Hey, guys! :D
I told you the last chapter that maybe this one would be the last, but it resulted to be really big HAHAHAHA so I decided to split it and post the first part as a chapter. However, this runs away from the pattern "present-past" I've written because I thought it would be more interesting this way, lol.
ps: remember this fanfic was made before Edo Hashirama's flashbacks
Translator's note: SORRY FOR THE DELAY AGAIN LOLOL
Since that day, Mito and Madara rarely have seen each other again.
He was invited to the wedding, however, he didn't attend it. He claimed to be busy with some mission – and he was busy indeed, in a long mission he decided to pick up in the week of the ceremony. Mito should look like the fully satisfied newlywed, when actually she was broken inside. To sign the marriage lines means she was officially engaged with a man she respected, but not loved.
And the man she loved certainly hated her once she was now part of the Senjus.
But it wasn't hatred he showed when they were in the cave. It was... resentment.
At least the hatred was not directed to her. And she felt guilty for this selfish easement, although it was her comfort before so much pain and sorrow.
Five years had passed and the Land of Whirpools was rebuild. The Uzumaki, until then hosted with the Senjus, came back to their village and Mito stood beside her husband.
The rivalry between Senjus and Uchihas was already becoming unbearable. Hashirama decided it was the time to ask for a truce. Madara felt reluctant, but the rest of the Uchihas agreed.
Together, they founded the Hidden Leaf Village. Now, they needed to elect the leader.
Most of the villagers chose Hashirama.
To Madara, it was absurd. He thought the Uchiha were being subdued, that they should rule the village in the place of the Senjus, but no one would hear him, since they didn't want any disturbance. They were satisfied with the Senjus.
Rebellious, Madara locked himself up in his dwelling, and some Uchiha said to Hashirama the possibility of Konoha be attacked, depending on the rage of the impulsive man.
Until then, in a meeting with the Counselors, Mito suggested a certain plan to persuade Madara.
- It can be dangerous… You could end up dead! – one of the counselors said, worried.
- But maybe it's the best way to get some information from him. I know that in the past he was interested in me... – her face kept stolid – And more, there's the rivalry with my husband. For him, it would be a chance for revenge. This plan will hardly go wrong.
After discussing the pros and cons, they reached consensus: Mito would seduce Madara, but only the ones who were in the meeting knew that.
- I hope you know what you're doing – Hashirama mumbled when they were back home.
- Of course I do. You don't need to worry. I'll come back without a single injury.
- Are you sure?
She found his tone weird and gazed at him.
- What do you mean?
- I don't want you to suffer.
Mito wanted to look cold. Completely cold. So cold to the point of looking offended before so much insolence.
However, the blush that covered her face betrayed her.
- Listen, Hashirama... – she said, trying not to stutter – I... I've already got over this past. We got married, we took care of Konoha, we'll eventually have kids… I gave up of him for those things.
- Yes, but... You'll end up reviving this past. And I don't want to see you upset. – he stroked her face with the back of his hand – Mito… I know I could never enter your heart like he did. If I ever could enter it. – he sighed and, hugging her, proceeded – I didn't love you when we married, but I learned to love you as time passed. I want you to be happy, Mito. Then, do what you can forget me when you run the plan. I just ask: don't forget Konoha.
She managed to avoid stuttering, but now she wouldn't keep her tears.
- I don't desserve you, Hashirama... – she whispered as she hugged him back – I'm sorry... I'm sorry for not loving you back... yet...
- Shhh... Don't be so hard on yourself. Those things happen naturally… But you've been a wonderful wife, Mito. I truly believe in this.
She couldn't speak anything else. Silently, she let her tears fall.
They went to bed, but unlike the other nights, they didn't hugged or had sex. They simply layed down holding hands. They did so because they knew that even if they didn't live an intense love, they would still be comrades, and that simple gesture symbolized this bond.
On the day after, the redhead went to the Uchiha District and asked to speak with Madara, for her desired to talk particularly with him.
They always avoided to look at each other ever since their fight.
On that day, however, their gazes crossed and...
...the time seemed to stop.
Or come back.
Because everything good they lived together, long before hidden in their memories, went afloat.
The tension could be felt in the air itself.
Until Madara asked:
- What do you want with me?
- Follow me. I have an interesting suggestion for you, Uchiha.
He knew something was odd. Mito never had looked for him. And had never spoken with him after that. In fact, he didn't remember talking to her ever since that day. They just gazed awkwardly at each other in Senju and Uchiha meetings.
"She is getting something ready. I should kill her right know", he thought as observed where he was taken in.
- We're leaving Konoha? How "particular" is this subject?
Then she stared at him with a lustful – and somehow sorrowful – smile:
- Particular enough so no one would ever know.
She entered the Senju's mansion halfway through dawn. The sun had yet to rise.
In the living room, her husband was waiting for her while having tea and reading important documents.
- Hashirama? – she asked, surprised – Shouldn't you be sleeping?
- I should, but even if I tried I couldn't do it. – he admitted, dropping the papers above the table and gazing at her – Come here.
- I... I'll bathe first. – She answered, blushing.
Even if he asked her to forget him while executing the plan, her good nature didn't permit her to do it fully.
She hoped the bath would clean her guilt a little bit, and the memory of Madara's touching and kissing – that would come to her mind all the time.
Coming back, she kneeled beside the Senju leader.
- Did you... Get what you wanted? – He realized the hidden meaning in the question – Er… I-I mean… About finding out his plans…
Both felt highly embarrased. However, they would ignore the obvious fact and focus on what really mattered.
- Yes. – Mito gazed at him, serious – it's going to be today, Hashirama. Madara is going to attack Konoha today.
His eyes widened.
- Didn't he say the time he will…?
- No, just the day. We've got to prepare to the battle right now.
The thought of fighting against the man she loved hurt, but in that moment, she couldn't think of herself as the "wronged by fate": there was a family and a village to protect.
Even if the enemy didn't make her feel a single drop of hate.
- Mito... Go rest a bit. When the sun rises, I'll make a speech so everyone will prepare themselfes and be alert about this battle.
- Okay.
She walked towards the room, but Hashirama held her hand.
- Are you sure you will fight this time?
- This isn't an option, it's a duty.
The dark haired man saw the sad but determined gaze and sighed, releasing her. If she was so decided, he couldn't stop her.
Time passed, and Madara didn't show up. Morning, afternoon... Everyone was troubled.
For Mito, it was a nightmare that needed an end.
Every minute was agonizing.
Every hour was annoying.
The anxiety was almost surpassing a sound mind.
Until, at night, a ferocious roar could be heard.
Scared, the villagers watched a giant fox's shape get closer and destroying everything it could.
And in its back was Madara Uchiha.
- It's that... Ninetails? – Mito asked, her eyes widened – how did he get it?
- I don't know, but it seems to be controlled by him – Hashirama deduced – if it was him and him alone we could try to fight inside our village, but it's not possible with the bijuu here. We must get the villagers out.
Getting closer of the beast and the lone avenger, Hashirama yelled:
- Aren't your problem with me, Madara? We can fight in another place, but you won't destroy Konoha!
He'd give a very good answer to that outrageous Senju.
And then he spotted a certain redhead at his side, holding a pleading stare.
"Damn it all...", he thought.
- I'll fight you outside the village in one condition: if I win, I'll be the Hokage!
Murmurs started. Several ninjas came to Hashirama claming it was madness, it'd be to give the power to a dictator.
- I'd rather risk this madness instead of letting everything and everyone be destroyed. – He answered, turning to Mito to see her reaction.
- You do know... this 'win' of his means… to kill, right?
- Yes... I know.
She gulped, looking at one and then at another. She mourned things would come to that point, but… It was too late.
- I accept your condition, Madara. – The Senju said.
- Great. – he made a seal with his hands, making the Kyuubi disappear – follow me. The others stay here – he affirmed, looking with the side of the eyes to Mito.
She pretended she had agreed with that.
When they left Konoha, Mito went to the village's gate, stating she would watch over the surroundings in case some underlings of Madara's would attack the village.
What she really did was to sneak outside the village while using a tracker animal to find the place that would eventually be known as Valley of the End, where Madara and Hashirama fought their epic showdown.
They were so focused on their battle they didn't notice her presence. She kept hidden, watching them. She wished she could do something, but nothing occurred – and she'd keep feeling more and more useless.
Until she saw Hashirama setting the Kyuubi free from Madara's control. However, he was tired from the fight and only had enough strength to keep taming the beast or to fight the Uchiha. However, setting Kyuubi free could make it kill both and going to destroy the village in vengeance afterwards.
Then, Mito realized what she could do for them.