"It was a miscarriage." The doctor told Madara in the cold, empty clinic hallway.

Madara froze in complete shock. "Miscarriage? You mean… she was pregnant this whole time?"

"Yes." The man nodded. "She wasn't terribly far along, about almost through her first trimester; give or take a week." The doctor was Akio Hojo of the Hojo clan that specialized in medicine during the war era. The Hojo family migrated to the Hidden Leaf Village and began a clinic there; performing operations from routine check-ups to intricate surgeries. Plans were in motion to expand their clinic to a large, well-equipped hospital. "Lord Madara Uchiha-"

"Please, just call me Madara." Madara interrupted.

Akio cleared his throat. "My apologies. Madara, I don't believe Reina was aware that she was carrying a child judging from her surprise when I told her."

"What should I do to help her?" Madara inquired.

"Well, when my wife miscarried it was different, because we were trying for a child. However, I don't believe that's the case for the two of you. If I were you, I would make sure she is rested and restored to health. Be there when she needs you. Her pain may only be physical, but if she starts exhibiting symptoms of depression I would bring her back." Akio said sincerely. "Though, I doubt that'll be the case."

Madara nodded. "Yes, thank you, Doctor Hojo. May I see Reina now?"

"Yes, she's just in that room next to the medical cart." He pointed. "I'll be returning to her room very shortly to make sure everything is passing properly. Afterward, we'll schedule a follow-up visit and send her home with you." Doctor Hojo bowed. "If you'd excuse me, I have another patient to visit."

"Of course. Thank you." Madara bowed and watched as the doctor left. "Miscarriage?" Madara was in slight disbelief. He turned around and knocked on Reina's door before coming in. Reina was lying on her side in a hospital bed curled up in discomfort with her back facing the door. "Reina…" Madara called sweetly.

Reina curled up even tighter and clutched the bed sheets. "Why are you still here?" She said quietly.

"Because, I told you… I'm not leaving your side. Not anymore." Madara sat at the edge of her bed. "Come on, face me." He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently encouraged her to roll onto her back.

Reina rolled over and looked up at Madara, face pale, eyes red, and hair disheveled. "I promise you I didn't know. I would never keep something like that from you."

"I believe you." Madara simply stated. "Let's sit you up." He reached underneath Reina as she propped herself up with her arms. He adjusted the pillows behind her and gently let her recline back. "Is that better?"

"A-a little… Thank you." Reina lowered her head, but gasped with surprise as she felt a light tug on her hair. Madara pulled out her hair tie and let her hair fall. "What are you doing?"

Madara scooched back and began combing her hair into his hands. "I'm fixing your ponytail. You can't go around looking like garbage even if you feel like it."

Reina gave a weak grin. "You're an ass."

Madara chuckled and neatly put her hair up in a ponytail. "There you are."

Reina felt her hair and turned to him with surprise. "Wow, you did a good job."

"I used to put my hair up too you know." Madara teased.

Reina smirked. "Oh, I remember."

Madara looked down at Reina. "How are you feeling?"

"Uncomfortable." Reina shook her head. "My body aches and I'm still trying to process everything that has happened within these past forty-eight hours."

"I know it's a lot to take in, but we'll address everything once you're better." Madara reached out and placed her soft hand in his. "Everything will be okay and we won't leave you in the dark anymore."

There was a knock on the door and Reina quickly removed her hand from Madara's grasp. "Come in!" She called.

Madara glanced at Reina before turning his attention to the door. "She's got a wall up. This isn't going to be easy." He stood up from the bed as the doctor entered the room.

"Hello, again!" He smiled. "Alright, Reina, I'm just going to take your vitals; ask a few questions. We'll schedule a follow-up and get you out of here. How does that sound?"

Reina nodded. "Too good to be true."

Doctor Hojo chuckled. "No one likes the doctor's office, huh?"

"You're one of the better ones." Reina teased. "I just want to be in the comfort of my own home. That's all."

Doctor Hojo smiled. "Then let's set you free you caged birdie."

Reina hung over the cool ledge of her steaming hot bath. She rested her head on her folded arms and focused on her breathing. Painful cramps would come in waves, but not nearly as bad as before. There was a knock on the bathroom door and Madara came into the bathroom. He shuffled over toward Reina and set down a tray on the ledge of the tub. Reina picked her head up and looked at the tray before looking up at him.

"What's this?" She asked quietly.

A subtle blush crept onto Madara's face. "I uh- I made you some chamomile and mint tea since it's supposed to help with stomach pains. At least, that's what my mother used to tell me." He sat down on the ground to face her. "I cut you up some fresh fruit in case you were hungry."

Reina gave a weak smile. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Madara picked up a cup of tea for her and gently placed it in Reina's hand. "Here, tell me how I did."

Reina gratefully accepted the cup and took a sip. "Mmm, it's good." She smiled and set it back down on the tray.

"Try the fruit." Madara picked up a toothpick and jabbed a piece of fruit from the plate. "Here, have a sliced peach." He placed the fruit into Reina's open mouth. "Do you like it? It was a gift from Jun actually. Turns out he has a peach tree he takes care of and it yielded plenty of fruit."

"That's nice of him." Reina sipped her tea and rested her head back down. "I'm so tired."

"You need to eat some more." Madara stabbed a sliced strawberry. "Come on, open wide."

Reina opened her mouth and chewed the strawberry very slowly. "I love strawberries." She said with a frown.

"Correction. You love food." Madara joked.

Reina rested her head back down. "You're not wrong."

Reina lay in bed at a slight incline. A warm towel was placed over her abdomen to ease her cramps. Reina was pale with creases under her eyes. They were beginning to look sunken and dark as she grew more exhausted with each passing hour. Madara kept the balcony doors open for fresh air. He sat down on the dresser as he did paperwork.

Reina watched him work diligently until she closed her eyes. "You don't have to stay here you know. I'm not going anywhere."

"I know you aren't. I trust you." Madara stated simply. "I'm here in case you need me."

"I'm fine, really." Reina could tell that Madara didn't believe a word she said as he spared her a sarcastic glance.

"I'm sure you are, Reina." He said while flipping a paper over to examine its contents.

Reina sighed and lazily opened her eyes. "What you said about Nao-"

"I'm sorry if I was harsh." Madara sighed and set his paperwork down. "I know it doesn't make sense for his clan compound to be in complete and utter disarray if they're the rebellious war clan. It would make more sense for them to be victims of attack, which still wouldn't put your mind at ease. However, as a political and shinobi elite, I have to consider every possible option. It's is almost certain that Nao's clan is responsible, however, we lack the knowledge that they may have differing branches. That clan crest, we've seen both aids and barbaric fighters emerge from them. It's reather complex. Your brother is perplexed as well. We can only speculate at this point." Madara cleared his throat. "Until we receive further information we won't know anything. There's a chance that we will investigate these attacks and attempt to cooperate with various lands to stop them."

Reina shifted and sat up straighter. "I see." She gave a week smile of appreciation. "Thank you for telling me."

Madara began shuffling his papers around. "I told you I won't leave you in the dark anymore. That's a promise to my wife."

Reina still couldn't get used to that title. "Is that really what I am to you?"

"Only if you allow it. It takes two to be a married couple." Madara collected his papers in his hand and uncrossed his legs as he watched Reina slowly lose consciousness.

"You mean… you don't care that I- was looking for someone else?" Reina inquired half asleep.

"I never said I didn't care." Madara said softly as she drifted off to sleep. "It hurt… but what hurts more is seeing you in so much pain over someone else. If he makes you happier than me, then so be it. If he pains you…" Madara stopped himself from saying what he wanted, gripping his papers tightly as they creased in his palms. Though Reina was unconscious, he knew that his words would do no good for either of them. Madara regained his composure before hopping off the dresser and leaving to his office.

"You consumed the fruit you bore… how does it feel?" A female voice called.

Reina shuttered in the cold, damp world surrounding. It felt as if someone soaked a heavy blanket in ice-water and cocooned her inside. "T-terrible." She took a few steps forward as water splashed beneath her feet. "What happened?"

A pale woman in white appeared before her. She pointed at Reina's stomach with a long claw-like finger. "You killed the very fetus growing inside you."

Reina shook her head. "No I didn't. How is that possible?"

The woman placed a hand under Reina's chin. "You are the wretched goddess who ate the divine fruit."

"I don't understand!" Reina growled with growing impatience. "Speak clearly."

"It'll come to you eventually." The woman smirked. She let go of Reina's chin and looked deep into her eyes.

"Why are you here?" Reina inquired. "What are you doing inside my head?"

"You speak as if I'm invading your privacy." The woman smiled. "This is our space. You are me and I am you." The woman paced around Reina. "Somehow, you have the capability of personifying my energy that lies dormant within you. You are simply speaking to yourself."

"We are one." Reina stated. "I've always understood that."

"Our ties will only grow stronger, Reina." The woman hugged Reina from behind. "I'm excited to see you blossom, my dear."

Reina simply stared into the abyss before her. "I'll be more than anyone could ever imagine."

Reina jolted awake as the door to her room opened up. She squinted as light flooded the dark room. "Madara?" Multiple shadows emerged from the light and entered her room. "Who's there?"

A lamp light was turned on revealing Madara, Hashirama, and Tobirama. Hashirama smiled down at her. "Reina, long time no see. Did you sleep well?"

Reina instantly relaxed and gave a soft smile. "It was much needed. What time is it?"

"Time for dinner." Madara stated as he and Tobirama set trays of food down on the bed.

"What's going on?" Reina asked.

"We're having dinner in bed with you!" Hashirama cheered. "It was Madara's idea."

Reina looked up at Madara and gave a nod of recognition before turning her attention back to her brothers. "I'm guessing you know everything that has happened thus far."

"For the most part." Tobirama sat down on the bed and crossed his arms.

"Life is bullshit." Reina grumbled as she watched Hashirama and Madara make themselves comfortable.

"Hahaha!" Hashirama cackled. "Are you at least feeling better?"

Reina shrugged. "I'm a little drained of energy, but I'm in much less pain."

"That's a relief." Madara stated as he sat down on the bed. "Now to get some food in you. Shall we dig in?"

The afternoon sun peaked through the blinds casting a beam of light on Reina's face. Reina stirred and squinted as she began to wake up. She raised her hand and shielded her eyes from the sun. Reina slowly peeled the sheets off of her body and climbed out of bed. Holding her stomach, she shuffled over to the blinds and opened them up while half asleep. She opened her balcony doors and stepped out into the sunlight. The warmth of the sun's rays helped revitalize her as she stretched towards the sky.

Reina looked down at the garden below and smiled as she could smell the fragrant blossoms all the way from three stories high. "Glad you're doing okay." She called to the flowers while leaning over the railing.

"I could say the same about you."

Reina gasped and spun around to see Madara leaning against the doorframe. "Oh! You frightened me."

"My apologies." Madara walked over to her and leaned forward against the railing. "Did you sleep well?"

"Sure. I feel rested." Reina shrugged. "I'm sorry for sleeping through the morning." She gave a curt bow.

Madara frowned as he straightened himself out to face her. "Reina, you don't need to apologize, nor do you need to act so formally." He went to reach for her arm, but Reina shrunk and subtly moved her arm away. Madara simply lowered his head and hand with a sigh. "You should continue resting and take things easy for the remainder of the week."

"But I'm fi-"

"Doctor's orders." Madara said as the final statement in the matter.

Reina glanced over the railing as she pursed her lips. "Okay."

Madara lifted a brow. "I know that face."

"What face?"

"That face."

"I'm not making a face."

"You're making a face." Madara crossed his arms. "Do not do anything rash today. Conserve your energy and remain on property. If you're out and about and you suddenly fall ill, how am I supposed to know?"

"I'm sorry I was under the impression that you knew everything." Reina thought to herself, but kept her mouth shut. "You do have a point."

"Will you promise me that you'll stay home until the doctor clears you?" Madara inquired.

Reina sighed. "I promise."

"Good." Madara nodded and uncrossed his arms as he began leaving her to herself. "Thank you for not making me resort to plan B."

"What?!" Reina called as she watched him leave the room. "What do you mean plan B?!" With that, Madara shut the door and Reina was left to ponder to herself.