Blinded

Pain and suffering were something she's so used to have in her life. Growing in a constant war, losing her siblings and mother at such a young age, underwent a rigid training to be mold as the best, the successor of her father - Uchiha Madara became numb to pain.

Physically.

Unfortunately, emotions wasn't something one can go numb about. As long as you're alive, you are bound to have it.

She rarely feels compassion, that was a well-known fact. The ruthless goddess of shinobi, the feared leader of the noble Uchiha clan. Just one look from her in the battlefield was enough to paralyze her opponents.

Her eyes fluttered open feeling an indescribable, unfamiliar feeling. Madara was greeted by a cold, somber morning. Normally, she would start the day right ahead but this time, it was different. She stayed in her bed motionless for some minutes more. Her body felt heavy and no she doesn't feel sick or anything. It was more of..something's off about her.

She felt empty.

"I love you, Madara."

Subconsciously, she gripped the bedsheet tightly and gritted her teeth remembering what she heard last night.

"Lies, all lies." she said, bitterly. How could she believe those words coming from the man who was her rival for such a long time? Someone who stole her dreams, who constantly defeated her. She felt anger seeping through her, that was right, she's supposed to feel that way. However, there was something hidden beneath her emotions. Yet she ignored it, her mind was too clouded by hatred to listen to that little voice within her.

A voice begging to see the other side which is the truth.

It was way too early but she already hated the day.

"Madara!"

Her mind was too busy when she heard an annoying voice demanding to show herself in an instant. Madara grunted as she identified the voice of her clansmen. There were plenty of them waiting outside for their clan leader. Without wasting another second, the Uchiha summoned herself in the front door and there she was greeted by the unfriendly stares of her blood relatives.

"What do you want." she asked disinterestedly, as if she's already tired for the day when in truth it was just starting.

"We demand that you should..." the Uchiha man gulped before continuing after feeling intimidated upon meeting her sharp eyes. Truthfully, he considered backing out since the girl looked pissed and their request will surely piss her off even more and who knows, she might also skin them alive after hearing them out.

"You should come with us, in the headquarters." the man said with a tone of indignation.

Madara looked at him straight in the eyes blankly. Unbothered by the fact that 10 of her men decided to come altogether in front of her house, demanding her to come with them.

"Then meet me in my office at noon, whatever it is."

She was about to close the door when another Uchiha stepped forward. He got the air of the typical Uchiha, stone cold and confident. The man obviously did not like the way she answered to them and over all, her clansmen did not really like nor trust her to begin with. She was well aware of that, that was why Madara always have her guard up whenever she interacts with them.

It was hard, not to be well respected by most of her family members yet all she wants was to protect them.

"We need to discuss the future of the Uchiha clan." the other man spoke.

"I already told you, discuss it with me in my office at noon." she retorted.

"This cannot wait!" the man demanded. "You should get off your high horse and listen to us!"

Madara squinted at the man in front of her and then scan the others behind him warily.

"Get off my high horse? What are you talking about when I am the head of this clan." she replied with pure confidence. She lifted up her chin to remind them of who she is.

"You don't have to rub it in out faces, Madara. Because today that leadership of yours will end!" the man activated his sharingan and the other's chakra turned into battle ready. Madara remained calm.

She had anticipated it. Her actions on the recent events trigger the Uchihas to dethrone their clan leader. One of the main reason why she demanded the Hokage seat from Hashirama was because of this. Sooner or later, she knows that her clansmen will turn their backs on her and the only thing she can do about it was to have the full control of Konoha.

They no longer trust her. Her brashness and attitude weren't something they look for a clan head. Sure, Madara was a smart girl and to top it all she's very powerful but there are things they considered to say she's not the best person to lead the clan. Even most of them chose Hashirama during the Hokage election, much to her disappointment. And this time, it no longer surprise her, that they will yet again betray her.

"How foolish." She mumbled, her anger had completely turned into full fledged hatred. Following the death of Izuna, Madara had seen what she believe was the truth : She had no place in the village anymore.

"Mangekyou Sharingan."

-xxx-

The silence was supposed to give them solace but instead it was the opposite. Mito was seated beside her grandfather Ashina. Together with them around the long, oval table was the Hokage. She tensed as none of them utter a single syllable since entering the room. Mito knows what is going on and the reason why they were having a meeting in the first place.

Ashina breathes in and out slowly to ease the tension that was all over them. Being the oldest man in the room, he felt responsible and decided to take the responsibility once and for all.

"Mito," he started "Hashirama," and shifted his line of sight at Hashirama who was looking like he haven't sleep for days.

The old man noticed the bloodshot eyes of the Senju. He was thinking that their discussion last day had made him sleepless, well in fact he was only half right about it.

"I need your answers."

With that, Mito crumpled her skirt over her lap. She do not want to be the first one to answer right away but she cannot also lie to herself.

When Ashina talked to her about the death of her twin brother, Mito cried out like she did right after witnessing the tragedy. She was in shock for days but she had no choice but to be strong. She reminded herself that she's a shinobi and so was her brother. After that, Ashina explained the situation of their village Uzushio and how they were threatened by the enemy of Konoha. Despite what happened, Mito still wanted to continue giving support to Konoha and even asked her grandfather to convince their people.

Uzumaki and Senju are blood relatives and it was common and less of an issue for them to be betrothed. Both sides were fully aware of the fact that marriage was the strongest form of bond they can use to solve issues between their people. In this case it wasn't just the strongest tool, it was also the only tool they have.

Mito bit her lower lip and glanced at the Hokage shyly. She cannot look at him directly and remained to slightly bow her head. The Uzumaki felt she wanted to bury herself when Hashirama smiled at her, a smile that possessed countless of meanings yet genuine happiness was not a part of it.

"What can you say, Mito?" The Hokage asked simply and it made the girl blinked several times. He was asking her - her opinion on the matter, when in fact it was supposed to be him to answer whether he's going to marry her or not because...because..well obviously, her answer was clear as a bright sky.

She likes him.

No, she loves him.

To marry Senju Hashirama was a dream come true. Personal desires aside, it will bring many advantages to their villages and of course the most important part, she will be forever by his side - the man of her dreams. But Mito also knows that there will be a major disadvantage upon marrying him.

He's in love with another woman.

Mito was a kind girl, she always wanted to help those in need. Just like Hashirama, she wanted the best for her people. After Morito died, she was left with the responsibility to take charge of the mission which was to capture the bijuus. But to take that responsibility, she must first face the problem that hinder them in fulfilling that task.

She collected her thoughts before speaking and looked straightly in Hashirama's eyes. She immediately noticed the emptiness in those dark orbs but for the meantime, Mito chose to speak what's on her mind first.

"I am a representative of our village. For generations, Uzumaki are hiding away from many enemies. Our people remained unskilled in combat for the reason that we chose to run and hide rather than fight. I want the best for them and so I want them to get stronger. After what happened to my brother I understood now how shinobis should act. If we did this,there would be a guarantee that our people will get an equal status as Konoha shinobis. I myself also wanted to help your nation because I am your friend. In behalf of my brother, I want to continue the mission."

Hashirama nodded in response.

"I will...marry you." Mito said as she tried her best not to stutter. Yes, she's definitely going to marry him despite the knowledge that the man is in love with another woman. If that's the only way to help her people and if that's the only way to help him.

Ashina only stare at her and then back at Hashirama. The old Uzumaki waited patiently on the Senju's answer.

It felt like forever. Another round of silence filled the room. Mito and Ashina waited and both feel strained. Hashirama bowed for a moment and lifted up his head to look at Mito's eyes.

"A week from now, I will step down as the Hokage and give the position to Madara."

The Uzumakis gave him their most surprised look. None of them could speak the question 'why' as both were too shock and confused on Hashirama's words. Ashina gaped and Mito had a worried face.

"And then after that," A pause and it made the Uzumakis tensed even more.

"I will marry you, Mito."

-xxx-

"My foolish clansmen," Madara mocked the fallen man beneath her feet as she stepped mercilessly on his face. Her Mangekyou Sharingan rolling while her vision turn to see the defeated Uchihas scattered in front of her house. They weren't dead or at least not yet, but they were crawling on the ground as if begging for a goddess' mercy. She had beaten the crap out of them using a new set of eyes which she gained right after Izuna died. They were feeble against the Mangekyou sharingan, they were totally powerless against it.

Madara smiled triumphantly and clicked her tongue, turn around to enter the house to change her outfit and then went outside again. She left the helpless Uchihas behind.

"I cannot wait anymore." Madara departed as she decided to set things on her own. If the situation gets worse and more of her people go against her, she will ultimately lose the clan leadership. Everything that her father works hard for their family will be lost and she won't allow that kind of disgrace. With Izuna gone, Madara is now the sole responsible to take care of what her parents built. Her pride was just too high to accept defeat, she cannot lose the leadership she had worked so hard for despite the criticism of her elders.

Minutes later, she arrived the front door of the Hokage office. Upon entering, she found herself alone as the office was empty. The Hokage seat where Hashirama sits was empty around the mountain of paper works over the table. She approached the seat and stared at it for a moment.

The Hokage seat, once she's the Hokage she can end everything.

"I love you."

"Dammit." Madara hissed at herself and shook her head. She wanted to erase that voice but unfortunately she will need to face that man in order to get what she wants. This was no time for a trivial things. In this critical moment, the future of her own clan was at stake. Once she's the Hokage, it will end.

She will crush the Kirigakure using the Konoha forces and finally take avenge for her brother. She will show her who did they messed up with. Madara cannot wait for that day, the day Kiri will fall in their knees with their broken bodies and destroyed future. She vowed to crush them all.

"What do you think, Mito."

A faint voice coming from the closed meeting room in the right caught her attention. It was almost inaudible but the quietude of the office room allowed her to hear the faintest conversation coming from the inside. Madara raised an eyebrow and her thoughts of vengeance vanished for a moment, she carefully approached the meeting room's door while making sure that her chakra was hidden. She heard Hashirama's voice and judging from what he said, that Uzumaki Mito was also inside.

Madara felt a burning desire to barge in but decided to eavesdrop for a while just in case there are things Hashirama was hiding from her knowledge. First of all, she understand that the Uzumaki was in Konoha for a reason and having a meeting with the Hokage from time to time was vital. But still, why does she feel a feeling akin to anger whenever she sees Hashirama with this girl? What was she angry about? Just knowing that this Uzumaki bitch was with Hashirama in one room made her feel she wanted to combust the whole office with her jutsu.

She was almost consumed by her violent thoughts when the girl inside spoke.

The next things she heard astound her.

Madara was stunned. She froze in the spot after hearing what Mito was talking about. The Uzumaki went on a long talk about her clan and village's needs and the Uchiha's immediate reaction was why was she talking about that. Mito's last words answered her unspoken question.

"I will...marry you."

Madara's gasped and she quickly put a hand over her mouth. Her eyes widened in surprise and her confusion rose on another level.

"Marry him? Who the fuck does she think she is?!" She said at the back of her mind. Madara almost forgot the reason why she came in the Hokage's office in the first place. She trembled not in fear but in rage. Sighing, she analyze what was going on inside.

Basing on the facts she heard and her intuitions, the meeting was about solving the issue between retaining the Uzumaki troops in Konoha. Madara cannot think about anything other than 'arranged marriage' basing on what Mito said.

She held her breath, waiting and waiting for Hashirama's response. The Uchiha stepped closer and put her ear at the door, what the fuck, if someone saw her doing this shameful act she will not bat an eye to behead them. She felt what she's doing was a disgrace but Madara was eager to listen more and hear Hashirama's decision.

"A week from now, I will step down as the Hokage and give the position to Madara."

Madara gulped, it was all what she wanted. She was supposed to feel happy about it yet her reaction was dull. Isn't it what she wants? Isn't it the reason why she came on his office? Seeking vengeance and power, glory and control over Kirigakure and Konoha respectively, this was it.

And yet...

"And then after that," A pause, it made her clench her fist.

"I will marry you, Mito."

-xxx-

Tobirama was staring too much at his older brother. Leaning on the wall, watching Hashirama waltz sideways, he felt nauseated by watching him.

"What's the matter," the albino asked while pressing his pointing finger on his head. "Regretting your decision?''

Hashirama sighed and plopped down to sit on the couch. He pressed his head using both hands.

"I did the right thing, didn't I?" the older Senju said, it was more of he's convincing himself that he did the right thing rather than he was asking Tobirama if he did the right thing.

Tobirama did not answer for he knows he better listen instead of saying anything.

"I've hurt her so many times before yet I claim to love her." Hashirama stated and again, it was more of he's speaking to himself rather than with his brother.

"To give her the Hokage seat, it will make her happy."

"And then after that what, she will declare a war against Kiri." Tobirama said like it was a well known fact.

"Just as what Sasuke said, they will keep on getting in our way but with Madara's leadership and Uzumaki's support we will stand a chance. Although I wanted to stay away from war, but with our current situation, it might be impossible."

Tobirama sighed and nodded. Whilst he opposed Hashirama's decision to give up the Hokage seat to Madara, he also trust that his brother won't just stand and watch the Uchiha burn everything they worked hard for which was to attain peace and he himself won't blindly follow that girl's order even she became the Hokage. They cannot allow someone to destroy the village reputation, not as long as they live.

"And so we're having both, Madara as the Hokage and you marrying lady Mito." Tobirama said calmly.

He can see how his brother looked so loss, so empty and helpless. Tobirama wanted to ignore those facts. Uzumaki Mito was a nice lady, she's beautiful, compassionate and have the attributes of a perfect woman, he's sure that she will be a good wife to his brother. She's the exact opposite of that one person his brother was so crazy about. Madara and Mito were like day and night and it was unfair to compare the two.

Yet, Tobirama felt guilty from whatever reason as he saw how it made Hashirama unhappy.

"How about you." the younger Senju asked quietly as if he's reluctant to ask it.

"Me?" Hashirama chuckled, a coping mechanism. "I just want to make her happy and to save our people, that's why I'm going to..."

"But you obviously doesn't want to do it."

Hashirama looked at his brother confused. Yesterday, he was the one who keep on telling him, forcing him on the marriage and now it was like Tobirama was telling him to re-think his decision. The Hokage's eyebrow twitched, what does his younger brother really want?

"You look unhappy, that's what I'm saying." Tobirama continued and avoided his brother's eyes. He does not want him to think that he's having second thoughts about convincing him on the marriage.

"Madara can never love me, I cannot make her happy, I just..." Hashirama's own words pained himself greatly yet it was what he thought was the truth. "I don't deserve her."

"..."

Tobirama remained standing and slowly he return his gaze towards his brother. Just by seeing him, he can tell how much Hashirama hated his own decision, hated the situation. As his brother and the only person aside from Toka that stay on his side for such a long time, he witnessed how Hashirama was willing to sacrifice even himself for the purpose of making a certain Uchiha happy. Tobirama admits that he hated Madara and the Uchiha in general. They were just a bunch of rabid dogs who were so thirsty for battles. He was absolutely certain that the only reason why his brother wanted to keep them around was because of Madara and that was why Tobirama resented her.

But they are brothers and as a brother he wanted Hashirama's happiness. Whenever he thinks that this Uchiha girl was the source of his older brother's happiness, it made him sick to his stomach because he cannot accept that fact. But whenever Hashirama smiles because of this girl, Tobirama can almost forgive her on all the things she did wrong in the past to them. She was like a poison that Hashirama would willingly drink, bad for himself but cannot get enough of her.

The fact that he sacrificed himself for her sake yet again was a foolproof that Hashirama loves her more than anyone else in the world.

"Tomorrow, I will tell her about this." Hashirama said, bowing his head. Tobirama only stared at him in silence.

"Hokage-sama!"

A female voice erupted from the outside of the brothers' house. Hashirama immediately recognized who it was while Tobirama opened the door.

He was met by a dark haired girl, an Uchiha.

"Yoko?" Hashirama approached her as Tobirama stepped aside.

Yoko was out of breath holding her knees with both hands. She looked troubled as if someone was after her life. Seeing an Uchiha entering a Senju compound was something to be bothered about.

"Help, help," The young Uchiha stuttered.

"What's the matter?" the Hokage asked, puzzled.

"It's about Madara."

Hashirama's composure suddenly became alerted after hearing that name.

"She, she will attack Kirigakure on her own! Help her!"

"What?!" the brothers said in unison before glancing at each other.

"Tell me what happened for her to decide things on her own!" the Hokage held Yoko's shoulders and demanded.

"I don't know!" Yoko retorted, still gasping for air. "Earlier, a lot of my clansmen went on her house and asked her to come with them. It was no secret that they were plotting to take the clan leadership away from her. Our elders no longer trust her after it has came to their knowledge that she was the root cause of Kirigakure's actions. They also aren't fond of her so..."

"But why would she go to Kiri on her own?! This is outrageous." Tobirama whined

"I'm going." Hashirama turn around to take his armor and weapons.

"But brother-"

"Take care of the village for a while, Tobirama. I won't let her alone in this, it will put not just the village at risk but also her.

Without wasting another second, Hashirama departed the village alone despite Tobirama's ramblings. Before he completely vanished in their sight, the albino said that once he failed to return in 24 hours, he will follow him.

"Madara, what are you doing?!"

-xxx-

When he told her he loves her, she almost believed it, no - she definitely believed it. Madara finally acknowledged that little voice within her only for that voice to be buried in the deepest, darkest part of her soul.

"I will marry you, Mito."

What a fucking joke.

She turned to an embodiment of rage. Her mind was filled by hatred. She's going to destroy them - Kirigakure first and then the Konoha. She doesn't give a damn if she's alone in all of this, surely there will still be people around the Uchiha clan that will remain on her side just like Jiro. It doesn't matter if they're little in number, for she knows she's powerful enough to crush her enemies.

And then after that..

"I'm going to kill you, Hashirama!"