27. Outcast

Rating: T

Verse: Warring Clans Era AU

Inspiration/Idea: Kotoffeya

He heard the steps behind him. He didn't turn. If he heard them, then they weren't a danger. You didn't hear a shinobi if he wanted to attack. Not that many would have been an actual danger to Uchiha Madara.

The steps were light and quick. And unrhythmical. As if hesitating.

Madara stopped. He still didn't turn but he tilted his head, indicating that he was paying attention. Whoever was there would be now wise to speak up.

He wasn't mistaken. His reputation had its perks.

"Madara-sama!" sounded a female voice. "Please wait!"

A female? That surprised him enough turn. A small, fair-haired figure in a kimono stood some ten meters away from him. He recognized the girl – a Senju healer, she became the chief of the healers recently after that old hag finally retired, and since than she was joining the council meetings.

The fact that he recognized her didn't mean he would deign an answer.

Girls exasperated gaze hung on his face. She clasped her hands in front of her chest.

"Madara-sama… Are you leaving?"

He shrugged. It was pretty obvious from the travel bag across his shoulder and gunbai strapped to his back.

"This is the road leading out of the village…" The girl answered her own question. Her eyes went even bigger. "Why? Why do you leave?"

The sheer amount of despair on her face spurned him to answer, even though he didn't understand why would this girl feel despair at the sight of him abandoning the village. Nor why would she run after him in the first place.

"From now on I will follow a different path."

"Different path? But Madara-sama, it was you, together with Shodai, who created this place! This is your path! You made us all follow!"

Madara had to smile. A bitter, bitter smile. "Follow? I don't think so."

"What are you talking about? You are admired by so many people in the village, you are our leader!"

"Admired?" The girl was either ignorant or willfully obtuse. Probably ignorant – the Uchiha kept his affairs well hidden from the outsiders. Maybe she didn't know that he was already an outcast in his own clan. No one followed him. All had turned their backs. "Admired?" he repeated. "Are you talking about yourself?"

The girl opened her mouth in a rather unflattering way. But a moment later she squared her shoulders and looked at him with a renewed resolve. "In the matter of fact, yes. Yes, I do."

Surprised, Madara quickly referred to the memories from the last couple council meetings – indeed, the girl spent extraordinary amount of time looking at him. Peculiar.

Something shone in girl's eyes. Tears? "Madara-sama… Please, don't… Please, consider staying… If you can. Whatever drove you to this decision, please do consider the alternatives! I am sure that another solution can be found, Shodai is your friend! He will be devastated, and your clan… And many other people as well!" Her voice broke. "I will…" She looked him straight in the eyes. "I know it doesn't have any significance to you, but please know that with you leaving… this place won't ever be the same for me. This village," she made a gesture with her hand, "so full of people, it will feel empty for me. Without you in it." She dropped her head low and he saw tears dripping on the dust of the road. "So, please stay…"

"I cannot. I will pursue a different goal." He didn't have to be explaining himself in front of this girl. But surprisingly, her tears moved him. Someone to cry over him leaving? That was a thing to treasure. He didn't owe her anything, but it didn't mean he couldn't give out of his own free will. "A much bigger one than just this village. It became clear to me that this is my responsibility."

The girl was crying, hugging her torso with both her arms.

"I… understand… I mean, I don't what your goals are, but I understand why you're leaving." He heard her swallow. He nodded. Yes, he will treasure this short encounter. "If you cannot stay…" She made a pause. Stood there perfectly still like a statue, only wind moved the strands of her hair that in meanwhile slipped out of her bun. He could see the tension in all her muscles. What was she going to do? Try to attack? Nonsensical. The girl raised her chin up. "If you cannot… that please take me with you!"

Madara blinked. He had to give her that – she surprised him. "I cannot take you." He saw the girl deflate, all her braveness and resolve melting, as if her entire body was about to dissolve into a puddle. "I cannot take you; you are not a scroll or a set of kunai." He turned away and started to walk towards the gate. "You have two legs. Use them if you want to."

There was a very, very long silence, he reached the half distance to the wall until he heard it. A pitter-patter of sandaled feet getting closer, until they slowed down and sounded by his side.

AN: So, my aim here was to reference and pay homage to imo one of the most climactic and crucial scenes in the manga (and accidentally, the very first Naruto scene I've ever seen) - Sasuke leaving Konoha in chapter 181. Did this drabble ring this bell for you?