The next few days were torturous for Hashirama.

There had been no sign of the star god and it ate at the sun deity's stomach. The worst was that the world still went on and, besides a comment about how the stars didn't seem to be shining so brightly in the Moon Realm, no one seemed to care.

But it wasn't like Hashirama had made a huge fuss over it. He kept the matter as quiet as possible. Save for his siblings might having an idea, no one else was none the wiser.

Hashirama laid on the ground of his private garden, twirling a blade of grass as he looked up at the partly cloudy sky. He wasn't really seeing anything, just lost in his thoughts on the current situation.

It wasn't complicated. They were Betrothed in accordance to what an Infinite One decreed. But Tying his Essence someone he didn't know didn't feel right. Did he have a choice in the matter?

And what of Obito? What were his feelings on the matter? Clearly, he was upset but was at the situation or at Hashirama?

Did he really hate him so much?

Hashirama closed his eyes and sighed heavily while his stomach churned at the thought. He only hoped Obito would return soon so that they may talk about this.

"Brother."

The sun god snapped his eyes open and look to see Itama standing stiffly not far away. Rather than his usual pleasant smile, the god of fire's mouth was pressed firmly together.

"Is something wrong, Itama?" Hashirama asked as he stood up.

His youngest brother shifted on his feet. "You have an unexpected guest waiting for you in the throne room."

Hashirama tilted his head to the side but a heavy feeling form in the bottom of his stomach. "Someone I know?"

Itama grimaced. "I think? She mentioned she had spoken to you once before. She's one of the Infinite Ones- Kamui."

The heavy feeling turned nauseous at the name. Hashirama pushed through it by swallowing. He nodded before they both hurriedly traveled to the throne room.

The halls were unexpected quiet for the time and Hashirama came to know why when he saw many gathered around the open throne room doors. Upon seeing him and Itama, they all parted without a word but with questioning gazes toward the sun god.

For his part, Hashirama held his head high as he entered, bare feet padding against soft grass. His throne room was more akin to that of an open forest with tall and stylized trees interwoven together to make arches and pillars around the 'room' while the sun blazed down through the large open spaces. Along the outskirts, the usual spacious areas were packed with all sorts of persons that whispered quietly to each other. No one dared enter further, where five people stood.

The rest of his siblings and Yamato were gathered around one person. Dressed in gold and blue, Kamui towered over them all. Her features were guileless in her pleasure toward everyone as they spoke softly to her. But when her pale eyes looked up, they hardened a little at Hashirama.

There was the sensation of pin-pricks at the base of his neck, yet he smiled on his approach. Kamui excused herself from the group and moved to meet him halfway. For some with such a muscular and curvaceous, she glided over the grass floor like she wasn't even touching it.

"Kamui," he greeted with a slight bow. When he looked up at her, her smile was warm but her eyes lacked the same. Hashirama bit his lip.

She nodded her head back. "Hashirama." Her voice gave away nothing which only left the sun god more on edge.

"I heard you wished to have an audience with me. Please forgive my delay." He tried to keep his smile in place as his heart thumped wildly. "What can I do for you?"

A hush fell over their audience; so quiet it was like none of them were breathing. Kamui's eyes traveled around the room, the silver thread and gold beads that threaded through and between her antlers catching in the sunlight as she did so. They beautifully shined a little in the sun god's eyes but not enough to actually be blinding and annoying.

When she looked back at him, it eased Hashirama's nerves that there was now a bit of brightness in her pale orbs.

"Not here," she announced loudly.

Hashirama almost laughed when a murmur of discontent went through the crowd. But he was more caught up in his own racing mind.

When Kamui leaned forward, he wasn't ashamed when he jumped and stiffened a little at the movement. He heard a soft giggle while she completed invading his personal space for her mouth next to his ear. He was only slightly annoyed by her thick, wavy hair when it covered some of the right half of his face.

"Meet me at the Crossroads," she whispered. "There we can talk. Come by yourself."

Hashirama hoped to see her face to gauge an expression. But as Kamui pulled away, she disappeared before he could.

The sun god found himself sighing in relief as his muscles relaxed. That was only a small comfort however, the goddess still wished to speak to him.

A goddess who was Obito's mother.

He only could wonder why she came. He hadn't done anything personally to Obito. Even if he was the cause of the star god's current state- whatever that was.

He was pulled from his thoughts when his family gathered around him.

"Is everything alright?" Kawarama immediately asked, jumping straight to the point.

Hashirama attempted to smile broadly but only managed a little one. "It's fine," he tried to assure verbally. "Kamui just wishes to," he gulped because even he wasn't so sure, "talk to me privately."

Tobirama's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. "Does this have to do with why you have been out of sorts these past few days?"

Hashirama tried not to flinch but a corner of his mouth twitched.

Touka hummed while one corner of her mouth tilted upward. "I suppose we can take that as a yes?"

Hashirama rubbed the back of his neck when it began to prickle again. When he saw four pairs of eyes lit up, he knew he had to make his escape before they dragged him away and questioned him.

He hastily made his excuses before he dashed off and raced through the palace.

Careful to not be followed, he managed to make it to where the entrance of the Crossroads without further incident.

Stepping away from the Travel Crystal Pavilion, his eyes traveled up the well-worn steps of the stairs that led to the highest point of his realm. The top was blocked from view by the clouds. But on a normal day- when one reached the top of the stairs- you could see both the Moon and Sun Realms in all their glory.

He wasted no more time and began his trek. Although he knew it could have been easier to climb with the help of his Essence, there was an unspoken rule that- unless an Infinite One- no powers were to be used to reach its peak. It acted as a pilgrimage of sorts when the two realms would come together twice a year.

But all it served now was a prolonging of something important. Left alone with his thoughts, it gave him time to imagine what sort of 'talk' Kamui wanted. It wasn't the worst case but still enough to develop a solid feeling in the pit of his stomach.

Each step he took grew heavier and heavier that had nothing to do with the climb. In fact, every part of him felt like that. From the headache that was beginning to form to his pounding heart. All in knowing what awaited him at the end.

But at no point did he want to turn and flee- to hide away from the Infinite Goddess and never speak of this again. Because on his way here, an epiphany occurred to him.

For all that he wondered what might happen, Kamui also could provide him with some answers. Namely, why she decided he and Obito were Betrothed and what the other god could be doing right now.

So while his mind continued to race and his body protested, he pressed on.

Coming to the landing where the stairs to the Moon and Sun Realms met, his body perked up at seeing a familiar person coming up the steps from the Moon Realm. When Madara noticed him too, the other man paused before he continued towards Hashirama.

Both of them met in the center of the landing, but there were no jovial greetings. There was a grimness in Madara's face that Hashirama knew he probably couldn't lift with a usual joke or quip.

Still, it made his heart tighten and he reached out to grip the moon god's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze. He tried to smile but knew he failed when Madara shook his head.

"Don't try to appease me," Madara spoke as he shrugged off Hashirama's hand. "I know what I have done and it is time I face the consequences of my actions."

This did make the sun god grin crookedly. "You make it sound like she is going to kill you."

Madara lifted a pointed eyebrow. "It would be within her right."

Hashirama swallowed with his grin falling away and he tried not to think about it.

Both of them turned their heads to look at the rest of the stairs that lead to the Crossroads. The clouds hiding the top from view made it more ominous.

"You ready?" the sun god asked as he looked back at his friend.

Madara huffed. "Don't ask a ridiculous question," he moved forward. "I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

The response made Hashirama chuckle with a shake of his head. He then followed.

Their walk was quiet. Neither of them gave a sign that the lack of visibility or moisture bothered them. Though that might have been because of Hashirama acting as a soft source of light from his brighter glow and evaporating a small area around them.

When the clouds finally gave way, it was perfectly clear. Standing at the top of the steps, they could see the land and mountainscape that surrounded nothing but water. The large body of water that encompassed the entirety of the flat plateau was perfectly still and dark.

The lake was built to always reflect the three realms of Sun, Moon, and Star no matter the weather. It mixed the realms to make it look like it was always evening or sunrise the peaks of the sun and moon on either side. Above, the stars would always be seen and shining between the two other realms.

As they descended down the stairs, Hashirama looked up to the Star Realm, now so much closer. It was still too far away to see any details but it felt like he could still reach out and touch one of them. His heart ached in wondering what Obito was doing up there now.

When they reached the bottom, both of them stopped to see a figure kneeling, not far from shore, on the lake. Although still too far away, Kamui's distinctive clothing and pale skin stood out against the mostly black area.

Hashirama's stomach twisted as they proceeded forward. But there was no sign of aggression yet, so he took it as a good omen.

When they got closer, more features began to emerge. She faced them, head tilted to the side, and face completely calm with a soft smile. The beads that served as her 'crown' were now cradled in one hand while the other twirled one of the beads gently. Her eyes were half-lidded but distant while she admired the threaded beads.

Both him and Madara stopped a few feet away from her. Hashirama found his throat to be tight so demurred to speak. Madara must have had the same idea as he didn't begin to talk either.

They stood for a second or two longer. Then Kamui sighed and closed her eyes while she dropped the bead in her hand and then covered the beads. Hashirama couldn't stop himself when he tensed involuntarily.

"Please, sit," she gently commanded.

Hashirama and Madara glanced at each other before slowly drawing themselves down onto the water. The moon god knelt formally while the sun god sat in the lotus position.

There was another bout of silence before Kamui asked, "Tell me, what do you both know about Time?"

Hashirama's eyebrows furrowed together and when he glanced at Madara, the man wore an equally questioning expression.

When he looked back at Kamui, she had not opened her eyes and gave any further explanation.

"We are...," the moon god spoke, "aware of the principles of it. But not what it fully means or entrails."

Kamui hummed and opened her eyes to look at the two of them. Her gaze was hard and penetrating but not threatening.

"Then you are aware of the Limitless Timelines. How every situation and action taken can lead to a path Time has made, or create a whole new one?"

"In theory," Hashirama agreed. "But Mito could only reveal so much before it became confusing."

Kamui hummed again but with a smile. "Yes, the goddess of destiny and I do share a lot in our powers. But there are many ways we are different.

"She sees what would happen if one were to continue on their current path. The things that are guaranteed to happen in one to four timelines. But I see all the possibilities." Her smile died slowly.

"So you can see why I can be uneasy to trust- especially when it comes to my son."

Out of the corner of his eye, the sun god saw Madara stiffen. Kamui must have seen it too as she turned to look at him fully. "You have raised my son well," she complimented, "even helped him regain a little of his memories from before your pantheon was 'born.'" Her eyes drooped with a soft sigh. "But it still hurts that you did not do as I had asked. That you took the paths you chose and betrayed my son's trust the way you have."

"I did tell him," Madara defended, a little bit of edginess to his voice as he spoke calmly. "It just so happened to be years later than I should have."

Kamui nodded. "But I don't think you understand why your actions- or inaction- has hurt Obito so. He doesn't reveal it to you, but he does admire and respect you. So for you to withhold something so important not just from him," her eyes glanced over at Hashirama, "but the sun deity as well, it has left Obito feeling very confused on certain matters and angry."

"If I can say something," Hashirama interjected when he noticed Madara's mouth twist into a frown. Kamui looked to him and he went on, "Surely after so many years, you could have also told Obito yourself?" He hoped he hadn't come off as accusatory in his question.

Kamui nodded, and it eased his twisted insides. "You're very right. But as I said, everything has its own path. Madara could have told my son and Obito just decided not to speak with me on the matter. Or Madara hadn't and Obito was still ignorant, my asking about you could have set off another path that would end differently. I chose to respect my son's decision- if it was the former- by not saying anything.

"And I could have checked in both realms as well. But outside the Star Realm, I am only given an intermediate passage before I must go on. It is in my nature to always be on the move and everything is expansive and borderless in the Star Realm. I sometimes might not see my son as regularly as I did when he traveled with me." She paused, eyes growing distant with a flash of pain.

"The only reason I came to know of the situation here is that I noticed stars were being destroyed or going out permanently. My son may have a bit of a temper but he had seldom ever sabotaged his own creations unless clearly distressed."

Hashirama felt his heart squeeze and he curled his hands into fists. To know Obito was that anguished made him ache in want to comfort the other god.

It also made him see that there was something deeper going on with the star god than just being upset about being Betrothed.

He was pulled from his thoughts when Madara said, "Obito is acting like a child then. Surely, his feelings aren't so soft that he would react in such a way."

Hashirama quickly glanced at Madara with his breath catching. The moon god wore a tight frown and his arms were crossed over his chest but his eyebrows were furrowed together with reserved eyes.

When Hashirama turned toward Kamui, her eyes were hard but sorrowful and understanding. "Surely," she reasoned softly, "you would feel the same if Minato betrayed you as such."

The moon god stared at Kamui for a moment before he slowly bowed his head to use his bangs to cover his face. Hashirama knew the message had come across when Madara's shoulders and arms eased down until his hands laid limply in his lap.

Kamui must have understood too because she nodded. She then sighed. "I am in no way saying this is all at your feet Madara." Both gods looked toward her and she smiled bitterly. "Our inaction lies between the both of us. It is a good lesson to take away."

Madara nodded stiffly but Hashirama frowned.

The sun god pointed to himself. "Then what did you need to speak to me about?"

Kamui's smile turned into a mix of humorous and sheepish. "I thought since the situation heavily involved you, you should at least be aware of the talk. But I also knew you might have questions."

Hashirama shifted, his heart picking up pace a little. He licked his lips. "I know Obito is upset...," he began, "but I also would like to talk to him. Do you know when he will come back from his realm?"

The goddess shook her head. "I don't. He will come back when he is ready." At seeing Hashirama hang his head with a sigh, she added, "I can at least tell you it won't be too long."

Hashirama pressed his lips together. That didn't give him much comfort considering her amount of time could be different than his. But he pushed it aside and figured that is all he would get. He opened his mouth to speak again. Only when he did, Kamui raised a hand.

He paused and watched as she closed her eyes. It was quiet and the sun god took the moment to look at his friend who appeared as baffled as he was.

"I'm sorry," Kamui spoke as she opened her eyes, "but I'm afraid I have to go."

Hashirama's heart jumped to his throat while Kamui calmly but swiftly wove the beads through her antlers again. When she gracefully stood up, Hashirama lurched up to follow and made to speak but Kamui beat him to it.

"But I can answer whatever other question you may have." She offered a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. "But only one."

Hashirama swallowed past the lump in his throat as he nodded. There was no other question for him to ask but one.

"Why did you Betroth Obito and I?"

Kamui's smiled turned warm as she closed the gap between them. In his half kneeling, half-standing position, she reached out and touched the side of his face.

Hashirama stared directly into her eyes and was encompassed by her gaze that eased the tightness in his chest. Her smile was delicate but strong and her eyes were bright and clear that made him warm and protected.

"I didn't choose you," she stated, "you two chose each other. Because in every timeline I saw for you or my son, you both were together and always made each other inexplicably happy."

And then Hashirama blinked and Kamui was gone.

The air left out of the sun god and he slumped to his knees. He blinked again, almost forcibly willing for the goddess to return. But she didn't and it left him to stare out at the Crossroads.

He sighed and looked to the Star Realm. The distant stars twinkled back at him as if to mock him for not being able to see or go there.

His chest grew heavy as Kamui's words rang in his head. Her answer had given him something but also left him aching to understand more. Every timeline? Even this one? When he and Obito barely knew each other?

"...We should go."

Hashirama turned to look at his friend as the moon god stood up. The other man then looked down at him with muted eyes.

"You heard what Kamui said, there is nothing for us to do but wait until Obito's return."

Hashirama pressed his lips together briefly before he sighed heavily. "You're right," the sun god agreed dejectedly as he stood up. "But I just wish there was something I could do."

Madara huffed. "All the wishing in the world can only do so much. Even if you were a god of wishes." He turned and walked away. "But Obito isn't a coward," he called over his shoulder. "He will return. Don't worry."

Hashirama smiled a little at his friend's words. They were a bit harsh but they eased the heaviness in his chest a little. Madara was a man of his word and he knew Obito probably better than anyone else.

Still, the sun god looked at the Star Realm one last time before he too walked away. Because it was the only thing he could do. The rest was up to Obito to return.

Hashirama silently hoped it would be sooner rather than later.