The Bedeviled Legacy

by softshisui

Asami Uchiha knew death the moment she was born. Her family fell to war that was not their own, not their fathers, or their father's father, but to men that existed many years before them whose names were long forgotten. Asami may not have known it when she took that first breath, but she would create a legacy that would last for generations to come.

25. A Common Goal

"This is unacceptable!" Osamu exclaimed as he slammed his fist down on the table. Anger radiated from the old man as he stared Madara down from the other side of the table, jaw set.

Madara was unfazed by the old man's display of anger. His gaze was cool, the single black eye not hidden underneath his mop of spiky black hair staring back at Osamu without fear. "I told you how things will proceed from here, Osamu-sama."

Asami sat beside Madara, her hands placed neatly in her lap and her chin held high. Her face was expressionless as she maintained the gaze of Ryuta from across the table, who had been silent since the meeting began with the four of them.

After the revelation about his Sharingan, Madara concluded that there was no need to sit idly and wait before attacking the Senju. His blindness was no longer a hindrance, and with Izuna's eyes, he felt even stronger than before. They had nothing holding them back; it was time to strike while the iron was hot.

Asami agreed. She wanted to sink her teeth into the Senju and bite hard.

The elders, however, did not share their enthusiasm.

Madara had called the meeting primarily to discuss Izuna's passing and the way forward. However, similar to previous meetings, the elders were insistent on Madara and Asami producing heirs immediately. It seemed Izuna's death had made them more perturbed than ever. They were consumed by the looming fear of the Uchiha clan's future leadership should both Madara and Asami fall.

Osamu was vocal the moment Madara spoke of his intentions to attack the Senju within the next few days. Meanwhile, Ryuta remained silent, but his sharp, beady black eyes remained fixed on Asami, unsettling her further. He was losing any possible bonus points he could have earned the longer he stared at her with such an intense expression.

She really despised both of the Uchiha elders.

"Our clan is in a fragile place right now," Osamu said, his voice carrying an edge that almost sounded like a warning to Madara not to oppose him. "Now is not the time to attack in the name of revenge. Izuna was a formidable shinobi, however, I do not think revenge is the course of action. We must move forward."

Asami clenched her jaw, her shoulders tensing at the casual mention of Izuna.

He had only passed the day before, and yet they spoke so easily of his death. It disgusted her. They truly didn't care about anything other than the talents of a shinobi, their jutsu, the power of their Sharingan, and their proficiency with weapons—nothing else mattered to them. Never mind that Izuna was a person with people who loved him. That didn't matter to them. To them, he was to be used like a tool and tossed aside.

They spoke the same way of Hana after her death too. All they cared about was the possible heirs she could produce to further benefit the clan. To them, she was nothing more than a means to strengthen their forces, to add more child soldiers to their ranks.

The callousness and disregard for the lives and emotions of their own clan members appalled her. Asami knew that the elders' focus on producing heirs and raising child soldiers was driven solely by their ambition for power and control. It sickened her to witness such a lack of empathy and humanity among those who were supposed to lead and protect the Uchiha clan.

"We will be attacking the Senju within a few days, " Madara reiterated. "While I appreciate your advice to repopulate instead of striking against the Senju, I disagree. It would seem weaker to hide behind the compound's walls after the death of someone in the main family. To prove our strength we need to strike hard, and fast."

Madara was still unaffected by the emotional outbursts of the Uchiha elder. Asami sensed a newfound coldness in him, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. It was as if a transformation had taken place, and he now exuded an aura of ice-cold determination to dismantle the Senju clan piece by piece. Asami could resonate with that feeling, a similar coldness within herself. Since Izuna's death, it was as though a chill ran through her.

While the pain of Hana's death was hot and debilitating, there was something about losing Izuna that chilled her. It was like a weight had been dropped into the depths of her stomach, heavy, and plagued by a constant feeling of callousness and nothingness. The emotions that engulfed her were unsettling.

She wanted to burn the Senju to the ground. She wanted them to suffer. They needed to pay for what they had done. She hadn't been fueled by such an intense desire for revenge since the Uzumaki had used a human bomb to blow up the Uchiha hideout.

Of course, this feeling was much more intense. Her desire to get justice for Izuna was more imperative than those Uchiha at the hideout. This was personal.

The room was filled with tension as the two men fought for dominance, glaring at each other across the table.

Madara had a record of making choices the elders did not approve of. Simply put, they did not like that Madara refused to bend under their thumb. Izuna was also a problem in their eyes, maybe even more so with Izuna's tendency to mouth off. If Asami had to put it bluntly, the elders were probably glad Izuna was gone in some sick and tormented way. They only had Madara to deal with now.

Asami had her few run-ins with the elders, but they cared less about her bending to their will in comparison to her older male cousins who had much more influence within the clan. It wasn't as though she was the one making influential day-to-day decisions, so they focused most of their attention on them.

Osamu's eyes narrowed as he studied Madara, clearly not pleased with the younger Uchiha's firm stance. He leaned forward, his knuckles white from the pressure of his grip on the table's edge.

"Madara, you underestimate the consequences of such a rash action," Osamu's voice held a mixture of frustration and concern. "The Senju are not to be trifled with lightly. We risk not only our own lives but the future of our entire clan by plunging headfirst into a battle we might not be prepared for."

Ryuta finally broke his silence, his eyes still fixed on Asami. "Indeed," he chimed in, his voice smooth and calculated. "We need a strategic approach. Attacking without a proper plan will only lead to disaster. It's imperative that we consider the long-term ramifications. Which is why, we should focus on the state of our lineage."

Asami's patience was wearing thin. She could feel the anger and defiance bubbling within her, mirroring the fire that had ignited within Madara. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, but her expression remained stoic.

Madara's eye flickered between Osamu and Ryuta, his own patience wearing thin as well. "You both underestimate what we are capable of. We have the element of surprise on our side, and with the power of Izuna's eyes, we can turn the tide in our favor."

Osamu faltered, unsure what he was speaking of. "…what do you mean with 'Izuna's eyes?'"

Asami tightened her expression as she glanced between Madara and the elders.

She knew they would not be pleased to know Izuna and Madara had been suffering from vision loss. Choosing not to disclose that information to the elders before was a wise choice, she could admit, as the elders would jump at the chance to push even more so for Madara to marry. Or worse, take the opportunity to replace him.

The interaction still made her nervous, though.

"For some time now, Izuna and I had discovered the next phase of the Sharingan, as you know." Madara acknowledged, tipping his head.

Ryuta nodded in agreement. "Yes, I assume you are speaking of the Mangekyō?"

Osamu crossed his arms and leaned back, waiting to hear his explanation with interest.

Madara nodded his head and hummed. He slid his hands into the sleeves of his yukata before speaking. "Yes, I am speaking of the Mangekyō. However, after we first told you both of the fourth phase of the Sharingan, Izuna and I discovered there were some… side effects of overusing the Mangekyō. For some time now, both he and I have been grappling with vision loss."

Osamu's expression transformed into one of disbelief, his mouth slightly agape, yet no words escaped. He didn't say anything, but his pale features slowly shifting to a deep, angry red was enough information for Asami to know how he felt.

She had to resist the urge to outwardly grimace in preparation for either of their responses.

Ryuta appeared taken aback, his mouth mirroring Osamu's open expression. "Am I to understand that you and Izuna engaged in battles despite suffering from vision impairment? Your actions were incredibly reckless and could have even led to the loss of your lives!"

Asami gave in and winced internally at their reaction. She pursed her lips slightly, casting a fleeting sidelong glance at her cousin before refocusing on the elders, who were clearly infuriated by this revelation.

Their response wasn't unexpected to her, and she couldn't deny that perhaps it would have been better to keep Madara and Izuna's vision troubles hidden. Explaining the need for eye-switching without revealing this crucial detail would be a challenge, but now there was no avoiding it. The cat was out of the bag.

Osamu clenched his teeth, the redness of his face deepening. "This is beyond unacceptable! Your choices to continue fighting while impaired might very well have contributed to your brother's death!"

Madara slammed his palm on the table with a loud slap. Both elders tensed at the sudden action and quieted, meeting Madara's enraged eyes. The tension was thick. The elders seemed to still in fear, unknowing what pushing Madara's buttons once more would bring to the both of them. While they knew Madara would never harm them, the stress of losing Izuna could make Madara's actions… unpredictable.

Madara took a deep breath, attempting to regain his composure before speaking, his tone now more controlled but still intense.

"You think I don't know the consequences of my actions?" Madara's voice was heavy with a mixture of regret and defiance. "Izuna's death weighs heavily on me, and I've been living with the consequences of my choices every day since then."

Asami's heart clenched as his words hung in the air, casting her cousin a quick, concerned glance. A surge of emotions churned within her, and she found herself subconsciously fidgeting with the fabric of her yukata beneath the table.

She hadn't engaged in a conversation with Madara since Izuna's passing. Not in any substantial way that truly mattered. She wondered how Madara was handling his brother's death, if he allowed himself to remember Izuna beyond the context of their vendetta against the Senju. His pursuit of revenge against the Senju seemed to have consumed him entirely. To hear him speak about Izuna now was unsettling. She wasn't sure what was going on in his head.

Asami couldn't say she was doing better herself. Her thoughts were a murky abyss, an endless expanse of darkness and emptiness. She was being pulled along by the relentless current of revenge against the Senju, a path that seemed to offer some semblance of purpose in the midst of her grief. The thought of shoving her chokutō through Tobirama's gut had flashed through her mind more times than she could count that day.

She refused to lie to herself—she felt great satisfaction from the image of Tobirama Senju dead at her feet.

"It doesn't matter now," chimed in Asami, the attention of both the elders drawing to her. "What's done has been done. Madara is no longer suffering from vision impairment and with Izuna's eyes, he has discovered another phase of the Sharingan as well."

Asami shifted her attention towards Madara, silently giving him the opportunity to elaborate on the matter. But he didn't speak. His gaze was hardened as he stared down at the table. There was a silence that settled over the group as she continued to wait for him to chime in, but he did not.

Silence enveloped the group, the air heavy with unspoken thoughts. As the seconds stretched on, Asami's hope for Madara to speak weakened, leaving her with a sense of unease. She could feel the unspoken turmoil in his silence. The burden of responsibility for Izuna's death likely weighed more heavily on him than he was willing to admit, meaning the elder's words cut deep. His words must have held more meaning than he was going to let on initially.

She swallowed hard. It seemed she would be the one to continue the conversation.

"As I said, Madara has discovered a new phase of the Sharingan," Asami continued, cutting through the lingering silence. "This new phase allows him to use the special abilities the Mangekyō offers without fear of blindness. Meaning, with an attack against the Senju, Madara could use his abilities without fear of losing his vision. This was a hindrance in previous battles, as he would have to restrain himself from using powerful attacks for fear of totally losing his sight. Now, this is no longer an issue."

Ryuta let out a resigned sigh, his forehead wrinkles furrowing deeper as his expression turned disapproving. He regarded Asami with a critical gaze, his lips curving downward in a clear expression of displeasure. "Even so, Madara does not possess endless amounts of chakra. You cannot fully rely on him in battle against the Senju. With Izuna's unfortunate demise, the balance has shifted. What of Touka Senju? There is no way you will fight the both of them, and there are few who would be a match for either of them besides you or Madara."

Asami couldn't help but feel a surge of smug satisfaction at the question. She smirked slightly, embracing the moment. "That's already been addressed. I've taken care of her. I intend to face Tobirama Senju myself."

Though she sensed Madara's surprised gaze on her, she maintained her focus on the elders, awaiting their potential objections. The dumbfounded expressions that adorned their faces told her that perhaps they hadn't anticipated this course of action, and for the time being, they seemed too taken aback to voice any protests.

Asami's icy resolve had solidified into one of steel. She began the meeting by sitting quietly beside Madara, but she was beginning to tire of sitting on the sidelines as Madara fought off the elders as though he was in the middle of the ocean fending off sharks. If Madara made a decision, ultimately, it was up to him what they were to do from there. The elders were there to advise him. Nothing more.

She leaned forward, her gaze unwavering as she addressed the elders. "I understand your concerns. I know both Madara and I appreciate your guidance. However, we cannot allow fear to paralyze us. The Senju have taken enough. It's time we take a stand and show them that the Uchiha are not to be trifled with."

Asami leaned back with her chin held high, eyes sharp. "Additionally, if Madara decides on a course of action, it is in his right to proceed. Madara is the clan head."

While she hadn't said it, the underlying message of 'he's the leader, not you' was implied enough that Osamu looked like he wanted to throw something at her. Asami felt a little smug at this, though she would never admit that out loud.

"You forget your place, girl." Chided Ryuta as he gave her a look of disapproval.

"Absolutely not," Madara stated firmly as he rejoined the conversation again. His cold gaze shifted to Ryuta at the blatant disrespect he was giving. "As Asami rightly pointed out, I hold the position of clan head. While your roles involve advising me, my decisions hold the ultimate authority. Even if you both disagree, nothing will hinder me from pursuing my goal."

He paused, taking in a slow breath before continuing, "Additionally, Asami is now my sole successor, which means you must treat her with the respect she deserves."

Ryuta did not say anything in response, but he didn't need to speak to convey his disapproval. His face was set into a deep frown as his eyes shifted from Madara to Asami. He stared her down, hands tucked into the sleeves of his yukata.

Asami didn't look away from the older man. She maintained her strong gaze despite the ill feelings he held for her radiating from him. The displeasure settling into the lines of his face were not only because Ryuta didn't like her in general, but he was not pleased to hear Madara declaring her his successor out loud.

She too was surprised. But there was no denying it. It was the truth… because now… she was the only other member of the main branch. If something were to happen to Madara, the responsibility for the clan would fall on her.

Becoming clan head was something she knew was possible, but the possibility seemed so far away from reality. She never considered anything would happen to Madara, and if something happened where he needed to step down as leader, there was always Izuna to take over. But now… but now there was only her.

Asami took in a sharp breath to distract herself and kept her gaze locked ahead on the elders.

Now wasn't the time to think about Izuna.

Osamu's features twisted with frustration, his age-lined face reddening slightly. "And what about the future of our clan? What about the next generation? Do you two plan to forsake the legacy of the Uchiha for the means of revenge?"

Madara's voice was like a blade, sharp and unyielding. "Our actions will define the legacy of the Uchiha. If we bow down to the Senju now, we will be setting a precedent of submission. We must rise above our grief and reclaim what is rightfully ours."

Ryuta's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "Very well, if you're both so eager to take charge, let the consequences be on your shoulders. But remember, you will be leading not only with your strength but with the weight of every Uchiha life on your conscience."

The room fell into an uneasy silence, the tension still thick. Osamu's anger had simmered somewhat, replaced by a resigned acceptance. He leaned back, the fight seemingly drained out of him for now.

Asami's gaze locked onto his, unfaltering.

The meeting ended with an air of uncertainty. The elders left, leaving Madara and Asami alone in the room.

No one moved or spoke, both Asami and Madara starting at the spaces the elders had sat moments before.

While the elders had left, there was still a thickness in the air. Asami wanted to say something to Madara. She wanted to say something; anything would suffice. She wanted to discuss more than details of future battle plans for the attack on the Senju. Something more than the mission reports or dealings of everyday clan life. She needed to talk to him.

There was a distance between them, and she wanted nothing more than to breach the gap. The space was cold and empty, and even though he sat beside her, merely a few inches between their shoulders, it felt as though he was thousands of miles away.

Asami felt cold inside, not only because of her grief, but because she felt separated from the last person she could call family. She needed him, and she knew he needed her, but she didn't have the courage to reach out. It was painful, and she wasn't sure how to proceed. But she knew she needed to say something to him.

She could feel the words forming in her mouth, just on the tip of her tongue. Her chest clenched painfully, her lips merely seconds from forming the words. She was so close to gathering the courage to say something. But before she could, Madara rose to his feet.

"I'm going to speak to Hikaku about battle preparations." He said, not even looking at her.

Asami didn't say anything in response, watching as he walked around the table and out the door, shutting it behind him without sparing a glance.

She remained frozen on the floor with her gaze locked on the door Madara had just slid shut.

A chill ran through her, her entire body tightening. The feeling of grief rushed through her body as her chest tightened. She couldn't tell if she felt nauseous or if what she was experiencing was simply a general feeling of unease. She just knew she didn't enjoy the feeling, and she was sure Madara was pushing her away.

She wasn't sure how to deal with that.

Hours later, the soft evening breeze wafted through Asami's bedroom, carrying with it the faint scent of summer. She had been in the midst of preparing her things for bed when she heard footsteps outside her room. Curious, she paused and peered through the open shoji door leading to the engawa.

Asami was preparing her things for bed when she heard someone walking through her backyard. She paused her preparations to peer outside.

Kousuke was dressed in a navy blue yukata walking from the front yard to the back, his curly hair wild. Asami watched him with a hint of surprise, her hand still holding a folded kimono. He waved to her with a friendly smile, and she returned the greeting with a nod, waiting for him to approach.

Once he was close enough, he took his shoes off and hopped up onto the engawa.

"Kousuke-kun," greeted Asami, a bit surprised to see him. "How can I help you?"

Their paths had rarely crossed since the funeral, and they hadn't had much chance to converse then either. Asami hadn't been in the mood for socializing during that somber time. But now, seeing him in this different setting felt almost comforting.

Kousuke, with a touch of hesitation, held out two neatly wrapped boxes of food, each covered in linen cloths. He placed them down on her vanity with a gentle thud, his gaze lingering on the packages as if they held some deeper significance.

"Sorry for showing up randomly, but my Kaa-san made these for you," he explained, his voice carrying a warm undertone despite his initial hesitation. He looked at the wrapped boxes as if they held a message he couldn't quite convey.

Asami reached out and rested her hand on the cloth, setting the yukata she had been holding on the ground. She played with the folds in the fabric idly. She could feel the heat from the fresh meals through the packaging.

"Tell Kasumi-san I said thank you," She said, not meeting Kousuke's eyes. "That was very kind of her."

Kousuke nodded, though the serious expression he held didn't waver. "I'll make sure to tell her. She took great care to make those for you and Madara-sama. So don't be surprised if there's more to come."

Asami forced herself to smile as she continued to play with the fabric, though she could feel her insides churning at the physical display of happiness.

It was kind of Kasumi to send Kousuke over with meals for both her and Madara. The thought of preparing food was one that often slipped her mind in the last couple of days. Not eating wasn't purposeful. There were just so many other thoughts that preoccupied her mind… the thought of food was at the bottom of the list of importance. It didn't help that her appetite was minimal at best, and if she did have anything to eat it was barely one meal a day.

But Asami also suspected Kasumi didn't send Kousuke over with the intention of keeping her and Madara fed, but to also check up on her.

"Asami," Began Kousuke slowly, his eyes straying from the linen-packaged food to meet her eyes. "If you need anything, I'm here for you, okay?"

Asami leaned back with a deep sigh.

She was right about Kasumi using Kousuke to check on her, that was for certain.

"Yes, I know that. I appreciate it," Asami said, the words leaving her lips as though it was a rehearsed phrase for anyone who offered a condolence or a shoulder to cry on.

She pulled her hand back from the cloth and rested it on her lap, resisting the urge to shrink into herself under Kouske's worried eyes.

Asami didn't want to have a heart-to-heart about Izuna's death. If she did that now, coupled with Madara's practical shunning after the meeting with the elders, she was sure to crack. She knew Kousuke was one of the few people she could open her heart to, but she couldn't bring herself to let the facade of coolness fall now. Not when she had been doing such a good job of keeping it together. If she let it fall now, she wasn't sure she would be able to gather herself up again.

"Do you know that?" Asked Kousuke, his eyebrows raising.

He looked as though he didn't believe a word she said. He could see through the cool, composed air she was holding as they maintained eye contact. Asami knew he could see through it, but she wasn't going to give in to his emotional prodding.

Asami clenched the fabric of her yukata in her lap, keeping her expression firm as she spoke. "As I said, I appreciate your willingness to support me if I need any kind of emotional reassurance. But for now, my focus is on the Senju and our upcoming battle. There's little to discuss when it comes to my emotions regarding Izuna's passing."

She felt her insides tighten as she spoke of Izuna's death out loud, but she didn't allow her gaze to waver. She swallowed hard at the hurt expression Kousuke's face was beginning to contort into.

Kousuke, his large black eyes filled with pain, took a hesitant step closer. His hand reached out as if to bridge the emotional gap between them. "Please don't address me as if I'm a distant clan member you're trying to appease. Asami, we've known each other since childhood. I remember the first birthday you celebrated without Hana, where you cried and confided in me. I even carried you home on my back when you were on the brink of death. I'm asking you to be genuine with me. You don't have to pretend to be okay just because it's expected of you."

Asami was overcome with a hot flash of irritation. Why did he continue to pry?

"Kousuke-kun, like I said, I appreciate your willingness to be there for me, and to support me, but it's not needed at this time." She said, her grip on her yukata tightening. "There's people who are depending on me. Madara needs me more than ever. I can't lose focus. Attacking the Senju and getting revenge for Izuna is the only thing that's important right now."

Kousuke stared at her. Asami couldn't read his expression well, but it resembled one of disbelief.

He didn't like her intentions for revenge, and he could tell she was allowing herself to be consumed by revenge so she didn't have to come to terms with Izuna's death. But even if he didn't approve, his lips downturned into a frown and his shoulders dropped as though he had accepted his defeat.

Everything inside of Asami was screaming at her to confide in him. All she wanted was to hang her head and cry in his presence—to allow herself to be comforted by someone who would listen to her without judgment and be nothing more than just warmth.

Asami didn't have anyone to offer comfort to her, and yet here Kousuke was, pleading for her to confide in him. Kousuke didn't want to leave her alone to drown in her grief. But she couldn't bring herself to say what she was really feeling. Instead, she remained frozen from where she sat at her vanity, heart thudding in her chest and the sinking feeling in her stomach growing worse by the second.

"I understand," He frowned, a heaviness on his shoulders as he looked at her, a distance between them. "But please… should you need me for any reason, don't be afraid to reach out. You're not alone, and it's not unreasonable to be… to be affected by Izuna-sama's passing. You've lost a lot of people you love. More than you should have… hell more than anyone should have to lose."

Kousuke dragged a hand down his face and sighed. He squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his lips into a firm line. The concern showed in his voice as he spoke to her. "Don't belittle yourself for feeling one way or the other. You deserve to grieve, but you don't deserve to bear the weight of the loss on your own."

As Kousuke's words sunk in, Asami felt a mixture of emotions swirling within her. Guilt, for not opening up to her friend and accepting his offer of support. Anguish, for the losses she had endured, and the emptiness that seemed to grow with each passing day.

She had lost many close to her, that was true. But she wasn't special in comparison to the many other Uchiha clan members who had also lost siblings, uncles, parents, and cousins to the war. Her pain was one that many shared, though that didn't make it hurt any less.

Most of the emotions she felt were negative, but there was still a glimmer of hope knowing that Kousuke was still there for her, even if she couldn't find the words to express her pain. Especially now that Madara had begun to push her away, knowing Kousuke was there to support her was something she needed to know, even if that information would be stored in the back of her mind and not acted upon.

Asami could confidently say Madara's treatment stung the most. Madara, her last living family member, the only person who could even begin to comprehend the pain of losing Izuna, had now turned his back on her. Even if Asami knew Madara wasn't pushing her away to be malicious, and that he was only putting the distance between them to protect himself, it still hurt.

Her resolve was firm though. She couldn't crack now, even if Kousuke was someone she trusted with her life. Asami was doing such a good job of remaining strong, now wasn't the time to waver.

Once Tobirama was dead, then she could take the time to grieve.

"Thank you," Was all Asami could say. She diverted her eyes and stared at the ground, fidgeting with the fabric of her yukata now that she had loosened her hold on it. She resisted the urge to shrink into herself as she felt Kousuke's eyes still on her.

"Thank Kasumi-san again for the food for me," Asami added, hoping he took that as the cue to leave.

Kousuke didn't move or say anything. Asami could feel him standing there, still looking at her even at his lack of acknowledgment. Neither she nor he said anything more, and Kousuke didn't acknowledge her last request to thank his mother.

A gentle summer breeze drifted into the room as the orange glow from the setting sun basked the area in warm light. The wind blew through her hair, brushing it against her cheeks. She still didn't look up at him, even as she felt his eyes still locked on her.

Asami felt his presence in the room there one moment, then the next he was gone.

She lifted her head to look at the spot where he stood moments ago. Her insides felt empty as she stared at the tatami, the warm sunlight casting shadows across her bedroom. Her negative feelings multiplied at the emptiness, her stomach churning.

Asami tried to keep it together. She had done such a good job keeping the pain and sorrow she felt to herself. She cried the night Izuna died, but since then she hadn't shed a tear, her focus strong and unwavering. All that mattered was ensuring the safety of the Uchiha clan and the death of Tobirama Senju. Her personal feelings didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

Despite these thoughts, tears welled up in her eyes. She tried to suppress them to maintain the facade of strength she had worn for days now, but it was futile. The tears started to fall, her shoulders shaking as the weight of her grief finally overwhelmed her.

Asami hugged her stomach and curled into herself, slowly falling forward till her head touched the tatami floor. Hot tears streamed down her face, her eyes squeezed shut as sobs racked her body.

Asami missed Izuna. She missed him in ways she couldn't put into words. She missed him so much. Her insides hurt. She loved him like a brother, and even if she felt like an imposter in her grief, there was no denying that she loved him. Perhaps she would never understand the grief Madara had to be experiencing now as his true blood brother, but she still loved him, and still grieved his death.

The pain of losing someone she considered a close family member was enough on its own, but she felt so lonely with Madara turning his back on her.

She wasn't entirely sure what she had expected. Perhaps Asami had believed that no matter the circumstances, they would always stand side by side. It wasn't as though Madara had completely abandoned her, but the emotional distance that had grown between them made it feel as if he had.

Now to know the clan was looking to her as a symbol of strength, it was almost too much to bear. She didn't want Madara to catch wind of the clan's shifting loyalty and push himself even more so from her. Asami didn't want Madara to view her as an enemy. He was all she had left.

The thought of Madara viewing her as an enemy sent her into another spiral of tears, the liquid rushing down her cheeks as she cried. Her cries echoed in the room, the tatami soaking her tears.

She hurt inside. It felt as though her chest was clenched and caving in on itself. It was hard to breathe.

Amidst the tears and the sorrow, anger began to bubble within Asami. It simmered like a dormant fire, gradually growing in intensity until it threatened to consume her.

The injustice of it all gnawed at her. Her father, her sister, and now Izuna—all taken from her without warning, without mercy. The world she lived in was a cruel, unforgiving place, and it seemed as though nothing was safe, nothing was sacred. No matter how much she tried to protect those she loved, something would rip them away from her.

She clenched her fists and grit her teeth, her nails digging into the tatami floor. The tears of pain and anguish turned into ones of rage as they continued to run down her face. Her sobs got louder as her frame shook.

What else was she going to lose? What else was going to be torn from her, leaving her with an even emptier heart? It felt as if the world conspired to strip her of everything she held dear.

The names of their enemies—the Senju, the Sarutobi, it didn't matter. They were all murderers in her eyes, responsible for the deaths of those she loved. She knew they viewed the Uchiha with the same disdain, but at that moment, she didn't care. Her focus narrowed to a singular purpose—the thought of Tobirama Senju falling beneath her blade.

Asami lifted her head, her breath came in heavy, ragged gasps. She turned slowly to face the reflection in her vanity mirror, her eyes still ablaze with the white-hot rage that consumed her.

She stared back at herself, her eyes were wide, swollen and bloodshot. Her long black was hair a tangled, wild mess around her head. Dried tears lined her pale face, a stark testament to the emotional storm that raged within her.

Asami let out a shout and slammed her fist into the mirror, pieces falling to the top of the vanity. The shattering glass fell in loud shrouds across the vanity. A few large pieces remained in the frame, her reflection now broken and distorted.

Bloodshot eyes stared back at her from the fragmented glass, the image marred by the tangled mess of her long, black hair and the dried tears that streaked her pale face.

She heaved, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath, her rage momentarily spent but replaced by a seething emptiness. Asami's hand, now covered in small cuts from the shattered mirror, dropped limply to her lap.

Asami stared at her hand with no emotion, the overwhelming rage having dissipated. The intense emotional rage that overcame her may have dimmed, the underlying desire for revenge hadn't lessened.

Despite the emotional distance that had grown between her and Madara since Izuna's passing, they shared a common goal—one that required revenge. Tobirama Senju would not escape them, whether it was Asami or Madara who ultimately struck him down.

As the remnants of the shattered mirror cast fractured reflections around the room, Asami's gaze hardened. Revenge would be their redemption, their way of honoring Izuna. Tobirama Senju would pay for the pain he had inflicted upon her and her clan, no matter the cost.