With her hands, the Uzumaki prepared a sealing jutsu.
When Madara was about to strike Hashirama, he stopped. The Kyuubi was transforming itself onto a big mass of chakra that was flowing towards a point behind the trees.
- It can't be... – one mumbled.
- Is this...? – The other continued without the need to finish the question.
Shocked, the two men watched Mito come out of the forest, panting, leaning on a tree trunk with one hand and lying the other above her belly.
- What have you done? – Madara shouted, running after her.
- I... Sealed the Kyuubi inside me.
- You shouldn't have done that! – Hashirama said, running after her as well – what if you couldn't hold it?
- I'd die bringing it with me.
- How can you say that with such ease? – the Uchiha was so mad that he didn't even think of covering his worry – You are insane!
- I had to do something!
- Grrr... You shouldn't have put your nose into this!
- I've already put it a long time ago and you know it!
An embarrassing silence settled itself there, and Hashirama broke it.
- Mito... Are you feeling ok?
- Yes... I think my chakra is adapting itself very well to the Kyuubi's.
- Side effects can come any time now… There's a possibility that the seal has a weak stop… You were really reckless!
- I'm sorry, but... I have no regrets. It was the least I could do for you two. – they got surprised and she proceeded – I… know you will fight to the death… And I can't stop that… But if I could avoid both of your deaths… I wouldn't care about this sacrifice. So don't come at me with that lecture!
They both gazed at each other, and Madara said:
- If she wants it so, let's finish this fight with dignity.
- Let's...
Hashirama turned around and Madara gazed at Mito for a last time.
She could hold a giant beast's chakra inside her, but...
She couldn't hold that gaze of Madara's.
That devastated gaze.
That sorrowful gaze.
That farewell gaze.
Because his chakra was long gone.
What was left of it, he planned to use on a final blow against Hashirama.
And he could have used it when the hokage became distracted looking after the Kyuubi's chakra being sucked onto a random direction.
But all the reason he had was gone before the possibility of Mito dooming herself to her death by becoming a jinchuuriki.
He lost his big change of ending Hashirama because he wanted to see what happened with her with his own eyes.
Her...
It was true that he had already discussed the possibility of being ressurected with a certain person, but he was confident that he wouldn't be deceived. He believed he'd finally defeat Hashirama.
He would rule Konoha and... Take Mito as his wife.
However, he'd be forever adressed at the First Hokage's killer. Wouldn't Mito's public image be ruined by marrying a man like that?
Maybe it would be the best if she returned to the Whirlpool Village.
Even if he was a Hokage, he couldn't have the woman he loved; and stating that made him even angrier.
Hatred... He could feel such hatred on that moment…
He stood still, waiting for Hashirama's final attack.
- Come, Senju. I'm out of chakra. The victory is yours.
- But... Madara... Are you sure? We don't need to go that far… I can give you a good rank in the village and…!
- "Good rank"?! I don't want a "good rank", Hashirama, I want THE BEST rank. I want to prove that the Uchihas are supreme. But since that's not possible... I'd rather die than joining you. – He distilled, disgusted.
All the admiration he held for that man was turned into an unstoppable jealously.
Jealously for his abilities, for being dear to his people, for being Hokage, but before all of this… For taking the one that made him actually want to be different and leave grudges behind.
Yes... He was about to be able of changing because of her.
But when the last chance of happiness was taken away from him, any good feelings he used to experience were replaced by bad ones.
Meeting her again on that night, having her in his arms and possessing her with a caution he never imagined he would have with a woman were the things that held his resolve.
But he had gone too far. His ego was crying for justice, even though his concept of justice contradicted everyone else's.
It also contradicted that annoying and lovely Uzumaki's justice.
Hashirama sighed, plangent.
Mito, from afar, turned her face to where she couldn't see both men and closed her eyes.
It was time.
The Senju prepaired to give the final blow. Before dealing it, however, he got closer to the Uchiha and mumbled:
- You know I could never beat you on a certain subject.
Madara widened his eyes.
- What are you talking about?
- You know it really well.
He puffed.
- Just end this already.
- As you wish.
"At least I could... Win in this one..."
And Madara's body was thrown in the river, being dragged by its flow.
"What does it matter anyway, if I couldn't be with her?"
His consciousness was fading.
"I couldn't... even..."
He wasn't sure if that would kill him, but it probably would.
Hashirama fell on his knees, exhausted.
Mito, as she stumbled, walked towards the river and kneeled down in front of it.
She drooped, hugging herself tightly.
And her tears were mixing with the fussy water.
The water that behaved like the destiny from years ago, which dragged her love away from her.
Aw, guys... )':
With this, the fanfic is coming to an end. The next chapter is the epilogue.