"Brother in law!" Mego called, jogging out of the house to greet Madara as he entered through the gate. "How did it go with the Senju?"

Tajima slowly walked up behind her, watching him silently. He didn't say much, and he didn't have to. Madara being alive was the clear indicator of how it all went.

"It was fine." He smiled at her lightly as he came closer. "I made an arrangement to meet with their elders in a week. Is that alright?" He said, arriving before Tajima. Although his father nodded in confirmation, he appeared no happier or more enthusiastic about the idea than he did during their last conversation. At least being in the wrong for once rendered him quiet. Small mercies, Madara thought.

"You must be hungry, brother in law. Let's eat." Mego wrapped her arm around his and he let himself get pulled along into the dining room. Observing her backside as she walked ahead, he noted she had already gotten a bit plumper in her hips and waist, tempted to smile at the thought of Izuna's child growing inside her. He had done it, he had taken the first step in ensuring that child would be greeted by a better world than the one they had at the moment.

What would they name it? Izuna? Well, that would only be possible if it turned out to be a boy, but he found it really didn't matter to him. It would be his kin either way.

"What are they doing?" He asked, watching as Sumi and another servant moved sheets from one of the bedrooms down the hall.

"Oh," Mego looked after them for a moment, "I've been sleeping in Sumi's room since… since Izuna passed away. So we agreed it would be more comfortable if we shared my room instead. It's bigger."

"I understand."

When they made it to the dining room, Mego dismissed the help, setting the table and serving the food herself. Madara didn't bother to question it. He felt even less talkative than usual, as his meeting with the Senju occupied his mind, while he replayed their conversations in his head – that is, until Mego started pouring enormous amounts of food into his bowl.

"That's enough!" He pulled the dish away, as a small laugh escaped him. "They fed me there, I'm not that hungry."

"I'm sorry." Mego sighed, and proceeded to pour just as much for herself, plopping down on a chair opposite of him. "I am very hungry, always."

He felt an inevitable smile warm his face. Of course she would be in her condition.

"That's good, you should eat as much as you can." Madara picked up a couple of chunks of meat from his dish and put it in hers. "How are you feeling?" He added after his first bite. "Is there anything you need?"

She appeared thoughtful for a few moments, seemingly reluctant to speak.

"I'm not sure if it's appropriate yet, but… I would like a—a walk." She reduced her voice nearly down to a whisper, sounding awfully guilt-ridden for someone posing such a simple request.

"A walk?"

"Yes. Somewhere nice," She gestured around them. "Outside this garden."

Right. He kept losing the sight of the fact she needed him to basically be her mediator from now on, in everything she partook in. A fucking walk. Who even made all these stupid rules? What if she wanted to walk when he's not around? Or more importantly, what if she needed to see a healer?!

"Of course, whenever you want." He nodded.

"Thank you, brother in law." She smiled. "So, everything will be good with the Senju? Father in law and I were very worried, you've been gone for two days."

"I think so, yes."

"You don't sound very happy." She remarked.

"Well, we have yet to conclude it. And I'm not the one making the call. Ultimately, elders will decide what to do when they meet the Senju." And those senile geezers were set in their ways like old stones, was what he refrained from saying.

….

Yes, the peace wasn't concluded and the majority of the work only awaited him yet, but Madara judged he had deserved a good night at the tavern. He didn't do that too often, cousins and friends he grew up with would surround him and peer pressure him into getting drunk with them, which usually led to him being rendered completely useless the next day. He couldn't train, and in some instances couldn't even leave his bed.

So, he only treated himself like that when he knew he could get a day or two after to rest. Several young men his age already occupied a table when he came in and had him join them. The minstrels played in a corner, loud conversations echoed from every side of the space and, naturally, the table he sat at barely withstood all the mead and wine crammed on it. Some inquired about his time with the Senju, but the topic was soon left alone as they began drinking and having fun.

Needless to say, he demolished himself.

Opening his eyes in the morning, they needed a few moments to get used to painfully bright sunlight. Looking around, he found himself in an unknown room. And beside him, an unknown person.

"What the…" He whispered, sitting up.

She was lying on her stomach, black hair scattered all over her face and pillow, so he couldn't even tell for sure if he knew her. Her smooth, bare back was uncovered, rhythmically moving as she breathed, in deep sleep.

By the way the sheets felt against his skin, he could tell – he was naked too.

He wished to get out of there, drag himself home and take a hot bath, then sleep the day off. That would, however, be very pathetic. So, instead, he settled for drinking water left conveniently by the bed, and waiting for the woman to wake up, so they could part properly.

Madara didn't like doing this. He liked knowing the women he's involved with, at least to the point where he knew their basic background. For all he knew, she could be anyone, and he definitely didn't like the sound of that. It brought to mind different complications, from her confidentiality to the fact she could be carrying some disease.

His gaze went back to her as she moved, crumbling the sheets around her, slowly stretching and changing her position as she was waking up. She yawned, and brushed her silky hair back with her fingers.

Frowning, he noted he did in fact know her. She was a kunoichi, and they had even gone on one or two missions together. And… if he remembered correctly, she had a husband. When she finally decided to look his way, she appeared neither surprised or worried, which he surely had. So she knew what she had done, and had gotten involved with him on purpose.

"Good morning." She gave a sleepy smile. "Water, please." She thanked Madara, taking the cup and drinking up what was left.

Getting up slowly, and in the process allowing him a very good view of her toned body, she threw on a dress before heading for the door.

"I have folded your clothes over there. The breakfast will be ready soon." She added, pointing, then disappeared somewhere into the house. Madara didn't exactly have much of an appetite in the mornings, much less during hangover, but he didn't want to be rude or worse – make it look as if he was trying to avoid her.

So, he got dressed, found a bathroom and washed his face, then followed the sound of sizzling oil in order to make it to the kitchen.

"Hisa…" He called her name, and the woman glanced at him briefly before turning her attention back to the food she was preparing.

"Don't look so worried. Yushiro is on a weeklong mission, and kids are at my parents' house."

"I..." He started slowly, searching for right words. "I don't want to get into anything complicated, and you're a married woman… This isn't a good idea."

Removing the pan from the stove, Hisa served eggs by already prepared bowls or rice.

"I understand. You should stay for breakfast, however." She offered a small smile.

….

After getting home, Madara took a blissfully long bath, then sat by a window. Rare snowflakes fluttered about in the air, and he realized that was the first snow of the year. Having heard steps behind him, he looked over his shoulder.

"Brother in law?" Came a call from the door.

"Yes?"

"Would you walk with me?" Mego pouted slightly. He smiled, seeing as she was already wearing her coat. She knew he wouldn't refuse her. Still, he was nearly about to tell her to please ask Sumi instead as the night he had was catching up to him, but remembered, having forgotten yet again – she wasn't allowed to leave the house in her mourning. Except, of course, in his company.

"Fine, of course I'll walk with you."

"Are you warm?" He asked as they steadily made their way away from the house, and she wrapped her scarf closer around her neck.

"Yes, quite."

The snow fell slowly, snowflakes getting bigger and denser, already creating a thin coat on the ground. The camp was nearly empty, only those who absolutely had to did expose themselves to cold. It had been about ten minutes and Madara hadn't exchanged a word with his sister in law. He glanced over at her. She curiously gazed at the houses, empty traders' stands, looking up at the sky every now and then, squinting when the snow hit her eyes.

"You like snow?" He questioned, before he had thought to decide against it. It was obvious she did, the question was more than redundant. She sighed, turning her big eyes his way.

"Oh, yes. Winter used to be my favorite time of the year."

"Used to be?"

"When I was a girl, mother and father would take Sumi and me to play in the snow every day. Often, they just left us with the other children and we played until evening…" She laughed softly. "Once, I was angry at this girl because she said her hair was longer than mine – and it wasn't! – So I put a rock in the snowball and hit her. Sumi panicked and dragged me home before her parents showed up." Her laughter got louder. "I always gave her so much trouble."

Madara smiled, remembering Izuna's and his own mischief when they were young. Gulping, he focused on her words once she spoke again.

"Now, we're expected to behave a certain way, especially since… now that I'm a widow… it's like everyone expects me to act like I'm dead too." Her voice broke near the end and she finished the sentence with a whisper.

"I don't think it's—"

"No, it is! If I show an ounce of joy before anyone other than you and Sumi, I get disapproving looks. I'm not allowed to dress remotely pretty, I didn't leave the house since we went to see the healer, I can't even be happy because of my baby! I'm tired of this. I miss Izuna too, but I am still alive!"

Falling silent, she turned away from him, and wiped her eyes with the sleeves of her coat, sniffing softly.

"I didn't think I would ever be in this situation. Nobody prepared me for this."

"You have your parents to blame for that." A flash of anger and hurt appeared on her face at his response. Perhaps she looked for something more empathetic and sensitive, but she should have known better than to expect it from him of all people. "Honestly, sister in law, we have been at war since I can remember. People are dying left and right, someone is widowed every day. They should have made you aware of that."

"When you give birth," He continued, more softly, "You will have more freedom. For now, you just have to endure what is expected of you."

"I know." She nodded, looking up at the sky again, while the snow cooled her tear-stained face. Having seemingly settled down, she drew in a long breath, warm air floating around her once she exhaled.

"Until then, you have Sumi and me by your side. I don't expect you to bury yourself with my brother—" His words died down abruptly, when she hugged him. She had pressed her face against the fur coat covering his chest, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and just stood still.

"Thank you, brother in law. I love you."

Madara looked around them cautiously. He wasn't very used to such closeness, and worried it could be interpreted wrongly if someone happened to see them. But his pregnant sister in law seemed to need it desperately, so he gave in this one time, and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

"I… I love you as well."

Although he found her endearing, he wasn't certain he truly did love her. Still, he loved the child growing inside of her. He judged that came close enough. She continued holding him for another minute or two, and then they resumed walking.

….

Life at the camp went back to normal. It was peaceful and, like never before, Madara felt at ease. Of course, there were other foes out there, but they seldom posed a threat such as Senju. And so the Uchihas were livelier than usual, going about their business with no fear.

His walks with Mego had become a frequent activity. She was a lively, sweet girl, and he couldn't bring himself to refuse her whenever she asked for favors. Obviously, mostly because she carried Izuna's child, but even that aside, she was dear to him. And, at last, thanks to the treaty with the Senju, that sort of feeling didn't frighten him. He could embrace it and finally see a future for his family.

One particular evening, Mego went to sleep early, so he went out on his own, planning to take a quick stroll and then head to bed himself. By then, winter had gotten slightly harsher. His boots soundly left footprints in the snow as he walked, passing by people here and there, but mostly, the streets were calm and nearly empty.

He nodded silent greetings to the people on their way home, when another familiar face appeared before him. Hisa. She was steadily walking forward, also in the direction of her own home.

Flashbacks of their time together came back to him once more, as he had remembered the details over time, and if he was to be honest with himself, meditated upon them nearly every night. Thoughts of doing it again had creeped into his head, despite his insistence on repeating to himself she was married.

To make matters worse, he knew her husband. He was an old friend of Tajima's, and Madara even trained with him for a time when he was younger. Hisa greeted him politely, showing no intention of stopping, but mimicked his actions as he slowed down and eventually stopped walking to stand with her.

"I was…"

The mixture of confusion and lust in his eyes was probably what got her to spare him the uncomfortable talk. She smirked.

"I just went to see Yushiro off. Come by if you want."

….

Madara surprised himself when he went home instead, and got ready for sleep. He lied down in his bed, staring back at the darkness. He did wish to follow her, right away even, had he not thought it looked too desperate and that she should work for it. And yes, he was aware how redundant these games were at this point, but couldn't help himself.

However, Yushiro's face kept coming to him, the conversations they had, the way Izuna, Tajima and the two of them had gotten drunk together when he and Hisa had their firstborn, their training together… He felt genuinely bad for wanting to fuck his wife. Well, and for fucking his wife.

Madara sat up.

But she initiated it! If she didn't keep Yushiro's honor, why should he? His life was completely void of romance for quite a while, only now he felt how much he had missed that kind of excitement. Not to mention, Hisa was a marvelous woman. Strong, clever, yet motherly and beautiful… And really good in bed, if you will.

Yeah, he and Yushiro really weren't that great of friends, anyway. It was his own fault for marrying a woman so much younger than himself. Madara got up, threw a coat over his shoulders and went over to her house.