Disclaimer: I do not own the anime series Naruto, its characters, or any plot or storylines within the Naruto-verse. Mikoto (OC) and any non-canon characters within this fiction are owned by me.
Summary: During the Era of Warring States, the Hagoromo clan eventually allied with the Uchiha clan. As a show of good faith and loyalty, the eldest Hagoromo daughter was offered to the Uchiha heir. This is Mikoto's story. MadaraxOC. Rated M just to be safe.
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Chapter 34
Depth
Mikoto watched the sun rise from behind the mountains. That sun rise marked the end of the sixth month that Madara had left her. She had no contact with him, not even a letter or a fleeting word from a traveler as to his possible whereabouts. It also marked six months after her son had died, and from then she had locked herself away in her home, the home that was now a simple dwelling for a broken maiden.
Yuna came and went, changing the linen and dusting the shelves, her usual daily tasks, but she would often try to talk to the young Mikoto at length about her concerns for the young woman's health and wellbeing. For one, Mikoto needed to get out of the house, or at least her bedroom. The only time Yuna knew Mikoto would leave the bedroom would be to have a long soak in the tub in the adjoining bathroom or to use the toilet in said bathroom. Outside contact had become a rarity, even though so many had tried to reach out to her.
Mito visited every day since she learned of Madara's abandonment. She had regretfully informed Mikoto that Madara had indeed been labelled a traitor and by command of the council he was listed in the books to be eliminated on sight. Something not just any shinobi could do, everyone knew that only Hashirama Senju stood a chance against the powerful Uchiha. It was Mito who ensured that Mikoto was bathing and tending to her needs regularly. Yuna could only do so much, as the old woman was getting on in her age. The red haired Uzumaki had tried countless tactics to get Mikoto to be reasonable, including scolding her about how childish she was being, and that her one year old daughter was more mature.
Hashirama instructed Uchiha Jonin to at least keep watch on Mikoto's house, in case any attempt an assassination or disorderly conduct towards her. The Uchiha loved and respected their matriarch too much to be the perpetrators of such criminal acts, but it wasn't the Uchiha Hashirama was worried about, it was other clans. With Madara absent it made the clan an easy target for corruption and civil warfare, other clans may try to infiltrate and overtake the elders. Hashirama was doing all he could to protect the Uchiha, particularly Mikoto.
As for the clan, Airi had run herself ragged attempting to keep it afloat, and assured the elders that Mikoto's health was returning, and would be able to resume her duties as clan matriarch very soon. However, the debate soon came regarding the clan head. Who would lead in Madara's stead? Naturally, the task would fall to Mikoto as she was his wife, but the majority of the elder's deemed her ineligible due to the simple fact that she was not Uchiha born. She may still hold her title as matriarch, but to keep the title she would have to marry the newly chosen clan head, something that she was not prepared to do.
As there were still doubts if Madara would return, and that Mikoto was wavering in her ability to maintain the clan, the elders deemed it necessary to choose another leader as soon as possible.
It was a particularly gloomy day, the clouds gathered quickly over the village and they spilled seemingly endless droplets of rain onto the ground, scattering birds and nourishing plants. Mikoto had taken to the rear patio, finally leaving the confines of her room. She sat on a soft embroidered cushion with a cup of jasmine tea in her hands. The patio overlooked a well maintained garden which grew against a mighty stone wall, marking the border of the Uchiha district. Mikoto let her gaze wander up the wall and towards the sky. She made a silent prayer for hope and strength, she had lost her husband and her son too soon, and she silently hoped that she would be able to see at least one of them soon.
The sound of Yuna's soft footsteps brought the Uchiha matriarch back to reality.
"Lady Mito is here again," the woman said in a faint whisper, expecting her matriarch to send her away.
There was a moment's pause, tension hung heavily in the air as Yuna noticed that Mikoto furrowed her brows in thought.
"Please send her in, Yuna, thank you," Mikoto said finally.
Yuna didn't hesitate to dip her head in obedience and turn on her heel towards the front door where the Senju matriarch was waiting. The older woman was excited to see that Mikoto was finally seeing company, especially someone outside of the Uchiha clan.
Mikoto received her in the dining room. Normally close company were received in the master bedroom and tea would be served at the small reading table, but the room was in no state for an outsider to gaze upon. The bed was unmade and scrolls and clothes were scattered across the floor. Mikoto would shoo Yuna away at any attempt to clean the room. Mikoto was trying to remind herself that Madara was still there. Although his armor and gunbai were gone, his casual clothes and his funeral yukata were still thrown into the corner of the room by the bathroom door, where he would always leave his clothes. Even the sake bottle he had been drinking the night he left still lay forgotten on the floor.
The first topic was the weather, something neutral and relatable between both women, but Mito wanted to so deeply ask her about her health and welfare. Mikoto did seem to be taking care of herself, as her cheeks appeared full and her hair was its usual shimmering black, it was only her eyes. Her eyes bore the grieving soul of a childless mother, while also battling the distress of her husband leaving the village and being deemed a traitor. The woman seemed to have very little sleep, as there were the gentle arches of dark circles under her eyes.
Mito couldn't wait any longer, and she dropped her empty tea cup onto the table in frustration.
"Please tell me you are alright!" the Senju matriarch demanded.
Mikoto looked up to her, peacefully acknowledging the true intention of Mito's visit. She shifted her gaze to her own teacup that sat delicately in her hand. She sighed, and placed it gingerly onto the table.
"You know I'm not," Mikoto started, "my husband is missing, he could possibly be dead,"
"Madara is far too stubborn to be dead," Mito said informatively, "I just don't like seeing you like this. I want to help; you just need to tell me what to do,"
Mikoto let out a soft, low growl in frustration.
"Can you bring back the dead?" She asked her friend, "Can you track down a powerful Uchiha and convince him that he is loved and wanted? Can you stop a hundred assassins bearing down on me, or can you perhaps talk to six old men into letting me grieve in peace?"
Mito lowered her gaze; she couldn't do any of those things.
"My plan has been made though,"
Mito's head shot up expectantly.
"I will leave the Uchiha clan in the care of the next most eligible Jonin, and live out the rest of my days as a nurse at the hospital. I know of a few humble apartments close to the center of town where I hopefully won't be bothered,"
Mito frowned at her friend's idea, "Are you really going to live on and pretend this never happened to you?"
"I will still have the memories," Mikoto said sadly, "but what else can I do? I've realized that I can't stay bitter at the world forever,"
Mikoto gently reached for the teapot and poured some more jasmine tea into both of their cups. Mito thought for a moment about what was just said. Mikoto was planning to leave the Uchiha clan behind and be alone for the rest of her life. It seems the woman is adamant that Madara wasn't returning, and that she was prepared to spend her life alone. She was still young, only in her mid-twenties; there was still a chance for her to start again.
"Well, if I may be so bold," Mito gently sipped on her tea. There was a pregnant pause in the air, as she swallowed harshly, trying to choose her words carefully, "I know that Tobirama cares for you, he can take care of you,"
Mikoto's head shot up to meet Mito's gaze, interrupting any train of thought, "Please Mito, I would never even consider it!"
It was true; Tobirama Senju would make a fine partner for any woman. He was strong, loyal, and handsome; everything any woman would want in a man. However, the Uchiha matriarch would not risk tarnishing his reputation. He didn't deserve to be burdened with someone as broken and unpredictable as she. The white haired Senju deserved a beautiful, pure, virgin maiden. If any form of relationship formed between them, then there would be whispers and taunts. The village wouldn't look too kindly on the fact that one of Konoha's most honorable sons had pursued a relationship with the ex-wife of a traitor.
Plus, he was a dear friend. What if Madara returned and discovered them? He would burn the village to the ground out of spite.
"I don't want you to be alone for the rest of your life," Mito reasoned.
"I will be fine; I don't want anyone else dragged into this,"
The red haired woman nodded. She knew of her brother-in-law's affections for the Uchiha matriarch, despite him not admitting it to anyone, not even himself. It was obvious from simply the way his eyes would flicker with interest at the very mention of her name. She overheard Tobirama talking with the Hokage about his concern for her health and wellbeing as well. He wasn't overly skilled in expressing any emotions or talking openly about feelings and thoughts. He left the social skills to his brother while he focused mainly on intelligence and reading. In fact, Mito found him awkward at times, even though she had known him for quite a long time.
In the end, Mito silently agreed with her friend, it was best to leave the situation alone and allow Mikoto to make her own choices. Mito knew that she would be there to fully support her, no matter what her endeavor would be. She dared not bring any of her three children with her to see Mikoto, as she didn't want to show the woman what she had lost. Ryou was with his father for the day at the Hokage office while the younger two were at home with a nursemaid. The boy hasn't left his father's side in months. The trauma of losing his friend had changed him some; it was as if he was afraid that if he was left alone, something bad would happen. For many nights either Mito or Hashirama had to stay awake and comfort their fragile boy as he complained of having nightmares of his friend's death.
Mito sighed; such a traumatic event so soon in life will surely scar him for the remainder of it.
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"What should I do, father?"
Gyoza hummed lazily as he lifted his pipe away from his mouth while he listened to his daughter's question, lightly puffing the smoke into delicate rings as it escaped his mouth.
Two days passed since Mito's visit, and Mikoto finally sought out her father. She hadn't much interaction with him or her sisters since her son's death. They had tried to visit once or twice, but Mikoto had refused to see anyone at the time. Gyoza was struck hard by the death of his grandson, he loved the young boy dearly, and despite many village folk remarking on Indra's resemblance and likeness to Madara, Gyoza was easily able to see traits of Mikoto in him.
The first animal he had whittled for the boy from wood was a lion, and it was displayed in the young boy's room on the middle shelf for all to see. Since then, almost every year Gyoza had a new animal for Indra. This year, he was working on a horse, one of the noblest creatures. The old man planned to deliver it to Indra's grave when it was complete.
Gyoza set his pip down and gazed to his daughter.
"You need to do what you think is best," he said knowingly, "this is not a life you can just forget my dear, but perhaps a different direction should be taken,"
Mikoto rolled her eyes; sometimes it annoys her when her father speaks so vaguely.
Gyoza noticed his oldest daughter roll her eyes. Nothing slipped past the wise old man; such were the ways of the Hagoromo. He knew from the moment he drank the sake with Tajima that he made the right decision in marrying his daughter to Madara. The man had changed her, the position of a matriarch, wife, and a mother had altered her perception on the shinobi world, and it showed her that it wasn't all flowers and rainbows. The years with the Uchiha clan was plastered on her face. It held the same, constant, stern look that any Uchiha held, while her hair and posture was styled in such a way that she could be mistaken for a princess or empress. The Uchiha pride and confidence reflected in her, and he was proud of that.
"Are you saying I should become a nurse?" Mikoto asked.
"There is no way of knowing if Madara will come back," Gyoza said sadly, "if the six months turns into a year, then perhaps you should consider moving on,"
Mikoto figured it out. Her father believes that she should wait just a little longer for him, but would the Uchiha clan elders hold out that long? They were already giving her grief over the fact that there was no solid clan leader, and many have begun to defect to other clans and establish homes outside the Uchiha district. The clan was falling apart in front of her eyes, and she needed to do something quickly.
Her meeting with her father was brief, because she wanted to be home before nightfall. This was out of habit, much to her sadness. She would always make sure she was home before her husband and son so that dinner could be prepared. This was, after all, the first time she had left the district after Madara had disappeared. She cursed herself as she entered the house and she kicked off her shoes lazily.
Dinner was silent and lonely. She was alone in the large house with only the ghosts of her past as company. Yuna had gone to visit a friend on the other side of the district, while their chef had left many months ago due to his position being redundant. She had cooked herself a simple bowl of noodle soup with miso flavoring, something very boring to accompany her melancholy mood.
There was a strange wind that night, one that blew the leaves gently and rocked the wind chimes slowly. An eerie silence was cast through the air as Mikoto gazed out the window of her bedroom and up at the full moon, something she had been doing for many nights over the last few months. What was she waiting for? She knew he wasn't coming back. He had every reason to, and she wasn't sure that if he returned would she be happy or mad? Mikoto was still unsure about her own emotions towards her husband. She loved him dearly, but she was sure that she wasn't prepared to forgive him for abandoning her in her time of need. Deep down, he was a selfish man.
As she slipped her silk robe off her shoulders to reveal a long red night dress, she pulled back the covers of her bed. She still slept on her side of the bed instead of the middle. She dared not touch his side where he once lay.
A chill was in the air, and it made Mikoto jump slightly. The room suddenly felt cold and unnerving, like she was being watched. Through the moonlight that cascaded into the bedroom, she could make out a shadow on the wall. Mikoto tensed. Was it an assassin? Had someone to finally come and end her misery? Some nights she had secretly wished for that to happen so that she wouldn't have to live with the torment.
The shadow moved, and the soft thud of two feet echoed through the room. Mikoto's heart throbbed anxiously, its beat picking up speed as it began to pump adrenaline through her body, making her ready to either run or defend herself. Swallowing, the woman turned slowly.
Chocolate eyes met fierce charcoal for the first time in six months.
"Madara,"
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Ohmygod this took me ages to write! I have every intention of finishing this story hopefully by the end of this year. With the holiday season coming, work has been building up!
R&R Please! Thank you to all my new readers/followers and favoriters!