AN: Ugh, just a warning that I suck at romance. We all know Madara as this cold hearted character who does not blink at the thought of feelings. Throughout this whole journey, I wanted to show Madara as more of a human character with realistic emotions. Cannot always be so cold all the time and romance is a part of life. I wanted to keep Madara as much of a character we are used to seeing him as with a bit of what ifs.
This has been a long journey for me in the span of two years. I am happy with how this story turned out. With all the flaws in my writing. No one is perfect. I have come to love these characters and was pretty saddened when I had to kill off my villain. Saif will be truly missed, but it's okay. His story is over and there will be many other villains to come.
Thank you all for giving this story a fighting chance. I have never expected this story to go far or even be liked at all. I know the problems of this story has upset others and I am truly sorry that most have given up or dislike this story because of the content. We all move on and find something else.
Here is the last chapter to The Healer.
i.i. Like A Star
Her life had changed when she was found. The scars of war were not etched in her skin. She had not fought in battle. She had not taken a life. Those memories were only but long forgotten as her village burned to the ground and became ash in the wind. What was left of her home was but a mystery to her. She did not know if she was the only one to escape while the villagers were being slaughtered. All she knew was that she had to run away and never look back.
She met a much older woman later on. A woman who was like a second mother to Tsubaki. Teaching her about the art of healing. A skill that help her begin a new life in a place where it was peaceful. Her gentle touch had been bloodied and there were some whom she could not save. Tsubaki's heart had felt that loss many times before, until she learned to accept the fact that not all lives could be saved.
She worked hard day and night. Making mistakes as a novice does. Until she was good enough to be respected among the village that she considered her new home. Tokiko was a fair and rather strange older woman. Teaching Tsubaki all that she knew and hoping that one day, the young woman would find much more meaning.
Tsubaki never imagined her life to take such drastic turns.
She sat outside in the summer night. The stars shining brightly in the sky. Another day had been peaceful and perfect. It was a time that Tsubaki enjoyed about the summer. The warm breeze that blown through the village. The sound of the insects in the night had been all but quiet. All were asleep now, except for another who stood behind her.
"What keeps you awake?" She said.
He was going to ask her the same, but he already knew why she could sleep. She may not have voiced it out loud. He knew she was sad and was trying to keep it from showing. Instead, Madara only shrugged his shoulders in response to her. She looked so perfect to him under the moonlight. The way her hair shined and the small glow that surrounded her.
"I may be awake for a much different reason. I noticed you were not asleep next to me and had come to find you. To bring you back before the sun rises." He said.
She smiled when he sat next to her. His eyes looking up to the starry sky in thought. To be alone with him was all too perfect for Tsubaki. Never has she felt this strong for a person under her care. The fear of losing Madara had been buried deep. She moved closer to him and placed her head on his shoulder.
"When will you learn that I wake before the sun?" Tsubaki rubbed her cheek against his shoulder slowly. She was comfortable showing her affection. Never has a man made her feel this way. Not since losing...
She looked to the hill where the graves of those she lost under her care. One particular grave would always hold her memories of young love. Madara had noticed her eyes lingering towards the hill as her subtle touch against him had ceased for a moment. It was no secret that Tsubaki had a lover before him. A shinobi that died in her care and was buried upon that hill. But to Madara, the hill will be the grave of the blind shinobi.
He still haunts you? Those milky eyes stared at him through the darkness. Madara placed his arm around Tsubaki in a defensive manner. He would have growled like an animal if his shadow dared come closer. Tsubaki could feel his hand upon her shoulder. Pressing down slightly with pressure and Madara's eyes staring dangerously into the shadows.
"Madara?" She spoke calmly.
Try as you might, you cannot save her. Madara blinked for a moment. Her voice bringing him back to reality. The dark shadow had micked him for far to long and dissapeared back to where it came from. The hill showing the mound where he was buried. A constant reminder that he will always haunt Madara from the grave.
"Rising before the sun only makes the shadows linger. Should I keep you in a tight grip so you will not be able to see the sun? I kind of like the feeling of having your back against me." Tsubaki's eyes widened with her cheeks growing red. Madara smirked at his control to tease the woman. Even though Tsubaki has showed him every inch of her body; she still feels the need to be embarrassed by his intimacy.
Through his teasing, Madara still kept his guard high. The shadows liked to play tricks. Tsubaki was unaware of the fact that his mind had travelled down a dark path. Would it always be so? How much more of Tsubaki's light be able to keep that shadow from appearing before the dream became a reality?
"You such things so openly. Do you have no shame at all?" Tsubaki crossed her arms over her chest. Her cheeks burning and eyes averted towards the sky once more. Wishing to the gods to keep the man from talking anymore. Madara placed his chin upon her head. Bringing her close to his chest. His heart beating so softly that she could hear it.
What have you gotten yourself into? Tsubaki thought as the images of what had occurred throughout the night filled her mind.
"Should I have shame? Was it you that wanted to be near me? I can take you back to where it started." This man was going to be the death of her. Even though they shared one night together, Madara would go out of his way to embarrass her.
Damn. Her mind squealed. She tried to move from his grip, but the shinobi was strong. There was no way he was going to let his future wife escape him. Not when he wanted her near him. Not when the shadows watch and waited to attack his already fragile mind.
"I would rather not waste a beautiful night like this. Maybe you should sleep alone like you have been and keep your thoughts to yourself." Madara continued to smirk at his future wife. The gall to speak to him with such familiarity to her tongue. Tsubaki had gone from quiet and thoughtful, to this woman who could stand before him without fear.
She was all to perfect for him. These moments could last forever. To imagine summer nights with a child in her arms.
"My thoughts are my own when I have you to distract me." Tsubaki went stiff for a moment and slack jawed. Had she heard him right or was he saying things to ruffle her feathers? She had managed to move slightly from him. The playfulness between them had dissapeared. The hot air blowing gently between them. Madara had his eyes dead set on her with that intense stare. "It may not be easy. For the road ahead will be difficult for you, Tsubaki."
The way he said her name. It was perfect. It was perfection.
"I have thought much about it since you set your mind on me being your wife. I still think you have much options in that area because of my status. I will not be welcomed with open arms or accepted. You have truly set up my future." There was much truth within her. Even when Madara has expressed his feelings to her, Tsubaki just could not yet accept it.
How could Madara tell her that his power and authority over his clan was highly respected? That the dream the night before showed him of what could be? It ended it tragedy, but one could change their destiny. Madara would be damned if something were to happen to Tsubaki and his future child that would be within her womb.
Such thoughts had to be hidden. It might have been only a dream, but sometimes it could be so much more. Madara had to keep caution of what may come later in life. For now, her worry was what others would think of her. That she was not worthy to being a wife.
"I do not care for your status. How many times will I repeat myself and prove it to you?" He grabbed her face within his hands. Those dark eyes staring at her. Tsubaki shivered under his stare for that moment. Why would she risk being doubtful of a chance at a happy life with the man she would swear to always love? It all seemed so perfect. Any woman would jump at the chance to marry such a powerful clan leader.
"I will continue to prove to you that your life will be safe. You are protected by my clan whether they deem it or not. You, as my future wife, will be at my side. If only you knew the darkness that was deep within myself. You drive it away when I am near you. You do not see that monster like many have." His confessions had broken a dam. Tsubaki had to know what she did to him. The ruthless shinobi that was feared by many great foes. Madara may not have been the best to show or speak of his emotions; he would rather get on with life.
Tsubaki closed her eyes for a moment. The sound of the insects singing a serenaded song had comforted her. In the shadows there was a danger. Coming close, but unaware of what would transpire. Madara moved to comfort her with a capture of his lips on hers. Only the night would know what would happen.
The night was filled with stars that shined so high in the sky.
The sun had risen over the horizon.
She did not know how to feel, standing before him. Her heart was already aching from the deep entangled feelings that have sprouted inside of her. She could not even look at him without wanting to give way to these feelings. Tsubaki has never felt so in love and just by the way he looked at her, she could only fall even deeper. Their last night together had been raw and passionate. Like, the two lovers they were, each tender touch and words were as if it would be their last. But it was not so.
She knew he would be back to come claim her as his wife. Tsubaki knew there was going to be backlash among his clan of an outsider marrying into a respected clan of powerful shinobi. Tsubaki would rather walk into the den of wolves with her head held high as long as she was beside the man who would so long protect her very well being. Not the Tsubaki could handle her own against those whose nose was so high in the air they could sniff the clouds.
"A year?" She said. The feeling of being away from each other hitting her soul hard. She had to smile and scold herself for feeling such a way. She was not the type of woman to let her feelings overcome what mattered the most in her life.
The villagers were still in a time of rebuilding. Their needs have to be met in order to continue their livelihood from the wreckage. But her eyes had lingered a little to long at the man who had made living possible. Some would have called him a monster- for he had carried a threat known to all shinobi. His power will continue to grow and his strength could conquer nations if he willed it so.
Tsubaki could not deny that there was something hidden inside of the man's soul. A darkness that would consume him if she did not show him compassion. Madara Uchiha was not a monster to her eyes and would probably never be. He has not shown that beast that lies buried inside and she knew he was a formidable foe that has killed many times before.
But that was war.
Now, he stands so perfectly. The wind blowing his long dark hair gently. She might as well blush hard at his beauty and grace. To be the woman he has chosen to stand by his side as a wife was such a high honor. Tsubaki was just a lowly woman with nothing to her name or then knowledge of healing. Madara must have seen much more and though he has told her his reason, she may as well accept that her life was to change.
So, she smiled at him. Meeting Madara's eyes that were observing her behavior. She stood so innocent and compared to him, was short and fragile. Behind that smile was a woman who was tough and resourceful. Madara could only imagine how she will react to those who will call her names and not accept her. Tsubaki would be a spitfire to the Uchiha clan. But first, Madara had to warm up the idea to the elders. Their ways of tradition would be broken all for a woman who has stolen- if not- kept that darkness at bay.
In some way, Madara was grateful for Tsubaki.
"A year will pass by, Lady Tsubaki." Izuna said to reassure her of the worries within her mind.
Madara had broken eye contact from Tsubaki. Forgetting that his younger brother was standing next to him. Quiet, with a smile that knew much more. Izuna was no fool to the growing feelings and affection that both had shown throughout their stay. One would say that Madara Uchiha had found love in his life.
Oh, how the stories would be told of a romance that just sparked.
"A year seems so long if you were to think of it. Much can change within that span of time, I am sure." Tsubaki stated. Her smile never fading away, but there was doubt within her eyes. Something that seemed to falter when she looked to Izuna.
"I am sure nothing will change. You seemed to have done well without us here before, now that my stubborn brother has set his mind on something, there is no stopping this knucklehead." Madara sent a disapproving stare towards his brother. Izuna backed away quickly not wanting to have felt the sudden wrath of his elder brother. Tsubaki chuckled slightly and stood between the brothers to make sure that Madara did not strain himself too much.
"Mind saying that again, brother." Madara spoke. His voice low and threatening. Tsubaki placed her hand on his arm. Her gentle touch had calmed his irritated nerves, but it was much of a playful banter that Izuna knew.
"Now, now, no need to kill your brother. I know you have a hard time showing your feelings and all." Tsubaki teased the clan leader. Madara wanted to roll his eyes, but said nothing. He opted to smirk at the healer woman.
"My feelings should not be so public." Madara stated. There goes his ego again.
"You can at least show it so others will not be fooled that Lady Tsubaki has taken that cold heart and melted it." Izuna teased.
Madara flicked his brother in the head. "Since when did you become a romantic?"
"I hope you two have all you need for your journey back." Tokiko interrupted as she walked outside. Ami walked behind her and Asumi kept a safe distance. "You know you both do not need to leave now."
Tsubaki rolled her eyes, "You are only saying that because you want to continue healing them. Honestly you old crow, they are in good health."
Life had gone back to normal. Though war was still in the distance and threatened their livelihood, they all had to keep hope.
"Oh, I am not saying that for my sake. I mean, you could hear what you and Lord Uchiha are doing so late in the night." Tsubaki hit the older woman over the head.
"Its rather obvious." Asumi said and crossed her arms.
Tsubaki was red in the face. Her eye twitching from the utter embarrassment. Madara and Izuna looked to one another. The youngest of the Uchiha's had not wanted to comment on the matter. For all he knew, whatever happened between his elder brother and Lady Tsubaki was their own. They just had to make it obvious.
"So I will have grandchildren?" Tokiko spoke.
Madara crossed his arms over his chest. Watching the scene transpire into something that he could get used to for all his days. This was the day the clan leader would leave and come back within a year to claim the red faced woman who showed him that an act of kindness could save his corrupted soul.
The story of a healer woman would only continue as she would become Lord Uchiha's wife.
