sort of reincarnation au
.
.
the world slowed down.
hashirama's grip on the hospital blanket tightened. she knew this is it. the dreaded time has come.
the door opened, closed, locked. she lifted her face, and immediately confused.
"i thought you hated law enforcers," she remarked, "now you're one."
"is that what you say to an old friend?" the police replied, barely showing any hint of amusement in his partially hidden face. "i'll be quick; there are reporters outside waiting for official statement."
"...why? they aren't-weren't famous or such."
"there were witnesses recording videos of you walking away from the exploded car unscathed, hashi." he played it on his phone. "we've taken them down, but copies could circulate quickly. you know how this world works."
"don't tell me you killed them, madara."
"that hurts coming from you." madara turned it off. "i'm just looking out for you. see if you could truly live in peace knowing what fate has in store for us."
"and i had it all. a good fiance, nice future in-laws... why does it so hard to just grow old in peace?" her shoulders shook as she cried.
madara patted her back awkwardly. "do you need to disappear?" he asked once she calmed down.
she stared at him questioningly. "you mean like... witness protection program?"
"not running from your responsibilities."
"i'm tired." hashirama wiped her face. "just take me away."
without a word, he carried her from the bed. hashirama hugged him as madara walked through the hospital, past the frozen doctors, nurses, reporters eager for a juicy story outside...
.
two hours later, the police declared the woman who survived the car bomb died at the hospital.
but nobody could remember what name they were supposed to carve in her grave.