The Healer's Touch
Everything is grey.
His hair, his smoke, his dreams
And now he's so devoid of color
He don't know what it means
And he's blue
And he's blue
It was an urgent mission.
Within his hand, a scroll with a red ribbon tightly bound and tied. It should not be opened until it had reached its destination and read by the most important of eyes. He was tasked as the only trusted man who could complete the mission. If it were anyone else, they would have failed. Something this urgent needed to be addressed before anything unruly would stand in the way of the most feared and powerful clan leader.
He had arrived at the gates of his clan, where prying eyes looked at the young man. It has been several days since they last saw the youngest Uchiha brother and were rather curious of the scroll within his hand. Something secretive must be inside of the scroll, for the young master held it tightly in his grasp. No one should even take a peak on the contents inside. The wrath of his elder brother held no limits and he would punish anyone who even saw a word- no matter how big or small.
Izuna Uchiha greeted his people with a ghost of a smile and a glint in his eye. He had to keep his conniving thoughts from slipping past the mask he was showing; though he was more of the expressive of the two brothers. He knew that his clan members were going to ask him many questions of his disappearance and the whereabouts of his elder brother. Their leader needed to be back in physical health and ready to go to war once more. Only Izuna knew where Madara Uchiha was located and was not going to speak until he took the scroll to the elders.
With Izuna keep a tight lip of the secret and the scroll, many onlookers were disappointed with dissatisfaction upon their faces. Many were nosey and wanted to pry into the private life of the clan leader and brother- two very sought after bachelor's in the eyes of their clan. Rumor had quickly spread that the scroll was a marriage offer from a woman with a prominent background. That was certainly popular amongst the young women, as they had hoped that it was not true. Madara Uchiha was a strong and powerful shinobi. Who wouldn't want to marry into a powerful clan?
Izuna strolled pass many of the villagers. Unbothered by the quick rumor; inside he was laughing. When he unveils the scroll and what was said to him by his elder brother, the rumor will be shot down and burned into ash.
Seeing the intended building before him, the youngest Uchiha had quickly rushed inside. Though it was out of respect to remove footwear, he had to ask the gods for forgiveness for that one act of hospitality. Izuna was in such a rush that many of the servants had to move out of his way or else be trampled. They were confused as to the young man's hurry. Whatever had caused him to be in such a rush must have been very important and so, the servants wanted to eavesdrop. Everyone within the clan wanted to hear what was so important!
"Sorry!" He would shout over his shoulder. Izuna knew that he would probably get a good scolding from the head servant madam, but it wasn't as if he had a choice. If he did not give them the scroll, Madara would raise hell about it. Well, maybe be dramatic about the situation. This was all his idea anyway! Izuna just happened to be in the wrong area at the most inconvenient time.
He sighed heavily while turning left and right through the halls. When he reached the screen doors, he had no time for pleasantries or manners. Oh no, Izuna was going to misbehave like a mischievous child. In the back of his mind, he would get back at his elder brother. Maybe cut off a lock of hair or push him in as river when they fill their water skins. Izuna could think of many ways to be a petty little brother all he wanted, but there were eyes upon the youngest Uchiha.
I swear Madara, I will have my revenge. He thought with a bitter laugh. Through hell he had to go through just so he could send a message for his brother. Madara should be thankful that Izuna was such a loving and caring younger sibling, or else he would have Madara do it himself without feeling the pressure.
There was an emergency council amongst the elders of the clan. Sitting in a long row where three elder men sitting side by side at the very front. Izuna had to tread carefully or else he would face scrutiny from the geezers. He knew they were judging his lack of proper etiquette. Izuna was raised to be a proper shinobi who respected his clan and elders. Looking at the young man, the elders were probably thinking how sweaty and dirty he looked. Not proper behavior for a Uchiha.
How Izuna wanted to roll his eyes. Might as well make a scene out of it. But the one sitting in the middle was the one Izuna did not want to piss off. Too late.
"The clan has not seen its leader and his youngest brother in many days. Call upon a meeting among the elders. There is a war and you, Izuna Uchiha, come to us with nothing but a scroll." Shioi Uchiha. The head elder and the very man who is Madara's most trusted advisor among the clan. Izuna had a deep dislike for the elder because he was manipulative to those who could not see past his façade.
Izuna bit back his tongue before he truly let something slip. He bowed lowly to the ground in respect to the elders of the clan. He will let the scroll ruin their day and he would wait to see their faces once Shioi spoke aloud.
"Ah, forgive me elders. I have urgent news from my elder brother. The clan leader, Madara Uchiha has given me this scroll within my hand. He deemed it urgent for your eyes." Izuna looked up and threw the scroll towards Shioi, who caught it quickly.
The elder man looked displeased with a scowl upon his wrinkled face. "One should show more manners when in the presence of the elders who have guided this clan to where it is. Through many wars and have guided its leaders. Your brother only tolerates you because of blood and your strength."
Izuna would have rolled his eyes if he saw it fit. These elders were so far in the clouds that they believe in old traditions. Everything had to be their way or else the clan would not have its fierce reputation.
Shioi opened the scroll and began to read it in silence. All eyes were glued to him. Seeing his eyes widen with shock and anger. Izuna grinned, knowing that this was going to be interesting and the trouble his elder brother was going to be in.
"This cannot be." He said. The scroll was scrunched in his grip as the anger was now showing itself. "Why would your elder brother do such a foolish act? He has gone behind the backs of the elders and done such shame!"
Izuna did not falter at his rising voice. Madara Uchiha may love and show great leadership for his clan. He would go to the ends of the earth for his people and once his mind was set on something- or in this case someone- he would not be afraid to break the rules. Madara was a man who thought for himself and cared little for what the elders thought of his decisions.
"What has your brother done?!" Shioi demanded from Izuna.
The youngest Uchiha brother shrugged his shoulders. That grin still placed upon his lips.
"Love is a strange emotion." Was all Izuna said with a cheeky grin.
The humid air had brought about rain, lowering the temperature to a comfortable chill. The Earth had been blessed to drink from its purity. All of life had grown accustomed to its substance. Water is the essential to all life and without it, there would be nothing but emptiness. He had learned from an early age that life could quickly be taken. Every move had to be calculated and every thought void of any distraction.
He sat quietly on the porch. Listening to the soft pitter patter of the rain on the roof. It was days like these that were so rare to be at peace. There was no threat of the outside world to ruin his bliss. There would be only quietness and simplicity around him. Away from the responsibilities that plagued him into leadership. Born and raised to be the next clan leader. Raised and trained to be a strong shinobi with a bloodline like no other.
Destined for greatness. Possibly something grander.
But he was not thinking of those responsibilities.
Not thinking of the man that haunted his dreams.
He was thinking of the softness of her skin. The touch that made his fingers tingle with delight and heart beat hard against his chest. Could it be possible to just want to touch soft and desirable skin? There was more to her skin, as she was flesh and blood. A woman who had showed him something that was buried. That feeling wasn't new or foreign. Love was human emotion and like many like him, it just took it's time to show.
He looked over his shoulder to see her sleeping. A soft content look upon her face as her long black hair sprawled wildly. Her chest moving up and down, covered in a light blanket. The night was spent in wedded bliss. Away from the eyes of his clan, who have yet to know that they both have done something forbidden.
They had secretly married without the permission of the elders. It had been a year- a long and lonely year- that he had not had her within his reach. The woman who had shown him that he was not the monstrous man whom stories claim him to be. But, deep within was that shadow that had clung to his mind. Festering in the shadows and waiting to claw out of its grave.
He closed his eyes. His wild heart pounding against his chest, growing tight. The very fresh air had become like a poison to his lungs. He needed to calm himself before those dark and disturbing thoughts took complete control of him.
Opening his eyes, he saw her looking at him. Her blue eyes, full of worry, and her hands on his own. He did not even hear her walking towards him. He didn't even sense her right in front of him. Tsubaki held his hands tightly, knowing that he was plagued by something dark. Something that he did not want her to know. The moment her soft touch touched him, that darkness went away. Scared at what this woman was doing to him.
"Why must you look at me with worry?" He said.
Tsubaki looked taken back by his tone of voice. She quickly took her hands from his and looked to the spot on the ground. Madara sighed heavily. He had offended his wife for being worried about him. This was only a reaction and human nature.
"I know you have been plagued with nightmares." She looked to him once more. Determined to seek the truth. Those blue eyes searching his own dark eyes for answers, yet not finding them. Tsubaki knew that by looking deep into his dark gaze, she would get lost. "I know you would have sleepless nights. I have seen it with most shinobi I have healed."
Tsubaki was looking for something within his dark gaze. Trying to find whatever plagued his mind. Since Saif's death, there was comfort and the threat was no more. His spirit should be at rest. Buried upon the hill with flowers: symbolizing mourning and peace. A lost shinobi without direction, killed by the man who she had married.
Tsubaki did not see a killer within Madara. She only saw someone who hid his emotions well. Hos composure still that it slightly scared her.
He is not a monster.
"Sometimes it is best to talk about what bothers your mind. Even if we have to dwell into darkness. I cannot stand to watch as you wake in the night as if a threat is upon you." She cared. She cared alot. She almost lost this man that has given her something.
"It is nothing to be worried over. I have overcome obstacles in my life." He sounded so convincing. To lie to her, but Tsubaki could see through it. He could put on this façade and show her this mask that she could not break. Not yet, at least. There were still things Madara had to understand.
He looked quickly to her belly. She was not showing signs of pregnancy. She wasnt with child. In a way, it was a great relief and yet, sadness. He looked back to her, keeping that thought away.
"That may be so, but even the most hardened warrior have dreams of those he had killed." She lightly smiled at him. This woman. His wife. She could keep away that black shadow and keep him from going down that path; whatever that path was.
"I have looked into trying to help shinobi overcome those nightmares. There are herbs that do not grow in this part of the world, but it is valuable for medicinal purposes." There was a glint in her eye. The talk of herbs and helpfulness could brighten Tsubaki- if it meant she was doing what she loved the most.
It is said there were no herbs that could heal a shinobi mentally. Tsubaki may have been one of the most profound healers he has ever met, but even her knowledge could not cure him fully. Was it so selfish that he wanted to marry her so that darkness could not return? He loved her, no doubt about it.
"Do you truly believe there is a plant that could heal the darkness inside of the mind?" He said.
"There are many possibilities for a cure for many things. Just because we havent found it yet, does not mean it does not exist." Tsubaki raised a brow. All of the sleep within her eyes had disappeared. She was fully awake and ready to converse into heavy conversation with her new husband.
"I have healed many shinobi. War scars are sometimes never visible." Her eyes once more tried to find something within him.
He placed his hand upon her cheek. She felt so warm. She felt so inviting that he pulled her close to him. Tsubaki may be a healer woman and have the knowledge of herbs that heal. To Madara Uchiha, she was much more than that. Tsubaki was his.
There was going to many trials and tribulations that they both will face. One being Tsubaki's acceptance into his clan. She may be his wife, but to the elders of the clan, she had to be to their standing. Madara had already broken an important tradition that could cause much dismay within the clan. To him, it was worth being scolded.
Tsubaki would have to come into the role as a wife. A future mother of many sons. She would have to learn to be a proper clan leaders' wife. Everyone would have their eyes upon her as she was an outsider who happened to catch Madara's eye.
And this was just the beginning.