana's direction and made way towards her. Hashirama was somewhat nervous, as for obvious reasons, Madara had a strong dislike towards Uzumaki's. But he seemed calm and reasonable, as Yuukanna fell asleep in his arms.
"I'm guessing, you are responsible for bringing my baby back." It wasn't much of a question, more of a statement in his usual emotionless voice. It had been some time since Hashirama had heard that.
"Y...yes I am." Ayana already felt somewhat intimidated, but she surprisingly stood her ground.
There was silence between the two, before Madara finally closed his eyes and nodded. "Thank you." He humbly spoke. "If you had not returned him...he would have been gone, perhaps."
He smiled at her. "Thanks..."
"You're welcome, I guess I should...I should get going now then, I'm kind of in the_" "I'll take you home." Sam spoke from his corner of the room. "I mean it's dark, a young lady shouldn't be going home by herself." He smiled and walked towards the door. "You lead the way?"
"Oh..." She blushed. "Yes...oh...um...Good bye Hokage-Sama_" "Call me Hashirama." "Good bye Hashirama, good but Madara-sa_Madara. Goodbye Akio." She waved slightly before following Sam outside.
Minutes later, Akio stretched his arms and placed them behind his head. "I'm heading out...Tomo is probably wondering where I am. Later Dad, later Madara." And without another word, Akio was gone, leaving the three in there alone.
Madara sighing, quickly turned on his heel. "I'm getting ready for bed...you should too. You're stressed Hashirama."
"You're right...let me just...do a bit of paper work and_" "No." Madara used his free hand to grab Hashirama's and pull him out of his office. "I don't want you becoming a zombie to your work. It is time for us to sleep, the three of us."
Hashirama didn't protest because afterall, Madara was right. He was beyond exhausted...he could use a good night's sleep.
Like usual, Madara was ready for bed quicker than Hashirama was, even with having to prepare Yuukanna as well. Hashirama had taken a shower directly after Madara and found himself nearly moving like a zombie. He was exhausted...he needed sleep.
When he reached the room, he instantly fell shirtless, head first on the bed. Madara was sleeping peacefully on the other side of the bed, with his hand extended on the edge towards the direction of Yuukanna's cradle. Hashirama crawled closer to him and pulled him into a soft embrace.
Madara purred a bit, melting into Hashirama's warmth and feeling more and more comfortable by the second. Hashirama could see the small smile spreading across Madara's lips as he turned his body around and placed his head in his husband's chest.
"Tell me a story Hashirama..." He whispered. "I won't sleep until you do."
Hashirama chuckled a bit, it was a low chuckle as his muscular arms tightened around Madara's frame. "Let's start with two boys who had no idea how to skip rocks."
Madara laughed. "I like that one."
Hashirama vividly remembered standing there with Madara, overlooking the village. That was so many years ago and it seemed like a distant memory, a dream. He remembered standing there next to his future spouse, being oblivious of it, yet at the same time, feeling his heart beat faster and faster.
It was true, that Hashirama had loved Madara from the beginning, but never was he clear about how or what Madara felt about or for him. All those times they spent together, over looking their creation, Hashirama had been tempted to ask Madara. Did the two share more than a mutual friendship? Did Madara's heart skip the same amount of beats whenever he saw Hashirama.
All these questions Hashirama wanted to ask but he feared rejection...he feared losing that friendship he had worked so hard to achieve. So he kept his mouth shut, and only talked about things that he thought Madara would want to here. He only spoke about the village the two of them had created.
It turned out that Hashirama's muskmelons did not go to waste.
That morning, the two sat in the same exact spot they had the night before, and for breakfast, feasted upon the fruits. Yuukanna was in good hands now, that of his cousin, though Ayana wasn't what one would consider "bad hands", the girl was actually very sweet.
That morning, Hashirama did a lot of talking, like normal, Madara listened and agreed, like he had for his whole time knowing Hashirama. Years ago he would've thought that the Senju was trying to control him, trying to dominate him, but now he knew that Hashirama was just being himself. For the longest time, he had made efforts trying to reach Madara, but they had fallen short on deaf ears. Madara, now married to Hashirama, felt terrible for that. He felt terrible for allowing himself to build up Hashirama as an enemy, when all the man wanted to do was help.
In more ways than one, Madara was kind of like a musk melon. He was very rough out the outside, very hard. His personality, and facial expressions said it all, as well as his actions. Madara had built himself like that after nearly losing those close to him, after feeling betrayed by the man he loved most, and after having to face the beginning of his misfortunes all over again. So it was true, Madara was like a hard shell of a muskmelon, he had the right to be.
But at the same time, he was also the sweet, soft fruit inside, hardly anyone knew that though. No one would want to take the time, in extension not even Izuna.
It seemed like Hashirama...was the only one who ever dared to break through that hard shell, but actually achieve the award of receiving the fruit. For that, Madara was glad. In all honesty, he was tired of the life he was living before this. Always running, always hiding from Konoha, from his past...from Hashirama.
As much as he ran, as much as he avoided the man, he was happy when Hashirama caught him...when Hashirama brought him home and finally penetrated that hard shell. When Hashirama finally showed him what love was, and what it meant to be loved. In finally, when Hashirama allowed him to create a family and start over.
It was obvious to Madara, that without Hashirama, he would not have been alive and neither would have Yuukanna. A whole family would have been wiped off of the face of the Earth had it not been for Hashirama's persistence in the matter. And the fact was, Hashirama was persistent at everything he wanted to achieve. Whether it be bringing creating a village or changing a diaper for the first time, Hashirama always achieved his goal, and that's what Madara loved about him.
The world was like one giant musk melon, and Hashirama was the one who would have to come and eat its fruit. Perhaps that's why Hashirama liked the fruit so much, as it was his goal to taste every one of them, to change every life within his reach.
For his persistence, and his will to help those in need, Madara found him to be the most sweetest fruit of them all. True, while Hashirama was all happy on the outside, he still had tons of problems on the inside that, prior to marrying Madara, were not addressed.
That's why Madara was there of course, to help him, to be there when he cried to himself, to be there when he needed someone. And no matter how things turned out from then on out, Madara would remain by Hashirama's side. Afterall, Madara couldn't see it any other way, he needed Hashirama as much as Hashirama needed him, the two were meant to heal each other.
As he took another bite of the sweet fruit, he leaned his head on Hashirama's shoulder.
"I love you." He muttered, which was very rare for him.
"You mean it?" Hashirama looked down at Madara with large eyes. Rolling his own eyes, Madara stuck a piece of muskmelon in Hashirama's mouth.
"Don't talk with you mouth full."
And of course he loved Hashirama, he had never been so sure about anything else in his life...well, except for the fact that while muskmelon tended to be delicious, it also had the tendency to be very messy.
Just ask the wall.
Finally finished! Please tell me what you think. And I found it convienient to add reaction between Hashirama's children by Mito (Akio and Yukio), rather than ignore that family he had, because I mean they are important. And Ruth, if you didn't know is Tobirama and Izuna's daugther. Tobirama, in my stories, always has the children, not Izuna. I wanted to explain that interaction between two cousins coming from different clans, and I wanted to get into dept about my thought process on the four noble clans of Konoha. Judging by what we've received from the characters, this is how I see the clans. So please review, tell me what you think, and I don't own Naruto.