Love's Test of Time (Madara Uchiha x OC)

E - Family

Songs:
Human - Gabrielle Aplin
Better Than This - CHPTRS

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Three calm years had passed by quickly. We continued living in our house in the woods and were mostly unbothered by Konoha. After a year went by, Madara had begun leaving for several days at a time for different missions. One time he was gone for a whole month and it was hard on both of us. But the boys would especially miss him when he went on missions and constantly ask for him.

While most of our days were spent in peace, every once in a while an old sliver of trauma would come up to haunt us. These days required us to work through our past and become better people because of it. Today was one of those days.

I was drying the clean dishes as the boys were running around outside, with Madara watching over them. I heard a loud thud and one of the boys started crying. Uh oh. I quickly placed the dry dishes in their respective places and went outside but the scene unfolding before me brought me to a halt.

Madara held Izumi's shirt collar and was yelling at him. "Stop crying! There's no reason for you to cry!"

Yuji stood next to Izumi, trying to deescalate the situation. "Dad, it's okay, just let him cry. He'll—"

"You will not tell me what to do!" Madara cut him off, pointing a finger in his direction. I closed my open mouth and ran to them.

"What is going on, Madara?" I questioned him, kneeling next to Izumi and checking him over for any injuries.

Still glaring at Izumi in front of him, he answered me. "Izumi fell and is crying because of it. He's acting like a baby."

I scoffed at him. "Madara, he is still a child! Don't expect—" Abruptly, Madara pushed Izumi back and let go of his shirt, intending to knock him down. I grabbed him before he could fall and held him close to my chest. "Why did you do that!" I looked at Madara, shock overtaking my expression.

"Because if he wants to cry, then I'll give him something to cry about!" His voice raised with every word and my knees shook in fear. I stood, still holding Izumi in my arms, and Yuji stepped closer to me. "And you! For being disrespectful, you will be punished!" Madara yelled, raising his fist as if he was going to strike Yuji.

I stepped between them and grabbed Madara's arm, my shock dissolving only to be replaced by hot anger. "You will not hurt him! Either of them!" I shouted at him. He wrenched his arm from my grip and stepped back, anger evident on his face.

"So you're defending them now?" His jaw clenched shut as he crossed his arms; his body rigid with anger.

"Yes. They are only three years old! They are still children and it's okay for them to cry. You wanted to do better than your father but you're acting exactly like him," I said exasperated while rubbing small circles on Izumi's back who was still in my arms, his tear-stained face buried in my neck.

I continued, "You wouldn't hit me so why would you hit our children? It doesn't make any sense. If they are being disrespectful, which neither of them were, just talk to them. They understand our words, not our temperament."

Madara's clenched fists had lowered to his sides and his gaze rested on the floor. "I'll be back," He grumbled before turning and storming away. Yuji came closer and grabbed my pant leg, his small hand shaking slightly, and I took a deep breath, not releasing it until I heard the front door slam shut.

"Mommy, I'm scared," Izumi cried into my neck and I set him down gently.

"Did you get hurt?" I asked softly and Yuji came to hug my side, holding onto my shirt tightly. Izumi nodded and rolled his pant leg up over his knee. "Awe you've got a little wound there! Would you like me to heal it?" I added lightness to my voice, trying to take away their fear.