Chapter 13

In front of him, Satomi gasped for air, her fingers curling and uncurling on the linen sheets.

Beside him was a jug of water and a small china mug. He picked up the jug and poured some water into the cup, then took it to her, lifting her chin up gently to help her sip the water. There was a small trickle of water that eluded her mouth and dribbled down her throat and down her ill-fitted kimono. Madara's eyes subconsciously followed the path of water, his gaze lingering on the exposed skin of her neck.

Satomi pushed his hand away gently. His eyes immediately snapped up to meet hers. She smiled faintly. "Thank you, Madara-sama." Her voice was softer than normal. Probably from her hoarse throat, Madara reasoned with himself. Her eyes held a tired look within them and her smile appeared as though it would shatter at any second.

"How do you feel?" Madara hadn't realised he had asked the question until she looked up at him with her wide, amber eyes.

"I feel a little sluggish, but otherwise perfectly well."

He nodded and then looked away, berating himself for not thinking before he spoke, while Satomi glanced at the window and the sunlight dwindling as the sun set. She tried to recall what had happened in the tunnels; she remembered the tunnel's entrance, coming across Izuna and Madara leaving her with his brother … but everything after that was black and obscure. It was like she had no memories from then.

She started when she felt someone's finger touch her hair. "While you were unconscious," started Madara, not meeting her gaze, "The Uchiha and Senju elders met. Together they decided that the Senju clan will halt any and all dealings with the daimyo family of the Earth Country, in return for your safe arrival back to the Senju clan." he finished quietly. Satomi remained mute, wearing a stunned expression, her lips slightly parted. "The last preparations are underway as I speak. The Elders and I agree that this has gone on long enough. The Senju has other investments from other nobles, so the Earth daimyo is not a great loss and the Uchiha is no longer required by the Rain daimyo. Therefore the need of a hostage is no more."

"Thank you," she whispered breathlessly, after a few moments' silence. Her voice was quiet, but to Madara it was like she had screamed. His chest ached and he couldn't explain exactly why her words of gratitude hurt so much when he had anticipated this response.

Madara said nothing and moved away from her, withdrawing into the shadows of the doorway that led to his chambers. Words failed to form in his mind and the ache in his chest swelled with every step he took away from her. He should have left her in the cells. He should have never become personally involved with a hostage. He should have never infiltrated the Senju stronghold with Izuna.

He should have never fallen in love with his enemy.

Hashirama looked up to the skies, beaming. Ribbons of his long dark hair flew in the breeze as he watched a small flock of young birds glide alongside the clouds. Lush greenery encircled the clearing, branches of blossoming trees intertwined and formed a sort of wall along the north and east sides and the view of the river below brought back many precious memories.

"Hashirama," came a voice from behind him.

He spun round and his eyes softened at the sight of his rival and childhood friend. "Madara, I am happy you could make it."

"What do you want?"

The gruffness of his voice, the grumpiness that had settled on his face, told Hashirama that Madara was in no mood to play any games at the moment. Something had happened that he wasn't happy about and he would lash out at nearly anyone who pissed him off further.

"It's about Satomi and the deal between the Elders." Hashirama noted how Madara's eyes flashed, as though Hashirama had stabbed him with an excruciatingly painful weapon, at the mention of Satomi. "When do you intend to hand her over?"

"That has yet to be decided."

"Madara, please. You know about her child, do you not? She needs to marry Tobirama! She would be shamed if the wedding is put off any longer—"

"Tell me, Hashirama," cut in Madara, his eyes narrowed into slits. "Did your brother even intend to marry her before messing around with her? Or has the fact that he is due to be a father forced him to reconsider?"

Hashirama blinked in surprise. He had no way of answering that question while making Tobirama look favourable. It wasn't a case of he didn't know what Tobirama's initial plans were, because he did know. He knew them very well. "Tobirama's first intentions were simply to court her, but I do not believe he wanted to marry her at the time. Later on, before they—" He flustered at the thought of saying it. Madara nodded in understanding. "—he found that he had fallen in love with her without realising, and I believe he was so shocked by that realisation, marriage became the only solution for him."

Seeing his rival's face remain indifferent made Hashirama think. Madara seemed genuinely curious about Tobirama's motives for marrying Satomi, and his earlier remark about their marriage had undoubtedly made Madara tense. Why did Madara want to know—? Oh Gods!

As Hashirama stared at Madara, he begun to recognise the symptoms of unrequited love. So that was it. He watched his companion mournfully. "Madara ... you cannot be ... have you grown to care for her?"

"Do not be foolish, Hashirama. The Senju and Uchiha are enemies, I would never fall so low." growled Madara, crossing his arms over his chest and glowering at the Senju leader. "I am asking because I cannot imagine your brother ever caring about someone in that particular way. I thought it was arranged, personally."

Hashirama stared hard at him. "Do not lie, Madara! It is obvious to anyone who looks! You care for her and do not deny it! Why would you remove her from your cells and place her in a chamber beside your own? Hostages are never treated like guests, Madara, you know that as well as I do!" accused Hashirama, his eyes searching Madara's darkening orbs. "I know Tobirama's intentions towards her were unfavourable, but he changed them for the better once he realised what his feelings towards her were! You can—"

"I can do what? Declare what? You know nothing about me!" Madara thundered, his eyes swirling into a mixture of black and red. "I do not care for that impudent woman, for Gods' sake! She means nothing – she is a Senju, do you not see?"

"Irrelevant." stated Hashirama. "You care for her, do you not? You care about her and whether she is happy and safe. Do not lie!"

Do not lie!

Madara awoke with a start. Pearls of sweat coated his brow and jagged pants fell from his lips. It had been a dream. It had all been a dream. Stupid Hashirama. Stupid dream. Stupid world. He was not lying. He was not. He had no feelings for her, none. He could never have feelings for a Senju, for an enemy of his clan.

He closed his eyes and the remnants of his dream haunted him. Hashirama's words, accusations and Satomi's smiling face ... it was torture of the cruellest kind. He felt like he was going insane, suffering with this feverish burning inside of him, yearning for what he knew he could never have. Damn Senju. They were destined to have what the Uchiha could never obtain. If only the Uchiha were capable of it, then Madara would be able to have it. He would have her.

If only the Uchiha could have a sane love.

Okay, it's the big finale next. Hooray! Once this story is done, I'm going to focus my energy on completing Learning to Fall. That, too, is almost at an end, so it's gonna be quite sad to say goodbye to Satomi and Kizuka. Well, Kizuka mostly. Looking back I think Satomi quite a passive character compared with others I've created. Hmm. Tell me what you think, if you want.

Aside from that, thank you for reading, and for sticking with the story. I'm sorry I've taken ages with updating, I am really sorry about that. Life's hectic and downright shit at times (excuse my language). :) Ciao!