It first started as the familiar discomfort that was to be expected during that time of the cycle. She hadn't thought much of it. Then it turned into what she suspected to be some sort of inflammation that made her constantly want to pee, hence she collected herbs to make herself tea that would relieve it. Inflammation and climate together served to explain why she wasn't bleeding on time. It was a fine equation really, until vomiting joined in.
With tearful eyes and burning throat, Mego held onto a bucket for dear life, expecting more to come. What a waste of breakfast.
She was clearly pregnant, and that alone was not exactly upsetting. She'd been through it before, and up to the very end had no complications. Yet, she couldn't exactly rejoice.
As if her gut wanted to support that thought, more vomit climbed up her throat, and she went back to the bucket. Madara trained at that time of the morning, and out of all things, that convenient coincidence made her somewhat happy.
She may have had another month left before it would become obvious, and it seemed like too little. After giving it a couple of minutes to make sure that was all, Mego got up from her seat on the wooden floor, and washed her mouth before going to get rid of the evidence.
It sounded idiotic even to her – but she hadn't even given a thought to the possibility of her and Madara having a child. If someone had asked her, she likely would not outright say she didn't want children with him – and that truly wasn't the case. However, here they were, all alone in the middle of nowhere. She had five women running all around her when she gave birth, and someone always there to help with anything she might need before that. Now she had a home, a garden, a husband – all to take care of completely on her own.
Not to mention, Madara had only recently settled and was starting to accept that she might not be in any immediate danger at all time. Their relationship had just gone back to normal, and they were happy. And, as much as she loved him, he didn't exactly fit the part of a caring father. What if he didn't want a child?
"Oh, gods…" She mumbled to herself, making her way to a chair to rest. Her back ached again, and a surprising wave of anger replaced her worry. Well, he's going to have it! She thought bitterly. She didn't get herself pregnant.
"Mego?"As if her thinking had summoned him, Madara came in through the door, pausing to give her a look. "What are you doing?"
"Just sitting. Breakfast is on the stove, it's still warm." Without the time to get herself together, he voice revealed all the concern she held, and she quickly cleared her throat, hurrying to get his attention off of herself. "I'll go water the garden." Before she even moved Madara came to stand before her.
"It's going to rain today."
"Oh…" Settling back into her seat, she tried not to look like something's bothering her but it seemed to have been too late.
"Are you alright?" Slowly, he crouched down before her, looking up at her face. His hand coming to hold hers, and his tense expression were swift to chase her anger away. "Did something happen?"
If she wasn't always easily brought to tears she would've been able to blame them on her condition. Not even that worked in her favor, it seemed. Madara's face was a mask of pure concern, and he inhaled deeply, waiting for her answer.
"Are you hurt?"
"No…"
"Something bad happened?" He repeated his question, as his eyes intently followed any change in her expression.
"I'm not sure…" Sighing in an attempt to calm herself, she finally decided stalling made no difference. It had to be said, and she opened her mouth to speak, but silence was all that came out since she hadn't decided how. In the end, did it matter? "I'm pregnant," she said and averted her gaze, not wanting to look at him panic. His silence fell on her, and his soft breathing was all she could hear when she wanted reassuring promises.
She wanted the same happiness and care he showed when she carried Izuna's child – and wanted it now – but it seemed to have been lost without a trace. In such a state, she had even less patience than usual, and she bit her lower lip to stay quiet.
She went to stand, get out of the cottage before she could spill her hurt and anger into words; before she could directly express her disappointment – but his hands squeeze ever so slightly tightened, and she stayed where she was, forced to keep waiting.
"Are you…" He paused, as though he searched for an expression, "Are you worried for yourself, or me?"
Mego understood his question perfectly. She had one stillborn, which was a great enough reason for worry. Yet, even greater for her was his constant fretting, his threats of taking her back to the village, his panic that couldn't not affect her. After all, he was so much stronger, cleverer, more experienced than her – and if he panicked, shouldn't she fall into outright hysteria?!
"You." Her voice came out no louder than a whisper. "Do you even want a child?"
"Of course I want your child. I wanted it before, and I wasn't even the father!" Traces of smile in his voice brought a small one to her lips as well. "If I wished to avoid it altogether, I would have been careful." His warm hand came to rest on her cheek, and she leaned into it, as tension slowly left her body and heart.
"I just expected you'll lose your shit again." She added quietly, deciding she could allow herself a bad word in such particularly stressful time.
With a shocked twitch, Madara swiftly stood up, appearing properly offended as he stared down at her. "I never lost my shit."
"You lost your shit."
He went to argue, but her teasing grin had to have gotten his attention, and he settled for chuckling. Bending down, his arms enveloped her before she could react and she quickly found herself lifted from the ground, laughing and allowing her own arms to wrap around Madara's neck for support, hands getting lost in his magnificent hair.
One glance at her lips was a sign enough, and she offered a gentle kiss, proceeding to simply bury her face in the crook of his neck while he held her.
"I love you." She mumbled.
"I know."
"Seriously," Mego faced him once more, carefully monitoring his handsome features. "How come you're so calm about this? If you worry for me, how will you not worry when there's a baby here?"
"You see, Mego," Spinning them around, he reached the chair and took a seat, keeping her on his lap. "I choose to look at the child as a…" Madara paused, "Reinforcement." He finished, looking pleased with his choice of word. "I will raise and train it. By the age of six it will be strong. You will be safer than an empress." He smiled.
"Right… But what until then? That's only in six—seven years from now! That's—" A carelessly ungentle poke to her forehead made her pout in protest and silently rub it.
"Who's losing their shit now?" Madara grinned. His hand softly caught her wrist to remove it from her face, and placed a chaste kiss on the sore spot. "I worry, of course," His serious tone returned, "Still, we've been fine so far, and I admit I had overreacted before. I have a good feeling now."
Releasing her wrist, Mego slipped her fingers between his to interlace them, admiring the size difference of their hands.
"Me too."
…..
Sumi meekly followed in Tobirama's steps as he entered the building – no, the edifice – since it had to have been the largest architectural construction she'd ever seen. Investment to make it – a gift from some political figure she didn't bother to remember. Meant for any important guests of the Village, it contained diner, lodge, ballroom, even, and such luxurious ornaments, she could barely keep herself from gawking. Needless to say, it stood out like a sore thumb in their young village of midsized houses and stems for trees. Part of it was still to be finished, but it was already active, swarming with people of the four joined clans – some working, others visiting.
It was to bring prosperity to the Village and, since Tobirama had invited her to have dinner there, her marriage as well, Sumi hoped. They were quickly prioritized over less noble guests, and seated by a large window looking at the monumental gates of the Leaf.
"This place is… beautiful." She commented breathily, looking around them with unconcealed delight. She could see Tobirama's small nod in agreement with her peripheral vision. "Will anyone else join us?"
"No." He made a small pause before clearing his throat, "I thought we could enjoy some time alone. Besides, we have reason to celebrate."
Sumi felt a smile stretch her lips.
"Happy anniversary." Rising her wine cup she proposed a toast, and they each took a sip. "I thought—" She spoke before thinking, and went silent abruptly, but Tobirama's expression let her know he waited. "I thought you wouldn't remember." Reluctantly, she said it, wondering if he'd take offense.
"I've been too busy, I know. But I wouldn't forget." Having another, a bit longer, sip, he went on, "Even if not for the anniversary, I planned to ask you here. I haven't really been… well, devoting you the time you deserve. I'm sorry."
Her hand reached to touch his, but she quickly remembered they were in public. Instead, she nodded, offering another warm smile.
"Thank you."
"How do you spend your days recently?" Tobirama inquired, watching her.
"Oh, well, I take part in Yuna's shenanigans," Sumi chuckled, "One of her suitors brought her some foreign book about dances. Did you know there is a dance where you have to do all the steps on tips of your toes?"
"Really?"
"Yes! And it requires special shoes that can't be bought here, so Yuna is being a bit unbearable. Also, there's lady Amako, she won't give me peace. Oh, and I'm doing a task for brother in law."
A quick arch of Tobirama's brow exposed his interestedness. "A task?"
"He asked me to make friends with Mito."
"Have you?"
Even if not for difference in background, she and Mito would be unlikely friends. Their personalities were so diametrically different. Be it taste in literature, food, dresses, humor, Sumi found herself unable to find any common ground with the woman.
"Not exactly. She accepts to take a walk or have tea with me, but I mostly feel like I'm annoying her. I'm not sure what else I should do."
She watched Tobirama take one more sip, frowning, and she awaited his response, almost feeling like she had said something wrong. She hadn't, if she remembered well.
"Do nothing else. I will speak to Hashirama. He should be capable of handling his wife on his own. And it's about time she stopped acting like she's god sent."
"I—I never meant to say she's rude." She rushed to explain, gesturing almost defensively in attempt to calm him. "It's just how I feel. Besides, it's a favor to brother in law, I really don't mind."
"No, Sumi! She has to settle for once. Either accept her husband, or take her clan and go back to where they came from. Leave it to me."
"Alright." She whispered, hesitantly looking around them. "You don't have to shout."
"Forgive me. There are things you don't know, so much pressure in that house." Sighing, he went on, "I've planned another proposal tonight, if you'd listen?"
"Naturally." She nodded, slightly concerned because of how easily upset he got at the sole mention of his brother's estranged wife.
"There is an empty house left on Senju part of the village. It's not very grand, but enough for a small family." Pausing, his narrow eyes took in her reactions. "I'd like us to live there – just the two of us."
"Oh…" was all she managed to say in a tiny attempt to avoid uncomfortable silence.
"You don't want to?"
Did she wish to have the space of a whole house just for them? Certainly. The idea sounded lovely, but sad reality was – for majority of time, that space would be only hers. Even now, she managed to see Tobirama either very early in the morning, or very late at night; commonly, for a brief time. If she didn't have his family there, she'd have gone mad by now.
"You're… going to be just as busy. And I'll be alone all day…"
"I'm not busy because I like to be. But it's crucial time for the Leaf, I can't just abandon my responsibilities."
"I know, and I'm not saying you should. I just don't want to be alone."
"We could ask Yuna to come along?"
Sumi took a moment to think.
"We could." She felt herself reluctantly smile. As unbearable as she was, the girl had become an extremely dear company to her. "I'll talk her into it."
"I'll tell father as soon as tomorrow." Tobirama graced her with his rare smile, and raised his cup in another toast. She gladly joined in. "Let's order dinner."
