crownverse, set pre-epilogue of mahkota daun
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"have you seen the children who died in the battlefield, your majesty?" hashirama nearly yelled her question, her chest heavy and weary, her children restless in her womb. "so young, too young to die! they had years-years to live and you took it away."
the emperor snickered. "no wonder hinokuni is weakened! their army is ruled by some weak womanly feelings! feelings don't win war!"
"feelings made her a goddess, your majesty," madara commented, cold seeped from his voice. he held his wife's waist, silently asking her to sit again. "do i need to remind you that she alone could flatten your mountain, if she so wishes?"
"oh." the emperor faked a laugh, leaning forward to see the guests several steps under his throne. his gestures reminded them of another emperor, one who ruled the lands they called home. "should i remind you whose house you're entering?"
hashirama slowly sat down again, defeated.
hours later in a room lent to them, she sat on the edge of their bed. her face was hidden in her hands. "why do they're always unwilling to negotiate?"
"it makes them look weak," madara whispered, extending a transparent chakra barrier around them. "it looks like surrendering. you should've known by now."
"i hoped it'd be different in tsuchinokuni."
"it's the same everywhere, hashi." madara caressed her swollen belly. "you sleep first. we'll leave tomorrow morning."
"i don't want to go home," hashirama protested. "let's try again."
madara shook his head. "we'll talk to someone else."
she blinked.
"the shinobi of tsuchi surely have a leader, no?"
a smile slowly bloomed on her face.