AN: We are getting closer to the end and oh boy, it's been a wild ride. I've decided that I will make a sequel. There is so much more left of these characters and I do want to have to leave it off on a cliffhanger or yall wanting more. I have a premise of what the sequel will be based around and the plot will center around Tsubaki trying to be the perfect wife in the eyes of the clan( being an outsider and no noble worth to her name). So be on the look out for Healer Among Wolves (part 2 of The Healer series) coming late 2019- early 2020. No given date yet for the release.

I do not necessarily believe in happy endings. Madara deserves a little bit of that, I get it. Believe me. Happy endings make people feel good about certain characters and their journey. Happy endings are reserved for fairy tails in my book. Don't worry, I have something in store for these characters as we will see in the next sequel.


•••Oh Lord, Oh Lord, what have I done?
I've fallen in love with a man on the run
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, I'm begging you please
Don't take that sinner from me
Oh don't take that sinner from me•••


A soft hum opened his eyes to his surroundings of a blue hue. A thick fog had made every outline of moving shadows hard to decipher. He could feel eyes watching him through the fog. Preying on him to run or feel fear. Madara knew better then to show fear to his opponents. Nothing would make him run from a potential fight.

Here in this world- or dream- Madara could see clearly that this was the battlefield that almost cost him his life.

"You can run as fast as you can. But you will never outrun the wolf that is at your heels." That voice.

Madara turned around quickly and dodged three kunai that buried themselves into the ground. His sharingan activated in the midst of incoming danger. His eyes menacing against the fog that made him look of a monster hidden in the night. He was an intimidating foe in the battlefield field. Madara knew he scared his opponents and kin. His raw power and authority would make mountains bow, but there was something that Madara himself feared that would always be buried deep within his thoughts.

"I know it lies deep inside. The more you run from it, the faster it consumes you." Madara sneered at the mocking voice in the thick fog.

"I know you hide like the coward you are. Show yourself to me! I will not fight shadows." His voice loud and thunderous. It could tremble the trees, but the shadow came forth from the fog. A grin upon his face and eyes milky white. Saif was like a sickness that spreads through the veins. Madara was a man that could not fear, but even humans had a weakness.

"Hide? How can one hide when they are dead? I am nothing more then your subconscious that fears something far more then what is inside you." Madara could see the blind shinobi before him. Looking at him with those dead eyes and sly smile. This could only be a dream of his subconscious due to fatigue. All this was not real and he was certain that Saif was dead. Killed by Madara and the fire that almost consumed him.

"You know nothing of what lies within me." Madara spoke. Saif chuckled and within a blink of his red eyes, everything seemed to glitch out of control. The thick fog that surrounded him had vanished and replaced by hard falling rain. Thunder roared in the distance and lighting struck down hard.

"Must you lie? We both know that there is something far darker to come." Madara felt a sharp pain within him. His body shook as his flesh was torn from the sharp sword that was tearing through him. Blood seeped from his lips.

"We know your fate." That voice.

Madara took a look over his shoulder to see Hashirama behind him. The hilt of the sword within his grasp. A deep gasp escaped his lungs as his eyes blurred to see a figure lying on the ground. Her hair covering her face. Blood pooled around her with hands around her swollen belly.

"A sad scene, really. But one foretold."

Madara stood frozen. The rain falling harder against them. The clouds becoming darker. His anger had lost all control as the black shadow ran towards him. There, it consumed his soul into darkness. The image of Tsubaki lying lifeless with a swollen belly was put into interpretation of his mind. But that fear of losing her and his life would not go unscathed.

...

He woke up immediately with sweat trickling down his brow. Breathing hard, he sat up on his mat and looked down with haste to his bare chest. Examining his skin with his dark eyes, he found that there was nothing. No sword protruding out or blood falling. His hand rubbed over his chest to make sure that it was all but a nightmare.

The room was barely lit by the moons light. All the shadows that were cast made his blurry eyes see disfigured monsters. Staring at him from their darkness and waiting to strike. Madara had suspicion that the darkness within his heart was becoming a real manifestation of a disfigured being. One that looked like a tall shadow with claws and jagged edges that reminded him of a tree. With each blink of his dark eyes, the figures disappeared and turned into normal shadows.

I am not scared of shadows. He told himself. Children were scared of all shadows that were not natural. Madara was a grown man who has killed in battle and was feared among many. To be sitting in the moon lit room of a healers hospitality should bring serenity. The smell of lavender had filled the room along with the fresh air from an open window. A net in place to prevent insects coming in and biting those who occupied the space.

Madara looked over to the second mat and found his brother sleeping calmly. He knew Izuna had worried for his elder brother. His mental wellbeing could not fool his younger brother. Izuna was more sharp in reading others faces. An admirable foe that could leave a deep impression. When both Uchiha brothers were alone, Madara would speak so openly about his troubles. About something that caused a disturbance within him. Izuna tried to find a best possible outcome and put it all upon war and fatigue. Clearly, Saif has made himself a manifestation within Madara's subconscious.

Izuna would never tease or tell Madara he was a weak man. Even the most strongest of shinobi are affected in some way. Whether it be a physical scar or mental one, Madara was suffering from something he does not understand. Izuna wanted to help his elder brother, but Madara would rather bare the burden and continue on as if nothing happened. But for how long will it last until the time comes to lose all self control?

Madara shook off the unease he was feeling from within. The more he though about it, the more he was likely to lose sleep. Not that it mattered to Madara. Shinobi could rest when deemed necessary and stay awake for hours. But, this was a time for rest.

Izuna looked more at peace then Madara did. His chest rising and falling with each steady breath. Dead to all the world around him in the bliss of sleep. Izuna carried a different burden, if not more important then the clan leader. The youngest of his siblings (and the only survivor- other then Madara). Izuna had a different standing among the Uchiha clan. Madara had vowed to always protect Izuna and made sure he would not be the casualty of war.

You think to much. Izuna would tell Madara.

You have to learn to relax. The clan may put a burden on your shoulders, brother, but it does not mean you can carry it on your own. Madara sighed.

He stood to his feet to walk towards the open window where the crickets sang their songs of the night. Outside, he could see the fireflies dancing in search of a mate. The smell of the fresh air wafting calmly into his lungs. His heart was beginning to slow down to find peace once more.

The healers were becoming a part of his life where people were nothing but an annoyance. All Madara ever knew was battle and killing. It all seemed to change with Tsubaki coming out of nowhere and blinding him to something that made him feel. That the darkness was held back from coming out of its cave and overtaking him.

But, what disturbed Madara was the fact she looked pregnant in his nightmare. Never would it have occurred to him that there was a possibility that Tsubaki was to bear him children. He never thought about it once. It was a thought that would never occur since the elders would want an heir to the clan.

He closed his eyes to the gentle wind. All that he had hidden was pushed out of sight when the wind touched his skin. There was serenity for just that moment. His mind was made up and he had known that Tsubaki- the healer woman- was to be a wife. His wife to be specific. No one else made a claim to her. Madara would be damned if the elders tried to pry their way into his marriage to Tsubaki. Let the political games begin and Madara would rather be a man known for marrying a commoner and be a shinobi feared among the land.

He turned from the window and covered his bare skin. His dark eyes looking to the exit of the room with one thing in mind. The night was still young and he would rather not waste it. He was a man of conviction and with purpose, would rather do something that was meant in the sanctity of marriage. Making sure to take silent steps, Madara moved about the room until he was close enough to the door.

The house was quiet as all the residents were sleeping. They were in their peace with the night. Madara had known for sometime which was her room. He had watched her come in and out and sometimes she would not even enter. The strong smell of lavender and honey had made his senses excited to be in her presence. Standing before the door, his comfort was just behind it. Unaware of his intentions. He knocked on the door- making sure he was silent enough as it would rouse suspicion. Not that anyone was awake to know.

Waiting for a few moments, as he heard her light footsteps and the opening of her door. Her scent was even stronger now.

Her hair disheveled and sleep in her eyes. She had no time to open her mouth when he entered her room. The actions that night were sentimental and full of bliss. The darkness that had shown itself was once more kept locked away by his light and the touch of the healer woman who would soon be his wife.

《.》

"Remind me again why we are washing these herbs in a bucket." Asumi asked.

Both Ami and Tsubaki looked to each other with disappointment. Their hands covered in dirt while Asumi had clean hands and a disgusted look upon her face. The two healers and apprentice were down by the river side cleaning herbs to be used and smashed into a paste. Ami found the pastime quiet with Tsubaki a good conversation. Since Asumi was the newer healer, she had disturbed the peace. Being loud and complaining about getting dirt under her nails.

"So the herbs can be cleaned." Tsubaki stated as fact.

Asumi kept the herb an arms length away from her. Nose scrunched up in the air as if it had offended her in some way. Ami shook her head with a headache forming.

"I know that, but why? Does everything have to be washed or is it because it's like food?" There were no dumb questions, but Asumi tended to ask a lot of them.

"Everything has to be washed. You do not want to eat a carrot that has just come from the ground. Dirt Carrie's unseen things that can make the herb ineffective against infection. We want to make sure that the patient can survive without having something else fighting against their bodies." Tsubaki placed the green herb in her basket.

Ami smiled lightly at Asumi. The former spoiled woman made an 'oh' face and dipped the herb she was holding in the water. As taught, herbs were delicate. Handling to roughly can tear its importance and make it useless. The healers had to tend to the delicacy of each herb. The water was to purify and keep moist the herbs before being mashed into paste.

Tsubaki had her long hair tied over her shoulder. Her eyes concentrating on scrubbing off the remains of dirt. Some have clumped together on some roots when out of nowhere, Asumi made light conversation. As of late, it seemed everyone was trying to pry in on Tsubaki's life and how she felt on the whole idea of being a clan leaders wife.

Asumi had talked about little trivial things from simple observations of the water and plants to speaking about what life would be like for a woman in Tsubaki's position. She did not have the proper training of a noble lady and her skin was far to tan for what is deemed attractive. Tsubaki did not see anything wrong with how she looked honestly and Madara had complemented her skin far too many times for her liking.

I am not exotic. She thought when a blush crept to her cheeks.

"I can teach you some proper etiquette so you will not look like a complete fool." Asumi said with a whimsical tone to her voice. Ami had caught a glimpse of the red tinted cheeks and smiled. Though she did not know what thoughts were embarrassing for Tsubaki, one thing was certain was that it was of Madara Uchiha.

"Hello? Are you listening to me?" Asumi said.

Tsubaki blinked a few times. There was a lopsided grin upon her lips. If one were to look closer upon her shoulder, underneath the fabric, there was what looked like a bruise. Was it even a bruise? They looked too faint to be anything but a bruise. Ami raised a brow before her thoughts got the better of her and she looked away quickly.

Oh dear! She thought. Dont make it obvious that you are staring.

"I'm sorry, my mind kind of traveled with the water. I forget that you are the talkative type and I am not used to speaking so much." Tsibaki said and placed a herb back in the basket. She was unaware of what Ami was staring at. It probably did not occur to her that such an intimate act could be revealed.

Asumi huffed and blew a strand of hair from her face. Tsubaki did not mean anything by what she said and Asumi knew there was no malice to it. In the past, their conversations would be like two cats hissing at each other. Tsubaki always having the last laugh in Asumi's misfortune.

"I can teach you some etiquette. You are to be married to a clan leader after all and I guess since you have been nice to me; think of it as repayment." Asumi stated with a whisper without making eye contact. She still held on to her pride after all.

Grateful? Most definitely. Asumi knew she would be stuck in the streets without a place to call home if it were not for Tsubaki and Tokiko taking her in. Tsubaki stared at the woman whom was once a huge pain to even be around. To see that the death of her father and the fall from position had been a huge blow to Asumi's character. She still mourned for her father, but she was growing to accept that things were changing.

"You have nothing to repay for, Asumi. It was put of kindness that was shown. I would not want to live on a guilty conscience knowing you had to suffer on your own." Tsubaki said.

Things have been rather peaceful lately. The village was still in recovery and the villagers were getting well. There was talk of who was to be the next leader. Rumor even had it that Ikko would stay behind to make sure that the village was rebuilt to its former self.

Now that the village had an alliance with the Uchiha clan, things would look up for those effected. If Ikko took that title, the villagers would feel safe and out of harm's way. Madara Uchiha has yet to say such, but the healers were nosey and wanted to eavesdrop before the rumors spread futher.

Asumi's cheeks flushed red. Eyes watery and nose dripping slightly. Tsubaki was surprised when the woman through herself at the healer in a tight embrace. Asumi mumbling nonsense about being grateful and how much of a wonderful person Tsubaki was. After all the years of bickering, Tsubaki would not hold a grudge. Even though Asumi had always started the fights, she was a woman alone in this world now. Everything she had known for all her life had disappeared.

Ami smiled as the suns light shined down upon them. Days of peace were coming to the village.

But somewhere far away where the winds blew steady, a man sat upon a tree branch. Hair tied high and blowing with the breeze, looked to the mountains where the snow fell every season at the top. Brown eyes and a sheepish grin could smell the blood of war just below. Shinobi of young and old lay dead or dying from the wrath of his blade. His sword thirsty for blood of both the Senju and Uchiha's. His revenge spread far and wide as he was known as the blood swordsman.

War has ravaged his lands. Seeing many die had soaked his hands in blood. All alone on the tree branch with the mountains overlooking the land, he could hear the call of a hawk from above. A bounty worth all the riches in the world had come to him in dire need.

'A hefty price for both Hashirama and Madara heads would make me a rich man.'