In Another Life
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews. I'm not entirely sure how quickly I'll update this story as I'm working on several collaborations, but I have no intention of abandoning it. If you have any suggestions or requests for it, I would love to hear them. I know how I want the story to end, but I'm trying to figure out how to get there. Anyway, I hope that you all enjoy this chapter and for those of you interested, feel free to check out the poll on my profile.
Chapter Notation: This takes place three months after the previous chapter.
Chapter 25
Hinata sighs as she looks at Mei. How could she possibly explain the fact that her twins were now nine months old and Madara was still alive? Everyone was counting on her to find a way to kill him and yet, he was still breathing.
"You love him." Mei watches her with sympathetic eyes.
It was just the two of them in the library now. Perhaps that was what made it easier for the bluenette to 'confess' her sins so to speak.
She didn't even know how she felt anymore to be honest. "He's the father of my daughter, but he's also committed unspeakable acts of horror. I know that he cares for me, but there is no way to know how long that affection will last." That and she hadn't been much of a wife to him for quite sometime.
The former Mizukage shakes her head and sighs. "You could apply also apply that logic almost as easily to Sasuke." As much as Hinata wanted to argue the point, the other woman was right about that. "Yet I still see the way the three of you love each other. The feelings are genuine. It's just a matter of if you think your personal feelings are enough to justify allowing a tyrant to rule."
Mei wasn't trying to be cruel. Hinata knew that, but it was hard not flinch at those words. Mostly because the jade eyed beauty had said everything that had been on Hinata's mind for far longer than she would have ever card to admit.
"He leads well." Hinata pauses. "Hunger has been all, but eradicated."
A feat that she never thought would have happened, but it was true. While she doubted it was purely out of altruistic reasons, Madara's approach did get results. Quickly.
In all honesty though, the bluenette was almost positive that Sasuke may have been whispering in the other man's ear. Sasuke reviled Madara, but they both knew they were more alike than different and perhaps that was why neither of them had actually managed to kill the other.
"That's true." Mei nods at her in a consoling fashion. "It's an age old question. Which matters more? Security or freedom?"
Hinata smiles with more than a trace of bitterness at that observation. "I can see why you were a Kage." She was hitting the mark far more than she should have been. "You're very good at getting to the heart of the matter. Speaking of which, Madara does seem to be buying the show you are putting on with Gaara."
Mei laughs softly at that. In times like these, it truly amazed Hinata anyone could actually laugh anymore. Still, the busty woman manages somehow.
"He should." She smiles at her with all the slyness of a fox. "It's not longer an act. True he's younger than me, but he's eager to please and a fast learner." Ohhh. "Though I'm not going to allow you to change the subject that easily. We're discussing your relationship with your husbands and the fate of the Five Nations. My love life can wait."
On the other side of the castle, Madara's fist goes flying. This was utterly unbelievable.
"YOU LOST THEM?!" He had never been more enraged in his entire existence.
Not even Izuna's death had elicited such hatred from him before. The proud emperor was quite literally seeing red. How could Orochimaru have been this idiotic?!
The Sanin spits out some blood. "I swear that I only looked away for a moment." Yes and Madara swore that his death would be the most agonizing in all of history. "Besides, you can always ask Hiashi to help you find them."
The twins had been set for a checkup and Madara had foolishly thought that Orochimaru wouldn't be stupid enough to allow something like this. Their health was of the utmost importance so he mandated health screenings once a month to be on the safe side.
They were the heirs to his empire, after all. They had Uchiha and Hyuga blood flowing through their veins and they were both ridiculously adorable. Which was a bit strange considering Itachi was Sasuke's son, but Madara digressed.
"I will do so." He glowers at the snake. "You had best hope that they're both fine. If my daughter or Hinata's son is harmed due to your error, you will die screaming."
He didn't bother to wait for Orochimaru's confirmation that the Sannin had heard him. Instead Madara Flickers into Hiashi's chambers. Thankfully, the man was indeed awake.
"I need you to use your Byakugan." He clenches his fists. "It seems that somehow two infants were able to sneak passed Orochimaru during a medical examination."
Hiashi's eyes widen in horror. "Of course." He didn't bother asking for more elaboration than that. If nothing else, Madara's Father-In-Law was an intelligent man and knew better than to waste time in a situation like this.
The Hyuga patriarch was also efficient. He instantly pales and grabs Madara's hand as he Flickers them to one of the castle's balconies.
"Eshima! Itachi!" The grandfather bolts towards the two infants were standing dangerously close to the edge. "Get back from there!"
They were only nine months and while it was early for them to walk, it wasn't unheard of for infants to walk that early. Though it was unusual to see they had not only snuck passed Orochimaru, but made their way to a nearby balcony in such a short amount of time.
Still, that wasn't what mattered. Itachi in particular was about to fall. Instinct took over as Madara shots forward and grabs the both of them in his arms, pulling them away from the edge just before the twins would have undoubtedly fallen to their deaths.
"Are they alright?" Hiashi stares at him with concern.
Madara nods at him. "They're fine." Though he could sense faint traces of chakra in the air. "Well, that explains it." How this was even possible was utterly beyond his confirmation, though he couldn't help, but feel smug at the knowledge of what the twins were capable of. "They Flickered."
Hiashi gapes at the other man. Not that Madara could blame him. Even he had never heard of children using the Body Flicker Technique before their first birthday.
"You can't be serious." He blinks at him.
Madara shakes his head. "I know it sounds absurd, but I assure you that I am entirely serious." He wouldn't joke about something like this.
It was too important. Madara would have to have Tsunade examine the twins. This was too important to leave to the likes of Orochimaru.
"We'll have to tell Hinata and Sasuke about this." Hiashi eyes him warily.
He probably knew that Madara wasn't the fondest of Sasuke at the moment. So mentioning his name had been both a brave and foolish moveon his part.
The emperor rolls his eyes. "Of course, I will notify them." He wasn't a complete monster though. "A father and his son shouldn't be separated no matter how foolish said father is."
Later that night, Sasuke blinks as Tsunade examines the twins. He couldn't believe any of this and yet, he could at the same time.
"They both look fine to me." The busty blonde frowns as she examines them even more closely while the nervous parents watch her every move with bated breath. "Their chakra networks are larger than what one would expect from children this age, but that's likely just because they inherited all of your genes. I would be surprised, if they were average in really any category."
Despite the situation, Sasuke smirks at that. His son and Hinata's daughter were both prodigies. That was nice. Itachi would have been proud.
"I still can't believe that they Flickered." Hinata blinks at that.
Neither could Sasuke. Though the fact Madara had saved them both still shocked him. He could have easily said it was an accident, but the other Uchiha's affection for Itachi was either genuine or his love for Hianta was strong enough that he wouldn't allow her son to perish.
Madara places his hand on Hinata's shoulder. "Well, as Tsunade said, they do have exceptional genes." The bastard was still entirely too smug though.
It was irritating, but Sasuke logically knew he shouldn't begrudge the emperor that much. It was only natural to be proud of your children, especially when they were hitting milestones they shouldn't have for years and years in advance.
"Yes, they do." Hinata smiles at him.
Gods and Goddesses, Sasuke hated that she had just smiled at Madara. He shouldn't be jealous over them sharing parental pride though.
As if sensing his thoughts, the bluenette shoots him a nearly identical smile. She was getting far too good at that sort of thing. The fact that Hinata was beginning to understand what went on in either of their heads was disturbing. She shouldn't have to be touched by that sort of darkness.
"They should probably both be put down for a nap." Tsunade sighs as she shakes her head. "They're alright, but the twins have had quite the exciting day and babies do need their rest."
That was true. Though Sasuke couldn't help but laugh at the puts Eshima and Itachi were giving him. It was as if they actually understood what the medic was talking about.
"You're right." Madara kisses Hinata's forehead. "I trust that you and Sasuke will see to their safety while I handle discuss Orochimaru's failures for today."
Hinata frowns at that and Sasuke bites back a smirk. "Don't kill him." It was good to see that the other Uchiha had upset her in some way, even if it was over someone like Orochimaru. "He's helped us a great deal through all this and it was an honest mistake. They're alright. How was he supposed to know that they were capable of Flickering?"
That was a fair point in the Sannin's defense. Their children had just defied the standards of childhood development in every conceivable way.
"I won't kill him." Madara rolls his eyes. "I should, but he still possesses useful knowledge. I can't let this go unaddressed though. I think a little Genjutsu is in order is all."
Had Madara actually modified his behavior for Hinata? It was possible. Then again, Sasuke knew firsthand that Genjutsu could be just as bad, if not worse than Ninjutsu and Taijutsu.
It all depended on the skill level of the user. That and their creativity. His older brother had been horrifically creative and it wouldn't surprise Sasuke to see that Madara was the same way in this regard.
"Very well." Hinata sighs as she scoops Itachi into her arms and Sasuke takes Eshima. "We'll go and put them to bed for the night, but it seems as if we have much to discuss when you get back. If they're already capable of that Jutsu, we have to assume they may have developed other talents early."
Madara nods at that as he heads off. He had heard her and agreed with Hinata, but the need for vengeance was likely already driving him half mad. Sasuke knew this because he was also furious at Orochimaru for his mistake.
"Let's get them to bed." Sasuke sighs as he takes Hinata's hand once Madara was out of sight. "That discussion won't be a pleasant one."
He didn't know how, but Sasuke was sure that Madara would use this as an excuse to get close to Hinata again. Why? Well, because that was the sort of thing he would do and Madara was nothing, if not equally as strategic as Sasuke was.
"Probably not." Hinata smiles at Sasuke. "He does care for them though. Just as I know you do."
That was true. "Even demons are capable of loving their children, Hinata." Sasuke leads her off. "Though I will admit that is a point in his favor."