Twin Leaves in the Shadow

第15章

Madara's eyes glowed bright red, piercing through the darkness. Hashirama leapt to his feet and rushed over to Madara.

"They're gone, Madara," he panted. "I don't sense their chakra anymore."

He wrapped his arms around Madara, but was swiftly shoved back.

"Madara,-"

"They could still be here," he scolded.

He brushed past Hashirama and grabbed his robe.

"Where are you going?" Hashirama questioned with concern growing on his face.

"Just stay here," he grumbled, rushing out of the room.

Hashirama sank back into the bed. He thought back to all the other times he felt like someone was watching him. Someone was keeping tabs on him, but the question was who? Thoughts raced through his head.

What if Madara does find someone out there?

Is someone following me?

Or him?

"There's no one out there," Madara announced as he walked back into the room.

His eyes were back to their normal brown, but he still wore a frantic expression.

"Maybe it was nothing," Hashirama sighed, trying to reassure him. "It could've been a drunk from the party."

Madara sat down beside Hashirama and buried his face into his hands. Hashirama was hesitant to reach out and comfort him, afraid to be rejected again.

"I'm afraid," Madara mumbled into his hands.

"Afraid of what?" Hashirama asked, placing his hand on Madara's thigh.

"What will people think if someone was spying on us? Have you thought of that yet?" Madara cried out, raising his head from his hands.

"Why does it matter?" Hashirama remarked defensively.

"Do you not pay attention? The Uchiha clan is already closely watched and no one trusts me. Do you really expect the village to be happy that the Hokage is getting fucked by the head of the Uchiha?" he ranted.

Hashirama was stunned.

"You haven't considered any of that?" Madara pressed.

"It doesn't matter what anyone thinks when I trust and believe in you," Hashirama argued. "I'm trying to make things right."

"It's not that simple."

"I'll make it simple."

Madara groaned out of frustration. He looked broken and defeated. It made Hashirama ache to see him so bothered.

"Just come back to bed. We can figure this out in the morning," Hashirama pleaded, tugging him gently.

"You're awfully calm about this," Madara grumbled, refusing to budge.

"We aren't doing anything wrong. I have nothing to be ashamed of," Hashirama declared.

The dark-haired man chuckled and shook his head. Hashirama sat and watched him, puzzled by the reaction.

"You're kind," he said soft with affection.

Hashirama took Madara's hand into his own and held it tightly.

"Come lay down with me," Hashirama murmured. "Please."

He guided Madara back to the pillow and wrapped his arms around him. Madara nuzzled himself into Hashirama's chest, feeling a sense of safety as he laid beside him. It was an unusual feeling for him. To have someone love him unconditionally wasn't something he was used to. The thought of ever losing this terrified him deeply.