Chapter 2
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"Madara?"
A familiar voice was heard. That gentle voice that always make Madara melt and feel like life is worth living.
"Why are you here? It's late.."
Hashirama squat down next to Madara.
"Have you eaten yet? Since when you've been here?"
Hashirama starts to go worried. When he asked Tobirama if he see Madara, Tobirama only said that Madara chakra has been in the same place for hours.
"I already eat."
Madara lied. Ofcourse if he confess, Hashirama would go on a ramble talking how Madara should take care of himself better.
Hashirama sigh, he sit down and pull out a bento box.
"Try harder next time."
"I ask tobirama and he sense your chakra here for hours, so i guess you didn't even eat or drink."
Hashirama pouts as he sit down, he is gonna ramble about Madara neglecting his health.
"Ugh. Your brother is like a stalker."
Madara grunts as he pick a riceball from the bento box, then munch it.
"So?? why are you sulking here and didn't even eat anything for dinner?"
Hashirama pouts as he glance at Madara.
"I'm not sulking. I'm just enjoying the night."
Madara roll his eyes, but the onigiri is amazing though.
"So? how was your date with Mito?"
Madara takes another onigiri and had a big bite.
"It's not a date! I'm just taking time to know her, that's all."
Hashirama chuckle as he scratch his cheek.
"I see. How was it? Did it go well?"
Madara eventually finish that onigiri, as he reached for another one.
"I found out she likes to sew! Almost all of her outfit are handmade by her. She said she will sew me something."
Hashirama beams as he cups both his cheeks.
"Wow, that sounds amazing. Sounds like she's an all rounded woman."
Madara says as he munch another onigiri.
"She's an amazing woman. She is fierce but also gentle and caring. She likes to make me food too! Those onigiri are from her."
Hashirama point at the onigiris he brought for Madara.
"Hm.."
Madara munch his onigiri. He couldn't hate such an amazing woman. No wonder Hashirama was willing to get engaged with her. She is beautiful like a flower, yet is also a strong shinobi.
"You're lucky."
Madara mumbles.
"Well, i'm lucky indeed. I didn't know what i will have to face, when i said i will accept the arrange marriage offer."
Hashirama beams as he look at the sky.
"Why do you accept the marriage proposal? Don't you want to marry someone you love?"
Madara glance at Hashirama. His heart beat faster the moment he think about Hashirama's confession everytime he is drunk.
"I want the best for our village, Madara. And by having Uzumaki clan to join our village it will increase the village's strength. They specialize in sealing jutsu and have abnormal chakra."
"...hm"
Madara nods again.
"I want the best for our village. It's our dream afterall, Madara. To achieve peace."
Hashirama hold Madara's hand and rubs Madara's knuckle.
Madara glance at Hashirama, they were silent for a while.
"Sacrificing yourself just for the best of our village?"
Madara sigh softly.
"Well, the marriage is the way. The Uzumaki Clan only will trust us if we have a connection with them. And marriage is the strongest connection bid by law and love. So i have to accept it."
Hashirama smile softly.
"I don't think that's the case, Hashi."
Madara sigh and caress Hashirama's hand.
"If Mito become your wife, people will not mess with her, nor her clan. And if that clan do something suspicious, you will doubt that they even do it, and can't cut off the relation with the clan because your wife is from that clan."
Madara glance at Hashirama.
"Did Tobirama say anything about this? I'm sure he has some thoughts."
Madara added again as he let go of Hashirama's hand.
"Madara, please don't think so lowly of her-"
Hashirama words were cut off by Madara.
"I'm not talking bad about her. It's her CLAN."
Madara grunts and clear his throat.
"How fragile is an alliance, if that alliance could only happen by an arrange marriage? Other method exist. Exchanging corps. Sharing land or property. Other political thing.."
Madara raise his eyebrows.
"....Madara."
Hashirama sigh softly, he hold Madara hand again.
"I have my reasons. I know what you're trying to say. Tobirama also warned me. But this is what i want."
Hashirama inhales deeply.
Madara glance into Hashirama's eyes and find something behind it.
"Is it though? I'm sure you have your own reason. Our village can still be the best village by other ways...tell me what's in your mind Hashirama."
Madara lean closer at Hashirama.
"...Okay, i'll tell you."
Hashirama chuckle softly.
"You always see through me, Madara. It's unfair."
Hashirama joked, as he glance at the sky.
"Mito, she is an amazing woman, a talented lady, and a strong and capable shinobi."
Hashirama caress Madara hand again, as he rubs Madara's knuckles.
"...she is bound by her clan. She is not free. She cannot leave the compound except for war or doing mission. She does chores all day, training, and have to be "presentable" at anytime and any moment. Her clan doesn't support her hobbies or her dream."
Hashirama glance at Madara.
Madara eyes widen, as he nods and continue listening to Hashirama.
"...They restrict her from everything. They see her as an item for exchanges between villages for alliances."
Hashirama inhales deeply, as he clench his fist.
"...other village head reject them because they don't see any benefit for accepting the clan to their village."
Hashirama continued his story as Madara listen carefully.
"So, Madara. I want her to live better. If she moves here, she is free to do whatever she want. She can sew and make beautiful outfit, make her own bussiness and whatnot. She can finally enjoy her life at least."
Hashirama smiles at Madara softly.
"I know that's not a strong reason to accept an arrange marriage. But if..if i can make someone else finally able to feel being alive, i'd do it. Besides, it benefit our village too. So i don't see the problem.'
Hashirama finally sigh in relief, for telling Madara everything.
"Oh and she's a lovely lady. Eventually i'll have deeper feelings for her. We have been sharing things a lot, so it's leading to a good path."
Hashirama sway his legs, as he enjoy the breeze and the moonlight.
"Hashirama, i know you're a noble person and the most kind hearted guy i've ever met. I understand your reasons. But...do you ever think about yourself just once?"
Madara entertwine his fingers with Hashirama's fingers, savoring the warmth.
"...Do you want to live the rest of your life, living someone's life? Sure, you give Mito her own life now, her own freedom. But what about you, Hashirama?"
Madara glance into Hashirama's eyes.
"...well i-"
Hashirama become quiet. He didn't know what to say. Madara was right. He always focus on how to make the village better, how to maintain his clan, and make sure that everyone is happy.
But what about his own happiness?